Wily Kit and Wily Kat are given a chance to shine this week as we learn the history of these two characters. Thsi week the overall story arc takes a back seat to character development and life lessons.
Read on to check out our review of Thundercats Episode 18: Survival of the Fittest. The Story
While Lion-O and Tygra were off with the tiger clan adventure, the rest of the crew is keeping an eye on the Thundertank. The twins are looking for some stashed food, but it appears Snarf beat them to the goodies. Panthro and Cheetara decide to use this as an opportunity to teach these two how to survive on their own. Never mind the fact that they were street cats surviving in the slums of Thundera, and are the only other cats (so far) to survive the decimation of the entire race.
They decide to make it a contest of boys versus girls. The one who comes back with the most “meat” wins and the losers cook dinner. the two teams head off in opposite directions. Panthro aims to teach Wily Kat how to track their prey. Wily Kat uses this chance to tell the story of how the twins became orphans.
The Wily kittens lived on a farm with their parents and two other, younger siblings. Their father is a had working farmer who tells them tales of El Dara. When enjoying a happy lunch, an impromptu tornado comes upon them and the family races for shelter. When a fallen tree blocks their path, the father helps the kittens over it. As they make it back to the storm shelter, the entire family watches as the father is swept away by the tornado.
Back in present day, Panthro has set up a trap for their meal. As the creature makes its way towards the set up, Wily Kat has second thoughts about killing and eating a “cute” creature. As the creature is about to spring the contraption, Wily Kat scares it away. Panthro begins to chase after his meal and is immediately caught in the trap. The girls are running a similar scheme. Cheetara teaches Wily Kit how to mask their scent by using foul smelling plants. The duo are stalking a similar creature the the guys. Like her brother, Wily Kit is having serious doubts and we get another flashback.
The twins’ mother is doing her best to provide fro the kids, who are all too young to help in a meaningful way. So after they are all put to bed, the twins decide to sneak off to Thundera. There they hope to find someone who can lead them to El Dara. In Thundera, they find things are tough. They try begging for money, but no one pays them any attention. When a hurried passerby drops a bag of money, the twins attempt to return the bag. The stranger calls them thieves and begins chasing them. They manage to escape and hide in an alley. Being hungry and without money, the two decide they must resort to stealing their food if they hope to find the lost city.
Back at the present, the girls are huddled in a tree, stalking their supposed meal. Wily Kit, not wanting to kill the creature, shakes the branch causing Cheetara to fall into the stinky plants. Just then, they see and hear something ominous. It turns out to be the boys. Panthro and cheetara, ticked at the supposed carelessness of the kids, leave them out on their own, with instructions to come back with food or spend the night outside by themselves. The kittens begin to stalk the creature again, and as they finally decide to attack, they see the two creatures are parents to a litter. Knowing they cannot kill and rob these little critters of their parents, they decide not to do it. Suddenly a very large creature jumps out and begins chasing the creatures about. The twins decide to spring into action, fighting off the beast. Wily Kit uses her flute to lull the beast to sleep. The grateful creatures lead the twins to an opening in the woods. There they find a huge supply of fruit/vegetables and take it back to the tank. Panthro and Cheetara, at first disappointed, realize the meal is actually quite good.
The Review
After last weeks stellar episode, I suppose a letdown was inevitable. Like the beginning of the series, the writers like to go off on the long, abstract tangent episodes that do little to add anything of real substance to the show. We finally get the back story to the Wily Twins. And while touching, I can’t help but feel disappointed in the whole thing. It felt rushed and out of place with the episode setup. On the whole, the entire episode felt forced and unnecessary. The present day events were supposed to come off as important lessons for the twins, but the writers treat Panthro and Cheetara as morons who forget that these cats survived in the slums as well as the attack on Thundera. Not to mention it felt like they were setting up a connection between the lesson learned in the back story and the present, but those connections never materialized in any meaningful ways.
Bottom Line
Out of place, unnecessary and not very interesting. Thundercats takes a stumble this week. Hopefully the writers, now having these back stories out of their systems, can refocus the narrative a bit ad get these guys back on track to finding the next stone.
Overall: 5 out of 10
Joe Moore says
Please use this thread to talk about Thundercats Episode 18: Survival of the Fittest. It airs Saturday April 21 at 9:30 AM on Cartoon Network.
jksit1 says
Anyone know any info on this episode? There has not been any previews etc??
hollowdheart says
Not too impressed with this episode...and Panthro and Cheetara just abandon them? What kind of Aesop is this supposed to be?
stormbringer says
Maybe Panthro and Cheetara can haul back the skunk monster?
SirSapphire says
stormbringer says
hollowdheart says
Didn't like a lot of things with this episode. I did like seeing the parents, but i thought it was kinda stupid how they just....left in the middle of the night so there's less mouths to feed. Not a good example given the age group this show targets and economic times right now for some families. We'll probably never find out what happened to the mom and siblings. And i thought Panthro and Cheetara abandoning two 8 year olds in a forest, was very irresponsible.
stormbringer says
SirSapphire says
You have to remember that Cheetara had a hard childhood herself and Panthro himself couldn't have had it easy first as a low-level grunt and later as a wanderer searching for the Book of Omens. That said, they are making assumptions about the twins that aren't exactly fair, and it seems that no one ever thought to ask the kids about their story, then again, did they ever think to ask for Tygra's or Cheetara's?
But they do have a point, the Kids rely too much on their cuteness to get people to do things for them that they probably could do for themselves, case in point: Foraging for food.
You have to realize that the cats have a different culture from us (which is half the fun of fantasy), and in their culture it probably isn't uncommon to except children around the age of ten or so to look after themselves, they've obviously done so before living in the slums, why not the forest too where there's food everywhere (if you know how to look for it).
cmangund says
_______________
Jelenic and crew will be forever be remembered as the man and crew that tainted the TCATS brand. Hopefully J.M. DeMatteis will remove some of the taint.
hollowdheart says
SirSapphire says
A thief is still a hunter and relies on many of the same skills, they just don't kill their prey (usually). Yes the forest is different from the slums, but many of the same skills still apply.
hollowdheart says
SirSapphire says
hollowdheart says
Tracer says
Didn't Kit tell the Elephants that her Mom died when they were talking about the Lullaby?
SirSapphire says
Balgus82 says
Lion-O told the kids before they even joined the team that they're not baby sitting them. They have to be a useful part of the team. They let the kids go into battle with them and you think foraging for food is too dangerous?
hollowdheart says
Balgus82 says
they could easily think their family died during the attack
L08e16o says
Even if you didn't like the episode, we still are getting the back ground of the characters.
I thought is was funny when Kat kicked Panthro into the trap and kit made cheetara fall.
So is the city they are looking for, could it be the new thunderia? If their family is dead, I hope lion-o adopts them.
Seems like cheetara is up next for fleshing. I wouldn't be surprise if pumyra and cheetara grew up together.
Balgus82 says
L08e16o says
Tracer says
I did like the episode. The kids are easily my favorite characters on the show. Twice I literally laughed out loud. Once when he said "I think they want us to fight to the the death" and the 2nd time is when Kit kicked Cheetara off the branch. I like these slower paced episodes. I've always said they are the heart of the show.
Kregermeister says
Good episode, but can I not feed depressed for one week please? I want action and adventure mixed in! Other than Legacy, I havent really seen that UMPH in the action department to even think that a toy line would be good with kids.... might as well watch lifetime for women...... damn..... lol.
Thunderian scholar says
I loved that episode, more backstories about the kittens! Hope they'll show either the progress of Tygra and Lion-O or more of Panthro's past.
fuukonomiko says
I liked the backstory and it really made me cry when their father passed away. While logic tells us that it probably wasn't smart of them to run away from home, we have to think that kids don't always think things through. Their immediate concern was that, they don't want Mom to have hard time trying to feed all four of them, and that they wanted to help her.
As for Panthro and Cheetara leaving them there, well it was rather concerning, but they did go with them the first time around. They also wanted them to learn how to fend for themselves in case the older cats died. Also, if we remember, the kids battled side by side with against the massive lizard army in the elephant village. They didn't tell the kids to hide with the elephants. In the beginning of episode 14, Kit and Kat were also used as bait to lead those lizards to where Lion-O and the gang were hiding. So much as we are horrified that these kids were left to fend for themselves, this isn't the first time. The battle with the lizards were just as, as if not more dangerous than the forest. I think that in this situations, it's eat or be eaten.
Singe says
Wilykat: Times are tough, but were going to have to do anything we can to survive.
Wilykit: I know, but I just don't like this guy. Do we really have to?
Wilykat: I'm sorry sis, he paid us for the whole day.
??????: Enough talking, now sing.
Wilykat/Wilykat: I love you, you love me. We're a happy family. With a great big hug And a kiss from me to you, Won't you say you love me too?
Barney: Yes, yes. It pleases me.
Wilykit: We gotta hide. *Grabs Wilykat behind a barrel.*
Wilykat: Why?
Wilykit: Look. *Points to a male cat dressed in black robes with a white collar.*
Wilykat: *Shivers* Is that a......?
Wilykit: A Cat-holic. Mom told me they kidnap kittens to sell to other buyers.
Wilykat: Hey, where did he go?
*Gets tapped on the shoulder.*
Priest: Pardon me, might you children be in need of.......
Wilykat: AHHHHHHHHH! He's right behind us.
Wilykit: Run!
Priest: Wait! They're gone, I wonder what spooked them.
Ravenxl7 says
I definitely enjoyed this episode. I like that Panthro and Cheetara were involved too, rather than just the kittens. Helps explain what the rest of the team were doing when Lion-O and Tygra were off on their little mission.
It was nice to see what the kids had been through. Was interesting to find out that their not actually orphans, and that they ran away from home. Given the reasons they left, it makes me wonder why they aren't bringing up Eldara as much as they can.
Was nice to see their parents. Sort of gives you an idea of what the kittens could look like as adults. Was interesting to see that they've got two younger siblings. Was sad to see the father die like that. With what happened, I'm curious to see if their mother and siblings could still be alive (we don't know what happened to them when Thundera was attacked).
The two animal species featured in this episode were really interesting. I'd love to see that skunk/pig thing made into toy-form. Would at least be nice to know what they're called (I'll be asking the crew that here shortly).
All-in-all a really good episode. Went in a different direction than I thought it was going to, but that's a good thing. Can't wait to meet Pumyra in next week's episode.
Singe says
Just a thought, can someone run through episode 1 or 2 where the city gets bombarded and the crowd runs into the shelter that got destroyed. Just to see if there was a mom with 2 kids that might be them.
Mongor says
vantheman77 says
After so much focus on Lion-O, this episode marks the first without he and Tygra and it's refreshing here. The focus is on Wilykit and Wilykat when they hunt down for food and both Panthro and Cheetara were playing surrogate parents to them. Because of the twins reluctance to eat other animals, both Panthro and Cheetara basically abandoned them. We get to see how the twins came to Thundera and why they were searching for the treasure city of El Dara. They're not exactly orphans as they still have family that's out there. It's a good heartfelt episode for the series.
SirSapphire says
Am I the only one who thought Cheetara was a sexy beast all dirtied up and crawling around on that tree branch?
Kregermeister says
Just watched it again.... still feel kinda bumed out about today, after last week I think we needed a pick me up. I do love the story, but im still lost how this would appeal to kids at all.
(And no, im not being a knit picky bitch, im just being honest)
As a child what I loved was every episode was 50/50. Even when Tygra was tripping balls on Silkys acid, we got a prayer to satan out of him and Lion-O kicked everyones ass at the end. Show lasted 130+.
This show is being very detailed and well done, but for adults... this might as well be direct to bluray or adult swim material for their anime blocks. If kids are learning anything from this, great, but if they wanted to play with the toys and roleplay stuff they might as well make Thundercats Xanax and Thundercats wrist razors to deal with these issues lol.
Now excuse me, im gunna go watch Jaguara rebuilt Thundera randomly and make no sence, only to have Lion-O beat up a ton of people and give a cheesey laugh at the end.
mihoshi says
LOVED this episode, as Kit and Kat are my faves. I was expecting the entire family to die in that tornado, surprised that the mom and two younger sibs lived.
Kit and Kat left for two reasons, 1) less mouths to feed, and 2) find the city of riches. Now that they've hooked up with Lion-O and company, what better way to find a lost city? They are exploring all of Third Earth! I think this is why they haven't mentioned their mom, they are playing the waiting game, and seeing where this journey takes them. Of course, we also don't know how long Kit and Kat were in Thundera before it was attacked. Maybe they decided to go back home at one point and their mom/sibs were gone? Anyway, I'm sure we will see more of their family in the future one way or another.
xhavoc86 says
i really liked this episode, the backstory of Wilykat and Wilykit was good! i hope they reunite with their mother eventually...
Singe says
Speaking of which a nice plus for Cheetara to be on the same page as Panthro. They pretty much put their foot down on dealing with silly tom foolery in their eyes with Wilykit and Wilykat.
I'm going to go here.
If Lion-O and Tygra didn't have Lord of the Thundercats and royalty titles, Panthro and Cheetara wouldn't have put up with their tom foolery also.
RedAlert Rescue says
No one said "Whiskers" in this Episode but if you watch this weeks Rescue Bots ep you will get plenty of 'Whiskers' (grin).
Nice episode - I'll be interested to see if we will get another flash back to show that they got the rest of their Family Killed through some stupidity or if they will just never mention it again ?
I keep wondering if there's still some cats about (more than the tiny numbers of them we see) such as hiding underground, in caves or enslaved to some lizards some place as it gives the kits parents and siblings some place to be other than dead.
If only because the Thundercats themselves are not really representative of a whole set of sub-species of cats.
I notice there's more than one sort of Lizard or Reptile too - perhaps they will show someone who's even bigger an meaner than Slyth who's like a crocodile or a Turtle.
Oh and isn't it odd that there's a complete lack of Humans in this show - unless you count the Swordsman or Mumm-Ra as one ? There was quite a few of human an near human races in the original show. Not to mention things like Unicorns too.
I'd like to know what other animal like races their might be that might lay outside the ones we have seen so far.
I would guess the Snowman would count as some sort of ape for example if he's ever used (i'm guessing he will as I've seen a picture of him).
SirSapphire says
I liked that this episode happened during "Native Son" It's nice to see the sort of things that happens on a "day off" so to speak.
stormbringer says
Nice episode - I'll be interested to see if we will get another flash back to show that they got the rest of their Family Killed through some stupidity or if they will just never mention it again ?
I keep wondering if there's still some cats about (more than the tiny numbers of them we see) such as hiding underground, in caves or enslaved to some lizards some place as it gives the kits parents and siblings some place to be other than dead.
If only because the Thundercats themselves are not really representative of a whole set of sub-species of cats.
I notice there's more than one sort of Lizard or Reptile too - perhaps they will show someone who's even bigger an meaner than Slyth who's like a crocodile or a Turtle.
Oh and isn't it odd that there's a complete lack of Humans in this show - unless you count the Swordsman or Mumm-Ra as one ? There was quite a few of human an near human races in the original show. Not to mention things like Unicorns too.
I'd like to know what other animal like races their might be that might lay outside the ones we have seen so far.
I would guess the Snowman would count as some sort of ape for example if he's ever used (i'm guessing he will as I've seen a picture of him).
SirSapphire says
fuukonomiko says
SirSapphire says
Eclipse says
You two hentais... *shakes head*
Mum Star says
My theory is that first earth was where Mumm-Ra was born. Second Earth was where the seat of his power was. And everyone just decided to call this planet third earth when they got stuck on it.
If they do use the Silverhawks, or Mandora, or pretty much anything spacefaring, we might see humans then.
SirSapphire says
Big Snarf says
Big Snarf says
My theory is that first earth was where Mumm-Ra was born. Second Earth was where the seat of his power was. And everyone just decided to call this planet third earth when they got stuck on it.
If they do use the Silverhawks, or Mandora, or pretty much anything spacefaring, we might see humans then.
Eclipse says
Singe says