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The cartoon
 
Sven Höek was the first episode to air that was finished up by Games Animations. On this occasion, they did the music, sound effects and some editing, although further down the line they would end up releasing episodes that were more Games than Spumco.
It is worth pointing out that there are two different versions of Sven Höek in circulation, with significant variations in the music used. The first mix (which is the most common, and is the one used on the Classics II VHS) is generally too loud in the music department, drowning out all sorts of subtle vocal effects. The second mix makes the dialogue clearer, but it sounds awkward because the music often doesn't fit, and there are several moments that feel like they should have music but don't. The choice of music also dramatically alters the mood of Sven and Stimpy's encounter in the closet (the first version is comedic, whereas the second version plays the "romantic" angle).
Sven Höek remains one of the most popular Ren & Stimpy episodes ever, and although I feel that it is a superb cartoon, it falls short of being a classic. Perhaps this is to do with Games' involvement -- I would love to see the whole thing finished up by John K. I have seen the uncut test video, but as it contains no music and sound effects, it is a little hard to rate it overall. I certainly believe that this cartoon has suffered a good deal less than later episodes that were passed on to Games (such as Stimpy's Fan Club, which runs straight after it on the Classics II video). For one thing, all the layout was completed under John K.'s supervision, meaning that just about all the artwork is as tight as it can be. No, it doesn't quite reek of the brilliance that Stimpy's Invention does, but it is extremely polished and is complemented by great animation. Jim Smith's insane poses for Ren during his infamous tirade against Sven and Stimpy are very expressive, but it feels a bit more forced than the kind you can see in similar scenes drawn by the likes of Bob Camp.
It also helps that Sven and Stimpy's relationship is brilliantly subversive: this is certainly one of the most strongly homoerotic episodes of the entire run. The "It's so big!" brain-showing scene is disgustingly perverse and absolutely hilarious if you're old enough to work out what is really going on. In that respect, the real reason for Ren's tantrum is not the fact that his home has been vandalized, but that he has returned home to find his lover on a homosexual rampage with his own cousin. (The whole scene is staged like a traditional "husband comes home from work to find wife in bed with cousin Jimmy" scenario.)
Sven Höek is one of the high points of the second season, but it is not perfect. The pace is a little slow, and not all the gags really have satisfying pay-offs. It's more a romp down the merry path of blissful stupidity with some great double entendres to keep the more observant among us interested... and at the end of the day there's nothing wrong with that.
Historical note: Nickelodeon/Games initially cut three things from the show: the pan over Stimpy's magic nose goblins and Sven's "und I finally get a good look at them!" line; all the dialogue and vocal effects after Sven and Stimpy shut themselves in the closet (basically, they play circus and Stimpy performs fellatio on Sven); and one of Ren's threats during his rant ("And then I'm going to gouge your eyes out... yeah, that's what I'm going to do!"). This is the version that continues to air in the UK, and is included on the Classics II VHS.
Later, Nickelodeon cut down Ren's tirade, only leaving the "I'm going to hit you..." threat. I have never seen this version so I have no idea how it plays.
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Sven Höek
- Story by Bob Camp and John K.
- Storyboard by Jim Smith and Bill Wray
- Background Color Design by Bill Wray
- Animation Director Bob Jaques
- Directed by John K.
Writings
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