From Hopeless to Helpless

**From Hopeless to Helpless** is the seventh episode arc of *The Underdog Show.* In these series of episodes, Underdog is in trouble after an evil impersonator takes his place.

This is the last arc of season 1.

## Story

### Part 1 (#29 - 1/9/1965)

O.J. Skweez comes to Sweet Polly Purebred with news about the Hopeless Diamond being worn at a party. Knowing that some crook is going to steal it, O.J. suggests that Polly will go to the party disguised as a waitress so she gets the first report of the theft. Meanwhile, Riff Raff also gets the news and plans to do the same thing exactly - disguise as a waiter to steal the diamond. Someone also gives Shoeshine Boy the news, telling him that he will have lots of shoes to shine at the party, although, Shoeshine Boy decides to go knowing there will be danger that will call for Underdog. At the party, Riff Raff unfortunately reveals himself when he runs into Polly. He takes Polly to the kitchen and decides to replace the Hopeless Diamond with ice. The lady who wears the diamond freaks out which sends in Underdog, who tells her that her diamond is actually ice. Meanwhile, Riff Raff (and his henchman Mooch) puts Polly in a car and rolls her downward.

### Part 2 (#30 - 1/9/1965)

Things looked bad for Polly, who's speeding down a car downward on a slope, and a wheel on the car even comes off. Fortunately, Underdog flies down and saves her just as the car falls off the cliff. After dealing with Polly, Underdog announces on the TV news that Riff Raff has the diamond. Enraged, Riff Raff thinks of a way to make sure Underdog doesn't bother him again. Later, Underdog finds signs that lead to Riff Raff's hideout, but in reality, he is lured inside a cave that starts eroding inside when Mooch blows it up. Meanwhile, Riff Raff is looking for an Underdog impersonator. He finds one named Tap Tap who is entirely perfect. Tap Tap and Riff Raff rob the bank, much to everyone's surprise when they see "Underdog" doing a crime.

### Part 3 (#31 - 1/16/1965)

Tap Tap, disguised as Underdog, has been going all over the place committing crimes. After stealing the mayor's cigars, he goes back to the hideout of Riff Raff and begins to cut the Hopeless Diamond into pieces. Meanwhile, the real Underdog escapes the cave he is trapped in and flies back to town, where he gets shot at everywhere. Underdog is naturally confused, so he visits the mayor who is mad at him for stealing his cigars. Underdog visits the last person who is sure trusts him, Sweet Polly Purebred. Unfortunately, she too doesn't believe him, and he is taken away to jail.

### Part 4 (#32 - 1/16/1965)

Underdog is so helpless in jail, that he began to believe that he really did do those crimes. Back at Riff Raff's hideout, Tap Tap has trouble cutting the diamond. Even with the biggest hammer that chops the table, the diamond is still in one piece. Tap Tap figures someone with the strength of a thousand men could chop the diamond. Riff Raff remembers Underdog, and believes that since no one has hope with him anymore, he can join his evil team. They dig a hole to Underdog's cell and tell him the deed, which hopeless Underdog accepts. However, when they make it to the hideout, Underdog takes the diamond and turns Riff Raff, Mooch, and Tap Tap to the law. Everyone is relieved that Underdog is still a hero.

## Trivia

* Part 4 doesn't end with the "It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a frog!", however it is said in the middle of Part 3.
* The story arc is similar to *The Hunter* cartoon *The Case of the Hunted Hunter*, whereas The Hunter is evilly impersonated (by The Fox) and is sent to jail.
* According to the newspaper seen in Part 1, this episode arc takes place during a Thursday-Friday.
	+ There is also a weather report briefly visible in the newspaper that says "Cool today, crazy tomorrow". This could be foreshadowing.
* *Tricky Trap by Tap Tap*, the fourth episode of the series, serves as the epilogue of this arc.