Toy Story 2 Secretly Revealed Stinky Pete Was The Villain Minutes Before The Big Reveal

Toy Story 2 apparently hid a clue about Stinky Pete's villain twist well before the movie actually reveals it, and it all comes down to a television show playing in the background.

Early in the film, when the Roundup gang is watching television and the announcer says "tune in next time for Woody's finest hour," Stinky Pete turns the TV off and claims the show was cancelled. At the time it seems like a throwaway moment, but paying attention to how this scene contrasts with a later one is what makes it worth revisiting for any Toy Story fan trying to spot Pixar's foreshadowing.

Stinky Pete Loses Control Of The Remote At Al's Apartment

About five minutes before Stinky Pete is actually exposed as the villain, Buzz and the other toys arrive at Al's apartment to rescue Woody. Stinky Pete puts the show on and tells the group "you guys have to watch this," but this time he does not have the remote in his hands and cannot shut it off like he did earlier. The show is allowed to play through in its entirety in the background of the scene.

What The Woody's Roundup Footage Actually Shows

During this playback, viewers can hear that Woody successfully made it over the gorge and saved everyone. Jesse says, "Sheriff Woody, I knew you'd make it," confirming the rescue went off without a hitch. Woody is then shown on screen talking to kids, followed by the show playing "You Got a Friend in Me" for a boy watching at home.

The Timing Lines Up With Woody's Own Decision

All of this happens roughly five minutes before Stinky Pete is revealed to be the villain of the film. Right after this footage plays out, Woody walks over to Buzz and tells him that he has decided to go with him, choosing his friends over staying behind in the case. The placement of that uninterrupted broadcast, right before Woody makes that choice and right before Stinky Pete's true nature comes out, is the detail worth noticing on a rewatch.

Did you ever catch this bit of foreshadowing with Stinky Pete and the remote before now?