02x07 - Make It, Don't Break It!

[bunniefuu]

[distant car horns blaring]

[theme music playing]

[Moon Girl] ♪ Ooh, my feet
Touched the ground ♪

♪ Here I am, world
Hear that trumpet sound? ♪

♪ Yeah, I have arrived ♪

♪ And me and my girls
'Bout to dip and slide ♪

♪ Swerve
Better make way, skurt-skurt ♪

♪ I got rules to break ♪

♪ Workin' non-stop
Now it's time to drop ♪

♪ Ooh, honey, boom
Cute, smart, and clever ♪

[singer] ♪ If you didn't know it
Now-now you know ♪

- ♪ Moon Girl Magic ♪
- [Moon Girl] ♪ Yeah, I'm magic ♪

- ♪ Thought you knew ♪
- ♪ Thought you knew, baby! ♪

[singer]
♪ Genius Inspiration overflow ♪

♪ Moon Girl Magic ♪

[Moon Girl] ♪ Moon Girl Magic ♪

♪ Thought you knew ♪

♪ Thought you knew, baby! ♪

[giggling]

[crowd cheering]

[commentator 1]
In what is surely

one of the most anticipated matches

of the tournament...

Theodore Zimmer's DogBot

against Jackson Weele's Big Wheel,

who is one of the biggest
threats of the season!

[gulps]

[snickers]

[whimpering]

[laughs, grunts]

[screams]

[crowd gasps]

[commentator 2] Oh! Well,
this is very unexpected.

[commentator 1]
A flip-out before the face-off!

Ugh! No! Get up!

Now, I know robots
don't feel pain,

but do they feel embarrassment?

I feel embarrassed for them!

Here's a slow-motion replay,
in case you blinked.

And that, my friends,

was the fastest takedown
in RoboWarz history.

I'm weirdly into it.

Big Wheel might've gotten KO'ed,

but now that ya girl
is old enough to enter,

we're taking it all the way to the top!

[gasps] No!

There's a new rule this year...

"All minors must be sponsored

by a science teacher from their school."

Ugh! I.S. 833 doesn't have
a science teacher.

Umm, what about Coach Hrbek?

[Hrbek chuckles]

My point exactly.

[ringing]

[Hrbek] Alrighty, then. Cecilia, Anand,

Jurnee, Lunella...

and Eli.

Looks like you all signed up

for the "RoboWarz Showdown."

We did some R&D--

With some spaghetti-
and-marshmallow prototypes--

I stayed up all night
making this PowerPoint.

Let me begin, thank you!

- Anand!
- [Cecilia] For real?

[school bell rings]

Ugh. Well, darn,

we're out of time.

Good morning, everyone!

I have an exciting announcement!

[sarcastic] Like, we finally
hired a new science teacher?

We finally hired a new science teacher!

- [gasps]
- [Los] I'd like to introduce

you all to Dr. Akonam Ojo.

Bless you!

It was an honor to serve you.

[Los] While Dr. Ojo
is getting acclimated,

you'll still be the designated sponsor
for this year's RoboWarz.

No problem! That I can do!

[scoffs] Five bucks says

she doesn't make it through next week.

'Cause, you know,
we've had a revolving door

of science teachers this year...

And what do we have

against revolving doors, Miss...?

Oh! Uh... [nervous chuckle]

...uh, Lafayette.

Miss Lafayette.

Not only does this technology

preserve 76% of the energy
that would be wasted

by merely using swinging doors,

it can also help minimize

the stack effect in skyscrapers,

which, as a New Yorker,
you can surely appreciate.

Once again, I am thrilled

to be joining you
all the way from Wakanda.

Wait. You're from Wakanda?

As in the most technologically
advanced country in the world

that uses a holographic projection shroud

to protect its rare vibranium?

That Wakanda?!

That very Wakanda, yes.

Miracles do happen in science.

Miss Lafayette,
more questions, I presume?

Just one...

So, I'm entering RoboWarz.

Ah, yes, I've heard of this.

Yeah? Well, they have this new rule

that students need a sponsor to compete.

And-and, you know,

it has to be a science teacher
at your school...

Hey! You're a science teacher, right?

So I guess, technically, you could sponsor

or mentor a student,
if you were so inclined...

I would be amenable to helping you.

Excuse me one moment.

[Lunella] Ah! No way!

This is actually gonna happen!

[door opens]

- You know I could hear you...
- Thank you so much!

See you after school tomorrow! Bye!

[door opens]

[sinister laugh]

Did I mention she has four PhDs? Four!

Oh, she's like Lewis Latimer raised

to the power of Katherine Johnson!

[exclaiming]

- [Devil groans]
- [Jester groans]

Aw, don't be jelly, D!

You know I think the world of you too.

It's just I've never had
a teacher like her before!

I designed a super dope lithium battery

that'll go in the robot's torso
to maintain balance

for the perfect center of mass!

In other words, my robot's

gonna blow her socks off!

[Jester screams]

- Hmm.
-"Hmm" is amazing in Xhosa, huh?

"Rudimentary" is the word
that comes to mind.

Oh. Come again?

Powered by lithium?

Made of aluminium?

Surely this is just a rough draft, no?

Uh... Yes?

I mean, of course!

Next time, please come prepared
with more refined work.

[Lunella] Rudimentary?

[elevator bell dings]

She called my work rudimentary.

In all of my 13 years,
no one has ever used that word

in the same sentence as my name!

Uh... I take it your meeting

with Dr. Ojo didn't go so well?

She was the opposite of impressed.

I... [groans]
I guess I was off my game.

Well, I have some good news
that might cheer you up.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
have been invited

to make an official appearance
at the RoboWarz!

That's right! You Super Heroes

are gonna be Super Estrellas
at the event!

Devil and I will head up
the M.G.D.D. merch stand

while you're kicking bots
and taking names.

And... Hello? Lu?

Look, don't worry about it.

You are dynamite!

You will blow her mind next time.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

I just gotta spend
a little more time on it and...

She. Will. Love it.

Thanks to your amazing feedback,

I replaced the lithium battery

with a specially designed
redox flow battery.

Plus, the reinforced exterior armor

can easily handle any of
the opponent's projectiles!

So, what do you think?

What should I be thinking?

What...?

Your engine will burn 15% more energy

thanks to the sheer weight
of your battery.

And the placement
of the photosensitive semiconductor

and your coded visual algorithm--

why, you could fit 20 goats

in those wide margins of error.

It's simply not inspired.

[Ojo] But surely you knew that.

Di-- Did I do something
to make you not like me?

Like you? I am your sponsor
in the robotics competition.

My objective is to push you

to the even higher levels of success

I believe you can achieve.

The only difference between a diamond

and a lump of coal is pressure.

Which are you?

I'm a diamond.

Good. Now show me.

[beaty music playing]

♪ No time to be nervous ♪

♪ Can't fall apart ♪

♪ Every day I'm working ♪

♪ Working hard ♪

♪ Head in the game I know today ♪

♪ I'm gonna change it all ♪

♪ Yeah, I've been working ♪

♪ Working hard ♪

♪ Eyes on me ♪

♪ Better keep up I'm on a roll ♪

♪ Eyes on me ♪

♪ Got the ball I'm in control ♪

♪ Like one, two, three ♪

♪ It's my time
No holding back ♪

♪ Competition, where you at? ♪

♪ You should really know that ♪

♪ You can't do it like me
Bet you can't do it like me ♪

♪ You can't do it like me ♪

♪ Bet you can't do it like me ♪

♪ You can't touch this ♪

♪ Take a seat and read my lips ♪

Uh, excuse me.

There's a wrench in my popcorn.

Oh, that's where I put it!

- Thanks.
- [slurping]

Lu, I'm worried about you.

Recently, you've been fanatica!

Totally obsessed
with this RoboWarz thing.

Case, Dr. Ojo

is a brilliant Wakandan scientist.

Her standards are
like out of this nebula.

And the only way to meet them

is to be perfect.

I mean, I'm lucky

to have a mentor who cares, ya know,

who pushes me to keep
starting and restarting.

Even now, I hear her voice
in my head pointing out

all the things I can be doing better.

Yeah, sounds less like a mentor

and more like a tor-mentor to me.

Listen, I... I really do
appreciate your concern,

but I'm all good, seriously.

You know what my dad always
says to me when I'm getting

too invested in one of
my true crime podcasts?

-"You're scaring me?"
- He says, "Amor, dejalo ya!"

It means take a break.

I can't take a break.

I need to be Wakanda good,

not well-kinda good!

You need to give that Dr. Ojo voice

in your head a break and replace it

with something that reminds you
that you are already amazing!

- Hit it!
- [upbeat music playing]

[scoffs]
Case, I have to work!

What? Que? I can't hear you!

[Lunella] Case!

♪ Don't forget
You're enough ♪

♪ Just free your mind ♪

Come on, Lu!

♪ You got it all
Doesn't matter ♪

♪ What they say, all right? ♪

[both giggle]

♪ You just gotta tell your mind ♪

♪ It's okay
You'll be fine ♪

♪ And give yourself time ♪

♪ Under the sun, girl
There ain't nothing new ♪

♪ Everything's all in you ♪

♪ Hear your heart
And only do you ♪

♪ Rock to your drum
Give yourself love ♪

♪ You ain't got nothing to prove ♪

♪ Pat your back
Because you're still here ♪

♪ You didn't give up
You persevered ♪

- See? Fun, right?
- Definitely.

- Encore?
- Thought you'd never ask.

And now, the holonomic drivetrain

combined with the mixed metal design,

yields a net zero kinematic effect.

- Wow.
- I know. Case was right.

Taking a break was clutch.

A break? That explains
your incomplete work.

Thanks, ah-- Wait, what?

[Ojo] Your rigid programming

will have little to no adaptability

in a new environment,
and your little spurs,

while cute, are not multifunctional.

You surprise me-- choosing to take a break

so close to competition.

Perhaps you are not the diamond
I thought you were.

No! I am! I'm a diamond!

Please, Dr. Ojo, don't step down!

Gimme one more chance!

You are to show up to the RoboWarz
with a pristine machine.

[door opens, closes]

- [electricity crackling]
- [Lunella] Come on, Lu,

be a diamond. Be a diamond.

Be a diamond! Be a diamond!

[crowd cheering]

[growls]

[cheering continues]

- Whoa.
- Hello!

Quick, we need a photo!

[all exclaiming and whooping]

[Lunella] Dr. Ojo!

[panting]

Miss Lafayette.

Dr. Ojo, meet Robob.

[tense music playing]

Not bad at all.

Hmm?

Well, what are you waiting for?
Get it ready for the ring.

[Lunella exclaims]

[tense music playing]

[crowd cheering]

All right, keep your head up!

Yes!

[upbeat music playing]

[Hrbek] You're okay! You got this!

You'll bounce back! Don't you worry!

[Announcer]
And Lunella and Robob

for the win and on to the semifinals

to face last year's winner!

Huh, semifinals.

I got this, right?

If your work is sufficient,

then yes.

However, I see that screw

was placed four degrees off-center

and is consequently bent from impact.

I imagine you'll want

to correct that
before returning to the ring.

[Announcer]
Time for our competitors

to take the stage!

[whimpers]

[Lunella grunts in panic]

[crowd cheering]

- Whoo-hoo!
- You got this!

Go, Lu!

[sinister laugh]

Ugh!

[crowd gasps]

Well, that was anticlimactic.

Looks like Robob is a Nobob.

[laughs]
You got that right.

Dogbot and his trainer, Theodore Zimmer,

will advance to the finals once again.

[Ojo] What were you thinking?
I thought you were smart.

I thought you were a diamond.

What were you...
Not good enough.

Not ready. Not good enough.

Not Wakanda-good.
Just well, kinda good.

I thought you were smart.
Not good enough.

What were you thinking?
I thought you were a diamond.

Not good enough.
Not good enough.

Not good enough!

[whispers] Not good enough.

[gloomy music playing]

[Ojo] Now is not the time
for histrionics, Miss Lafayette...

Miss Lafayette?

- Lunella!
- Are you-- Are you okay?

[Mimi] Lu, baby?

[Big Wheel laughing]

I'm back for revenge...

Ha ha...

And my trophy.

[sinister laugh]

[screams]

[sinister laughter]

[Devil growls]

[roars]

[laughs]

[Big Wheel] Uh-oh.

[Devil grunting]

- Where's Moon Girl?
- Her fan page says

she's temporarily out of service.

We gotta help our boy!

Stem Kids, assemble!

[Big Wheel approaching]

[laughs] I thought this
was a competition.

[groans]

She's in no shape to Moon Girl.

Oh, Lu, can you hear me?

I... I don't know what's going on!

She's having a panic attack.

I've had my own in the past
from too much pressure.

Lu, baby, I know you don't
feel the greatest right now,

and that's okay, but don't listen

to that negative voice in your head.

Wait! I've got just the thing.

This should help. Come on, Lu!

♪ Don't forget, you're enough ♪

♪ Just free your mind ♪

♪ You got it all
Doesn't matter ♪

♪ What they say, all right? ♪

♪ So don't go doubting you ♪

♪ The best at what you do ♪

♪ You just gotta tell your mind
It's okay, you'll be fine ♪

♪ And give yourself time
Under the sun, girl ♪

♪ There ain't nothing new ♪

♪ Everything is all in you ♪

♪ Hear your heart
And only do you ♪

♪ Rock to your drum
Give yourself love ♪

♪ You ain't got
Nothing to prove ♪

♪ You didn't give up
You persevered ♪

♪ Pick up, pick up right now ♪

♪ Hear your conscience calling ♪

♪ Calling ♪

♪ Pick up, pick up right now ♪

♪ Remember you're already
The diamond you wanna be ♪

♪ Don't forget, you're enough ♪

♪ Just free your mind ♪

♪ La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la ♪

♪ You got it all,
Doesn't matter ♪

♪ What they say, all right? ♪

♪ You're a diamond, so shine ♪

♪ You can do anything ♪

[groans]

- Ay, dios mio!
- Lu-baby!

What'd I miss?

While you were battling on the inside,

our Devil battled out here
with the robot kids!

But most importantly, how are you?

I'm okay.

Exhausted, but okay, thanks to you both.

Miss Lafayette...

Look, Dr. Ojo.

[scoffs]
Whatever you're about to rip me on,

I'm gonna have to say hard pass.

No one should have to deal
with all the pressure

you put on me.

And the only reason
I tried pushing through

was because I looked up to you.

But instead of building me up,

you broke me down and made me think

I wasn't worthy.

I don't need pressure to become a diamond.

I am a diamond.

Whether you think so or not.

I agree. And I am sorry.

I pushed you so hard
because I saw so much in you.

I was mentoring you
the way I was mentored.

But truth be told, I didn't enjoy

the tough love approach myself.

Maybe there are better ways
to get the best out of someone.

You've shown me that I have
more to learn as a mentor.

I also must confess, I came to I.S. 833

under false pretenses.

I am on an undercover mission

to find talented minds to round out

an elite team of international sci-spies.

You are impressive, Miss Lafayette,

and very much live up to your reputation.

[gasps] I have a reputation?

In Wakanda?

[chuckles]
Yes, you do.

And a spot in the program is yours--

if you want it.

[exclaiming and laughing]

Thanks, Dr. Ojo.

I think I might keep
my focus on my work here.

Rain check, though?

I look forward to that precipitation

with anticipation.

Lu, check this out!

That's pretty cool what you did,
combining the robots.

- That was Jurnee's idea.
- Way to amplify.

And shout out to my girl Cecilia

and her idea for the field shield!

We didn't win the tournament,
but fighting

with the Devil Dinosaur, heh,
I think we won the day!

- [Devil snorts]
- I mean, Moon Girl, who?

- Am I right?
- [Devil snickers]

[whimpers]

Well, if you're open to it,

maybe we can all team up next year?

Next year? Pfft! We're 13 and impatient.

Let's start a club now.

- Stem Squad!
- Steam Team!

- I love it! Great idea!
- I'm in!

Oh, I'm sure Dr. Ojo would love that.

About Dr. Ojo...

I got some bad news.

[Hrbek] Nooooo!

[upbeat music playing]