Cutie and the Beast

Nermal drops by for a visit, and he proves to Garfield how cute he is by sitting out on the curb, where spectators drive by and comment on his cuteness. Garfield then tells Odie that he has an idea of something mean to do to Nermal but then concludes that it’s too mean -- but he decides to do it after all after he discovers Nermal sleeping in his bed.

Garfield uses makeup to give Nermal a new, unattractive look, looking somewhat like a deformed version of the Statue of Liberty's crown; then he wakes Nermal up and suggests that he goes back outside to see more spectators. Nermal, oblivious to the new look, agrees, and passersby comment on how unattractive he is. He then decides to look in the mirror to see his newfound non-cuteness, but Garfield quickly gets rid of the makeup on his face by stating that he is fixing a whisker that is out of place. The reflection show’s Nermal’s normal self, but he just concludes that people no longer find him cute, and he leaves.

Garfield is pleased, but Odie furiously growls at him, to which Garfield simply says that Nermal deserved it. Garfield then tries to watch television, but Odie stands in front of the television and continues to nag him with continuous growling. Odie’s growling even interrupts his sleep, soon after, Garfield gives into Odie's nagging and goes off into the night to try and find Nermal

Nermal wanders into an alley, where he meets an alley cat that calls him cute, to which Nermal denies. Nermal then asks him when the humans come out to feed them, and the cat demonstrates how they get fed: he knocks on a door and a woman gives him a dish of cat food. He calls this the "hungry cat" act. The cat begins to share the food with Nermal until a bigger, tougher cat comes along and eats it; afterwards, he threatens to play Pound the Kitten.

He chases Nermal and the alley cat past Garfield, who stops the would-be fight by stating that there is a gourmet feast on the other side of the fence. The tough cat climbs over the fence, and then Garfield reveals that he’s actually climbed into the city dog pound. The tough cat manages to escape and then runs away. Nermal then thanks Garfield and the alley cat for saving him; the alley cat then asks Garfield how to get a good meal. Garfield knocks on the same woman’s door but then pushes Nermal in front of it, and she is so taken by Nermal’s cuteness that he gives him a real gourmet feast, which Garfield then gives to the alley cat. Nermal is pleased that he got his cuteness back.

[edit] Notes

Jon does not appear in this episode.

[edit] Quotes

Garfield: How about visiting some time like day after never!

Garfield: I’m sorry; this is a no-pounding-kittens area. Folks are trying to eat.
Tough cat: You’re not eating.
Garfield: No, but I’m about to. There’s a gourmet feast over on that side of the fence. Hams and yams and jams and even foods that don’t rhyme.

Garfield: Hey! That guy went through a Boulevard stop and-(Tough cat runs over Garfield)-did one of those creatures resemble Nermal? I was afraid so. I guess that means I have to save him.

Garfield: Look don't tell anyone I did something nice today, I have an image to maintain.

Garfield: I owe it to Odie to do my best to find Nermal. To conduct an exhaustive search. (Softly) Oh Nermal. (Back to normal volume) Whoop, no sign of him. I guess I can give up and go home.