With 5513D (December 5, 1984) being the last in this 35-episode loop, it looks like a 35-35-30 is likely to be the launch pattern like the previous batch, with a marathon thrown in accounting for some skips within Pluto's episode count as well. I still managed to record eight episodes Sunday night while I slept along with watching two more Sunday evening, six more Monday morning before my Internet provider had an outage, as well as three yesterday evening for the Home Viewer Showcase. You can really feel the energy gradually building up as the years drag on.
The "Dream Christmas" HVS also provides the origins of Grand Game's "Ten Thousand" zoom-in graphic, except the text appears in blue instead of the orangish red. Based on the episodes of the Kennedy version that circulate, that extra graphic was introduced probably in October 1985 right after a taping break. Post-taping break episodes are often among the most interesting to watch since they have a tendency to introduce more new prizes than at any point in the year in the immediate several weeks afterwards, which included a Showcase themed all around new prizes (5454D, which had been circulating for many years). Speaking of which, the 10/15/85 episode (5441D) was the first to be produced following a summer taping break, and Bob acknowledges the fact twice in the episode during the opening and also during the Beauties chat after One Right Price. It introduced the "vane" Big Wheel scoreboard that's still used to this day (although the gold portions were later painted silver), as well as the new whistle for the Train, the yellow Super Ball!-styled Clam, and a freshened Turntable carpet that would only get even fresher by the HVS week. The following episode (5442D) confirmed the first appearance of the "Neon Circus"-styled Most Expensive set, although it wasn't acknowledged as we know. Blank Check's "No. 4620" changed to a larger, bolder font by its playing on 5483D as well. The original Giant Price Tag design was still known to be in use by this point. Also, 5455D's Dice Game was actually Deluxe Dice Game. Of all the episodes run, only the One Away premiere episode is known to be a fully skipped episode, perhaps due to unorthodox reasons. Fortunately, it circulates from its original broadcast.
With the Olympics starting Thursday, it wouldn't be surprising to see a break in the current loop like back in September to show the next special marathon.
