"Unplanned" is the second segment of the one hundred-tenth episode of Big City Greens.[1] Along with "Rehashed History", this serves as the fourth season finale.
Synopsis
Cricket learns he was unexpected, and runs away thinking Bill didn't want him.
Plot
The entire Green-Mulligan Clan is sitting in front of the television watching old home movies. As they excitedly go over the footage, Bill admits that he doesn't remember the one particular video of him playing with Tilly before he recalls its contents. In the video, Nancy announces that she is pregnant again, causing Bill to lividly declare how they were supposed to be a "one-and-done" family and not have anymore kids. Cricket is shocked by the footage, as is the rest of the family. Nancy insists that she and Bill still love him despite what transpired. In the middle of the night, Cricket decides to run away from home, believing that this is what Bill wants.
In the morning, the family realize that Cricket hasn't come down for pancakes. When Tilly goes to check, they realize he is gone and try looking for him. Tilly soon finds a note from Cricket confirming his actions. Cricket is walking in the woods before coming across a circus. The Ringleader becomes impressed with Cricket's athletic abilities on the trampoline and recruits him for tonight's show. Cricket enjoys the circus life and the Ringleader offers that he can come with them or leave, which Cricket considers. The rest of the family come across Dweezil who confirms with them that Cricket had joined the circus and race after him.
The Greens arrive just as the circus has packed up and leave on the train. Bill takes off running after it after seeing Cricket aboard and tries to appeal to him. Cricket is stern, but Bill insists that while he was a surprise, he was scared and didn't even realize that he wanted him in his life until he came into the world. Cricket refuses to leave, until Bill tells him that he is unstoppable and that no matter what he still loves him. With the circus's help, Cricket uses the cannon to launch himself back to Bill who embraces him. The rest of the Greens, and Nick, arrive and join in as one large loving family.
During the credits, home movie footage plays of Bill raising Cricket and giving him his signature haircut.
Cast
- Chris Houghton as Cricket Green
- Marieve Herington as Tilly Green
- Bob Joles as Bill Green
- Artemis Pebdani as Alice Green
- Wendi McLendon-Covey as Nancy Green
- Billy West as Nick Mulligan
- Shane Houghton as Long-Beard Bob
- Candi Milo as Mila
- Kyle Kinane as Dweezil
- Richard Kind as Ringmaster
Song
- "Within My Heart"
Trivia
- This episode does not feature the typical end credits. Instead of footage is played while the credits scroll by.
- While the series was ultimately renewed for a fifth season, the episode was treated as a potential finale.
- It was revealed Cricket was not supposed to be born after Tilly, thus his birth was unplanned.
- Tilly mentions that she doesn't remember the day Nancy announced her unplanned pregnancy when she was just a two-year-old toddler, as her hippocampus had not fully developed at that age. In reality, children typically cannot recall memories from their early childhood years, as the hippocampus does not fully mature until between the ages of 12 and 25.
- When Cricket is running away, the moon above the countryside is a crescent shape; a crescent moon symbolizes changes, growth, and new beginnings, giving to Cricket realizing he was unplanned and him coming to accept it, and Bill realizing he needed Cricket after his birth and he's just as important as the rest of the family members.
- The circus performer Enrique dressing in a lion costume is an inside-joke that certain circuses as of the 2020s (such as the revival of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus) retired their animal performers due to decline in attendance and high costs.
- Cricket was able to jump off the circus high dive without trouble, following the events of "Swimming Fool" where he learns to face his fears of the high dive.
- Moral: Unexpected or not, you are still a part of your family.
- This is the final episode of 2025.
Gallery
Videos
References
- ↑ "Disney Channel August Premieres" (July 3, 2025). Retrieved on July 3, 2025.
