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True Gritty
Reviewed: 09/18/2011
About As Gritty As Gruffi On A Sweet & Sour Binge.....
This is actually the final episode of 1990 before the series finale King Igthorn; although there would be six episodes released in 1991 for no rhyme or reason (unless it was to bury the show completely). True Gritty is also the first official season six episode featuring Ursaila and the first that focused on Gritty and Cubbi's relationship. And Gruffi and Ursa complaining. So how did this episode do? Let's rant on and find out shall we....?
This episode is written by Kevin Hopps. The animation is done by Walt Disney Animation Japan and Taesang Ind. Company Limited.
We begin this one with a far shot of Ursaila as we zoom in and cut to Gritty firing arrows at the target and he gets three bulleyes and two split arrows. Cubbi is impressed as he wants Gritty to show him the ways of the arrow; but Gruffi walks in and blows it off because it's clean up time in Ursalia. See he wants it the way it was when the ancients lived. Gritty grabs the bow & arrows and claims that it was that way before those nasty, evil, fur less, wart-infested humans showed up to destroy it. Gruffi blows him off since there are no humans for miles and not all humans are evil. Gritty claims that humans need no reason because they are greedy. Ummm; Gritty, that IS a reason and you distracted Cubbi enough for him to shoot the arrow in the air as it bounces off several stone statues and then hits the WOODEN WATER TANK OF DEATH and it springs a leak. Well; you can blame Gritty for that stupidity since he distracted Cubbi and he lost track of his aim. Although I have a very hard time believing that a single arrow could cause that much damage to create a giant wave to engulf the Gummi Bears. Nice spinning from Cubbi though.
Gritty takes the bow and wants Cubbi to aim at something that isn't so wet. Or you can stop distracting how Gritty as Gruffi is pissed as he pulls Cubbi by the ear and slaps the SHANE DOUGLAS MOP OF DOOM in his hands to clean up the place. Yeah; because Gritty is TOO STRONG to take responsibility for distracting Cubbi to bring that water tank down. Thornberry comes in to point out that cleaning will have to wait since that water tank was their only source of water. Ursa is in shock as she joins in and Gruffi tells them to settle down as he scouts out the piping system claiming that the ancients would never build a city without a water source. Thornberry agrees with him as there is a river nearby; which is by our standards a full day's journey. Cubbi doesn't like this at all; but Ursa agrees that Gummi Bears cannot on their own. But them and Rama's can (Rama are basically a Japanese Engrish switch of Lama in case you didn't notice) as Gritty asks Cubbi if he wants to go on a Rama roundup and Cubbi likes it. But then he asks what the hell is a Rama and Gruffi calls them smelly animals only a Barbic would use. Okay; how did Gruffi KNOW about this? If Ursa said that then it would make more sense since she's a Barbic. Logic break #1 for the episode almost three minutes in.
Of course Gruffi blows that off because the ancients would NEVER use such a stinky, no good animal. So what is your excuse Gruffo? TUG! YOUCH!! Ummmm.... Boy; Gruffi sure knows how to do a good ear pull. Almost pulled my ear off ala Mick Foley in Germany. Ursa gleefully trumps Gruffi off and his trademark pose. Gritty turns Gruffi around with his tinfoil hat and proclaims that the ancients trusted humans and Barbics will NEVER make that mistake. Until the very last episode of course in the American order. And he ASSURES him of that too. Okay; point delivered Gritty. So we head outside the gates as Cubbi and Gritty march and we do the marching song just to annoy me. So Gritty is channeling the powers of Admiral Grimitz. Figures; knowing that he has the same voice as Gritty. Cubbi seems to not mind although the first shot has him looking like he's bored; the closeup has him more excited. Logic break #2 for the episode. Memo to Cubbi: If you are going to wear an eye patch to look cool; wear the patch on the opposite eye. Then; you can show the irony of Gritty's ways.
Then for no reason that I can see; we see the two walking stage right in front of Gruffi, Thornberry and Ursa. Okay; that looks really random and a teleport. Why not just cut back inside the city if you are going to go to them? I'm calling that logic break #3 for the episode and we aren't even four minutes into this thing. Please don't turn Gritty into the Colonel from An Elephant Never Suspects; that's all I ask. Ursa claims that the Barbic has rubbed off of Cubbi. NO?! REALLY?! I mean; Cubbi is wearing the same eye patch on the same eye of Gritty for goodness sakes. Gruffi has the trademark pose and blows off Ursa because he's unteachable. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I see your memory has been erased again Gruffi. Did you steal The Black Box while I was away?! Anyhow; Gruffi shows Ursa the BLUEPRINT OF DOOM as he walks over to the stone aqua duct. Okay; logic break #3 is popped out of the episode. Thornberry is still as clueless as ever as the TRIO OF SARCASTIC ADULTS jump down into the aqua duct. Gruffi proclaims that the ancients used it to supply water. Ursa points out the tiny flaw in Gruffi's plan (NO...WATER!) as Thornberry twirls around acting like a dolt. Oh swell; I want a good shouting match between Ursa and Gruffi and Thornberry is ruining the seriousness of the whole thing.
Oh and Thornberry is one of those politicians who prays for rain every time there is a drought as he does the dumbest rain dance ever. With Indian dance music which is so out of place with this series in general. Look; I like Thornberry; but if they wanted to do silliness and keep the serious debate going between Ursa and Gruffi, replace TB with Tummi. It gets the job done and Music's deadpan humor is always a laugh even in a serious debate. And this goes on for a while; albeit finely animated, but pointless since nothing happens of course. HA! Gruffi gleefully blows him off for me; albeit in softer language than Ed Brayton would use. Gruffi wants to follow the canal and Ursa blows it off because the Rama's will bring them the water. Gruffi than taunts Ursa claiming that she's afraid of the dark. Ursa blows him off and enters inside and then blows off Thornberry for whatever reason Ursa had in her mind. Gruffi uses sarcasm to follow her along with TB.
So we scene change to the ground as Gritty has his ear to the ground. For a second there; I thought Cubbi had tied him up; which would be a funny scene actually; even if it's pointless and turns Cubbi into a sneaky heel. Oh and Cubbi also has rope with him as Gritty claims that there are three or four Rama's grazing within easy roping range. Which of course is the amount that WD-Japan can safely animate properly without resorting to limited animation. Cubbi is in awe; but Gritty can clearly see as there are four Rama's on a grass plateau. Okay; this is logic break #3 for the episode because Gritty's eyes were focused at the camera and thus wouldn't be able to see the actual Rama's anyway. So Gritty jumps and plant his ass into the nearest Rama's back easily and we ride the Rama Stampede. Cubbi wants Gritty to wait up as Gritty claims that he's missing the fun. On second thought; no thanks Gritty. I don't want to injure the poor thing so you have to make two trips to the river instead of one.
Cubbi jumps down and plops onto Rama #2 as the green ground changes to stone color right on cue. Rama #2 gallops and Cubbi is having a greater degree of difficulty riding the Rama, DUH! Gritty is having a lot of fun; Cubbi not so much as the animation just turns Cubbi into the silliest looking doll ever when he's holding onto the horns and gets flipped into the air. Very sloppy form there WD-Japan. Cubbi drops onto the Rama's back and he actually sells it as if he landed on the back a full foot BEFORE he actually did. More bouncing as Cubbi holds onto the tail and Rama #2 gallops and the animation of Cubbi is hilariously bad as Cubbi wants off this thing as he gets flipped again and lands on his ass in wussy fashion. Damn. He lands in front of Gritty on Rama #1 as he helps Cubbi up and Gritty calls him a tenderfoot. Cubbi agrees; but rubs his ass saying that his foot isn't tender though. This was BS&P getting around the word butt; but it didn't quite work since the slip in's were quite obvious.
So we scene change as Cubbi is bouncing again on something and the animation is better this time around. And it's a horse like rock he's on when we zoom out. HAHA! Gritty gets two Rama's and grabs Cubbi as he calls it as tame as he can get. He puts Cubbi on Rama #1 and tells him that not all the Rama's will bump him off and he has to show them that he's his friend. Ironic that Gritty has no trouble saying that kind of complexity to an animal; but humans are ALWAYS EVIL~?! Cubbi is in awe and wants to be like Gritty because he knows everything and even Gritty claims that he doesn't know everything. Apparently; one of them is having complexity when it comes to humans. Anyhow; Gritty notices a dam and a river flowing below and gets on Rama #2 and both Rama's walk as Cubbi is having better luck with the Rama. However; he speeds up in front of Gritty and Gritty tries to tell him to slow down. Cubbi doesn't listen and jumps on some pillars and wants to race as Gritty is apparently going to be a rotten Gummi Berry. Cubbi is having fun (in spite of the bad animation) and then he gets to the river and pulls back on the reins; allowing Rama #1 to flip him right into the river. HAHA! Should have taken Gritty's advice after all eh Cubbi?!
Cubbi pops from the river as Gritty praises his riding; but mocks his dismount as Rama #2 giggles with him. HAHA! He's got a point there Cubbi. Then they hear a boy's voice as a boy is hiding behind the rocks on the other side of the river as Gritty brings out the wooden beating stick and hides behind a big rock. We discover that he's just a shepherd boy (who wearing sandals) as he grabs a sheep and embraces him. Cubbi finds it cute; but Gritty blows it off because he's still a human. Can you smell the hypocrisy coming out of him; or do I have to spell it out for you?! Gritty thinks he's trying to steal their Rama's. One problem: Isn't getting the jump on them equal to stealing or kidnapping?! So we see the boy (wearing a green short, dark green shorts and a red cap) bring out a ram like horn and blows into it. The horn music is so awesome it causes the Rama's to go completely berserk. Sadly; Cubbi was still holding onto the rope of Rama #1 and gets a wet facial for his troubles as the Rama's cross the river. Gritty invokes the LASSO OF BANE TO ALL ACTION CARTOONS EVERWHERE to control Rama #1 as the boy looks on in shock. Cubbi and Gritty manage to pull on the ropes to calm Rama #1 down and Rama #1 sells and stops running. The animation of Cubbi riding still looks kind of silly. The boy notices them and calls for Omar as Gritty grabs Cubbi and they bail behind the rocks.
We then see a male adult wearing red shorts, sandals, a peach shirt and blue cap slide down and we find out the boy is Rafi (Kate Leigh for Rafi, Will Ryan is Omar) as Rafi claims that he saw Gummi Bears; but Omar sees nothing...AND THE ROCK MEANS NOTHING....but a useless Rama. Rafi pleads with him as they exit stage left; but Omar mocks him for seeing elves and pixies and the like before. Gritty and Cubbi pop from the rocks as Gritty shows it as proof that humans tried to scare the Rama. Cubbi claims that it was unintentional and Gritty claims that it wasn't when they were driven out of Barbic Woods. Cubbi looks over the blue tents which come absolutely OUT OF NOWHERE as Cubbi states that these humans are peaceful and not the ones who drove them out of Barbic Woods. Gritty ties a rope around a makeshift gate (WHAT?) as he'll keep an eye out on them even though they cannot be blamed for something that happened a long time ago. See; you never turn your back on a human as Rama #2 head butt's Cubbi's back and Cubbi goes flying and does some rolls before hitting the ground. Huh? What is the point of that? Other than to show off more silly animation skills and Gritty getting a laugh at Cubbi's expense?
Scene changer as we we head inside the bridge like canal tunnel as Ursa has the torch and is complaining about following Gruffi who takes the lead. Look on the bright side Ursa; at least you are leading Thornberry on the scale of this mad interlude. Ursa states that Gruffi doesn't know where he is going and Gruffi tells them to follow him as the floor crumbles beneath him. Ursa and TB grab Gruffi and all three free fall and splash into the conveniently placed mud puddle. Look; I know that Thornberry is out of his depth in a mud puddle; but that ISN'T a literal statement. Gruffi claims that it's a soft landing at least as Ursa calls Gruffi's head soft. I disagree Ursa. Gruffi is stubborn; so he's a hard head. Unless you found the formula for making hardwood trees soft and poured it into Gruffi's brain before this episode started; or in between scenes. And now she has the Gruffi pose on just to mock him as Gruffi ponders it over and looks up. He realizes that the whole canal is coming apart at the seams. Well; it was abandoned for 500 years; so of course it is. TB claims that he's coming apart at the seams which is a real comment that isn't supposed to be a real comment. TB wants to weasel his way out of this one (good; then we can have Gruffi/Ursa argue for the rest of the episode); but Gruffi stops him because the aqua duct must be patched up. Damn you Gruffi; we don't need the clueless comedy relief anymore. Just jettison him out of this episode already. It's not like you did this with Cubbi and brought Zummi into Queen of The Carpies.
Ursa still thinks Gritty and Cubbi's method is a hell of a lot better and she does have a point since involves a lot less mud on her face. And she has the Gruffi pose on too just to keep it going. So we scene change to a blue cave as one of the Rama's is NOT cooperating with Gritty which makes no sense since Gritty has had such an easy time with the Rama's. Cubbi is the one who should be getting that spot. Great; we killed the continuity the writer was shooting for here. At least Gritty hasn't turned into Colonel...yet. And it's AFTER HAPPY HOUR (after dark) as Cubbi runs in and wants to help. Gritty asks what could he do as Cubbi finds the OUT OF NOWHERE conveniently placed wheat germ plant and uproots it and holds it in the Rama's face. Cubbi backs up as it calms down and licks it's lips. It follows Cubbi as Gritty is surprised. Cubbi reminds him of making them their friend. Okay; I like that spot as they go into the stone fence and Gritty ropes the entrance. This still comes out of nowhere though as Gritty realizes that this is the last of them as all four are in the fence; but it's too dark to return to Ursalia, so he makes a bed of leaves which also come out of nowhere. Okay; this is happening way too much to be excusable as Cubbi sits down beside him as Gritty recalls the good old days of fun in Barbic Woods before those evil, furless, wart-infested humans ruined it for them. Cubbi snoozes as he had fun and Gritty overlooks the tent village and proclaims that the fun is getting started as we end the segment ten and a half minutes. UH OH! I sense Gritty turning into the Colonel here; and Gritty has even less of an excuse than Colonel did. At least Colonel was taken in by professional criminal panda bears into thinking that the Rescue Rangers were stealing the peanuts. Gritty doesn't even have THAT. And I'm tired of this sloppy execution in the animation department too.
After the commercial break; we get a shot of the moon and then pan down to the village with a fence filled of sheep as Rafi tries to reason with the tribe at the campfire that he can watch the flock tonight; but the village elder doesn't trust him because he's thinking too much fiction. Rafi seeks defense with Omar; and Omar decides to give him the right to watch the flock tonight. However; he must stop living in make believe and that the flock is real and not Gummi Bears. The elders aren't so happy of this as they return to their tents along with Omar. Scene change to another shot of the moon as we zoom down to the camp site as everyone is asleep and then behind the rocks as Gritty practices the fine art of not being seen and almost blows it when he comes close to the tents. He hides behind the tent; but nothing comes out of it as he sneaks to the fence and opens the gate and then notices Rafel pacing around the fence repeating that the flock is real over and over again. Gritty hides in with the sheep and one of the sheep licks him in the face. Gritty blows them off with whisper yells and the sheep hate that as much as I do and start to cuddle him. Rafi is heading for camp; but hears Gritty's voice and turns around. Rafi gasps and then just blows it off because there is no such things as Gummi Bears. Ummm; Rafi; he's trying to steal your sheep. To hell if he's a Gummi Bear; shoo him away from the sheep!
However; Rafi doesn't the stupidest thing possible (well he is a child; so it's apporos anyway) as he calls for Omar because he is a Gummi Bear. And his yelling is enough for the sheep to stampede right out of the fence and MURDER Gritty in the process. Omar and everyone wakes up just in time for the sheep to stampede and everyone to chase after it. Nice going Rafi; your voice scared them out. You don't even have the grace of seeing a real Gummi Bear to save you anyway. Rafi makes things even worse when he tries to help Gritty up; and he gets backhanded in the face. That's twice in two straight episodes that has happened as Gritty bails stage left. Rafi scratches his head as the sheep are re-rounded back up and Omar really gets on Rafi's case. And I don't blame him for one second. Now; if Rafi would have been smart; he could have said that a thief was trying to steal the sheep which is actually true given Gritty's motives for coming into camp in the first place. That would at least save face for him even if he would still be blamed for scaring the sheep. However; I betcha he brings up Gummi Bears; and Omar doesn't believe him and blows him off. I check the video...and damn it to hell if I'm not right. Actually; I am wrong as the elders do the blowing off; but Omar notices tracks and admits that Rafi did see something and claims it to be a wolf. I'm SHOCKED Rafi didn't just use that instead and the elders follow the tracks to hunt them down. Really smooth move there Gritty. NOT!
So we see Cubbi sleeping on his bed of leaves as Gritty wakes him up. Gritty points out that there is company and grabs Cubbi as Cubbi likes some reasons. Gritty claims that there is no time as they bail stage right and we get the SCOOBY DOO CHASE SEQUENCE THE OMAR WOLFASS EDITION~! Gritty and Cubbi slide down the hill and we continue on sliding some more. The advantage of these chase scenes: I can skip commenting on them and save space that way. It's cheap; but it's effective as a ranter. Cubbi drinks roided juice and gives the vial to Gritty and it's BUTT BOUNCING TIME~! Gritty blows it off because he's stronger than THE JUICE AND THAT THING IS LOOSE~! JUVY! PINATA~! PINATA~! OH! AND HE IS DOWN! Sorry; having flashbacks of WCW which stole that idea from Power Pro Wrestling which has a Boomerang On a Pole Match. Gritty changes his mind and decides to try it for once. Of course we all know why he doesn't want to drink it as Return to Ursalia demonstrated. And just to break logic; Gritty bounces as if he's an expert into the river. Sigh. They hide inside the stream near the abyss as the humans make it to the edge of the stream and the tracks end and therefore they lost them. Omar and the human decide to turn back as they bail stage left.
Gritty blows off the notion of being scared of humans. Except Cubbi NEVER asked or called you out on THAT Gritty. You're saying it because you ARE scared of humans. Fear does lead to hate you know. Yoda said that in doublespeak; so it must be true. Gritty creates the excuse that he didn't want Cubbi harmed and even Cubbi doesn't understand why. Gritty of course claims that they are humans and complexity for humans is not a feature in a Barbic's brain. Gritty proclaims that the Barbic will not be ran off again as Cubbi doesn't seem to like this at all. So we head back to the aqua duct in the morning as we see Gruffi hammering nails into whole logs used to create a bridge between the aqua duct. Wait; wooden logs? Wouldn't those things rot easier than stone when water comes into contact with them?! TB and Ursa are with him as Ursa isn't exactly buying this; but Gruffi proclaims that the ancient Gummi's built it and therefore it will work. This is the one time where building that stone bridge in Bridge Over The River Gummi would have worked wonders here. Sometimes I have to shake my head when the characters are made to look stupid just to drive the point of an argument that is muted almost completely due to the Gritty angle and Thornberry being a nuisance. Ursa leans onto the WHEEL OF MORALITY which is conveniently placed in a way that assures that the stone door would open and engulf Ursa and company with water. Nice to see the writers were on the ball there eh? TB twists it into the other direction as he sums it up nicely and Ursa is all wet again on her belly right in front of Gruffi as I smell sarcasm coming out of him at six o'clock. Ursa is not amused at all at Gruffi's giggling.
So we scene change to a big ass boulder on top of a ridge overlooking the campsite which is conveniently placed in the perfect position to be rolled towards the fence containing the sheep. Gritty walks over as Cubbi asks him what he is doing and Gritty claims that he is doing nothing those humans don't deserve. In other words; he's going to MURDER those sheep as revenge on the humans. It's so obvious Cubbi! So he went from being an honest hater, to a dishonest hater and back again to a honest hater who is now following through on this threat. The cycle of hate and violence is closing now as we pan down to below a tree on the ground as Rafi continues to insist that it's a Gummi Bear he saw last night as Omar has a bell net trap set up. I see Omar was watching “The Day Teddy Met Grubby” at one point in his career. How he did that; I don't know. Omar doesn't buy Rafi as he spreads leaves on the net as Rafi tells him that wolfs do not have eye patches.
And Cubbi finally gets the LIGHTBULB OF BLOODY CLAIRTY on that one and he's mad. Gritty claims that he can explain as Cubbi walks away and blows him off proclaiming that Gruffi was right about Barbics. Gritty tries to catch up with him; but Cubbi somehow teleports to ground level and gets caught in the bell net. Oh lord; why now?! This episode is just falling faster than Gritty's fall towards Colonel status in terms of being an unlikable dickhead. Gritty notices the Rama's and Cubbi in the net. See how stupid this looks animation wise? And here comes Omar and the elders (plus Rafi) running in as the “wolf” is caught and that actually ends the segment almost 15 and a half minutes in. And I'm sick of this episode now!
After the commercial break; we cut to Cubbi caught in the net as Gritty is climbing onto the branch on top with his knife and cuts the rope while blowing off the humans again. Cubbi drops on his ass as Gritty climbs down and lifts up the net as Cubbi blows off the notion of being his partner anymore. Gritty does care and places Cubbi on Rama #2 and Gritty gets on Rama #1 and we bail stage right about ten seconds before the humans arrive to notice the net was cut. The elders deduce that it's a second wolf. Ummm; elders, when you chew on rope; it doesn't create such a clean cut. Then one of the elder's notices the Rama and thinks they are wolves. Yeah; because wolves love to ride on Rama's. This would work in the TaleSpin world; but not in this one. To Gritty: Humans are not evil (well; not all of them); but these ones are REALLY STUPID. And we give chase again and just as well since these aren't being screwed up for the most part. Gritty and Rama #2 manages to spiral up to the top and jump over the abyss; but Rama #1 is forced to stop as Cubbi brakes instead of doing the skill to jump.
Cubbi cannot get the damn Rama to jump and is almost ready to give up; but Gritty proclaims that a Barbic never gives up. Okay; this is dumb because Cubbi doesn't even blow him off here. If he did then Gritty could say “Neither does a Gummi Bear” and build some tension between the two. Damn; this episode is annoying me as Cubbi sees the humans coming; so he takes his feather from the cap and shoves the pointed end of it on the Rama's back and it oversells and jumps over the gorge easily without even running first. Yeah; that last one didn't make sense; but it was cute, so I'll take whatever I can get. So we go into the mountains as Gritty wants Cubbi to wait up and Cubbi stops his Rama as Gritty claims that he outsmarted those humans. Cubbi gleefully blows him off as somehow the humans are right in front of them. So we turn on a dime and the chase must continue. I don't care if this makes sense or not; the chase is on a lot more solid ground than the rest of this episode so I'll take it. So we climb up the mountain away from the dam (which I smell the telegraph for the finish) as Rafi points out that they went up. Omar is liking this because there is no way off the mountain as they climb up as well. We then see the conveniently placed boulder (If that is the same one from the last scene in act 2; I'm going to be pissed off) as Gritty and Cubbi are forced to stop in front of the ridge below.
Gritty doesn't like this at all as Cubbi suggests that they show themselves as not wolves and thinks that will make them leave them alone. Oh sure; and if they see Gritty then that would only PROVE that Gritty was trying to steal the sheep..and it's not like Cubbi doesn't already know that Gritty was the one who caused trouble with them in the first place! UGH! For once; I'm on Gritty's side; just roll the boulder and get this dumb episode over already!! Gritty claims that they drove him out of Barbic Woods and Cubbi points out that this mess wouldn't have happened if he left them alone and turned the other cheek. Finally, Gritty takes the wooden stick and tries to roll the boulder down the hill as Cubbi pleads for him not to do it. Gritty claims that they deserve it. Now I disagree with him; but really, the episode is a mess and this is the finish in my view; so let Gritty mercy kill the episode and get it over with. The humans gasp in horror and panic right on the cue of rumbling.
Rafi points out the obvious to Omar and everyone runs in the opposite direction and hides behind the nearest rocks away from the path of the boulder as the boulder is heading straight for the wooden log dam as we cut to floor level and see the TRIO OF SARCASTIC ADULTS feeling the rumble. TB thinks it's his stomach and he wishes it was as he notices the big boulder crashing down the hill. Of course instead of running away west or east of the dam; they run towards the dam and duck as the boulder flips into the air and smashes through the dam. Oh goody; we get Moosel's Monster replayed which is actually not a bad idea to re-watch as an antidote to this poisonous episode. Amazing the boulder does no damage whatsoever as the humans breathe a sigh of relief. TB thinks they are safe; but Ursa points out otherwise as the dam springs a couple of big leaks. And then it bursts like a hydro pump. The bears get engulfed and hilarious animation mistakes occurs as the black lines are still visible on the outlines of the bears when they get swamped with blue.
The humans want to return to take on the wolves; but Rafi acts realistic for a change and points out that they need to stop the dam from swamping the sheep as Omar realizes that Rafi is right and everyone marches forward as they run off. Gritty feels absolutely proud of this completing the cycle as he has reached total dickhead status. Cubbi doesn't respond here for some reason (Dammit!) as we see the TRIO OF SARCASTIC ADULTS riding the river downstream as the humans follow via the pathway next to the river. We then see Cubbi and Gritty riding their Rama's on the ridge as Cubbi stops and suddenly hears Ursa and Gruffi's screams; however bad that they are. Cubbi notices them in the river and they need to do something as Gritty sezs nothing and just follows Cubbi's lead. Thornberry's selling of the river is hilarious by the way which is about the only good thing he has done in this episode. Ursa somehow manages to find a rock and pulls TB up by the arm because somehow we cannot have Ursa hapless in any situation. TB thanks her and asks where Gruffi is and Gruffi takes a pretty sick bump backwards into the rocks and teases drowning before TB grabs him and tells him to be more careful. Gruffi decides to agree with him....
...and here comes Cubbi to the rescue...and Gritty arrives with the LASSO OF BANE TO ALL ACTION CARTOONS EVERYWHERE as the rope flies and misses the trio by eight feet. Gritty recoils the rope and states that it's not long enough. So Cubbi takes the loop end and attaches a knot to his rope and then invokes the lasso proclaiming that a Glen Gummi never gives up. This would have been more effective if Gritty had said that earlier when Cubbi was in trouble. Anyhow; it's long enough as all three bears grab it and we pull as Gritty is the anchor and a mighty fine one at that. Sadly; the current is too strong and after an ultra long pull; the knot unbinds and everyone springs back as the trio is forced further downstream. They go out of sight as Gritty looks down and admits that he is so bull headed. Cubbi notices that the flood waters are falling and there is dry sand left as both bears run and notice the trio coughing up water on the side of the river. Gritty is thankful as Cubbi corrects him. Now here's where saying “Thank the Ancients” or even Barbics would have made more sense; since Cubbi points out that the humans saved them. Cubbi points to the dam as there are rocks all over the place. But wait; we clearly don't SEE any humans in the picture. Not even Rafi....and yet Gritty swears in DUBBED ANIME STYLE (by gum) and wouldn't have believed it if he didn't see it with his own eye. Even though we clearly DIDN'T see any on the shot. STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! Did I mention REALLY STUPID?!
So we head to Ursalia AFTER HAPPY HOUR as we head to the wooden water tank as Ursa wants Gruffi to do the honors. And I see that Grubby is here too as Gruffi twists the wheel and we have water spraying from the fountains in Ursalia and everyone cheers. Where's Thornberry?! Ah; forget it, I don't freakin care anymore as Ursa considers the way of the ancients to be better after all as Gritty sulks and then notices Cubbi and wants to do one last round up. Cubbi is confused about this; but Gritty states that it's not the Rama's. Then we logically head to the campsite as Rafi is at the campfire feeling bad about the sheep as Omar comes in to console him. Yes; the floods scared the sheep off and I almost was going to get pissed off on that plot hole. Omar tells him that it wasn't his fault since the floods were responsible as he leaves. Umm; Rafi is blaming himself for not staying in reality; not because of the floods Omar. Rafi throws a stick into the camp fire and states that he's not cut out for sheep herding...and then here comes the army of sheep walking in as Rafi runs to them and Omar proclaims that Rafi found their sheeps. Riiiiiggggghhhhttt Omar. He is your son after all and we all know it. Rafi stands in the middle of the herd and notices Cubbi and Gritty on Rama's as Rafi is in shock. Gritty calls themselves friends and both bears turn around and gallop out of sight. Okay; that is a neat ending even if it doesn't make up for the build of the episode in general. Omar and the elders come in as Rafi is a hero as Rafi turns around and we see the shadows of the Gummi Bears waving before galloping away and that ends the episode at 21:09. Oh man; the whole episode sucked (mostly due to logic breaks and poor animation in spots.) but that ending was great. Call it * ½ (30%); because hell I feel generous. But thank you Mr. Hopps for ruining the creditability of the Barbics and making Thornberry look absolutely useless. I hope it was worth it.
THE REVIEW LINE
Wow; I was looking forward to the Gritty/Cubbi relationship and it turned into a total mess of an episode. It started off well enough; but once Cubbi started riding the Rama's the animation screw up's took over (Tanesang might just be almost as bad in terms of off-model as Jade Animation can be in TaleSpin) and happened almost every time they tried a spot that required riding something. And the various backgrounds that made no sense and had little continuity in between scenes. Gritty was a total dickhead on par with Colonel and had an even lesser excuse than Colonel ever did; but at least the ending redeemed it somewhat. And the whole bickering between Gruffi and Ursa was completely muted and had no tension whatsoever. It also doesn't help when Thornberry kept ruining the pace of the debate by doing stupid things and he was absolutely useless here. They should have just brought Tummi over and used him instead since his deadpan humor would have been helpful to create tension and anger among Gruffi and Ursa as motivation. And then there was the finish as the animators didn't animate at least one human to make Gritty's turnaround to mellowing out look plausible enough to make the ending as good as it was. Cubbi was fun; but he made some mistakes as well. The humans actually were the stars of the episode which was fine; but they cannot carry this episode. Overall; everyone looked bad and it pissed away the creditability of almost everyone involved (the humans and Cubbi are exempt.) and the animation was sloppy. What a disappointment?!
So that episode is the last one before the two parter King Igthorn to end the series; but I'm doing this series by the international order which means next up will be the 1991 episodes Tummi Trouble and Rocking Chair Bear; followed by Trading Faces, May The Best Princess Win and The Rite Stuff. Then I'm returning to Season 5 to complete The World According To Gusto; and if I get lucky I might be able to do My Kingdom For A Pie by then. After that; it's King Igthorn to end the series for good. So......
Thumbs down for this episode and I'll see you all next time.