If Your Marriage Grows Stale, You Have to Spice Things Up a Bit (Or Else)
Episode(s): "Leap Frogs" (Season 1, Episode 2)
Air date: 9/19/1993
It's obvious from the beginning of this episode that Mr. and Mrs. Bighead's relationship has lost some of its passion. This is why Mrs. Bighead flirts with Rocko (though she goes no further.) By the end of the episode Mr. Bighead attempts to rekindle the spark in his relationship with the Mrs. (This involves heavy tongue-petting and plate-breaking.)
Sometimes relationships become stagnant and boring, but what we can learn from Mr. and Mrs. Bighead is: Sometimes you have to spice things up in order to get the relationship rolling again. If not, your significant other may try to find some spice elsewhere.
Airports Will Never Care About Your Bags
Episode(s): "Jet Scream" (Season 1, Episode 3)
Air date: 9/26/1993
A fact of maturity: As you age, you come to understand that airports don't care about your bags. Sometimes you'll open your bag and discover that items are missing or broken, and sometimes you may even be that one unlucky person whose bags get sent to the wrong location. Don't worry—Rocko has been there.
In this episode Rocko brings his cow-friend Heffer along on a trip to Las Vegas for a comic book convention. Although most of the episode is centered around Rocko and Heffer's travels on the plane, the question of where the two's bags are plagues them constantly. Unknown to Rocko and Heffer, by the end of their travels their bags are on some planet in outer space, being checked out by aliens. That's a lesson for today, kids.
You Might Hate Your Job
Episode(s): "Skid Marks" (Season 1, Episode 4)
Air date: 10/3/1993
Rocko, unfortunately, loses his job at the mega comic store, and decides to take up several different jobs that he obviously doesn't enjoy. (One includes working as an explicit hotline operator—straight jokes.) By the end of it, he winds up getting a job at the local comic book store, returning to the job environment he belongs in. Given today's economic climate, it's more common than not that you're going to have to do jobs that you don't necessarily want to do. But hopefully they'll pay off in the long run. Thanks, Rocko!
The Wedding Day Will Always Be a Stressful Day
Episode(s): "The Big Question" and "The Big Answer" (Season 3, Episode 11)
Air date: 1/28/1996
Popping the question is only one part of the problem. Getting through the actual wedding ceremony is the other. Dr. Hutchinson, of the chiny claw, and the nebbish Filburt decide to get married, but their plans for the wedding create a chaotic situation for everyone involved.
It's a combination of problems: Dr. Hutchinson's mom not wanting her to marry Filburt; Heffer almost getting Filburt and Rocko killed during some pre-marriage shenanigans; and both Filbert's and Dr. Hutchinson's families disliking each other.
Despite these difficulties, the two still get married and—whoa—we discover that Dr. Hutchinson's dad is a turtle. (We guess cats secretly have a thing for turtles.)
If ever you decide to get married be aware that the day will probably not go as smoothly as you would want it to, but everything will hopefully turn out fine by the end.
The Power of Advertisements Is Real
Episode(s): "A Sucker for the Suck-O-Matic" (Season 1, Episode 8)
Air date: 10/31/1993
A lesson in the death march of capitalism, this ep was a grim prophecy about just how powerful advertisements have become. Although most of the episode deals with Rocko buying a new vacuum after his old one dies, it's how he ends up with his new one that's unsettling. He's hypnotized by an advertisement for the Suck-O-Matic, and ends up purchasing one. By the end of it all the vacuum ends up becoming a living space for Rocko and the rest of his neighbors, implying that they, too, were also hypnotized by advertisements for the Suck-O-Matic. Moral of the story? Don't be hypnotized by advertisements and women speaking in a robotic-like voice.
Consumerism Is One Hell of a Drug
Episode(s): "Who Gives A Buck" (Season 1, Episode 1)
Air date: 9/18/1993
To consume is a powerful social and economic command that can really mess up your life. Rocko can vouch this; in this episode he receives a Conglom-O credit card in the mail, goes to the mall and practically buys everything there. Of course he has to return it all because he can't afford to pay Conglom-O (Heffer kindly repurchases a fire hydrant that Rocko bought for Spunky), but through Rocko's frivolous spending we learn two things. One, credit cards are essentially the devil; and two, consumerism can be a debilitating addiction if you don't know how to control your spending. Thanks for the heads up, Rocko.
Don't Do Something Life-Threatening to Impress Someone
Episode(s): "Wallaby On Wheels" (Season 4, Episode 9)
Air date: 7/18/1996
Doing life threatening things to get the attention of someone you like is so middle school (and, to some degree, high school), hence this episode's valuable lesson. Rocko, hoping to impress a girl he likes named Sheila, attempts to do a dangerous stunt but is saved by Heffer in the process. Soon after that the roles are reversed and Rocko has to save Heffer (which he does). By the end of it all Rocko realizes that it's important to be himself instead of someone he's not, and he still gets Sheila. Rocko embodied the real recognize real mantra before it was even a thing.
Independence Does Not Come Without Responsibility
Episode(s): "Mama's Boy" (Season 4, Episode 5)
Air date: 7/12/1996
When we're young, all we want is independence. But when we get it, it can be a little overwhelming. This is the case for Heffer when he gets a job and moves out of his parents' house. His roommate's wild lifestyle begins to have a negative influence on him, and, as we see in the episode, makes Heffer's independence that much harder to balance out.
Independence is a gift. It's the reason why we can go out for a late night with friends, and go to work the next day with a hangover and not need to worry about our parents interfering. But if there's anything to take from Heffer's experience is this: Independence comes with acknowledging to take responsibility for yourself.
Travel The World Correctly
Episode(s): "I See London, I See France" (Season 3, Episode 7)
Air date: 12/10/1995
Traveling the world is important because it introduces you to different cultures. Granted, Rocko and Heffer's visit to France doesn't really seem that enjoyable. They meet a crazy bus driver, miss all the important sights, eat Chokey Chicken (which they can get in their hometown) and, at least in Rocko's case, fall in love. But just the idea of being in a new place with a friend and possibly finding a foreign romance is already appealing.
Learn from this episode. Take advantage of the tourist attractions that a country has to offer and don't eat at places that are available in your home country. That makes absolutely no sense to do.
You Might Have To Lend A Friend A Helping Hand When They're On Tough Times
Episode(s): "Bedfellows" (Season 1, Episode 2)
Air date: 9/19/1993
In this episode Heffer's room is rented out to mice when his father, George Wolf, gets laid off from his job. With nowhere else to go (Heffer's treehouse can't support him like it used to) Heffer turns to Rocko, who happily allows Heffer to stay at his place. However, the two's different lifestyles lead to conflict and by the end of the episode, Rocko is chastising Heffer for taking his hospitality for granted. Fortunately, Heffer returns home with his family and he and Rocko remain friends.
The moral of the story is this: Sometimes you will need to help a friend that's in need more than you are, but also make sure that friend isn't taking your hospitality for granted by, you know, having nudist parties without your approval.
If You're Ever Broke Look For the Best Deals Possible
Episode(s): "Rocko's Happy Sack" (Season 1, Episode 11)
Air date: 11/21/1993
Sometimes life can be hard and it's sad and unfortunate to hear and see people talk about being their last dollars before their next paycheck arrives. We've all experienced financial issues both small and large, and so has our good friend Rocko. Being both broke and hungry, Rocko attempts to make it to the local grocery store to take advantage of a big 99% off everything sale. Although he almost doesn't get his way at the end of the episode (poor Filburt but in Rocko's defense he went through a lot of crap to get to that store), Rocko still comes out with a great deal of food all for $1.50. Granted, nothing like this will probably never occur in real life, but there are deals out there that you can take advantage of if times ever get hard. You just have to look for them. (And hope that an old lady doesn't beat you up in the process.)
Stand Up For Something
Episode(s): "Zanzibar" (Season 3, Episode 13)
Air date: 4/21/1996
In celebration of Earth Day, Rocko pits the town's citizens against Conglom-O and its pollution. It's done in a musical format so you get characters singing about recycling, conservation, and the Ozone layer.
This episode is inspiring in that it encourages viewers to stand up for something. If you feel there's something that needs to be improved, stand up for it, and align yourself with people that feel the same way. Ah, Rocko, we'd be voiceless mole people without you.
Don't Be Surprised If You Have To Do A Few Oddball Jobs Before Landing One You Actually Want
Episode(s): "Canned" (Season 1, Episode 8)
Air date: 10/31/1993
Rocko unfortunately loses his job at the mega comic store, and decides to take up several different jobs that, well, he obviously doesn't enjoy. One includes working as an explicit hotline operator.
By the end of the episode, he ends up getting a job at the local comic book store, returning to the job environment he belongs in. You're not the exception to the rule. It's important to realize that you're going to have to do jobs that you don't necessarily want to do. But hopefully they'll pay off in the long run.
Follow Your Dreams
Episode(s): "I Have No Son" (Season 2, Episode 1) and "The Lounge Singer" (Season 2, Episode 3)
Air date: 9/25/1994 & 10/9/1994
In the former episode Mr. Bighead's son, Ralph Bighead, is introduced as a cartoonist, which leads to his estrangement from his family. His father wanted him to be a corporate man. In the latter, there's Filbert, whose dreams of being a lounge singer lead to him hitting the big time.
Both of these episodes are important because they showcase the importance of doing what you want to do, instead of doing what you "should" do. "I Have No Son" was actually inspired by issues affecting show creator Joe Murray, as well as other directors and writers. Regardless of how cliche it is, do what makes you happy. Even if that means you want to be a lounge singer.
Cherish Your Best Friends
Episode(s): "Put To Pasture" (Season 8, Episode 5)
Air date: 10/10/1996
Friendship is one of the most important components of life. Friends are there with open arms and a beer when something bad happens, and they're there with a wide smile and a beer when something good happens. In this episode, Heffer becomes seriously ill and is sent to the hospital. Although the entire gang—Mr. and Mrs. Bighead, Filbert and Rocko—reminisce on their first encounters with Heffer, it's Rocko's and Filbert's encounter with him that resonates the most.
The memory goes as follows: Heffer almost costs the two of them a bad grade on a science project back in high school, but his gluttonous ways end up working out for all three of them.
Fortunately, Heffer lives to see another day, but underneath the episode's humor was one very important message: Cherish your friends, even if they almost get you an F on a science project.