The Exchange Stüdent

The Exchange Stüdent is the first of three segments from the episode "The Bad News Plastic Surgeons, The Exchange Stüdent, I.R. in Wrong Cartoon" the twelfth episode of the second season of Cow and Chicken, and the twenty-third episode overall. The episode premiered on March 24, 1998 on Cartoon Network.

Plot[]

At school, Teacher is showing the class a newsreel about the fierce Cheese War currently taking place. The pie-faced people of Mozzarellaville have been fighting a civil war for nearly 200 years, using cheese as weapons and ammo. When the reel ends, Teacher reveals that the battlefield (and the border into Mozzarellaville) is right next door to the school, and she opens a window to show them the cheesy carnage. Teacher then announces that a pie-faced exchange student will be joining their class. After a helicopter flies the 10 feet across the border, the student is escorted inside the school. Teacher introduces Slappy McCracken to the class. Slappy notices Cow waving at him, and immediately falls in love with her heftiness. She offers to show him around town and he happily accepts.

Cow and Slappy explore the town together, looking at posters of monuments, flying Boneless Chicken as a kite, and sharing a milkshake, which Cow then refills from her udder. Slappy says that he is having a wonderful time with Cow, but unfortunately, he needs to return home soon to his starving, pie-faced people. Cow asks how the Cheese War started and Slappy explains. 200 years ago, the only pig in town was over-farmed, leading to a lard shortage. People were hungry and frustrated. The Red Guy threw a chunk of cheese at someone, kick-starting a massive cheese-throwing fight that escalated into full-on cheese warfare. Cow suggests that the starving people eat the cheese instead of throwing it. Slappy doesn't believe its possible to do, but Cow insists that only the two of them can stop the Cheese War with this groundbreaking knowledge. Chicken arrives after searching for Cow, and asks what the pair are doing. After Cow explains, she and Slappy run off to the demilitarized zone at the county line. Chicken follows, trying to stop his sister from being hurt.

At the DMZ, Cow and Slappy cross the border safely, but Chicken is immediately spotted and pelted with cheese bombs. Cow and Slappy reach the village square and yell for everyone to stop fighting. Surprisingly, they do. Cow proposes her idea, but the people of Mozzarellaville doubt it will work. Cow swipes a hunk of cheese from a man, then eats a bit, showing them that it is edible and tasty. The pie-faced citizens cheer, and enjoy a feast of cheese, ending the Cheese War. But, two people fighting over a hunk of cheese inspires the Red Guy to reappear, and throw a pig, calling for Pig War.

As pigs are launched at the opposing sides, Cow and Slappy tearfully say goodbye. Cow walks home and sits with Chicken on the front step of their house. Chicken tries cheering Cow up by pointing out that their parents wouldn't have approved of Slappy anyway. Cow wonders if she'll ever find someone as pie-faced as Slappy. Chicken suggests she marry Flem and Earl. This just makes Cow cry harder.