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Boggling The Bears/The Knights of Gummadoon
Reviewed: 08/22/2007
The Only Cavin episode in Season Three is SO EPIC!!
Well; here we go the final full episode of Volume One and it is epic as Cubbi gets his chance to become a real Gummi knight and it's the return of Cavin for the first time since The Crimson Avenger near the end of Season 2...and Sunni gets another pet to play with. So let's rant on shall we.....
Boggling The Bears is written and story edited by Tad Stones. The Knights of Gummadoon is written by Tad Stones and Bruce Talkington. The story is edited and teleplayed by Tad Stones. Do you get the feeling that Tad Stones is getting more and more super stardom on DTVA the longer this show goes?!
Boggling The Bears: We begin inside the forest as the Boggles which will be recycled as Furies for The Sound & The Fury in 1991. The wolf howls so they all stop and turn into various objects. Call me crazy; but I think their scent would give them away so doing that would be worthless. A really evil wolf runs in and looks around and is about to leave as the Boggles blow their cover when they run stage left (check the eyeballs) and the wolf goes after them. Well that was REALLY STUPID guys. The wolf is faster than they are and corners them as they run stage right and turn back to normal. Although the smallest one has a bit of trouble (the mushroom one) and has to hide as the wolf jumps and goes after the Boggles who scatter into a hallow log. The wolf has them trapped as we get the Hanna Barbera teeth chattering sound effect from the mushroom Boggles. I don't get why they bothered to do that spot. The wolf decides to give up and go after the smallest Boggle of course since it's out in the open. The Boggle runs away as we cut to the river where Sunni The Diva unable to make her hair look good. She flops onto the ground while blowing off her own hair. This is just great; I get Sunni in full teenybopper mode today as the small Boggle runs and trips onto the midsection of Sunni which allows Sunni to squeal and call it a rat. She is such a heartless, thoughtless little diva as the Boggle runs away to a tree and turns into a rock.
Sunni is not fooled at all as she grabs the Boogle rock and then she just throws the rock into the steam. She claims to be fooled (Yeah right?!) as the Boggle sinks like a stone. Should have gone with the mushroom there little guy; you have a better chance of floating. The Boggle sees a fish and then changes back to normal as Sunni finally sees it and it lands in her paws changing into more objects. Sunni calls it a neat trick. For me a neat trick would be to change Sunni into an old woman so it would get all the diva out of her; but that won't be until Lady Bane arrives in Season Four at least. The wolf howls and the Boggle runs away again. The wolf comes out of the bushes and Sunni now is the one to save her. She uncorks her VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and drinks up. It's BUTT BOUNCING TIME DIVA STYLE! She bounces over and save the Boggle before the wolf chomps on them both and bounces away. If I were that Boggle; I would take my chances and get eaten. Sunni bounces over the cliff and the wolf shows how dumb he is by jumping off the cliff and we get the Warner Brothers delay spot (All Rights Reserved) and freefalls into the river like the idiot that it is. Sadly; the river must be suffering from a dry spell because the wolf isn't carried away on that spot.
We cut to a part of Gummi Glenn as Sunni and the Boggle arrive while Sunni blows off the dumb wolf. Sunni puts her on the rock and tells her that she's all right and that her name is Sunni and tries to tickle the Boggle's neck which changes her into a pine cone. This Boggle doesn't want to play with Sunni apparently. Henry had no trouble playing with Molly and making her laugh. Sunni decides to use her muffin (because it's Grammi we are talking about here) and the Boggle eats it and turns into a tree branch. Sunni loves it as she grabs the Boggle and officially names it Ditto. I'm surprised Nintendo didn't sue Disney over that name; although there really isn't anything that they can do about it. Ditto changes into itself and chirps as we cut to inside Gummi Glenn near the top floor hallway as Sunni leaves a room reading the red book and realizes that Ditto is a Boggle. See; a Boggle is a shape shifter that fools evil by changing into non-living objects..and it changes quickly into a red scarf as we cut down to the dining room to see Grammi whacking some rats with the broom. Yeah; that is no stereotype; no siree! Hey stereotype: It's called rat poison. Look it up! Gruffi enters as he wonders what Grammi is doing and Grammi whacks a chair away and her hat drops below her away..and she still blows off Gruffi in a scream. Huh?! Gruffi didn't do anything and quite frankly; you completely missed him anyway. Sunni giggles on that botched spot as Grammi blows off Gruffi for his uncanny ability not to chase mice away and gives him the broom. About time that stereotype got rid of it and Gruffi blows Grammi off because they aren't hurting anybody and gives the broom back to her.
I can see his point there for some reason as Grammi blows it off because they are bothering her. Grammi has got to come up with a better excuse than that and she does because they'll eat her out of house and home. Gruffi agrees to do it and then insults Grammi again which Grammi manages to miss with her broom on Gruffi. I guess the censors are watching since Gruffi would get whacked by the broom by now. Sunni agrees to wait before introducing Ditto to the others. Smart decision there Sunni as Ditto changes to herself and we cut to Sunni's room as Sunni is kneeling on a chair in front of the mirror. It is just me; or does Sunni have a secret crush on another princess that doesn't look like Princess Calla. I SMELL A FANFIC COMING! Ditto is on her desk as she whines about her fashion sense like the diva that she is and Ditto jumps onto her hair and changes into a pink ribbon. Sadly; it's not tied around her ears or Jymn would have stole another character design for Molly straight from Sunni just to make the Molly haters hate her even more. Sunni likes it so she wants Ditto to make a hat and we get the ROYAL DOOFUS CONE HAT OF DOOM on her head. Sunni likes it but wants something more royal as she looks at her TWO TIMING PRINCESS OF DOOM in the picture frame and Ditto changes into a princess crown. Sunni absolutely loves that spot.
So she asks for more rich stuff and Ditto basically changes into everything she asks for. However; Ditto gets pooped after she asks for a ball gown and cannot do it. Sunni then realizes that she is being thoughtless again and hugs Ditto in a sorry state. Ditto I believe forgives her on that spot as Sunni decides it's time to feed Ditto. Sunni sits Ditto down on her desk and tells her to stay right there so she can return to get a snack. Sunni leaves and of course Ditto decides that she is a rebel without a cause and exits the room into the hallway. This should be good. Ditto runs into Cubbi's room (I think) and sees a cookie on a plate on his desk. Ditto gets onto the desk and sniffs her way onto the plate in a really cute spot. Ditto eats the cookie and then notices a few crumbs on the green bed which indicates that I'm wrong and this is Tummi's room. And of course he comes Tummi into his room. He wants a cookie break; but he has to clean his bed as the crumbs go flying and he makes his bed and when he brings the covers down (and someone doesn't notice Ditto) there is a lump on his bed.
He tries to make the bed again; but Ditto manages to change into a brown patch on the inside of the covers. However; the bed makes a lump again and Tummi scatters to find Grammi because he saw THE LUMPY MONSTER OF SCARY DOOM. HA HA! Ditto runs into the kitchen and turns into a bowl while Tummi complains to Grammi that there are ghosts in his room. I guess Ditto is the new Boogeyman and it's coming to get Tummi's fat! HA HA! Grammi nicely blows him off as they enter the kitchen. She blames the mice that Gruffi cannot get rid of and grabs DITTO BOWL so he can make some marble nut cookies which are the only thing Grammi can made that anyone likes to eat. She puts DITTO BOWL on the counter and gets two eggs which I'm sure will not reveal the dove of peace when cracked open. Grammi cracks the eggs; but Ditto changes into herself and scatters away as the eggs plop right on the counter. They get the SCARE OF BLOODY CLAIRTY and run away to see Gruffi in mortal fear. HA HA!
We cut to Gruffi's workshop as Gruffi blows off Grammi and Tummi as they enter into the workshop. The Crack Disney Captions team said ghosts and Gruffi said goblins instead. Gruffi has his mouse trap on the workbench as Tummi tries to defend his stance on the entire issue that they do exist. Well; Gummi Bears exist so why is Gruffi suddenly surprised? Gruffi blows it off as Ditto has clearly changed into the mallet and is whacks Gruffi right on his hand and he sells it as if someone hit him square in the nuts. I think you should consider Grammi's advice on strange happenings here Gruffi Gummi. Ditto changes to herself and scatters out the door as Sunni arrives with the fruit bowl and she drops it as Ditto grabs onto her. Ditto changes into the red scarf which covers her mouth as Gruffi, Tummi and Grammi see her and you know they are serious since Grammi is doing Gruffi's pose. Sunni is trying to answer Gruffi's question on strange happenings; but the scarf is doing the Say No Evil promo for her. Gruffi decides that she should keep her guard up for tonight just in case as the adult Gummi's leave her. Cute spot as Tummi wants to sleep in Gruffi's room which really shows just how much of a man child he really is. Grammi tells Sunni to take the muffler off since she could get overheated.
We cut to Sunni's room as she throws the red muffler onto the bed and Ditto changes back. Sunni then give her a really nasty blowoff because she didn't stay in her room. I like it better when Molly is doing that spot because she sounds so funny. Remember that Sunni is the older sister to Cubbi while Molly is the younger foster sister to Kit so the spot sounds funnier when the young one is doing it. Ditto is crying and whimpering and Sunni recoils because she didn't mean to yell at her. Surrrreeee you didn't you teenybopper diva. She grabs Ditto and opens up her dresser drawer saying that it is different in Gummi Glenn than in the wood and she tucks Ditto in for the night. I have a feeling this is going to get messy. We cut to AFTER HAPPY HOUR (after dark) in Sunni's room as Sunni is sleeping in her bed. How about that for a difference in darkness?! Ditto wakes in in the middle of the night and runs out to the hallway and to the outside of the forest as it starts calling out for somebody (I betcha Frank Welker is doing the call here) and about two dozen Boggles appear from the forest during the chant. I don't like where this is going as we cut to morning in the dining room as the babyfaces are having their breakfast. Grammi appears with a pot of oatmeal as Gruffi asks the Gummi Bears about having any strange happenings going on and Tummi proclaims that nothing happened because goblins need their sleep too. Grammi pours out some oatmeal declaring that nothing will happen today.
However; when the hot oatmeal makes contact with the bowl; the DITTO BOWL OF DOOM wakes up and it takes a life of it's own; hopping away. Gruffi is shocked as he tries his fork and knife but they have a life of their own as well. Sunni is SO SCREWED NOW! ALL HELL HAS BROKEN LOOSE as the babyfaces are being attacked by the BOGGLE OBJECTS OF DOOM. Great spot with Tummi playing horsey with the bench and he's the rider this time around. Sunni wants Ditto to answer for this; but Ditto doesn't answer at all. Everyone except Sunni runs for cover and leaves the hallway as Sunni tries to tell them that the Boggles are here and they are causing the chaos. Sunni runs into the book room as she looks around and sees a few vases on the shelf and touches them. They change into Boggles as Sunni grabs them and puts them in a conveniently placed basket which turns into more Boggles. Sunni winces on that spot as the Boggles run to the suit of armor and they change into a living undead version of it. They finally found an offensive way to fight back at least. Sunni is forced to scatter into the hallway as the LIVING ARMOR OF DOOM loses it's head and changes back into Ditto as Sunni runs and hides in her own room (which seems to have it's covers change colors from last night).
She blows off Ditto again as she flops onto the bed and realizes that she made them feel safe and Ditto wanted to share that safety with her friends. She then has a plan since a wolf is what scared them in the first place so we cut over to the dining room as the Boggles are having a major meal of the Gummi Bear's breakfast...and then the wolf's howl beckons and here comes Sunni dressed as a wolf. Thankfully; the Boggles aren't very bright or they would have noticed Sunni's bottom half is still showing. That wolf face looks so lame that only Sunni could have created it I should note. The Boggles shriek and try to change into objects so they would fool Sunni; but Sunni's not buying it so it yells that it will eat them all. The Boggle scatter out of Gummi Glenn like scalded dogs..and speaking of dumb dogs; here comes the wolf again. It goes through the entrance and slides right into the dining room of Gummi Glenn. The animation looks odd here for some reason as Sunni continues her terror assault on the Boggles and the wolf licks it's chops. Where is Loopy when you REALLY NEED HIM? It sneaks up from behind Sunni and growls loudly at her. UH OH! Your MIMI JOKE ZONE PLAN is dying Sunni The Diva Gummi! And now the wolf has Sunni trapped against the wall. Ditto changes from a book back to herself and starts chattering. What; I cannot tell..
The other books change back into Boggles and blitz towards the wolf changing into the goat battering ram. The wolf thinks it's all over and have a nice meal with a teenybopper which would be poisonous to humans; but okay with wolves. However; he gets his butt whacked with the battering ram and the wolf slams into the wall as Sunni escapes. And of the LIVING ARMOR OF DOOM arrives and cuts the wolves hair to a flat top and the wolf decides that he has had enough so he runs towards the trap door to open it and the overkill starts as the Boggles changes into the boot and boot the wolf right out of Gummi Glenn. The wolf whimpers and runs away like a scalded dog. We cut back into the dining room as Sunni thanks the Boggles for saving her but tells them that they cannot stay. The Boggles whimper on that spot; but Sunni tells them that they can beat that wolf and become king of the forest.
The Boggles cheer and salute Sunni as they leave. Sunni and Ditto have one last farewell and Ditto leaves as well. I'm sorry folks; Mommy For A Day did this much better. Sunni is grateful that this is over and she can leave the dining room back to normal. However; as she walks out, Tummi and Gruffi invokes the pink sheet and pounces right on Sunni. HA HA! Grammi's about to invoke the rolling pin (Hit her! Hit her now you dolt!); but they realize that it is Sunni Gummi (BOO HISS!). Sunni is so screwed still as she has to explain while shrugging her shoulders to end the episode at 10:45. This isn't even as good as Bubble Trouble due to being too short to create any pathos whatsoever. Mommy For A Day was a lot better since Libby Hinson got enough time to tell a story and develop Molly's pathos. Sunni looked a lot better here than Bubble Trouble though. *** ( 60%).
AND NOW FOR THE REAL RANT....!!
Interesting Moment #1: The Knights of Gummadoon use the first opening sequence.
The Knights of Gummadoon: We begin this one with the book as Zummi is narrating a story about the Ancient Gummis being forced to flee from the jealous humans before they were forced into war. However; as the sequence shows, some humans wouldn't let the Gummi Bears leave in peace those nasty fellows. One of them looks like Dukie's long lost father. It looks like doom for the Gummi Bears; but guess who saves them: The Knights of Gummadoon; a band of Gummi Knights lead by Sir Plucky who protected the bears and assured that the Gummi Bears would get to their ships safely. This is a major character development plot thread that was missing in Light Makes Right and it adds to the mystique of the Gummi legend. However; the Knights of Gummadoon couldn't escape so they return to Gummadoon castle where the court wizards cast the ultimate vanishing spell which makes the castle dissappear which would reappear one day every one hundred years when the stars aligned. This is really important stuff because it is going to be important for everything that goes on in this episode. We go into the living room as the babyfaces (for the first and only time in Season 3 no less.). Gruffi calls it a great story for a fairy tale. Cubbi wants Zummi's approval because he believes that they are real.
Zummi isn't sure about it; but he's not putting past that possible angle and Cubbi takes that as being real. Cubbi goes over and invokes the WOODEN SWORD OF PIN PRICKS right onto the red pillow shield that Cavin is holding back. Cavin's acting and voice sound much better here as Cavin is voiced by David Faustino in his only voice acting role in this series. Cubbi acting is a lot more violent than usual as Grammi blows off Zummi for firing up Cubbi with his silly stories. Considering that almost every story turns out to be true so far; why should this one be any different. Zummi isn't happy to hear that as a crash sound is heard and now Tummi is involved for lord knows what reason which is enough for Gruffi to tell Cubbi to pack it in because it's bedtime. Cavin then invokes the RED PILLOW SHIELD OF DEATH on Cubbi and everyone falls right on top of Gruffi basically turning Gruffi into a fish out of water. HA HA! The kids realize that Gruffi is out so they walk away from him and decide to go home.
Cubbi agrees to walk Cavin home to Dumbwin as we cut to Cavin and Cubbi in the forest talking about the Gummi legend. They then see thick fog coming from a distance and they go to it; and then they get sleepy and collapse down onto the ground asleep. That's the first time I have ever seen thick fog put someone to sleep...Kill someone when they crash into each other in an automobile; yeah, but never puts them to sleep. We wait until morning as Cavin and Cubbi wake up and they are surrounded by ogres and the ultra-cool sidekick Toadie; because we can never get enough of him. Toadie sounds high pitched and looks like Tadpole for some odd reason as Gadd is confused about the mangled metaphors so Cubbi uncorks his VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and drinks up. It's BUTT BOUNCING TIME and he bounces out of the ogre ring and nearly kills Toadie with his awesome powers.
Cavin attempts to uncork his VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and drink up; but Zook grabs him and the VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE shatters. Must be using real glass this time. Cavin demands that Zook puts him down because his voice is serious about it. Zook decides that Cavin isn't worth anything and throws him away so hard (Cubbi at least feels that he got away) and Cavin crashes into a tree. HOLY CRAP! That is the sickest looking bump I have ever seen to date..and he's only 12 years old. I'm amazed Kit never took that bump in his life. Then again; he took the fatal dive into the sea from 10,000 feet from the Iron Vulture so Cavin's bump isn't the most impressive. But HOLY CRAP! If he lives through this he is super boy human! Cavin is knocked out and silly at the same time. Cubbi bounces away as two more ogres have a meeting of the minds and it was a wussy one at that (then again; Cavin raises the bar way too high for this episode after that sick bump). Ultra-cool sidekick Toadie orders Gadd and Zook to stop the Gummi but Gadd states that Cubbi is too fast to stop; so Toadie foolishly tells them to throw something at him. I could tell him that he's screwed; but it's so funny to see him as an international object. DARKWING...DUCK would be proud.
Gadd throws ultra-cool sidekick Toadie right into Cubbi and that stops Cubbi in his tracks. See; funny Toadie does have uses after all. No wonder Dukie is so screwed as a monster heel now. Cubbi is out as Toadie cheers for victory because his foolish speaking worked...and then a voice beckons as Toadie looks in horror to see..wait for it..THE BLURRED KNIGHTS OF GUMMADOON on horseback. Cubbi is knocked so silly that he cannot do anything at this point. They are about Zummi's age at this point. The one who talks here is Sir Plucky (or Plucki according to Chris Barat) and he's voiced by Jim Cummings. I kind of like him as an old man here. The blue Gummi bear who may or may not be Gusto's father is voiced by Will Ryan. The other two I believe are Sir Gumlittle and Sir Plastus who are voiced by Brian Cummings and Rob Paulsen respectively. I'll have to wait until they fully reveal themselves before I can tell which is which here. And of course they are bigger and have horses so Toadie flees stage left. The ogres step in because they are even with the knights and it's CLOBBERING TIME! I wish they realized that only The Thing can say that and succeed. Hmmm; I think the animators screwed up here since they are clearly only four knights in the group and yet the animators did the knight blitz as if there are 12 of them. Cubbi cannot believe what he is seeing.
Maybe it's the triple vision syndrome that he is facing here. The ogres and knights blitz each other and the knights easily are faster than the ogres as the ogres are completely squashed faster than grapes on a vine. Sir Plucky gets ultra-cool sidekick Toadie of course as Toadie runs for his life and Sir Plucky grabs Toadie by the GOLF STICK OF DEATH and tosses Toadie over to Sir Blastus (Disney Caption's official name for Sir Plastus) as he is the French orange Gummi Knight of Gummadoon. Sir Blastus invokes the stick to spin Toadie into submission. This is like rape to an ogre and he tosses Toadie over to Sir Gumlittle who is the red version of Gruffi and tosses him into a hallow stump head first like he is a piece of garbage. Good bump from Toadie there. Now there are two pink twin servants on horseback (So there are six Gummi Knights in the group) invoking the double BOLA OF DEATH which tie up orange ogre high and low and he is dropped to the ground quickly. Sir Plucky is surrounded by the ogres so Cubbi tries to bounce in to help him; but orange ogre (doesn't matter if it's a logic break or not) grabs him.
Sir Plucky is not worried as he uncorks his VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and drinks up. Oh great; even the Knights of Gummadoon use Gummi Berry Juice as a crutch. It's BUTT BOUNCING TIME as Sir Plucky invokes the headbutt on the ogre heels which drops them onto the ground. Orange ogre is dropped as well and Cubbi bounces on his butt with a wussy bump. I guess his Gummi Berry Juice ran out of steam there. Cubbi is impressed as the Knights of Gummadoon then blow into the sticks (EWWW!) which reveals the sleeping fog and the ogres collapse and fall asleep. Then Cubbi runs to the knight like an idiot and then falls asleep on the ground. I thought Toadie was supposed to get that spot. Toadie however; is still awake as he watches the entire time and sees this as a way to get into Dukie's high standing. Sir Plucky and Sir Blastus see Cubbi's courage and spunk as someone who has been taught well...
And speaking of being taught well; we cut to the bushes as Gruffi is mad because he's going to tan Cubbi's hide until his fur glows. In other words; a massive fatal beating. I guess Gruffi is for the pro-spanking group. The entire babyfaces follows him as Grammi is on the boys side; Gusto thinks it's just boyish hijinks and Tummi doesn't know what to think. Sunni doesn't get a chance to think because a bush whacks her right in the face. I see they are still punishing her for the last episode do you not think? Sunni blows Cubbi off of course because he was sleeping in Dumbwin Castle and not her. Zummi does and sezs nothing..AND THE ROCK SEZS AND DOES NOTHING! And here comes Artie Deco swooping down and whacking Gruffi in the face knocking him on his brown can. HA HA! Artie must be the anti-spanking group. However; he's more concerned with showing the babyface something over the hill. Gruffi goes over the hill as he blows off Artie Deco and then he is in awe because he is witness to the Castle of Gummadoon which is flashing in Wii blue glory. Like I said; Nintendo has already started their disruption marketing about 20 years early already.
Everyone is in shock of this event as we go to the telescope shot as ultra-cool sidekick Toadie is telling Dukie about a castle filled with nasty, bouncing Gummi Bears. Cannot argue with that point there. Dukie is handling the telescope on top of a hill while ultra-cool sidekick Toadie is walking still with the hallow stump on his body. Too funny as Dukie doesn't care about the Gummi Bears because he looks at the telescope and sees the various weapons that he could use to crush Dumbwin and take over the world. Now Dukie is thinking big as we side pan over to Gadd calling Dukie insane. Dukie is merely evil; Don Karnage is crazy. Just don't tell him about as Toadie blows Dukie's off. Why are you burying him Toadie?! I know that Dukie's heat is gone; but at least give him a chance to get it back. Dukie didn't like that line of questioning so he bashes the hallow stump with the telescope and the hallow stump shatters completely. Who knew that ogres made a good old fashion rot. Dukie grabs Toadie and blows him off as he throws him right into Gadd like a girl...because Gadd didn't fall out when Toadie made contact.
Dukie wants his entire army of ogres ready to attack Gummadoon because he doesn't want to be ignored. Yeap; Dukie is insane, what did you expect. We cut to the castle gates as the babyfaces make it to the door and open inside as Gruffi is in complete awe at the hustle and bustle of the Gummadoon marketplace. Think Castle Dumbwin with Gummi Bears in it. Hopefully; they won't become Gummadumb by the end of this episode. Then one of the court magicians from Zummi's story greets the babyface and she was expecting them. Sunni is confused because they don't know anyone there. The female magician is Edler Wooddale who is voiced by June Foray. That means the second court magician in the group is Elder Berrybalm who is voiced by Alan Oppenheimer in his first DTVA role since The Wuzzles back two years ago. That leaves only two voices left to check in this entire volume. Wooddale and the babyfaces walk in as magic tricks in the background impress the children in the background. Gusto and Tummi loves surprises and Tummi wants some more food. They make it to the fountain as Wooddale realizes that they are going to be late. So she gathers the Gummi Bears around and starts chanting a spell...
Wooddale: Lu-mift, uh-mus ta-mo qua-mick, ca-mar!
Translation: Lift Me And Us To Me Quick Car!
Her spell casting doesn't make any more sense than Zummi's. And the Crack Disney Captions team forgot to tell the difference between a 1 and a ! Really smooth move there idiots! The babyfaces and Wooddale float up into the sky. Sadly; Tummi misses having cake with a Gummi denizen which is too bad because any food spot with Tummi would have added some flair to this episode. They float right to the Quick Car that looks like a swan. I guess Princess Gwace was a former Quick Car designer before becoming queen of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang. They land in the swan car and she tells them to buckle up. Tummi buckles up but isn't too happy because that lady Gummi was ready to give him that cake so Wooddale uses her magic to poof it up to Tummi. Much better now as we are off on a Quick Car sequence and a tour of the castle area which gives the animators even more time to animate stuff to the point of overkill. Sunni panics as the swan car flies off the track and then the swan car starts to fly and glide in the air. Where it stop I should care since the swan car lands right into a window inside the castle. The swan car lands and everyone gets off. Wooddale swears in DUBBED ANIME STYLE (piift!) as they missed most of the celebration. We cut to the far shot as we see Berrybalm knighting a small knight in front of him with the Knights of Gummadoon looking on.
If you don't know who the knight is being knighted here then you have no business reading this rant. Sir Cubbi rises and takes his staff as Wooddale and the babyfaces float down and everyone is in shock as Cubbi turns around to greet his folks. That is predictable; but it is still awesome. Cubbi has been granted a knight of Gummadoon for a day for obvious reasons. Grammi and Cubbi share a bonding moment as even Gruffi is in awe over Cubbi's honor. Sir Plucky and the other knights explain how the kids stand off against a gang of ogres single handed. Cubbi tries to explain that he was not alone as Sir Plucky claims that Cubbi would be useful against the treachous humans and Cubbi explains that Cavin helped him...and speaking of Cavin; Cavin manages to recover from the sickest bump in DTVA history up on the oak tree branch which breaks and he falls on with another MAN-SIZED bump onto the ground. Boy; TMS hate Cavin today!
Cavin gets up and notices that Cubbi is gone so he runs back to Gummi Glenn (via the smallest trap door he could find that fits him) and yells out for the babyfaces. However; there are none to be found. He figures that the ogres got him so he goes into the kitchen and goes into the cupboards to find the BARREL OF ROIDED JUICE to aid him in his quest. We cut to the trap stump as Cavin pops out and loses his barrel as it rolls away into the bushes. Cavin tries to take one step towards finding them and then the bolas tie Cavin up and he is in shock as the nameless blue Gummi Bear and the two nameless pink Gummi twins have him captured calling Cavin as greedy as ever. Cavin looks unamused as the segment ends 10 and a half minutes in.
After the commercial break we see Cavin on horseback tied up as the Knights of Gummadoon lead the horse away stage left. We side pan over to the bushes with the barrel still on the ground as ultra-cool sidekick Toadie and some ogres pop out of the bushes thinking that they heard some nasty Gummi Bears. After what they did to you; I would suspect that they want nothing to do with the Knights of Gummadoon. Ultra-cool sidekick Toadie nearly trip over the barrel and grabs it. He gets inspired as we cut back to Castle Gummadoon as Cubbi is now playing on top of a balance beam against Sir Plucky with the sticks. This is like how I became pillow fighting champion at my junior high school years ago. Great memories there Disney as Grammi is knitting as usual while Tummi is eating. Grammi is worried about Cubbi training with them; although Cubbi is basically out witting Sir Plucky in agility. Then again; Cubbi didn't have breakfast this morning which is worse because it's only one day and Cubbi needs to milk this for all that it is worth. Tummi doesn't care and wants a berry kabob. Too funny as we cut to Sir Blastus putting the hots right on the diva.
Man; I never thought that Disney would allow a babyface to become remotely perverted ; but here it is in the flesh. And for some reason it makes me like Blastus even more. Must be those silly toxins in the air. Blastus kisses Sunni's hand which is cute to watch as Sunni asks nicely to have her arm back now. Cubbi dodges all of Sir Plucky's attacks and then invokes the sticks to vault over Sir Plucky and nail him from behind. Now that's how you beat a Knight of Gummadoon. Be thankful Cubbi is on your side Sir Plucky. We cut to Gruffi as he blows off Sir Gummlittle like a father in a little league baseball game. So you parents can blame Gruffi for your temper when you blow off an umpire for a bad call. Gusto is smiling as usual beside Gruffi and on his best behaviour which is far above Drake could ever pull off. Gruffi even elbows Sir Gummlittle just to rub it in as we cut back to the thrilling Sir Cubbi and Sir Plucky battle as Cubbi swings away with the stick; but gets way too excited and trips and gets beaned by one of the wooden arms and Cubbi goes right into the water tough where the horses drink. I betcha Gummlittle blows off Gruffi on that spot like a parent in a little league baseball game.
Cubbi spits out water and it's Gusto who blows Gruffi off. I was off by one Gummi Bear; but Gummlittle makes it up by elbowing Gruffi and he flies right into Gusto and they take wussy bumps off-screen as Gummlittle laughs it up. That is one devastating elbow as Cubbi isn't happy when he takes off his helmet and the horse starts laughing and licking his face. Too funny as Sir Plucky gives him a good grade for staying in the heat of battle and for creativity as he pulls Cubbi onto his feet out of the water trough. Sir Plucky goes on about the humans being bad and they would flee across the sea. I'm guessing Sir Plucky is still sore from his defeat from the humans years ago. Cubbi tries to explain to him that not all humans are evil and bad. I have to take Cubbi's side because it's true and I'm a human. However; here comes nameless blue bear with his nameless pink twins on horseback as they have captured a spy..The criminal: Cavin who is tied up and gagged on the horse. I don't like where this is going....
We cut to the main room as Wooddale isn't convinced one bit that humans have changed in five hundred years and never will. They have seen no change in humans at all. They even point to Duke Igthorn as mere proof that humans are evil. One hundred years of seeing like two humans proves that these bears are full of crap; but who's going to tell them? Cubbi of course runs to the defense of Cavin of course because he is a friend of his. Berrybalm doesn't want to hear it and declares that Cavin will remain in the dungeon for life. Cubbi calls the decision unfair and this is a lot better than this childish version in Up Up & Away. Gruffi grabs onto Cubbi and tells them that the Ancient Gummi laws are law and Cubbi blows it off as Gruffi being uncaring and storms off. OUCH! Even Gruffi is taken aback by this which shows how far along he has changed as a character. Gruffi tries to tell Cubbi not to be foolish but we cut to the spiral staircase as Cubbi and Tummi are being foolish (with Tummi questioning Cubbi's decision but going along with it.) as they walk down the steps. Tummi thinks that Gummadoon will not let Cavin stay long; but Cubbi blows it off because he would stay for a hundred years. I think the writers didn't wrote that spot properly because it makes very little sense. We see Cavin locked up in the dungeon along with Sir Nameless and his Sir Nameless twins having the keys. Tummi wants to practice the fine art of not being seen and heard however; Cubbi wants to spring in and openly face them like a true knight.
A true stupid knight; but a true knight nevertheless. Cubbi springs into action like a fool much to the protestations of Tummi Gummi and demands that the prisoner be released or else. This is not going to end well; I'm sure of it. Even Cavin is screaming for Cubbi not to do it as Cubbi blitzes the knights. This is what happens when the MIST OF DEATH affects the rational part of the brain. He vaults over the knights (coward!) and one of the twin knights invokes the bola which ties up Cubbi's legs. Now normally gravity would put him down in front of the door of the dungeon; but the animators somehow force Cubbi to spring back and fall right into Tummi's arm in front of the knights. Now there's a logic break if I ever saw one; but it's a funny one so I'll let it slide. The knights are upset over Cubbi little playtime because Cubbi interfered with a direct order. However; the stick tickles Tummi's nose and he sneezes which allows him to blow into the stick and the MIST OF DEATH comes out and the knights try to cover their faces. Too late stupid knights as they collapse and fall asleep. Wow; that worked better than I thought it would. But mark my words; this plan is going to fail, I'm assure of that. Cubbi grabs the keys and unlocks the cell to let Cavin out. Cavin still doesn't want him to do it because he'll get into trouble; but Cubbi doesn't care as they are leaving this place before it sinks away for a hundred years more.
We cut to Cubbi, Tummi and Cavin going through the outside door where the Quick Swan Car Tunnel is; but it is blocked off by some of the Ancient Gummis who have just arrived from said swan. I told you this plan was going to fail. So we cut back to the badly animated spiral staircase as Gruffi and Berrybaum (according to Disney Captions) exchanging notes as Berrybaum decides to talk to the human after giving it some though. But he makes no promises because he doesn't want to make the same mistake that happened before. However; the animation stops as they make it down the steps and of course the prisoner has escaped as the knights are sleeping on the job as usual. Nice work TMS for maintaining CONTINUITY during that scene. Berrybaum sounds off the alarm and leaves as Gruffi realizes that Cubbi was being a fool as we cut back to the platform as Cubbi and Tummi are whistling while the knights walk right past them without noticing that Cavin was compacted behind them. They are turning into Gummadumb right there which makes Dumbwin looks smart in comparison. The fools take the Swan Quick Car; but their luck is running out as the gong is rumbling from the Gummi's. We cut to the remaining Gummi Bears left as they wonder what is going on. Sunni of course blows their cover which is silly because she had nothing to blow cover with in the first place. Unless she was in on the plan Cubbi was dishing out; but wasn't shown as part of it. Sir Plucky and Sir Blastus nail the Swan Car with the bolas as it crashes right into the wing of the swan car as Grammi protests this outrage. The knights don't care about if they kill anyone at this point. Their honor system is broken sezs I.
They throw more bolas and they crash into the other wings which sends the Swan Quick Car into a tailspin (BWHAHA!). I see the writers are already prepping up for TaleSpin even if that show is still a year away from being in production at this point. They are going to crash into the wall so they are forced to jump. Tummi and Cubbi jump out of the Swan Car; but Cavin's belt is stuck. You know you are dead when THAT happens. Cubbi and Tummi manage to crash into the chicken coop while Cavin manages to sail right over the castle walls and over the ogre camp in the process. Cubbi and Tummi are pretty stupid not to notice that the Swan Quick Car made it after all. Cubbi and Tummi climb out of the carnage as their plan to save Cavin worked like a charm...Sort of because now Tummi and Cubbi are trapped because everyone has Tummi and Cubbi surrounded and that is treason. Which means automatic death sentence for Cubbi...
Well; they teased it with Molly so it should be too silly as we cut to outside of the pathway as Dukie is walking along the pathway in search of the Swan Quick Car. Cavin climbs out of the Swan Quick Car and hides in the bushes as Dukie sees that his way in is ruined. However; he takes it well since he'll just storm the castle walls anyway. However; here comes ultra-cool sidekick Toadie with his saving grace because he has the BARREL OF ROIDED JUICE with him. This is not going well for Cavin at all as Dukie grabs Toadie's arm and declares victory because he's going to crush the Gummi Bears; their secrets and the world in one fell swoop. Dukie is going to need more Gummi Berry Juice to do that. Cavin sulks as the segment ends sixteen and a half minutes in...This is going to get messy now.
Interesting Moment #2: I saw a fade out of a huge 2 just before we return to the action. Must be a slug mistake.
After the commercial break; we see a ring of Gummi Bears surround Sir Plucky and Sir Cubbi on horseback as they are forced to fight to the death in spite of the protests by Sunni and Grammi. Wow; Cubbi is going to get a fighting chance here which is a step up from the death sentence in real life; but really is equal to The Condemned movie starring WWE superstar Steve Austin. That's probably why that film tanked at the box office. However; since Cubbi is a knight this is his choice to prove his innocence so sezs Berrybaum. Why? We know he is guilty of aiding an escaped criminal so...Oh wait; he's fighting to prove his innocence on the treason charge which is more difficult to prove, my mistake. I guess Cubbi isn't as foolhardy as I thought. Still foolish; but not so much anymore. Tummi gives Cubbi the stick and pleads for him not to do it because he doesn't mind being in trouble. I guess he doesn't know what death is and Cubbi blows it off because this is his one chance to save them. TMS animators are pretty sloppy with Cubbi's feet in that scene I should note.
However; Tummi states the obvious: How do you stop Sir Plucky?! Sir Blastus gives Sir Plucky his stick as Sir Gummlittle tells him if Cubbi hopes this was worth it. Hey; if this gives him his dream to fight Sir Plucky; a real Gummi knight for real then I don't think Cubbi would have wanted it any other way. We cut to the ogre camp as Dukie and company are getting the catapult ready as Cavin hides behind the bushes still. He better stay out of this one because he's really having a bad day. Orange ogre's ROIDED JUICE OF DOOM dies on him and he get squashed by the catapult. Ultra-cool sidekick Toadie doesn't think this is going to work; but Dukie thinks it will work long enough to get them inside and mulch them into lawn food. I think Dukie and Bushroot were drinking together at this point of time. Cavin has to find some way to get back inside to warn the Gummis as we cut to Berrybaum yelling at Sir Cubbi if he is ready. Sir Cubbi sezs that he is as ready as he could be as the gong sounds and Cubbi uncorks his VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and drinks up.
It's ROID RAGE TIME (since bouncing will be useless in this fight) and the most lop sided match in jousting history commences. They blitz and bounce into the air and swing their sticks at the highest point and Sir Plucky breaks Cubbi's stick as they land back on their horse. Round one goes to Sir Plucky as even the Gummi's gasp thinking that Sir Cubbi would put up a better fight. We cut back to orange ogre at the catapult as he is distracted by the mallet (and you thought HHH had shrinkage problems?) as Cavin takes the rope and gets onto the cup of the catapult as we cut into the fight as Cubbi has the bola and flings it to Sir Plucky and he manages to block it with his stick. You know considering how good Cubbi is in the past and how old Plucky is you would think that Cubbi would get some offense in. This is really becoming a squash now as even Gusto's cheering cannot save Cubbi as we head back to the cup of the catapult as he pulls the rope hoping for a soft spot on the other side and he flies away into the air where he stops only Dukie cares as we head back as Zummi and Gusto gasp in horror of how much Cubbi is getting squashed by Sir Plucky. However; here comes Cavin over the castle walls as the babyfaces are forced to drink their VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and bounce up to catch him on the way down. Sir Plucky isn't amused by this sneak attack and neither is the Knights of Gummadoon as Cubbi runs in to see if Cavin is all right.
Cavin explains to the babyfaces that Igthorn is here and ready to attack them. We cut back to Dukie with ultra-cool sidekick Toadie as the first wave of ogres drink their VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE in a wave. It's ROID RAGE TIME as they uproot five large trees and fire them into the castle as everyone scatters like a scalded dog. Wooddale orders the knight to the battlements to fire the catapult and they fire rocks at the ogres which are caught easily and thrown back into the castle as we cut to Cavin and Cubbi running to the battlements to get a better look with Tummi trailing close behind. More catching from the ogres; but their ROIDED JUICE OF DOOM wears out and orange ogre get squashed off-screen by a boulder. What did orange ogre do to screw the writers today as Toadie calls the first wave finished. Dukie goes to the second wave as the Kinghts of Gummadoon blow the stick to reveal the slumber fog but four ogres manage to pucker up and blow it back in their face. About time too they got their medicine intentionally. Dukie has had enough games and wants them to smash the doors down now. The third wave drinks their VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE and it's blitz time as the DOORS OF DOOM open and they get MURDERED by the battering ram. Ouch! That's going to leave a mark...on the battering ram.
Ogres go flying like a bunch of idiots of course as the Knights of Gummadoon (with Sir Plucky) exit the castle and invokes the bolas to tie up the third wave and or second wave depending on your point of view. Dukie then threatens ultra-cool sidekick Toadie to get them inside or be like Jesus against the door. Toadie takes it well and drinks up his VIAL OF ROIDED JUICE as the final wave of ogres (including Gadd and Zook) and Dukie get on the catapult. It's ROID RAGE TIME as Toadie pushes the catapult towards the castle doors and the knights are forced to scatter. However; Sir Plucky's horse gets uppity and he falls off the horse right into the path of Dukie, his ogres and the catapult. This is not looking good for him as Cavin swings down like Tarzan and saves Sir Plucky from certain death as Dukie and the ogres gasp on that spot. Even Sir Plucky is taken aback as the catapult crashes right into the castle with an ultra-sick MAN SIZED bump on-screen. Man; TMS is on and off today as Toadie thanks himself for a job well job. I agree as the ogres are inside ready to MURDER some bears into lawn food (so sezs Dukie) and Dukie commences the attack with about two minutes left in the episode. The ogres attack with the GIANT WOODEN SWORD OF PIN PRICKS . Is this Cubbi loving day or what?
Zummi takes out his SPELL NOTES OF SATAN and wants to blow them away with wind. Now you would think that Zummi would be smart enough to realize that the spell backfired on him in the Fence Sitter; but I guess Gummadumb's culture has drugged him into stupidity. And of course it backfires as Cavin, Berrybaum and Wooddale are blown away in a tornado. Well; at least it didn't hit Zummi this time around. No translation needed; it's stupidity all the way down. However; the spell doesn't completely backfire as the wind manages to allow the foolish bears and Cavin to knock out the wooden sword swinging heels. Wooddales invokes the mean lok on Zummi which Zummi shrugs because it worked. Hey; I'm taking Zummi's side on this one because those nasty Gummi Bears hate humans. We cut to Gadd and Zook chasing a bouncing Grammi as Grammi taunts them of course and they get MURDERED by the gong much to Dukie's protests who has made it to the fountain by now. He's having a lot more luck with Gummadumb than with Dumbwin which makes the humans better than the Gummi Bears by default basically. Dukie does another funny avoid the word kill as much as possible (brain) so Cubbi and Sir Plucky decide to punish Dukie for that decision by doing their Cubbi special attack. So they run up from behind and vault on the stick and whack Dukie right in the back of the head and Dukie falls into the fountain. This is really sad for Dukie; but he gets up and realizes that he still has the BARREL OF ROIDED JUICE left and drinks up. It's ROID RAGE TIME as Dukie climbs onto the fountain and grabs the statue on top as the Gummi Bears are doomed..DOOMED I SAY.
However; Sir Plucky gives Cavin the barrel himself and Cavin drinks up much to the protestations of Berrybaum and Wooddale. It's ROID RAGE TIME for Cavin as he grabs the Q-TIP SPEAR OF DEATH (I knew that would be used as the finish somehow) and throws it like a discus as it nails the statue from out of Dukie's hands (and stuns him I should note) and the statue flies right into the final wave of ogres and they get kicked out of the castle. Cavin grabs the Q-TIP SPEAR OF DEATH and throws is AGAIN at Dukie and Dukie is forced onto it and he spins and flies right out of the castle and is basically POPPED RIGHT OUT OF THE EPISODE! Okay; that spot was really funny. And still; Dukie looks like a second rate villain what a shock?! The Gummi Bears cheer for Dukie's departure as we cut to Zummi and Wooddale fixing the doors of the castle and Zummi feels hot so to speak. Berrybaum wants the babyfaces to stay but Gruffi and Grammi say they cannot because they have a mission to do and that's to make sure that the Gummi Bears and humans can live in peace. They have a long way before that will happen. Cubbi and Cavin shake hands with Sir Plucky as they cheer for the true knights of Gummadoon: Sir Cubbi and Sir Cavin as they taught them that humans and Gummi Bears can co-exist. However; the Gummadoon faction disappears in a poof of magic along with the castle as the day is officially up about a few hours after Dukie lost. We turn to the book as it close it up and we fade to black to end the episode at 21:32. I just cannot give this episode less than ***** in good conscience in spite of the slight errors. ***** (100%).
THE REVIEW LINE
Two more episodes are in the books with another mixed bag. Boggling the Bears are all right; but it was just another kid keeps pet episode which was done better in other episode with better pathos. I'm sorry; but I didn't buy any of Sunni's pathos as it seemed that they were going through the motions here. It was a solid episode (with some funky animation in some places); but the mystical animal episode was done a lot better in Can I Keep Him and even that is nothing compared to Mommy For A Day. The ending was disappointing because there was no real emotion and no emotional attachment between the Boggle and Sunni.
However; the Knights of Gummadoon made up for it as it was one of the few episodes in the post-cool Dukie era where Dukie looked really good for a change and Cavin looked pretty terrible as nothing went right for him. Cubbi looked a lot better and less childish in this episode than Up, Up & Away as his dream of becoming a Gummi knight was pretty much exposed as he still has much to learn when Sir Plucky kicked Cubbi's butt in the jousting battle. I felt the Gummadoon knights were quite uptight but it worked rather well. I enjoyed the episode the most because it filled some important holes in the plotline from Light Makes Right and it also showed that the Gummi Bears were not invincible against the humans and ogres in the fight against Dukie. There were a few errors in the animation; but everything went smoothly and I liked every character and their performances in this one. Cavin sounded a lot better too and it's a shame that this was David's only appearance as a voice actor. I guess there was a strike with the lack of Cavin in this season as a whole. All in all; a perfect episode. So we have one more rant left and it's a bad joke compared to this epic. So...
Thumbs in the middle for Boggling The Bears and thumbs up for Knights of Gummadoon and I'll see you all next time.