| "The Mork Syndrome" | |
|---|---|
| Season 2, Episode #15 (#40) in series (95 episodes) | |
 Mork, as new Air Force enlistee Lt. Mork Fromork, and Mindy as 'Airman McConnell' disguise themselves, in an attempt to blow a cover up on a nuclear leak and the storage of waste. in "The Mork Syndrome" in Season 2 (ep.#15). | |
| "Mork & Mindy" episode | |
| Guest Star(s): | Robert Hogan David Haskell Ty Henderson Alan McRae |
| Network: | ABC-TV |
| Production code: | 215 (2x15) |
| Writer(s) | April Kelly & David O'Malley |
| Director | Howard Storm |
| Original airdate | December 9, 1979 |
IMDB 
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The Mork Syndrome |
| Episode chronology | |
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| "The Exidor Affair" | "Exidor's Wedding" |
| List of Mork & Mindy seasons/episodes | |
The Mork Syndrome was the 15th episode in season 2 of Mork and Mindy, also the 40th overall episode in the series. Co-written by April Kelly and David O'Malley, the episode, which was directed by Howard Storm, was shot on October 5, 1979 and premiered on ABC-TV on December 9, 1979.
Synopsis[]
Hankering to travel, Mork mistakes the U.S. Airforce for a travel club, and borrows a uniform to try to go on a trip. The next morning he tells Mindy where he went, realizing he was part of a cover up for a nuclear waste spill. Prevailing upon him to join her to try and get the proof they need to inform the public.
Plot[]
At the Apartment, Mindy has Jeanie over and is cooking a Chinese dinner for everyone when Mork comes home early full of the joys of impending travel, spreading out brochures for all kinds of destinations. With wars and all kinds of problems he wants to see the world while it's still there to see, and is keen to get going. At least until Mindy points out that he has no money, though she does suggest there are other ways he can travel including working off his passage. Having forgotten the bamboo shoots, Jeanie volunteers to go for them, and Mindy decides to go with her to get away with Morko Polo for a while. As they open the door Remo comes dashing in and makes straight for the TV, their TV at home is busted (as he threw a beer bottle through the tube the day before) and he has $10 on the Patriots in their game with the Oilers, that's on. Mork tries to put his money vs travel problem to the distracted Remo, who casually advises him to do what he did, and join the Airforce, he won't get much money but he'll get to see the world. Mork gets excited by the notion of joining that travel club, but Remo is too excited by the Patriots scoring against the Oilers to notice, only taking time out to explain to Mork when he asks why they're spanking the guy who scored the touchdown that's congratulating him, 'guy stuff'.
The next day Mork makes his way to Buckley Airforce Base outside Denver, and meets Lt. Chambers who tells Mork the USAF won't let him in without his birth cert, drivers license and social security card. When Mork suggests they could let him in on the basis of his personality and how fun he would be on trips Chambers tells him he doesn't make the rules, hands Mork some pamphlets on the USAF and heads off to consider a new slogan for the Airforce, leaving Mork alone. Where he spies a freshly laundered Airforce uniform hanging up. Thinking if he shows them how good he looks in one of their 'club costumes' they'll let him in, he nabs it and heads off to change in the Latrine.
A short while later, with the weather turning freezing, some Airmen enter, and two of them McFarland and Endo get talking about how awful the food is, hoping whatever secret location they are being sent to that night has a McDonalds nearby. As they're talking Mork comes out dressed in the Lieutenant's uniform he nabbed (with the tie all wrong), and everyone snaps to attention. Mork tries to get everyone to relax, thinking there's too much tension for a vacation club. When the servicemen ask if he knows where they're going, he gives up and asks where? McFarland tells Mork that they hate that they're never told anything, and when Mork tells them he hates it when popcorn gets stuck in your teeth, the start to feel as if this officer needs some R'nR. But Captain Chapman enters and they all snap to attention again bar Mork, attracting Chapman's attention. Demanding to know who he is, Mork replies Mork from Ork...but Chapman hears Fromork, and accepts him as Lt. Fromork, though not impressed with Mork's tie. He tells them all they'll find out where they're going when they get there, and that it's going to be full of hardship, danger and personal sacrifice, but Mork is heading for scuba, golf and tennis.
The next day, Mindy on a day off, happily heads out from her bedroom with a mud facial on, and lays down on the couch putting iced slices on her eyes, when she hears Mork come in. She fends him off blindly when he jokily reacts to the mud facial trying to save her from it. Asking where he's been he tells her he joined travel club Remo told him about USAF, confused until he spells it out, Mindy takes off the slices on her eyes and is shocked to see him in uniform. He tells her its not official, he just did to tag along on one of their trips, but alarmed she informs him its against the law to impersonate a member of the military, that he could go to jail for that, and demands to know where he went with them. He tells her that it was all done on the 'Q-Tip' and he doesn't blame them for trying to hush it up as it wasn't much of a vacation spot, in fact it was a nuclear dump some 30 miles out of town as the Geiger counts. As she gets more agitated he tells her they said it was an accident but it was pretty boring, though he did see 40 guys in lead suits carrying a big cracked barrel with long poles carrying it into a big lead room before they raced each other out.
A little while later, Mork is standing outside her bedroom door, trying to tell her it was no big deal, he just stood guard duty till he was relieved. Coming out, dressed and free of her facial she can't understand why he's so calm about a nuclear accident, then thinks maybe he misunderstood as there's so many safeguards against radiation leaks. But he says it is no big deal, after all on Ork after a nuclear accident they just use 'Nuke Away', which takes the worry out of being radioactive. When he discovers that humans have no way of dispensing with nuclear waste and just bury it in cans, he tries to make plans to get her off the planet with him immediately, but she pulls him back saying they can't just leave, if what he says is true there could be thousands of people in danger. He offers to drop pamphlets from the Egg as they head away but she wants to notify the authorities. He points out there is one problem with that, the Air Force are the authorities. Knowing he's right she still feels they have tell someone, the people have the right to know about stuff like this and they can't get away with covering things up. Mork wants to know whose covering things up, and Mindy doesn't know but she suggests possibly the owner of the company who owns the dump. Mindy decides the newspapers is the way to go, but they won't believe them without hard facts as proof. Retrieving her tape recorder she tells him they're going to go back to the dump and they're going to talk to the soldiers. But now that he's aware of the danger, Mork does not want to go back and risk the radiation, but Mindy feels it has to be reasonable safe or they wouldn't let them near it, but Mork feels they could just be uniformed guinea pigs. Mindy is adamant someone has to do something though, and taking the tape recorder tells him that sometimes they have to think of others rather than just themselves. Mork is both derisive and guilty, and weighs up his own welfare versus mankind's...and left with little choice chases after Mindy only to find her waiting smugly for him on the far side of the door, knowing full well he'd do the right thing, and handing him the tape recorder before tugging him after her as he says "wherever you glow, I'll glow!"
In the dump, now labelled freely with radioactive warning signs and with scientist and military milling around, Mork in his uniform and a mustached Mindy, her hair caught up under a cap, hands shoved in an Airman's uniform enter edgily, with Mindy wanting to know where he got her uniform from. Rank, he tells her, has its privileges, but the supply Sergeant was a little suspicious when he asked for a sized 7 petite. Airmen McFarland and Endo see him and approach thinking they are there to relieve them early, but don't recognize 'the guy', looking over Mindy. Trying to deepen her voice, Mindy introduces herself as 'Airman McConnell', but they can call her 'Howard'. when they comment on her voice she tells them it was a football injury. Mork tries to get them to talk about 'that thing they're not supposed to know about', but they would rather talk about women, specifically McFarland's, Angela, Miss Rocky Mountains, who he would be with right now if not for this emergency, showing them a photograph of her, forcing Mindy into men's style appreciation. When McFarland says he like's his women curvy he asks 'Howard' how 'he' likes his, and Mindy replies intelligent...making them ask how serious was the football injury. Mork says not to worry about McConnell, he has everything a woman wants, and slaps her on the back making her stagger forward. McFarland and Endo head off, and Mork celebrates Mindy fooling them by patting her ass repeatedly telling her it' s man stuff, reminding him she's a woman and checking on her moustache, she asks him if he has the tape recorder, which he has, in his pocket, but looking around at the radioactive signs he tells her if his knees knock any louder he'll be looking in his trousers to see whose there.
Their opportunity arrives quickly though, when Captain Chapman turns up, though to Mindy's chagrin Mork has put the tape recorder in his rear back pocket. Putting them at ease, Chapman tells them he's just there to check things out. Mindy tries to open him up by asking Chapman what the situation is. Eyeing 'Howard' he asks her name, and whether she's new? Mork says about 23 years old. Mindy tries again asking Chapman exactly how bad the accident was, and he says it's nothing to worry about but asks if 'Howard' if her voice was 'normal' when she got there? Mork suggests that they have a right to know why the Airforce was called in don't they? And Chapman nods saying they were the closet military unit able to respond. Mindy asks respond to what? . To protect the public, Champan replies. He starts to talk about how they store a lot of radioactive material there, and as he moves, Mork starts to follow him backwards, shoving his rear in his direction to try and record what he's saying. Most of the containers are perfectly safe he says, but some, may as well be tupperware. As he turns he notices Mork's stance and asks him what he's doing, Mork replying that he's right behind him! Mork shifts his ass to Mindy when she asks how bad the accident was, then to Chapman when he answers Chapman says the spill was small and is now contained inside the lead lined room, but they'll have to wait a while to be sure no one's health has been effected...another 17 years Mindy asks if this kind of thing happens often, and after giving Mork another look at his odd hip swinging behaviour, agrees to say, but only on the understanding it's kept in the strictest confidence, Mork bending right over to ensure he gets what's said. .
Some time later, in the Deli, Jeanie is reading in the paper, about the radiation spill that happened 30 miles from them, but Remo is more concerned with heading to court to deal with his parking ticket then a story in the paper. When Mork and Mindy come in, Jeanie asks them did they see the amazing story in the paper? As they sit she tells them there was an accident at the nuclear dump and the company 'somehow' forgot to report it. Remo asks her how they found out about it, and she says someone snuck in with a tap recorder and got proof and the newspaper got an anonymous tip. Because of the expose the Government has agreed to put all the waste in new containers. Remo wonders why no one would take credit, they'd be heroes. Mork suggests that sometimes those who uncover a cover up can sometimes get 'covered up' themselves, Mindy adds that maybe the felt that the people's right to know was more important than being famous. But Jeanie thinks that there are a lot of people who would like to meet and thank those responsible, but Mork says we...they'd probably think it t'weren't nothing. All the same when Remo asks if they'd like lunch Mork orders them both some Hero sandwiches, big ones.
Mork gives his report to Orson telling him this week he had a job guarding a leak at a nuclear dumping site, when Orson asks from whom, Mork says the people who lived near the dump. When Orson asks why, Mork says governments on Earth like to play a game called 'I've got a secret' but when it comes time to tell the truth, it's 'Lets Make a Deal'. Orson says it sounds like they want to burden the public with too much information., but Mork points out how can you prepare for the rain when you don't know what the weather is going to be? He believes that people have the right to know about anything that might effect their well being. Orson suggests that maybe there's a good reason, pointing to the Earth saying 'Ignorance is Bliss' Not in this case, Mork replies. It's a good thing to conserve energy bit a bad thing to keep people in the dark...as he goes on about to relay some specific information. the lights go out, and as he lights a match he realizes he's done.
Trivia[]
Orkan 'Facts'[]
- Although Ork, like Earth, uses nuclear energy, the resultant "tell-tale nuclear waste" is easily disposed of via a spray called "Nuke-Away."
General[]
- The title and plot is a take-off of the 1979 Jane Fonda/Jack Lemmon nuclear crisis movie, The China Syndrome.
- It's revealed that Remo was in the USAF before he and Jeanie moved to Boulder.
- When Mindy is wearing her facial mask and relaxing she is singing the theme from Laverne & Shirley, the second time the sister show is directly referenced *as* a show, which is a little odd as Happy Days and Laverne di Fazio are part of Mork's direct experience. This would happen again in Putting the Ork Back in Mork, Part 2.
Pop Culture[]
- Jeanie jokes that Mork is too short and too pale to be a globetrotter, punning on the The Harlem Globetrotters
- Mork does a Tonto from the Lone Ranger meets Tennessee William's Blanche DuBois from A Streetcar Named Desire impersonation
Quotes/Excerpts[]
- Mork: Well Min! Wish be bon voyage, bon chance et bon Appetit! I'm on my way, I'm going to become a Globetrotter!
- Jeanie: Oh you're too short and too pale.
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- Mork: Oh Min, look at the wonderful places I can go though! Visit Tibet and Dally with a Lama! Visit Moscow and see the future stars of the New York Ballet! Visit Encino home of Rayon!
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- Mork Why are they spanking that guy?
- Remo: They're not spanking him, they're patting him! it's like congratulations y'know man stuff!!
- Mork:: Oh!! *starts spanking Remo* Hey!Hey!Hey!!Hey!! *trails off at Remos look*
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- McFarland: Excuse me Sir, if you don't mind me saying, may I suggest a little R n R?
- Mork: Well if you insist! .Ahrr Ahrr Ahrr Ahrr!
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- Airman Endo: Where to sir?
- Captain Chapman: You'll find out soon enough. But I can tell you this much, , for some of us here tonight it's gonna be full of hardship, sacrifice and great personal danger!
- Mork: Not me, I'm gonna sign up for tennis, golf and scuba!
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- Mindy: I'm really enjoying this day off, I'm finally getting the chance to all those little things I never had time to do.
- Mork: Oh you mean like cleaning the pool, waxing the dog or washing the limo?
- Mindy: Ehhh we can't afford a pool, a limo or a dog.
- Mork: See how inflation is such a labor saving device?!
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- Mork: Oh no Min! Attack of the Jolson people! No Mindy! *rushes to the couch doing jazz hands and doing an Al Jolson impersonation as he tries to 'help' her* Aww Mindy! Aww Mindy Mindy Mindy! Let me help ya Mindy! Let me help ya Mindy!
- Mindy: *blindly fending him off* Mork!! Don't touch me! It's just a facial! To make me look better.
- Mork: Bad news Mind. *grimaces* I think it's kinda retroactive.
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- Mindy: So where have you been?
- Mork: I went to join that travel club Remo told me about.
- Mindy: What travel club?
- Mork: USAF
- Mindy: USAF?
- Mork: You know, U period, S period, A period, F period. U.S.A.F.
- Mindy:: *uncovers her eyes and sees him in uniform* You joined the United States Air Force!?!!
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- Mork: Min I mean it's no big deal , I mean on Ork whenever we have a nuclear accident we just used Nuke Away!
- Mindy: Nuke away!?
- Mork: Yeah it comes in Pine Scent or that exciting new scent Fusion! It takes the worry out of being radioactive.
- Mindy: Mork we don't have anything like Nuke Away here on Earth!
- Mork: Well then how do you get rid of tell tale Nuclear waste?
- Mindy: We don't!!
- Mork: Oh come on now Mind, you can't tell me that people with nuclear power don't have any way of disposing of waste. C'mon hey! Next thing you're going to tell me is your gonna put it cans right...*laughs and moves to go up to the attic*
- Mindy: We do!
- Mork: You do, yeah yeah! *looks back* You do?! WOAH!!" *rushes back and grabs her* We gotta get out of here, Mind, c'mon!! We gotta take a quick hike! We're gonna take the next egg out! Don't worry about packing your clothes, we'll get you something at Frederick's of Venus! C'mon let's go!!!
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- Mindy: I know what we'll do Mork. We're going to go back to the dump, we're gonna take this tape recorder and we're going to talk to the men.
- Mork: Hey hey, no chance Lance! I could go in as an Airforce Lieutenant and come out as a radioactive reserve!
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- Mindy: *takes coat* Goodbye Mork. You know sometimes we have to think of others rather than just ourselves. *leaves*
- Mork: *mocking yet guilty*Sometimes we have to think of others...*sighs* Well lets see...*holds up one hand* Mork....*holds up the other hand* .Mankind. Let's weigh the action. Mankiiiiiiiiiiiiind *the mankind hand goes down* I gotta get my scales checked. *turning he runs for the door* Min!! I'm coming Mind! I'm coming Mind!! *opens the door and finds her standing there, leaning on the frame a smug smile on her face, holding out the tape recorder to him* Alright, wherever you glow, I'll glow. *as she tugs on his tie he follows her out*
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- Mork: *pats Mindy's/Airman McConnell's ass repeatedly* Heyyyyy way to go way to go way to go!!!
- Mindy: *stares at him, and points at her ass* What is this?!?!
- Mork: It's man stuff!
- Mindy: Well I'll let it go this time, but just remember I am a woman. *anxiously* Is my moustache on straight?!
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- Jeanie: Someone snuck in with a tap recorder and got proof and the newspaper got an anonymous tip.
- Remo: Who from?
Image Gallery[]
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Robin Williams as Mork
- Pam Dawber as Mindy McConnell
- Jay Thomas as Remo DaVinci
- Gina Hecht as Jeannie DaVinci
- Ralph James as Orson