Putting The Ork Back In Mork (Part 2) was the second episode from Season 3 of Mork and Mindy, also the 53rd overall episode in the series; it was also the conclusion of a two-part, two episode story arc, originally aired as a one-hour episode. Co-written by Ed Scharlach and Tom Tenowich, the episode, which was directed by Howard Storm, originally aired on ABC-TV on November 13, 1980.
Originally aired as the second half of an hour-long episode, it appears in its original form on DVD. For syndication, a "previously on Mork & Mindy" bumper was added to the beginning of the show.
| "Putting The Ork Back In Mork (Part 2)" | |
|---|---|
| Season 3, Episode #2 (#53) in series (95 episodes) | |
 Mork must successfully go through the newly arrived Elders Orkan re-education training, or risk return to Ork in disgrace never to see Mindy again. | |
| "Mork & Mindy" episode | |
| Guest Star(s): | Vidal Peterson Julia Hendler Jonathan Ian Elliot Jaffe Stephanie Kayano Amy Tenowich Bebo |
| Network: | ABC-TV |
| Production code: | 302 (3x2) |
| Writer(s) | Ed Scharlach & Tom Tenowich |
| Director | Howard Storm |
| Original airdate | November 13, 1980 |
IMDB 
|
Putting The Ork Back In Mork (Part 2) |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| Putting the Ork Back in Mork, Part 1" (Season 3 premiere) |
"Mork in Never Never Land" |
| List of Mork & Mindy seasons/episodes | |
Synopsis[]
Blaming Mindy for Mork's loss of his Orkan-ness, the newly arrived Orkan Elder transforms her attic into a pure Orkan environment. Putting Mork through a variety of training and tests to rid him of the "Earth Spirits" that have made him far too human he warns them both that Mork must be 100 percent Orkan at the ends of the trials. If not he will be returned to Ork, and they will never see one another again.
Plot[]
In Mindy's Apartment Mork & Mindy face the newly arrived Orkan Elder. Despite his having forgotten much of his Orkanness, Mork is in awe of the newly arrived Ancient One. Mindy however is entirely underwhelmed by the fact he looks like a 10 year old kid with a bowl cut and glasses. The Elder speaks to Mork in Orkan but Mork is so far gone, he has to ask Mindy what he's saying. They ask him if he can speak English and the Elder adjusts his vocal output, telling them he can speak any language he wishes.
Mindy raises the point that both Orson and Mork told her someone old was coming, and asks The Elder how old he is? Flabbergasting her when he calculates that, by Earth standards, he would be the equivalent of 86 years old Mork further surprising her when he reveals to that, on Ork, the aging process is reversed. The Elder expounding that they are born old and wrinkled, and get younger as they age, so they are respected from birth, and cared for better when older and look like children. Mindy admitting, weird as it is, that's not a bad way to do it.
Getting on with why he's travelled there, The Elder then proceeds to scan Mork to ascertain his level of Orkan-ness. To their dismay pronouncing him to be only 17 percent Orkan. He then informs Mork that he if he is not a Full Orkan by the time he leaves, Mork will be ostracized. When Mindy asks if there is anything she can do to help Mork, The Elder rounds on her, calling her a 'Culture Sapper', and telling her she's 'done enough' before attempting to dismiss her, demanding she go away. Angered by his attitude, Mindy stands her ground, demanding to know who he thinks he is, ordering her about in her own home. The Elder, taking the question literally, and blowing a Raspberry in her face. Thhhhbbbbbthh being how you pronounce his real name.
The Elder once more accuses her of turning Mork into an Earthling and again insists that she leave them alone, Mork tries to defend her, but The Elder accuses her of robbing Ork of an Orkan. Feeling guilty at that Mindy tells Mork that The Elder is right, she's done enough damage, and retreats unhappily to her bedroom. Watching her go, Mork tells The Elder he feels sorry for her, The Elder sharply accusing him of being an 'Infidel' reminding him that Orkans do not *have* feelings. Without further delay The Elder starts Mork on his first test, getting him to hurt himself by banging his head against a wall in an effort to get him to say Shazbot, which he fails amusingly but abysmally at.
A while later a flotilla of eggs are arriving over the house. Her father there, a slightly unnerved Mindy explains to Fred that they are cargo eggs and Mork and The Elder have been unloading a load of stuff and taking it up to the attic. Fretting, Mindy tells him that if Mork fails his test she'll never forgive herself, Trying to buck her up, Fred feels sure that Mork will pass because he's doing it for her, and he'll soon be back shampooing caterpillars again. But it doesn't work, Mindy pacing, gazing anxiously up the stairs to the attic, replying that she feels so helpless, knowing that Mork is going through so much and she can't even be up there with him. Curious, Fred asks why, Mindy replying because 'that old coot', the Elder, won't let her. Fred, belying his normal outward attitude to Mork, remarks that if Mork needs her maybe she should be up there with him. She wholly agrees but feels like an intruder in her own house, and has no idea what's arriving in those eggs. Fred notes that she sounds a little scared, and she admits she is, but for Mork, frightened he will fail that test. Considering, Fred advises that it never hurts to bring an 'apple to the teacher', and if she wants he'll go up with her, but thankful she declines, Mork being 'my alien'.
After Fred goes, taking her father's advice, Mindy gathers herself and moves to go up into the attic, only to be intercepted by The Elder coming down. Blocking her, he informs her sternly she can't be up there as it's a pure Orkan environment, which she will contaminate. Agitated, she appeals to him, explaining that she cares about Mork and just has to help him. Her intensity in trying to get through to him leads her to unthinkingly grasp hold of the Elder's shoulders. Something which (not unlike Mork when she first touched him) gives him palpitations. Unable to take the excitement, at his age, he caves and gives her permission to go up, providing she wears an Orkan uniform so she doesn't contaminate the environment with her 'Earthiness'. He then hands her a Baribie toy sized version from his belt, assuring her that one size fits all, and waits on her as she takes his word for it and goes into her room to change.
While he's waiting for Mindy to come back, he opens the door to Mr. Bickley's knock . Bickley there to complain about the noise. Based on how they look to each other, both of them make assumptions about their respective ages, and proceed to treat the other one like they are a smart aleck child, Bickely ultimately threatening to send the Elder on a ride in his Cuisinart, right as Mindy returns dressed in the Orkan uniform pleased how well it fits. Stopping dead on seeing him, she greets him awkwardly, Mr. Bickley demanding that she keep the noise down while playing 'dress up' and leaves. The Elder commenting to Mindy 'they are cute at that age', before he takes her up into the attic warning her she is about to enter an environment no Earthling has ever seen before. True to his word Mindy emerges into an attic that is unrecognizable, utterly transformed into an Orcan environment, where Mork is working on the 'Nanu' machine, re-learning his Orkan greeting.
When Mork promptly greets her with a Hi rather than a Nanu, the Elder snaps at him. Mork apologizing before compliments Mindy on how good she looks in Orkan threads. Thanking him she looks around amazed at the transformation at the attic, and as The Elder takes a 'griblich' (break) it allows Mork to show Mindy around. He shows her a popular Orkan saying scrolling across a screen 'Life is like a Khush Biya'; then an animated landscape of Ork, with it's three moons, where earthquakes are allergic reactions to condominiums, Confirming that all these things are helping him feel more Orkan, Mork introduces her to the number one pet on Ork (even more popular than CockerFrankels) the Naugachomp, specifically his pet one, Bebo. Emerging from his enclosure, Bebo takes an immediate shine to Mindy, chasing her into a corner. Calling him off, Mork is called back to work by the Elder to take the Orkan pledge of Allegiance to Ork while Mindy takes a seat on a large new pink armchair to watch. As he recites the pledge, the seat beneath her gives way, pulling her downwards. The Orkan 'Killer Naugahyde' chair trying to fry her. Mork rushes to rescue her, and trying to soothe her after the shock, hugs her, At that, The Elder loses patience and demands she gets away from him.
When Mindy goes to protest The Elder freezes her, and indicts Mork for caring more about Mindy than being Orkan. Deciding that further training is of no use, he informs Mork that he we'll be returning to Ork immediately. Mork looking to the frozen Mindy, anguishes over not even having the chance to say goodbye to her. Turning to the Elder Mork tells him he just can't leave her. The Elder derisorily brushing off his connection to Mindy, telling him they'll build him a better version of her (with a power seat). Mork quietly protests there can't ever be another Mindy and that he doesn't understand, only for the Elder to accuse him of blasphemy, asserting that young people like Mork have no respect. Pleading that he meant no disrespect, Mork asks for the chance to show him what 'a Mindy' is, wanting to show The Elder the qualities that make her, her. Utilizing his own powers, he animates Mindy to show her happy, sad, fun loving, inquisitive and caring sides. Utilizing hugging to demonstrate her caring side, Mork repeats the caring aspect repeatedly, garnering himself multiple hugs from her, until the Elder asks if there is something stuck? Mork replying yes, him...on Mindy.
Taking this in, The Elder has to admit the intense hold Mindy has on Mork, Mork confessing that the reason he has to be an Orkan again is solely so he can stay with Mindy. That she means more to him than anything in the known Universe. After begging The Elder to think of anything he can do to help, The Elder, considers, and with some reluctance admits there may be one thing. But feels it's far too dangerous, that he's far too old to even attempt it due to the horrendous danger involved. A moment later however, looking to the still frozen Mindy, he turns thoughtful, considering perhaps he could do it, with Mindy's help. Unfreezing the bewildered Earth girl, The Elder tells them both that the only way he could possibly save Mork is, if Mindy helps him, to try and pull the Earth spirits from Mork using the Ritual of the Sacred Eggs. At which point Mork realizes with shock that The Elder is an Eggsorcist.
Later, downstairs in the apartment with the lights down low where, the Elder explains, they can take on the Earth Spirits in their own environment, Mindy prepares to assist him in the formal ritual over Mork, laid out in a silver skull cap and surrounded by glowing eggs. As the ritual progresses Mork is 'possessed' by various elements of the Earth Spirits as they are dragged out of him. But their hold on him is strong, and despite Mindy's help it starts to exhaust the Elder. As Mork collapses back, twitching and muttering, the Elder draws back breathing heavily, telling Mindy he's done as much as he can do, its up to Mork now.
Mork now silent and unmoving, sends an already worried Mindy into outright anxiety, pleading with him to come back. As she watches over him, he starts to move, declaring himself Mork from Ork and talking like he used to. As Mindy excitedly helps him up the Elder pronounces that the spirits seem to have left his body. Further proof seeming to come when his skull cap is removed and his hair has grown out. However, while he seems back to his usual self, when The Elder scans him, the monitor reads that he is only 93% Orkan and not the required 100%. Failing the test. To Mindy's dismay the Elder declaring that means Mork must return to Ork to be ostracized, just before the ancient Orkan collapses.
Taking him to the couch, Mindy and Mork tend to him. Mindy holding his head on her lap with a cold compress, trying to get him to drink some juice. As he comes to, he is puzzled by Mindy's caring actions towards him, querying why, when he was about to take Mork away from her, she tried to help him? She explains that she had to, he needed someone to help him. He tells her, as a wise elder that he has never uttered these words before...'I don't get it'. Mindy explains that it's called caring. Taking that on board, and how powerful it is, he says he is beginning to understand what 'A Mindy' is.
Standing up, preparing himself, Mork says he is happy that The Elder has learned that at least, and informs him that he is ready to be taken back. But The Elder pauses, and stops him, remarking that despite the rules saying he must be a perfect Orkan, he has realized from them both that Mork is not playing the same game in his role as an Observer. That in order to be able to function properly in his job for Ork on Earth he has to have some Earth in him or risk sticking out. He states that Mork belongs on Earth.
When Mindy excitedly asks if that means Mork can stay, The Elder tells her yes, christening her the 'Soft Lapped, One'. Mindy and Mork eyeing each other over his head at that, before Mork goes into a paroxysm of celebration, kissing The Elders hands. When Mindy, in turn, hugs him, The Elder professes to have enjoyed that. wondering why they don't have them on Ork. Walking to the door with them, he asks if he can visit them again some time, which they are happy for. Mork promising they'll write him. As soon as they learn how to spell Thbbbbthh, Mindy adds. Hugging them both in their version of goodbye, he departs in his egg ship, leaving Mork restored and them alone. As they dance across the room together in celebration of his 'return', Mindy's quickly reminded they are not actually alone. Bebo showing up to chase her up against the Armoire. Trapped she looks to Mork who warns her to 'enjoy him now' as Naugachomps grow to 100 ft high, before scooping her up into his arms to help her escape the smitten Bebo.
Mork reports back to Orson to say he's found 'the tree of me, in the forest of us' 'down the path of change, where the squirrels of self hide the nuts of inner peace'. In other words Orson says, Mork is saying is 'Life is like a Khush biya'. Exactly, Mork agrees, and would like to thank Orson, Mindy, and Thhbbbbbthh, because that's the way he really wants to be. Mork tells him you can make your home anywhere in the Universe, but its most comfortable if you furnish it with your own traditions, and he feels best in Early Mork.
Trivia[]
Orkan 'Facts'[]
- It is stated in the advertisements in the run up to the show that the Ancient One is 700 years old, but his 'equivalence' is 86 had he been a human.
- It's revealed that the Orkan aging process is reversed.
- Mork's landscape reveals that there are three moons on Ork, named Lumpy, Squeezy and Jo-Jo (contrary to his earlier jokey remark in Mork's Vacation that there were 16). The actuality of three moons is backed up in S4's The Honeymoon.
General[]
- The Elder says that he's 7 micro-bleams old, which is 86 in Earth years. Bleams are an Orkan measurement of time, and one bleam equals 2,000 years. The prefix "micro" is only uttered here and the Elder later remarks of The Ritual of the Sacred Eggs, "I haven't done it in many bleams."
- Mork's pet Naugachomp, Bebo, is introduced in this episode. Essentially Bebo was a rounded remote-controlled car covered with fur who chased Mindy around the apartment and appeared next to Mork as he made his reports to Orson throughout season 3. Bebo received as guest-starring credit as "himself" in each episode.
- When Mork slams his head against the wall the 2nd time, he says 'Howard I lost, it was my thyroid' which appears to be another 'boxing' related Howard Cosell joke
- When Mork slams his head against the wall the last time, he makes a comment about moving "Laverne & Shirley" to Thursday nights. This was a direct jab at ABC, which had moved the top-rated sister show from Tuesday to Thursday, causing ratings to fall off the chart.
- This is the first time Mindy gets to wear an Orkan spacesuit.
- Another Shiksa mention "Shiksalation!"
Pop Culture[]
- When the Elder tells him he could be ostracized, Mork exclaims "Oh the disgrace, the shame and Shanda of it all!" Shanda being the Yiddish for something scandalously shameful.
- After Mork smashes his head against the wall, he says, "I do not know any Libyans and I have not yet cashed the check." This is a political joke referring to Billygate, a scandal that occurred when American President Jimmy Carter's brother, Billy Carter, became a government agent in Libya.
- Mr. Bickley asks the Elder, "How'd you like to go for a ride in my Cuisinart?" Today, Cuisinart produces a wide array of kitchen appliances but at that time the word was primarily used as a brand-name for a food processor.
- After the 'Killer Naugahyde' Chair tries to 'eat' Mindy, Mork tells her they call the chair 'The Sizzler' and that it must've thought she was 'Malibu Chicken'. The restaurant chain 'Sizzler' had come up with the recipe Malibu Chicken as part of it's Menu.
- Mork jokes that Mindy needs "asbestos shorts" to sit on the Orkan chair. Asbestos was known for being fire-retardant and was used in a variety of products, but its usage was later discontinued when its toxic properties were fully revealed.
- The ritual of the Eggs is a spoof of The Exorcist directly referencing its young star Linda Blair at the end.
- Mork's possession has impressions of Richard Nixon including Watergate and The Wizard of Oz references.
Quotes/Excerpts[]
- Mindy: Is...is there anything I can do to help?
- The Elder: *You've* done enough, Culture Sapper! Go away!!
- Mindy: What?! Wait a minute buster, this is my house! Who do you think you are?!
- The Elder: My name is Thbbbbbbbth *blows raspberry in her face*
- Mindy: *rears back, wiping spittle from her face* I beg your pardon?
- Mork: *draws her close* I think he said his name is Thbbbbbbbth *does the same in her face*
____________________________
- Mindy: Listen eh..ehh..eh...Thbbbbbbth. See you and I have got to have a little talk. Now I care about Mork, and I want to be Orkan again just as badly as you do. I mean I...I... think Orkans are great, they're terrific! But you just *gotta* let me help him d'ya understand?! *grabs him by the shoulders*
*The Elder Looks from one of her hands to the other on his shoulders*
- Mindy: Oh! *pulls her hands away rapidly* Pardon me.
- The Elder: *breathing heavily* Can't take this excitement *puts a hand over one of his hearts* I'm not a young man anymore. *inhales* Alright, you may go.
- Mindy: *relieved* Ohhh!! Thank you!! *curtseys and does backward Orkan bow*
- The Elder: But you must not contaminate what we have up there with your Earthliness. *opens up pouch* Put this on. *hands her a doll size Orkan uniform*
- Mindy: *stares at it* Ehhh...is this gonna fit me?
- The Elder: One size fits all
____________________________
- Mr. Bickley: Oh hey, you must be one of Mork's little friends from the Day Care Center. What's your name?
- The Elder: Thbbbbbbth
- Mr. Bickley: *eyes narrow* Listen you little....
- The Elder: Leave here at once this is no place for children.
- Mr. Bickley: *looks around at who he's talking to* What're you a wise guy?
- The Elder: Very!
- Mr. Bickley: How'd you like to go for a ride in my Cuisinart? *eyes gleam*
____________________________
- Mork: I pledge allegiance to my Planet. The rest of the known Universe can can it.
____________________________
- The Elder: There'a a remote possibility that I might be able to pull the Earth Spirits from your body with the ritual of the scared eggs
- Mork: Awwww...the ritual of the sacred eggs, Mind! Oh gasp! Choke! Extreme Fear! Everything pulses through my body! Mind, he's an Eggsorcist!
____________________________
- Mindy: Are you alright?!
- Mork: Oh Mind, I had this horrible dream. I dreamed my head spun all the way around and I spit out Linda Blair!
____________________________
- Mork: Mindy, he said the ritual would be dangerous and yet he still did it for me.
- Mindy: Oh and you did it for me!
- Mork: And you did that for him *gestures to her nursing of The Elder* You know life would be a lot simpler if we were selfish!
Promo[]
Mork & Mindy - Putting the Ork Back in Mork - Episode Promo 2-2
Shorter, Wednesday Night, Elder Heavy Promo for Putting the Ork Back In Mork. Nov. 1980
Image Gallery[]
Cast []
Starring
- Robin Williams as Mork
- Pam Dawber as Mindy McConnell
- Conrad Janis as Fred McConnell
- Tom Poston as Mr. Bickley
- Ralph James as Orson
- Jay Thomas as Remo DaVinci
- Gina Hecht as Jean DaVinci
- Jim Staahl as Nelson Flavor
- Crissy Wilzak as Glenda Faye Comstock
Guest starring/Recurring cast[]
- Vidal Peterson as The Elder
- Julia Hendler as Julia
- Jonathan Ian as Jonathan
- Elliot Jaffe as Elliot
- Stephanie Kayano as Stephanie
- Amy Tenowich as Lola
- Gregg Berger (Voice) as Bebo