Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

Wilson and Ditch : Digging America: S10E1 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the first episode of Wilson and Ditch: Digging America.

Likely flying in from their home country of Russia to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and acquiring their van, the brothers begin their trip with the Liberty Bell Center. and film this portion of the trip, and due to this, Wilson mostly skips over it in his blog.

## Synopsis

Wilson and Ditch are inside of their van, and Ditch is whistling while Wilson freestyles along. Wilson gives facts, specifically about the Liberty Bell, and Ditch, disappointed he cannot ring the actual bell, honks the van horn, referring to it as "The Liberty Horn", a running gag throughout the episode. Wilson is unamused, and the two proceed to the Bell Center.

Ditch, while at the Bell Center, yells at employees to ring the bell for him, and when Wilson informs him this is not going to happen, Ditch somehow honks the "Liberty Horn", which is off screen, causing more frustration in Wilson.

The Go-Bros then head to Independence Hall, discuss more facts, and then go to a historical recreation area. Ditch harasses an employee he believes to be the real Benjamin Franklin, and honks the "Liberty Horn" once again. Wilson, losing patience, tells Ditch to leave it behind and leaves the area.

They sign off by referring the viewer to Wilson's Blog, as well as their Apple Pie Picks. Wilson attempts to honk the horn, and when it doesn't make a sound, and learning that Ditch actually did leave it behind, he is extremely frustrated.

## Analysis

Throughout this episode, we are introduced to the characters of Wilson and Ditch in their first video appearance. Ditch is in peak form, pestering nearly everyone he comes across. Wilson, oddly enough, is the only one to respond to, or even acknowledge these moments though.

Wilson plays the role of "older brother" very effectively, taking responsibility for his brother's actions, and feeling as though he has to correct Ditch for his behavior. The differences between Wilson and Ditch's behaviors are stark. Wilson operates in a focused, knowledgeable and articulate manner, delivering historical facts in a clear, organized manner, as well as attempting to keep Ditch in line.

In contrast, Ditch is easily distracted, makes illogical inferences, and lacks impulse control. He acts clearly as the "younger brother" archetype, behaving immaturely, teasing Wilson, and acting in a "happy-go-lucky' manner. His intrusions are often confounding rather than traditionally comedic. His childish comments and lack of understanding overshadow Wilson's attempts at informing, as well as frustrate Wilson.

Wilson's frustration however, is hypocritical, in that he teases Ditch multiple times, by being a "mushy gushy gopher". Ditch allows it to roll off his back, whereas Wilson grows more and more agitated with Ditch's "Liberty Horn" antics. This could either be a sign of Ditch's ignorance or Wilson's internal struggles with anger.

It is confirmed that Wilson and Ditch's grandfather wore dentures, and that these had some historical significance, as Ditch likens them to the importance of the Declaration of Independence.

However, throughout the episode, Ditch subjects many service workers to harassment, which may due to his cultural difference, but could also imply further that he has some form of social disorder, such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, or anti-social personality disorder.

Throughout the episode, Ditch's antics are completely ignored by everyone outside of Wilson. This, along with other examples, seem to lend themselves to the popular Schizophrenia Theory.

1. Ditch somehow brings the "Liberty Horn" with him across the city. It is never shown on camera, does not elicit a reaction from anyone other than Wilson, and would be wholly impractical for him to actually bring around town,
2. Ditch's routine comments that are totally off-topic, and somewhat jarring, indicate a lack of social awareness.
3. Ditch asks Wilson if "they", an unspecified entity can hear hear them, out of nowhere.
4. Ditch asks Wilson why he is "whispering", despite there being no indication that he is whispering at all.

Each of these moments in the show, as well as the content of the blog and the comic strip, lend credence to this well known theory.

## Transcript

Ditch: (whistling)

Wilson: (singing) From seas to shining seas.

Ditch: Hey, that was very good Brother Wilson!

Wilson: (chuckles) Ooh. We're here! Welcome to Philadelphia, iIn the state of Pennsylvania! So much important history of the beginning of America took place here, in Philadelphia.

Ditch: Ooh, like cream cheese?

Wilson: No, not like cream cheese.

(addressing camera) But did you know they call Philadelphia City of brotherly love?

(to Ditch) I love you, brother.

Ditch: Don't get all mushy, Gushy. No one likes a mushy, gopher.

Wilson: Okay, Ditch. But I really do love you.

Ditch:Yeah, sure, sure. Gopher face. So, what will we see in Philadelphia?

Wilson: The Liberty Bell.

Ditch: Oh.We can ring it, right?

WilsonNo, no they can't. They only ring it on special occasions. Like when country became country in 1776. They not ring bell in very long time.

Ditch: But it's bell.You make bell to ring over and over.

Wilson: They don't, because last time they rang it, it cracked.

Ditch: Then I have an idea! We have our own bell. Our horn.

(honking van horn) It's our horn of liberty! The liberty horn! The liberty horn! It will never crack.

Wilson: Okay, enough with horn. Horn not bell .Let's go see real bell.

(Sees Ditch reaching for can horn again), BAH!

(transition to Liberty Bell Center at Independence National Historical Park Pennsylvania)

Ditch: So this is Bell of Liberty?

Wilson: Yep.That's a very big crack.

Ditch: (yelling, likely to Park Service Workers) Hey, ring the bell! Ring the bell of liberty for us two gophers!

Wilson: They're not going to ring bell.But everyone can see it here at Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia.

Ditch: Well, at least we have our liberty horn.

(Honks Van Horn somehow)

Wilson: You brought car horn from car?! Okay, enough with horn. Next stop, Independence Hall.In Philadelphia. Very important.

Ditch: Is everything in Philadelphia important?

Wilson: American history started here.

Ditch: Ooh!

(transition to outside of Independence Hall)

Wilson: Independence hall. They signed a famous piece of paper called Declaration of Independence here.

Ditch: Here a piece of paper?

Wilson: Yes, Ditch. Men wearing wigs signed a piece of paper that made America country.

Ditch: (whispering) Uh, hey, um, we're far away. Can they hear us from there?

Wilson: No...

Ditch: Then why are we whispering?

Wilson: Are we whispering?

Ditch: Yes.

Wilson: Oh, then stop.

Ditch: Okay!

Wilson: Good. In 1776, they signed this paper. It's very important and historical.

Ditch: OOH like grandpa's dentures!

Wilson: No, this is much more important. It said, England, We are our own country now. We are America. So go away with you!

Ditch: OOH hooray For the Declaration of Independence.

Wilson: Okay, let's go meet Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of America.

Ditch: Okay.

(Transition to Historical Recreation Area)

Ditch: Ooh! Is that Benjamin Franklin? (points to random historical period actor)

Wilson: No, that's not him at all. But the real Benjamin Franklin, they call him Ben, helped start the country and signed the Declaration of Independence right here. Oh, and he also invented many things.

Ditch: That guy? What did he invent? The skateboard? The toaster oven?

Wilson: No, not that guy. And none of those things. But the real Ben invented the lightning rod stove to warm houses, reading glasses, and he started the first American library and fire department all here in Philadelphia!

Ditch: Heh, what a show off.

(yelling to period actor)

Hey, not real Ben Franklin. Go invent bell that doesn't crack! Ha Ha Ha! Good one, huh? Hey, did Ben invent the Philly cheesesteak?

Ditch: No, he didn't invent cheesesteak. And don't yell at poor man who isn't even Ben!

Ditch: Hey, look, Mr. Not Ben is playing a flutey thing! Rock on, Mr. Not Ben!

(Honks 'Liberty Horn' again, out of nowhere)

Wilson: Enough with the horn. Leave that horn here. Come on, let's go.

(walks away with Ditch lingering sadly, looking at where his 'Liberty Horn' presumably is)

Wilson: Ditch Come on! Ditch, Ditch!

(Transition back to van)

Ditch: Click on our apple pie picks and Wilson's blog to see where else we went in Philadelphia!

Wilson: Come to the city of brotherly love. You can reallllyyy feel the love here.

Ditch: EWWW, just drive, you weirdo gopher. We have to keep on...

Both: Digging, America!

Wilson: (trying to honk horn, with no sound) Hey, what is wrong with horn?

Ditch: You told me to leave it with Mr. Not Ben!

Wilson: Ohhhh...

Ditch: (begins whistling again)

## Full Episode

Wilson and Ditch: Philadelphia Pennsylvania: S10E2]]