Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Total is Timmy's imaginary best friend, but he serves a deeper emotional purpose. The polar bear represents Timmy's missing father, serving as a bittersweet reminder of the father Timmy never knew. This is why Total is always by his side - Timmy created an imaginary companion to fill the void left by his absent father.

Foreshadowing: The introduction of Total early in the film establishes him as more than just a whimsical imagination, hinting at Timmy's underlying need for paternal presence.

• total
• timmy failure
• imaginary friend
• polar bear
• missing father

During their investigation at the library, Timmy and Rollo discover clues that point to Corrina being behind the theft of the Failure-Mobile. Timmy believes she wants to dismantle his detective agency, viewing the theft as part of a larger scheme to undermine his work.

Foreshadowing: Corrina's rivalry with Timmy is established early on, with her cheerful demeanor hiding deeper complexities that hint at her willingness to challenge his detective methods.

• corrina corrina
• segway
• failure-mobile
• theft
• library clues

During the class field trip to Bonneville Dam, Timmy misinterprets signs and wrongly believes Corrina plans to sabotage the city's power supply. This misunderstanding leads him to panic and try to protect his teacher Mr. Crocus, resulting in a misguided heroic moment that he believes involves a flood threat.

Foreshadowing: Timmy's tendency to jump to dramatic conclusions is shown throughout the film, and his overactive imagination transforms an innocent field trip into a perceived crisis.

• bonneville dam
• field trip
• corrina
• mr crocus
• power supply
• misunderstanding

Timmy receives a three-day suspension because he eludes his teacher Mr. Crocus during the Bonneville Dam field trip while acting on his mistaken belief that Corrina was about to sabotage the power grid. His reckless behavior and running away from the group during the field trip violates school rules.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Timmy's tendency to prioritize his detective work over school responsibilities, building toward this consequence.

• suspension
• bonneville dam
• field trip
• mr crocus
• school rules

After the Bonneville Dam incident, Mr. Crocus disappears from Timmy's academic life. The film leaves his exact whereabouts unclear, but Timmy becomes convinced that Corrina may have taken Mr. Crocus captive, leading to the film's climax where Timmy attempts a rescue mission.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Timmy and Corrina escalates throughout the film, with Timmy's paranoid theories about her motives building toward this conclusion.

• mr crocus
• teacher
• disappearance
• corrina
• captive
• rescue

Timmy reluctantly teams up with Crispin, his mother's boyfriend, during the mission to rescue Total from the zoo. Despite his initial animosity toward Crispin, Timmy needs help with the rescue. Additionally, Crispin reveals the location of the Segway at the police station, which further motivates Timmy to cooperate.

Foreshadowing: Timmy's jealousy toward Crispin is established early when his mother starts dating him, creating tension that must be overcome for them to work together.

• crispin
• timmy
• zoo
• rescue
• total
• teamwork
• mother boyfriend

Total Failure Inc. withers away after Timmy's three-day suspension coincides with his mother Patty losing her job. With both Timmy's detective work halted and his mother unable to support the business, the agency essentially shuts down, forcing Timmy to confront moving to a new, smaller apartment and leaving behind his unorthodox adventures.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show financial strain in the Failure household, with Patty searching for a new apartment, hinting at the economic challenges facing the family.

• total failure inc
• detective agency
• closure
• job loss
• patty failure
• apartment move

Timmy discovers a hidden 'Russian bug' in his cookie, which reignites his detective spirit after his suspension. This discovery represents a clue that keeps him engaged in his conspiracy theories about the Russians (a group of bearded hipsters he suspects of plotting against him), driving him back into action.

Foreshadowing: Timmy's suspicion of the Russians as adversaries runs throughout the film, and this cookie discovery serves as a catalyst for his final mission.

• russian bug
• cookie
• clue
• investigation
• conspiracy
• hipsters

Molly Moskins hosts an animal fundraiser where Timmy gives a speech about polar bears in schools. This event showcases Timmy's passion for Total and his cause, demonstrating his growth and dedication to something meaningful beyond his detective work. It's a moment where his quirky interests are embraced by his peers.

Foreshadowing: Molly's secret feelings for Timmy have been hinted at throughout, and this event provides her an opportunity to support his interests.

• molly moskins
• animal fundraiser
• speech
• polar bears
• total
• growth

During the zoo rescue mission with Crispin, they encounter a purse snatcher. In a moment of maturity, Timmy chooses to call the professionals (911) rather than impulsively chase the criminal himself, showing growth in his decision-making compared to his usual reckless detective behavior.

Foreshadowing: This decision reflects Timmy's development throughout the film, learning that sometimes letting authorities handle situations is the wiser choice.

• 911
• purse snatcher
• zoo
• crispin
• maturity
• growth
• police

Corrina Corrina presents herself as cheerful and friendly on the surface, but she becomes Timmy's rival in the detective world. Her father's powerful influence in the community gives her resources to potentially undermine Timmy's agency, and her actions suggest she wants to prove herself as a better detective than Timmy.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at deeper complexities behind Corrina's genial surface from her first appearance, suggesting hidden motives beyond simple rivalry.

• corrina corrina
• rival
• detective
• father influence
• community power

Rollo Tookus left Total Failure Inc after a previous mission ended in disaster. Despite this, he returns to help Timmy investigate the Failure-Mobile theft, showing that despite their past issues, their friendship remains strong enough to reunite for a important case.

Foreshadowing: Rollo's departure is mentioned briefly, establishing that the agency has faced failures before the main narrative begins.

• rollo tookus
• agency
• left
• disaster
• return
• friendship