Jet Fuel Formula (Rocky and Bullwinkle)

Jet Fuel Formula is the very first (and longest) story arc of Rocky and Bullwinkle. While historically significant, it serves as the introduction to the characters of the show, including Boris and Natasha (two spies from Pottsylvania), Gidney and Cloyd (the two moon men who befriended the titular squirrel and moose) and Captain Peachfuzz (a captain who does things the opposite). The story arc began in the fall of 1959 and ended in the spring of 1960.

Summary
Rocky and Bullwinkle discovered a new kind of rocket fuel, but are stopped by Gidney and Cloyd in their tracks. Eventually, they recreated the formula to bring the two moon men back home. Meanwhile, Boris and Natasha steal the rocket fuel and attempt to destroy the heroes to gain respect from Fearless Leader.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) This story arc is famous for introducing the characters, as well as the running gags, fourth wall jokes and interacting with the narrator that will continue on in later story arcs.
 * 2) Great voice talents from William Conrad, June Foray, Bill Scott and Paul Frees.
 * 3) Not only does it focus on the plot, it also focuses on Gidney and Cloyd's character development. They become media celebrities and American citizens (at least Rocky and Bullwinkle think so for the latter).
 * 4) Funny moments, such as Bullwinkle noticing that the echo wrote its own dialogue.
 * 5) Most of Boris and Natasha's disguises are clever. They would not only fool the titular protagonists, but the two Moon Men as well.
 * 6) While not as well remembered as Metal Munching Mice and Missouri Mish Mash, it was the very first Rocky and Bullwinkle and the longest to be produced.
 * 7) The song parodies Gidney and Cloyd would sing are fitting to their species, such as "Shine on Harvest Earth" being a reverse parody of "Shine on Harvest Moon".
 * 8) At the end of the story arc, Gidney and Cloyd finally return home to the Moon. Rocky and Bullwinkle await for their next adventure.
 * 9) The first few episodes had better animation than the later ones. Also, the animation is decent towards the end of the story arc.
 * 10) When the story arc was remastered, the laugh track was thankfully removed from the first half of episodes.
 * 11) Bullwinkle's backstory was revealed during Part 4 of the story arc, albeit told by the narrator to save time. Gidney and Cloyd also revealed their backstory on their first trip to Earth during Part 3, before they found the culprits for the cause of an Earth invasion.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The animation is riddled with countless errors during the beginning of the story arc. Worst offender is the moon men constantly fading in and out during their debut in Part 3.
 * 2) Fearless Leader's character design changes throughout the story arc. At the end, they settled on his final design (monocle, dictator outfit and all).
 * 3) Captain Peachfuzz's voice is different from what would later become in future story arcs.
 * 4) The first few episodes aired with a terrible laugh track. Thankfully, it was removed on the DVD set.
 * 5) Some of the jokes are hit-or-miss.

Trivia

 * Rocky and Bullwinkle's first trip to the Moon predates NASA's Neil Armstrong to be the first man to land on the Moon in 1969.
 * Gidney and Cloyd both return in the second season story arc, Metal-Munching Mice and the third season story arc, Missouri Mish Mash.