Saving Me - Disabler Enabler (S2E7)
The Bramble kids spend too much time on their digital devices. Robber Mama returns and kidnaps Young Bennett.
| Runtime (min) | 22 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-03-05 |
| Genres | Animation, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | BYU Television |
Storyline
In "Disabler Enabler," the Bramble children find themselves glued to their digital devices, much to the frustration of their parents. The episode explores the family's struggle with screen time as the kids become increasingly absorbed in their phones, tablets, and video games, neglecting their responsibilities and face-to-face interactions. The situation forces the family to confront the role technology plays in their daily lives and the boundaries they need to establish.
The episode takes a dramatic turn when Robber Mama, a recurring antagonist from the series, returns with a sinister plan. She successfully kidnaps Young Bennett, the time-traveling younger version of the protagonist. This kidnapping sets off an urgent rescue mission that pulls the family away from their screens and forces them to work together. The dual storylines of digital dependency and the kidnapping crisis intertwine as the Brambles must overcome their distractions to save Young Bennett from Robber Mama's clutches.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the importance of balance when it comes to technology use. Through the Bramble kids' experience, young viewers see how excessive screen time can interfere with family relationships, personal responsibilities, and being present in the moment. The episode demonstrates that while digital devices can be entertaining and useful, they shouldn't replace real-world connections and activities.
The kidnapping subplot reinforces lessons about teamwork and prioritizing what truly matters. When faced with a genuine crisis, the Bramble children must put aside their devices and work together to rescue Young Bennett. This shows kids that family and helping others in need are more important than digital entertainment, and that sometimes we need to disconnect from our screens to connect with the people who matter most.
Additionally, the episode touches on themes of awareness and attention. The children's device obsession may have created vulnerabilities that Robber Mama exploited, teaching viewers that being too absorbed in screens can make us less aware of dangers around us. The story encourages kids to stay alert and engaged with their surroundings rather than being constantly distracted by technology.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the kidnapping scene too scary for younger children? | The kidnapping by Robber Mama is presented within the show's established comedic and adventurous tone. While it creates tension and urgency in the plot, the episode handles it in a way consistent with the series' family-friendly approach. Parents who know their child is sensitive to separation anxiety or kidnapping scenarios may want to watch first or be prepared to reassure their child that it's part of the story's adventure and will be resolved by the episode's end. |
| Does the episode offer practical solutions for managing screen time? | The episode addresses screen time primarily through the consequences the Bramble children experience when they become too absorbed in their devices. While it illustrates the problem of excessive device use and shows the family recognizing the issue, parents should view this as a conversation starter rather than a how-to guide. The episode works best when parents use it as a springboard to discuss their own family's rules and expectations around technology. |
| Who is Robber Mama and do I need to have seen previous episodes? | Robber Mama is a recurring villain in the Saving Me series who has appeared in earlier episodes. While familiarity with her previous appearances adds context, the episode provides enough information for new viewers to understand she's an antagonist who poses a threat to the family. Children who haven't seen her before will still grasp that she's the bad guy who needs to be stopped, though watching earlier episodes may enhance their understanding of her motivations. |
| What age group is this episode most appropriate for? | Given the dual themes of screen time management and a kidnapping plot, this episode is best suited for the show's target demographic of children ages seven to twelve. Younger children may need parental guidance during the kidnapping scenes, while older kids in the range will better appreciate the screen time message and can engage in more meaningful conversations about their own device habits afterward. The twenty-two-minute runtime is manageable for most elementary-aged children. |
| How can I use this episode to talk about our family's screen time rules? | This episode provides a natural opportunity to discuss your household's technology boundaries. After watching, ask your child what they noticed about how the Bramble kids' device use affected their family and their ability to help when Young Bennett was in danger. You can then transition to talking about why your family has certain rules, asking your child to help identify times when screens might get in the way of important activities or relationships in your own home. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Old Bennett goes back in time to persuade his younger self to be kinder to his sister, Sophie. But Young and Old Bennett's attempt to make things right turns Sophie into a fearless crime fighter...and puts her in danger! |
| 1 | 2 | After consulting the Unicorn Commandos, Old and Young Bennett build a life-size animatronic moose ninja for Liam's gaming videos. But chaos ensues when the robot moose ninja goes on a terror spree through Star City! |
| 1 | 3 | Bennett invents a device that gives his new pet dog super intelligence. Things go haywire when the dog becomes a talking criminal mastermind! |
| 1 | 4 | Young Bennett risks losing his friends when he upstages them during a TV quiz show. Young and Old Bennett construct a snow cone-making robot to help win his friends back, but the robot malfunctions and causes the blizzard of the century! |
| 1 | 5 | Young Bennett accidentally unleashes an army of sasquatches when he visits his father's shampoo factory. |
| 1 | 6 | Robber Boss uses Young Bennett's Engineer Club to devise a break Momma Robber out of jail. Old Bennett builds a headband that turns people's criticisms into compliments. |
| 1 | 7 | Old Bennett convinces his younger self to take up Boot Ball, his mom's favorite sport. Things quickly get out of hand when Young Bennett tricks out his Boot Ball boots with artificial intelligence. |
| 1 | 8 | Sophie and Liam try to top each other's Mother Day gifts. Old and Young Bennett take a trip down Memory Lane. |
| 1 | 9 | Snodgrass eyes Young Bennett's robot Edee for military purposes, while Young Bennett and Penelope must work together to fend off an alien crystal. |
| 1 | 10 | Snodgrass creates a giant vampire-dentist-robot to capture the Guardian. Young Bennett, Sophie and Liam try to find the Guardian, but get wrangled into a showdown with Robber Boss. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | To bypass being grounded, Young Bennett builds a body-swapping device and trades places with Nira. Meanwhile, the DGS stages a fake commercial to convince Star City that the Mystery Soldier was just a publicity stunt. |
| 2 | 2 | With Old Bennett's help, Young Bennett makes a unique music instrument for Sophie that catches the attention of an evil pop star named Trill. |
| 2 | 3 | When a mayoral candidate proposes to make the school day longer, Bennett uses AI to create an opponent named Abraham Trutherman to run against her. |
| 2 | 4 | The annual Bramble fishing trip goes haywire when Bennett's newest invention turns aquatic animals into giants. |
| 2 | 5 | Bennett's ego gets the better of him when he takes over his sister Sophie's Unicorn Commandos fan film. Meanwhile, Inspector Gorgana of the Galactic Alliance meets with the DGS. |
| 2 | 6 | Young and Old Bennett build a device called the Emplifier to get Jessica, Liam's latest crush, to notice him. But the Emplifier works too well and turns everyone it encounters into obsessed Liam fans. |
| 2 | 7 | The Bramble kids spend too much time on their digital devices. Robber Mama returns and kidnaps Young Bennett. |
| 2 | 8 | Bennett devises a get-rich-quick scheme to earn money for a Unicorn Commandos remote controlled monster truck toy. But Young Bennett's actions affects Old Bennett's timeline. |
| 2 | 9 | Bennett creates a "sleeping cap" to curtail his grumpiness. But when Bennett's dad Mark uses the cap, the fragile agreement between Earth and the Intergalactic Alliance is jeopardized. |
| 2 | 10 | Old Bennett must intervene when both Young Bennett and Snodgrass discover the entrance to the secret elevator. |
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