Last weeks episode saw Lion-O and the gang run into the robotic builders, the Ro-Bear Berbils. Both sides need a bit of help, and the get together proves beneficial for both groups.
Read on for our review of Thundercats Episode 9: Berbils. The Story
Ok, since I’m really late with this review, let’s go for the short version here. The Thundercats are having some serious trouble with the Thundertank. While Panthro works away, the Ro-Berar Berbils appear and immediately begin trying to fix the problems with the tank. The Berbisl lead the Thundercats back to their home, where we see them all attacked by the Conquador, who kidnaps and sells the Berbils as robotic slaves.
Lion-O and the crew fight, but Ro-Bear Bill’s family is taken. The ‘Cats head off, minus Panthro, to get the Berbils back. As expected, Lion-O is successful and the Berbils are returned safely. The Conquador attempts to get revenge, the but the Berbils and Thundercats work together to turn the tides against the Conquador and the Berbils are safe.
Review
This is what I would call a necessary filler. While it doesn’t build on the overarching story, it gives the Thundercats some much needed new allies as well as giving them some much needed repairs on the Thundertank. The thing with Thundercats is that their fillers are nothing like other shows fillers. They are extremely well written, and you never feel like it’s a throw-away episode. And not many other cartoons can boast that type of care. The Berbils prove to be very useful here. They are nowhere near as annoying as they could have (or should have) been. Also, by taking the main focus off of the ‘Cats themselves, you allow the mythos and world of Third Earth to build further.
Once again, the writers know how to get the most out of their episodes. They even toss in a great cameo by Snowmeow, even mentioning he’s from Hook Mountain. The story moves along quickly, but has a very natural flow to it. One of the real stand out things with this episode was the animation. The group has taken great pains, again, to make everything look very cinematic. The battles here were well done, especially when we get to the end battle between the Thundertank and the Conquador’s vehicle. Enough can not be said about how good this show looks week in and week out. Very few shows keep up with such high quality visuals on every episode.
The downer for the episodes were few. That’s two episodes in a row that didn’t involve the main baddies. It causes Mum-Ra and the mutants to seem like occasional passing threats as opposed to a constant looming danger. Also it seemed a bit weird to never address the fact that the Berbils clearly used the Thundercats to help them. Panthro mentions it early on, but is never addressed in the end. Again, these are minor gripes in another very enjoyable episode.
Bottom Line
Thundercats again proves that they can do a “filler” episode, and have it feel like an important part of the series. The crew does a great job of reintroducing classic side characters and making them meaningful additions to the show. But the series narrative needs to get back on track at some point and make Mumm-Ra and the Mutants a bigger part of the show.
Overall: 8.5 out of 10
- Thundercats Berbils Review
Thundercats Episode 9 - Berbils
Use this thread to talk about the episode, leading up to, live talk and post episode recaps.
Thundercats 109 Berbils airs tonight at 8:30 PM on Cartoon Network.
Damn, I'm torn. Chuck and Grimm tonight, Supernatural and nikita, thundercats, and the world series game. T_T Tonight is going to really test my DVR.
Finally! That was a long break.
Can't wait. The break felt like forever man!
Can't wait!
Brewing a new pot of Coffee.....Bring It!
About an hour longer till its on for me
Awesome episode, and snowmeow!
Some odd sound effects this episode. Besides the Video Game 1 ups for the kittens, there were some that sound distinctly 80s Cartoon. Did they seem familiar to anyone?
I loved the video game 1 ups! Yep, they mentioned Hook Mountain and that was Snowmeow.
Yeah, I heard the classic Lion roar and the Mario power-up sound, which I loved. Oh heck, I LOVED THE WHOLE EPISODE!!! I want a plush Berbil now! They were so cute! And the trollogs and giants were very cool, but dude, Snow-Meow was awesome! I really hope we see him again. And the Conquador was a nice villain. But the kittens on their candyfruit-induced power-ups were hillarious. While sad anout no new Young Justice, new Thundercats is a trade up. And hopefully next week will be both, so even better!
Really great episode. Quite possibly my favorite one so-far. The Berbils were great, and I love all the nods within this one episode. Trollogs, Gigantors, Snowmeow, and Safari Joe (I'm still confident that was him).
I hope we see the Berbils several more times within the show's life-time. I don't think they would do this, but I would love to see one of them join the main team as a permanent cast-member. Panthro could use an assistant.
Panthro's development in this episode was great, and very much appreciated. It's good to see the big guy opening up a bit.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of Snomeow. It's inevitable that they'll have him show-up again.
Definitely looking forward to more episodes. Hopefully they'll get in a good number of them before another break happens (it's sadly inevitable these days). Also, I'm hoping it isn't too much longer till we get some Berbil toys. Most especially a plush of at least Bill, but not before Snarf, lol.
good episode
I loved it. The hyper active kittens were priceless. Just like kids after Halloween.
Loved Panthro's development in this episode. I used to hate the berbils in the original, but here they were downright likable.
In the modified words of the late Rick James from the Chappelle's Show skit:
'CANDYFRUIT'S a HECK of a drug...'
Good overall ep. Wasn't super excited tho, found myself getting distracted. Nice connection to the originals, fleshing out a bit more.
Looking forward to some more epic-ness next week.
I eagerly await a download since this show apparently will never be broadcasted in Canada.
It was a light hearted episode and I would say plush Berbils are gonna sell really well.
awesome episode I so want some berbil figures!!!!
Berbils love panthro. Bill is and has always been my favorite non thundercat character. Snowmeow was awsome can't believe we saw him alone. Seeing all the other old characters is also very welcome. It makes me feel like this is the 3rd earth we all knew as kids.
Didn't know what to expect going into this episode. It was so colorful and fun. Watching Kit & Kat go into hyper mode was funny all around as well.
Is it me or did the picture quality feel/look better in terms of 2 dimensional rather than flat like the last 8 episodes. This1 felt like an upgrade from those. Great picture/colors. I kinda wish these shows were longer than 20+ mins. I hate tv/commercials, thank god for dvds, lolz.
On a side note, im glad the tank is fixed now. I wana see more of that thing in action not just a few key moments.
Overall great show, keep em coming. TC RULe!
Torrent for episode 9
And yes, I am also confident that was Safari Joe - same hat, same vest, carries a hunting rifle... his mask even has elements of his steam-locomotive assisstant.
Can we please get a megaupload link or something to that effect
Thanks in advance
Sorry about that! Here is the right link!
Hope we get some toys...
Episode 9 torrent
No megaupload or rapidshare link yet.
Great episode, although I still cannot always understand what the berbils were saying. They are adorable, though.
Episode 9 torrent
No megaupload or rapidshare link yet.
Great episode, although I still cannot always understand what the berbils were saying. They are adorable, though.
Anyhow, it is nice that the tank is fixed.
Also, who's Safari Joe?
Darn. So, I guess the site doesn't allow piratebay and automatically changes the link... Well, I'll try to upload to megaupload and post the link.
Safari Joe was a big game-hunter who, in an episode of the old show, came to Third Earth to hunt the Thundercats. With clever traps and weapons, he trapped all but Lion-O who finally got the better of him. The 'Conqueror' (or was it Conqedor?)'s design is pretty similar.
EDIT: Here you go: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KZHG0JQU
That episode was awesome. Silly, funny, yet still the high level of quality I've come to expect of this show.
What a cute heart warming episode... vomit:P No seriously it was a great episode. I am glad the new Berbil Bears have kept most of their original aspects from the original series. They are not my favourite characters but a must have in the new series. Well done!
lol lol
How funny was it to see the ''kits'' high on sugar....
I'm not seeing the Safari Joe connection at all.
I can't wait for this to be shown in the UK
I loved the episode.
I actually like that the gerbils roll into balls. It makes sense and the little tire pattern on their backs is a nice touch. It's good to see there are different versions as well ie tall short fat etc.
I kept thinking the twins looked all strung out on coke though.
It was a good episode, but not a great one. We get a slight nod to Safari Joe (personally I hope that's as close as we ever get), Snowmeow, and several nods to the original introduction of the Berbils.
However the Zen like nature of the original Berbils is gone and I can't help but feel that something has been lost because of that.
And yes, I am also confident that was Safari Joe - same hat, same vest, carries a hunting rifle... his mask even has elements of his steam-locomotive assisstant.
Also I was pretty excited to see snowmeow looking all bad ass.
The episode was ok to me. I liked how the artists kept the berbil design and the nod to characters like snow meow. However, I'm ready for liono to use the sword better. He does the Thundercats Ho, but it doesn't do anything other than give a signal. Maybe lightning strikes (when he sparred in episodes 1) or shoot the energy beam like he did to mum ra? In addition, this is just a personal design preference, but I'd like to see the Thundercats logo on the Thundercats soon (lion o belt, tygra chest, panther belt, etc). I'm sure it has something to do with them coming together with sword call, but let's see it soon!
Type in Thundercats episode 9 into google uk search under video and look for an anime website (wont say name ) its there and I watched it this morning....
this episode is clearly a set up to build Panthro and the Berbil relationship together.. Bebrils going to play a major role in this series due to the fact they know how to build and use technology, so I expect all the later vehicles will be designed and constructed by Panthro and the Berbils.. Overall it was a average episode, far from being one of the best, Ep8 was way better.
I have to say I was very pleased with the Berbils in this episode. This show continues to get better and better.
wheres the HD screen caps??
But thanks so very much for finding it for us man.
Wilykit and Kat stole the show. Oh and Panthro's a Softy.
Are there any plans to upload screen-caps from this episode? I've saved all of the caps so far, and would love to continue doing so. Make for great background fodder, and with the Berbils being so great, I'd love to make myself a Berbil background.
Alt + Shift + Print Screen Button + Open & Save in Paint = Screen Cap.
Safari Joe was a big game-hunter who, in an episode of the old show, came to Third Earth to hunt the Thundercats. With clever traps and weapons, he trapped all but Lion-O who finally got the better of him. The 'Conqueror' (or was it Conqedor?)'s design is pretty similar.
EDIT: Here you go: MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service
This was a great episode, I've gotta give them credit for consistantly taking characters that I never cared about in the old series, and making them interesting and engaging.
I'm sure I'm repeating what everone has said so far, great episode, loved the snowmans cat friend in the episode, and loved the berbils pimping out the thundertank and makin panthro cry. Haven't seen an episode yet that has disapointed me. My bowl and box of cinnamon toast crunch awaits next Friday. THUNDERCATS HOOOOOOOO. :O
Does anyone know where I could find an HD encode of this ep? Thanks!
as a few others have asked: HD screen-caps!?!?