Chemistry Set is the fourth episode of the second series.
Summary[]
The plot revolves around Norman Price’s misuse of a new gift. Having received a chemistry set from his mother, Dilys, for a positive school report, Norman initially engages in safe experiments like making vegetable dyes. However, driven by a desire for more exciting, albeit mischievous, results, he decides to embark on a project to create the "pongiest stink bomb in the world" in his bedroom, which he temporarily converts into a personal laboratory.
The situation escalates into an emergency when Dilys inadvertently interrupts Norman's volatile experiment. Her accidental interference triggers an uncontrolled chemical reaction, which quickly leads to a fire breaking out in the house. The alarm is raised, prompting the rapid response of Fireman Sam and his crew. The fire brigade arrives in their engine, Jupiter, to efficiently extinguish the blaze and ensure everyone is safe, resolving the crisis caused by the hazardous homemade experiment.
The episode also features a related subplot involving Trevor Evans. Trevor had planned a formal evening out with Dilys at a male voice choir concert. Dressed up for the event, his plans are thwarted when he slips on engine oil leaking from his bus, ruining his clothes and preventing him from attending. In the end, Trevor's misfortune provides a resolution to the children's transportation, as they get a ride back to Pontypandy with the fire brigade in Jupiter, neatly tying the two storylines together and reinforcing the show's underlying message about safety and responsibility.
Characters[]
- Fireman Sam
- Elvis Cridlington
- Station Officer Steele
- Sarah and James
- Dilys Price
- Norman Price
- Trevor Evans
- Bella Lasagne
- Morgan the Garage (mentioned)
Vehicles[]
Locations[]
Trivia[]
- When this episode first aired in English on BBC One London on 22 November 1988, it aired at 16:00.[1]
- Despite this episode being copyrighted in 1988, during it's first English airing, the credits showed it as being copyrighted in 1987 for a brief second, before an extra "I" was added to the Roman Numerals to change it to 1988.
- Stock footage from Flat Tyre is used.
- In Wales, this is the twelfth episode of the first series.
- The Welsh title is called, "The Scientist".
- This episode along with Norman's Tricky Day, The Wishing Well, Dilys' Forgetful Day, What Goes Up and The Big Freeze were the only episodes to be not added on BBC iPlayer in November 2020.
- On the bus going to Newtown, Trevor can be heard singing "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer/Jehovah" (aka “Cwm Rhondda”), a well-known Welsh hymn - the last two lines from the first verse can be heard: “Bread of Heaven, bread of Heaven, feed me til I want no more (I want no more), feed me til I want no more.”
In Other Languages[]
| Language | Title |
|---|---|
| Czech | Malý Chemik |
| Dutch | De Scheikundedoos\Norbert Heeft een Laboratorium |
| Finnish | Kemistin Pakkaus |
| German | Norman, der Chemiker |
| Hebrew | ערכה כימיה |
| Hungarian | Vegyi felszerelés |
| Italian | Il Piccolo Chimico |
| Japanese | じっけんセット |
| Korean | 노인의 발열풍 |
| Mandarin Chinese | 臭气试验 |
| Norwegian | Kjemisettet |
| Polish | Mały Chemik |
| Slovak | Neúspešný vynález |
| Swedish | Kemisätt |
| Swiss-German | Chemie-Bouchaste |
| Welsh | Y Gwyddonydd |
Home Video Releases[]
UK/AUS[]
- Fireman Sam 3 - Sam's Day Off
- The Very Best of Fireman Sam
- Treasure Hunt and Five Other Stories
- 2 on 1 - Tales from Pontypandy
- Action Stations!
- Treasure Hunt (UK DVD)
- Sam's Day Off (UK DVD)
Episode[]
