Clean Machine is the twenty-fourth episode of the first season.
Summary
Sal invents a cleaning robot, and the crew can't wait to try it out. But when Sal leaves to visit his GamGam, a series of machine mishaps ensues - leaving Comet & Co. to figure out a solution.
Plot
Sal is inventing a robot. Comet tells him that it looks so real, he almost looks like he's about to talk. Then, he asks if the robot can do anything fun (playing games, making smoothies, etc.). Sal says that the Intergalactic Wash-A-Tron 3000 is going to save them a lot of time, and help keep the place spic and span. A Dirtonian comments that it doesn't sound like something they'd want on their planet, as they like dirt. Comet asks if it's a dishwasher, and Sal says that his invention is a lot better; it can see what's dirty and wash it without being told. When Sal gets ready to show Comet how it works, the Dirtonian leaves. Sal makes sure the Wash-A-Tron is on, adds soap, pulls the lever and the Wash-A-Tron cleans a dirty plate. Comet is amazed. He makes squeaking noises while rubbing the plate. Sal says that he's glad Comet likes it, but the Wash-A-Tron still has some bugs and needs another tweak. He gets a call from his GamGam, while Comet continues making squeaking noises. Radar wonders what the noise is, and Sputnik says that whatever it is, it sure sounds clean. Halley notices the Wash-A-Tron and asks what it is. Comet tells her that it's Sal's latest invention. Sputnik says that she doesn't even know what it does and she loves it. Halley agrees and says that it's so cute, Jet hugs the Wash-A-Tron. Sal tells the crew that he's gotta head off to the Upsilon Galaxy to see his GamGam. Comet asks if she's okay, and Sal says that she's fine. He explains that she got a new Selernigan skateboard and wants to learn how to pop a wheelie. Comet asks about the Wash-A-Tron, and Sal tells them not to touch it, as it's still not finished. Jet obeys Sal and hands the Wash-A-Tron back to his emotionally stable friend. Sal says that he'll show them how to work it when he gets back and Comet thanks his introverted friend.
Later, at the Frosty Star (business as usual), Comet asks Halley if there are any dirty cups, and Halley says she just served a bunch of customers, but nobody's finished yet. Comet really wants to try the Wash-A-Tron, but needs something dirty first. This grabs everyone else's attention. Radar asks his emotional friend if he's really going to use it, and Sputnik reminds her extroverted friend that he heard what Sal said. Comet tells his introverted friend to come on, and says that the Wash-A-Tron will really help them, as it's going to save time. Sputnik tells Comet that he said not to touch it. Comet says that he only wants to do it once as a demonstration. Halley agrees and says, "Yeah, no more dirty cups!" Comet says that he already knows how it works, as Sal showed him. Sputnik asks, "What if something goes wrong?" and Comet asks, "What could possibly go wrong?" and says that it's easy. He manages to cajole Jet (by means of emotionality) and Radar (by means of extroversion) to side with him, but Sputnik despairs. Halley searches for dirty cups, and once he finds some, she sends Radar off to claim them. He throws them to Comet, who pulls the lever on the Wash-A-Tron, but nothing happens, depressing everyone. Comet notices Sputnik manually washing the cups and goes crazy. He asks her what she's doing and says that they need the cups. Sputnik explains to Comet that the robot's obviously not finished and they're going to need clean cups. Comet assures Sputnik that he can get it to work and tells her to trust him. Sputnik suggests they wait for Sal to get back and take them through it like he said, but everyone has already turned to the extroverted and emotional dark side. Halley tells her introverted and unemotional friend to come on and says that she knows Comet can figure it out. Comet says that the first thing Sal did was to make sure the on button was on. Once it is, Comet says that they need some dirty cups. Halley, Radar and Jet discreetly take back some empty cups. Comet activates the lever, but Sputnik still thinks that it's a big mistake. Comet doesn't get why the Wash-A-Tron isn't working, as the on button is on. Sputnik thinks that this is silly and tries to take the dirty cups, but Jet doesn't let her do so, protecting the emotionally-touched cups. Radar tells his introverted and emotionally stable friend to come on and to give Comet a chance. Comet remembers Sal putting soap in the soap tray, which is why it didn't run. Radar throws Comet the soap box, and Comet pours in the WHOLE BOX of soap. He closes the tray, presses the on button, and everyone gets excited for the results, but nothing happens. Comet gets impatient and begs the Wash-A-Tron to work. Comet notices that he forgot to active the lever, and the Wash-A-Tron starts washing the cups. Everyone gets excited. Suddenly, gears begin flying out, and Jet lets his extroverted friend know what's going on, and Comet's happiness is replaced with shock. The Wash-A-Tron is going haywire and washing random things, but not putting them back the way they were. Radar asks if it's supposed to do that, and Comet says that he's not sure. Sputnik says that they'd better call Sal. Comet stops him and reminds her that he told them not to touch it. Sputnik says that she thought it was going to be okay and Comet knew what he was doing. Comet admits that he was wrong, but if Sal finds out now, he's going to be really mad. Sputnik says that it's an emergency and they HAVE to call him. Comet agrees... but tries to figure out how to turn off the Wash-A-Tron first. Sputnik screams, "COMET!"
Comet recalls that he pulled the lever to start it, so he thinks that if he pushes it, it'll turn off. He does just that, but the lever breaks off! The Wash-A-Tron starts going haywire and cleaning random things, and eventually heads for the Astroblast Crew! Sputnik, Halley, Radar and Jet run off, leaving Comet on his own. He tells the Wash-A-Tron to stay where he is, but the Wash-A-Tron doesn't listen. Comet runs off, saying "Yikes!" but he gets grabbed anyway. He calls for help, before getting cleaned by the Wash-A-Tron. He continues running after the Wash-A-Tron, which is cleaning everything it sees and scaring away the guests. Sputnik, Halley and Jet are in the hallway. Sputnik tells them not to worry and says that she's got them covered, and throws dirty socks out of a sack to distract the Wash-A-Tron. They run off, but the Wash-A-Tron chases after them! Meanwhile, Comet is sitting at a table with a Dirtonia, sad and ashamed that he didn't listen to Sal. The Dirtonian suggests Comet push the lever, but Comet broke off the lever. The Dirtonian suggests that it'll run out of soap, but Comet added the whole box. The Dirtonian suggests Comet run away, as Dirtonia's nice if you like dirt. Comet realizes that pushing the power button will turn it off. The Dirtonian asks how he can reach it and says that he'd have to catch it first, which is impossible. Comet figures out how to catch the robot and says that he's going to need the Dirtonian's help.
The Dirtonian grabs the Wash-A-Tron's attention with himself, as he's dirty. He lures the Wash-A-Tron toward him, and just in time, he activates a glass bubble around himself. Comet sneaks up behind it and tries to turn it off, but the Wash-A-Tron threatens to clean him. Comet presses buttons multiple times, and the Wash-A-Tron finally turns off and falls to the ground, breaking.
Sal comes back, and notices that the area is clean! Comet asks Sal if he remembers how he told him not to touch the Wash-A-Tron and admits that he did, and broke it. Sal gets upset and tells him that it's not ready yet. Comet admits that he knows and apologizes. Sal says that he thinks he should be able to fix it, and reminds Comet that when he says not to touch something, he means it. Comet gives Sal the gears and broken pieces.
Later, Sal's finally fixes the Wash-A-Tron and asks Comet if he wants to do the honors. Comet asks if it's okay for him to touch it, and Sal says yes and tells him to press a button. It finally activates, and Sputnik throws in some dirty cups. The Wash-A-Tron shoots out the cups and it starts dancing. Comet asks if it's supposed to do that, and Sal says no. However, he relents and asks everybody who wants a dancing machine instead of a cleaning machine. Everyone says that they do, and Sal settles it. Everyone starts dancing and the episode ends.
Characters
Trivia
- Running gag: The characters telling Sputnik, "Come on, Sputnik!"
- This is the first episode where Sal gets upset.