Pomp and Circuitry - Recap

Hank and Dean wake up in their learning beds when the tape of Dr. Jonas Venture Sr. informs them that they have graduated and they're now ready for college. Dean takes the electronically-printed diploma from his bedside and tells his brother that they've graduated, but they realize that Hank hasn't received his diploma.

The Guild Council is arguing over whether to replace Councilman 8, now that his head is on the body of Councilman 3. In a cell deep beneath them, Phantom Limb is talking with his visitor, Wisdom the mug. The guards take Wisdom back to the vault, unaware that Phantom Limb is in telepathic contact with Wisdom and his fellow inanimate objects, a shoe and a toaster. Working together, they lure the guards in with a fire, and then take them out. They then free two of Phantom Limb's limbs, which reunite with their owner. Phantom Limb then recovers a photo of himself and Professor Richard Impossible, from their days as members of the Boy's Brigade.

The Council haggles over how Councilman 3 and 8 can divide their screens, when they discover that someone has left them a movement on the floor.

Hank and Dean meet with Billy Quizboy to plan their futures, with Billy as their guidance counselor. Hank wants to be a drifter, or Batman, but Billy points out that those might be unrealistic. Dean has put down his top five, but omitted Super-Scientist. When Rusty comes in and notes that he forgot it, Dean says that he didn't but his father ignores him. Hank insists he doesn't want to go to college, and Billy asks to talk to Rusty in private. He warns Rusty that neither boy knows anything about real life and the information on the learning beds is out of date. Also, Billy points out that Hank didn't graduate from college.

Rusty goes to see Hank and orders him back to bed. Hank refuses and says that he plans to join the military. Sgt. Hatred is pleased to hear that Hank is joining the Army, until says he's joining a different army.

Three bums, including Baron Ünderbheit, are outside of Impossible Industries. When a guard comes to move them along, Phantom Limb reveals he's undercover and knocks the man out. The villain takes the guard's suit and goes inside to find Richard Impossible stretched out across his office, depressed after Sally left him. Phantom Limb explains that he needs Richard's help, just like they did in the Boys' Brigade days. He wants Richard to make another device like the one he made for himself. Richard isn't sure, since it would mean he'd have to become a bad guy. Suddenly, Professor Phineas Page breaks in to attack Impossible. When Phantom Limb comes to his defense, Phage realizes that Phantom Limb has escaped and goes to warn the Guild. Phantom Limb has Richard elastically shoot him after the fleeing villain and bring him down. Richard agrees to work with Phantom Limb.

Hank goes to SPHINX headquarters and offers to sign up. However, Hunter Gathers and his team are busy monitoring Brock as he breaks into the Vatican with his new partner, an inexperienced new recruit. The rookie sets off a trap, sealing them in and alerting the Swiss Guard. SPHINX downloads the security protocols, but Hank inadvertently cuts the feed, leaving Brock to flight the karate-wielding gorilla guards. Hunter Gathers isn't interested in hiring Hank, until Hank points out that he's been trained by Brock, traveled everywhere, and survived thousands of deathly encounters.

Rusty takes Dean to State University for his interview. They notice a corporate sponsor meeting nearby but ignore it. At the meeting, Roy Brisby finishes his speech and everyone wonders Professor Impossible is. Richard arrives and hears Phantom Limb's voice telling him to hold it together. Richard goes to the restroom and Phantom Limb emerges from inside him. He tells Richard to give his speech while he goes on his own mission.

Hunter Gathers and Shoreleave tie up Hank as his first test. They figure he won't get away, but he's emerged in a matter of seconds. They put him through more tests.

Phage reports to the Guild about Phantom Limb.

Dean and Rusty meet with Dean Harris, who is skeptical of Dean's credentials. Rusty insists that Jonas bought the college a wing, but Dean Harris notes that Rusty blew it up. He sends them on their way, and admits he only agreed to hear them because he though it was the other Dr. Venture.

Richard stumbles through his unprepared speech to the audience. Meanwhile, the Guild agents unleash the Diamond Dogs. Inside, Phantom Limb finds his old plans but discovers himself surrounded. The Guild Head projects his head in and calls upon Phantom Limb to surrender, but Phantom Limb refuses. However, he's forced to run as the Diamond Dogs close in.

When Brock returns, Shoreleave and Hunter Gathers tell him that he has a new partner. However, they've put Hank in the mind-erasing machine to dispose of him again. However, this time, Hank has thwarted them by using tin foil to shield his mind.

The Guild agents surround Phantom Limb, who launches an attack against them. Riding a Diamond Dog, he decimates their ranks. Outside, Richard tries to distract the audience by pointing in the opposite direction and turning into a flag. His efforts are for naught when the fight bursts outside and the crowd panics. Rusty insists it wasn't his fault this time.

Brock finds Hank crying in his bed. He says that Hank is better off being himself, and that Brock's life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Brock explains that Hank passed the tests, but he needs a high school diploma. Hank bangs his head on the bed and his jammed diploma finally comes out, and Brock notes he also has to be 18.

Later, Phantom Limb and Richard return to Impossible Industries. Richard uses the plans to restore Phantom Limb's limbs, and announces that he is taking a new, villainous name. He's not sure what name to use. Ünderbheit comes in and asks if he can join.

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