Over the course of its three season existence, Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has undergone a number of changes. Some of the songs sung in every episode have been tweaked; the animation has improved; and, among other things (and perhaps most notably), Toodles has gained not only a face and a voice, but has been increasingly anthropomorphized.
For the uninitiated, Toodles is the holder of all the tools that Mickey and friends need on a daily basis – whenever the group requires a little bit of help they call on Toodles and he comes a-calling. The series itself began in 2006, but it wasn't until the first new episode of 2010, "Happy Birthday Toodles," that Toodles gained his face and voice. Now, in the latest DVD release (which will premiere on Disney Channel the same day it hits store shelves), "Road Rally," Toodles experiences a great deal of envy.
The new "full-length" episode (essentially the length of two single episodes) features Toodles feeling overshadowed by, and more than a little bit jealous of, another creation of Professor Von Drake's, The Rescue Truck. His bicycle having fallen apart, Goofy is given the truck by the Professor in order to participate in the Clubhouse gang's road rally. The only caveat the Professor gives is that Goofy must help when people need him, thereby encroaching on Toodles' usual territory.
As one would expect, by the end of the episode not only does Toodles feel better about his position in the Clubhouse family, but everyone else realizes just what they did that may have greatly upset their friend. It is another good lesson delivered by the series, but it's not the only one the episode tries to impart. The heroes may be participating in a road race, but as is explained on more than one occasion, the race is all about having fun and not coming in first. That's a lesson that Pete ends up illustrating if not learning.
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