Glove at First Sight

**Glove at First Sight** is the first segment of 10th aired and 11st produced episode in season 3 of Dexter's Laboratory. This episode serves as a backstory for how both Mom and Dad met each other, falling in love, and later getting married.

The episode was produced in 2001 and premiered on Cartoon Network in the United States on June 28, 2002.

## Plot

As it turns out, Mom and Dad parents met back in the year of 1984 (and they appear to be around college-aged). Mom's at some kind of clinic and sits nervously between other patients. One of these patients sneezes on her, disturbing her to near tears. Dad enters the room, wearing dirty clothing, an old hunter’s cap, and a greasy mullet. Mom is frightened by the sight, but is luckily called to see the doctor next.

In the doctor’s office, the professional notes that Mom’s severe germaphobia is preventing her from living her life to its full potential. He then reveals, in an attempt to cure her of this, he has hired Dad to assist in trials that would bring Mom closer to bacteria. Dad's eager to help but Mom, though she wants to overcome this, is clearly very reluctant.

Every trial the two partake in ends in failure:

1. When Dad offers half of the hot dog he just took a bite from, Mom refuses.
2. When he offers his dirty hand to shake, she declines.
3. Even when a fan is blowing cold air at her, causing her to shiver, she still refuses to take Dad’s filthy jacket for warmth.

After each test, Mom rushes home to shower thoroughly, fear and disgust still written on her face. In the end, the doctor explains that he can't help her unless she's willing to push herself. Mom leaves in disappointment, while Dad notes this and gets an idea.

Back at home, Mom continues to tidy up her living room when the doorbell rings. It is Dad, now fully cleaned and in a sleek new blazer. He explains that he disagrees with what the doctor said and invites to a New Year's Eve-dance competition/party, which she excitedly accepts.

The New Year’s dance is filled with a large group of contestants. Mom (in a new blue dress) and Dad confidently agree they can win. The DJ announces the rules: last couple left standing wins. The competition begins. Mom and Dad dance without touching, and over the span of hours, couples drop all around them.

Soon the competition boils down to two couples (one of whom is Mom and Dad), with the other couple looking rather exhausted. When the DJ puts a slow song on, Mom gets nervous as this mean that she and Dad will be physically touching each other, which Mom still isn't totally comfortable with -- but Dad's prepared for this, and reveals that he brought a pair of rubber gloves for Mom to wear (that way, they can still touch without technically touching each other). Mom gleefully puts the gloves on and they start slow dancing. Soon enough, the other couple drops out (as in, they drop the floor in sheer exhaustion). Mom is excited that they won, and Dad romantically notes they did so in more ways than one. They lean in for a kiss, with Mom putting her gloved hand in between their lips.

The scene cuts to present day, where it is revealed Mom is retelling this story to Dad because he took her gloves away from her. He gives them back, and after a brief pause, Mom embraces Dad, and the two recreate their first kiss, with Mom blocking using her gloved hand.