Shapes: Form and Function

Miguel is chopping wood because he wants to play the violin. He asks Robin to take the wood to Carlene Hutchins, who makes violins, a musical acoustician. She tells how the violin's shape determines its sound. And she makes a violin from wood strips. FILM INSERT: Animals to evolve shapes that help them. In Lordstown, Ohio, Miguel meets Denby, who insists he is not a robot. He invites Miguel into the Chevrolet plant to see true robots at work. Robin, Kathy and Miguel sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat in a round as they walk from the subway to hear a string trio rehearse. At the hall, they meet the trio: Eugene Moore, Ida Kafavian and Marcus Thompson. At Miguel's request, the trio play Frere Jacques in round. All three musicians tune up to play a fugue by Bach. In a fugue, once they play the initial melody, musicians begin imitating each other. THE BLOODHOUND GANG: "The Case of X Marks the Spot, Part Two." Cece explains that someone has switched a map of what may be Captain Kidd's buried treasure, with a fake. She reveals the names of her three partners in a voyage to India to try and find the treasure. The Gang talks to each of the three partners. One of them has just noticed her copy of the key to Cece's store missing. Another recognizes Cece's shop key on sight. The string trio tunes up in preparation for their fugue. All three play a sample of the fugue as the credits roll. Miguel's voice-over points out places where the individual musicians' parts stand out.