This message will self destruct — how Inspector Gadget got his missions
Oh, why does Chief Quimby put up with him! Never mind, read this.
One of the funniest tropes of Inspector Gadget is all of the ways Chief Quimby gets the mission to Gadget. Whether he's disguising himself or hiding in a random object, Quimby always gets the mission to his man. Let's look at the first 25 ways he got the mission to Gadget.
Episode 1 - Sheep
While Gadget explored Scotland, Chief Quimby disguised himself as a sheep to deliver the mission.
Episode 2 - Hat Display
Penny and Gadget are out shopping when Chief Quimby turns out to be disguised as one of the store's hat displays. The mission is inside the hat and Gadget puts the mission back, exploding the hat off of Quimby's head.
Episode 3 - Popcorn Cart
Points for creativity! Quimby surprised Gadget at the circus disguised as a popcorn cart. He didn't even need to call Gadget first, the smell of the buttery popcorn lured Gadget over to the cart.
Episode 4 - Flight Attendant
After a high speed chase with Dr. Claw, Gadget crashes his car into a parked plane. Waiting inside is Chief Quimby, disguised as a flight attendant.
Episode 5 - Filing Cabinet
This one isn't necessarily a disguise, Gadget accidentally slams Chief Quimby into a filing cabinet. The mission is an informal one - for Gadget to take a vacation. No self-destructing missions exploded in Quimby's face, for once!
Episode 6 - Garbage Can
Gadget burned breakfast and threw it in the trash all over Chief Quimby! To be fair to Gadget, what did Quimby think was going to happen? He hid in the garbage!
Episode 7 - Haunted Henchman
Chief Quimby, disguised as a spooky-looking henchman, welcomes Gadget to the crime fighter convention. The convention, which casually happens to be at Dracula's castle, is Gadget's mission because Dr. Claw and agents of M.A.D. have infiltrated the convention.
Episode 8 - Hole?
Chief Quimby wasn't even really hiding or disguised for this mission assignment - he was in a hole that Gadget then jumped into and landed on top of Quimby.
Episode 9 - Indian Statue
Gadget's mission is to go to India to recover a ruby stolen by M.A.D., so Quimby delivers the mission disguised as an Indian statue.
Episode 10 - Piano
Gadget was playing the cello, very badly, so Chief jumped out of his hiding place inside the piano to yell "STOP!" and then gave him the mission.
Episode 11 - Mariachi Band
Gadget and Penny were enjoying a mariachi concert when the guitarist turned out to be Chief Quimby.
Episode 12 - Mountain Peak
Sick of missions exploding in his face, Chief Quimby takes a helicopter to a mountaintop and gave Gadget directions to a different one. He folds the mission into a paper airplane and flies it over to Gadget, who then folds it up and flies it back to Quimby. BOOM!
Episode 13 - Clown
Chief Quimby disguises himself as a Clown and informs Gadget that agents of M.A.D. are holding the amusement park hostage and they have a bomb set to go off in half an hour. They don't have enough time to evacuate the park so Gadget's mission is to locate and dismantle the bomb...But he did have time to get into a clown costume and makeup?
Episode 14 - King Kong
What's that on top of the skyscraper? It's Chief Quimby in a gorilla suit!
Episode 15 - Beach Bum
While surfing, Gadget was chased by a giant robotic shark. After making it to dry land, Chief Quimby casually floats over in the pool to give Gadget his mission.
Episode 16 - Tree
Chief Quimby hides in a tree - or as a tree? Anyway, M.A.D. is connected to UFO sightings and Gadget needs to investigate. As usual, Gadget crumples up the mission and throws it at Quimby but Quimby is standing in water and is electrocuted. He was fine but...not cool, Inspector Gadget.
Episode 17 - Royal Guard
Talk about always on duty! Chief Quimby silently gives Gadget his mission while standing guard outside of Buckingham Palace.
Episode 18 - Salad
Ooh, a delicious salad - nope it's Chief Quimby with a mission.
Episode 19 - Bush
In a delightful, okay boring, turn of events - things are slow at the police station. While Chief Quimby feeds the birds at the park, Inspector Gadget takes a turn wearing a disguise and delivering a mission to him. The mission is to give Gadget a mission.
Episode 20 - Coffee Pot
The train Gadget and Penny are on has secret computers that M.A.D. is trying to steal, Chief shows up snorkeling in a coffee pot to give Gadget the mission.
Episode 21 - Dart Board
Bullseye! Chief Quimby is behind the dartboard.
Episode 23 - Fire Hydrant
There is no secret disguise or hiding place for Chief Quimby in Episode 22. But in Episode 23 he hides inside a fire hydrant.
Episode 24 - Groceries
Gadget bumps into another shopper who has a heaping grocery bag full of Chief Quimby!
Episode 25 - Carnival Caller
Step right up, step right up, get your MISSIONS!
Theme Song - Safe
Last but not least, Inspector Gadget finds Chief in a bank safe during the theme song sequence.