Mumm-Ra’s forces attempt to retake the Sword of Plun-Darr. Lion-O and Pumyra try to use the caves to escape, while sending the others a different direction to the Thundertank. While running, the story of the two swords is revealed. Read on to check out our review of Thundercats Episode 21: Birth Of The Blades.
If you missed it, check out over 170 high definition screen captures from the episode Here. The Story
With the cats surrounded, Pumyra suggests the team split up. Lion-O agrees and he and Pumyra take the Sword of Plun-Darr into the caves of Mount Plun-Darr in the hopes of escaping. The rest of the team heads in a different direction to get to the Thundertank.
We get a flashback showing Mumm-Ra, Leo and Panthera. She wonders why Leo refuses to fight to be free from Mumm-Ra and Leo rebuffs her treasonous talk. Mumm-Ra visits with the Ancient Spirits of Evil and is told he must destroy a sun to create the ultimate weapon.
In the caves, Lion-O and Pumyra are attacked by Kaynar and some of the lizards. Overwhelmed Lion-O causes the caves to collapse in on them, while protecting himself and Pumyra with the Sword of Omens.
Leo, Panthera and Mumm-Ra are aboard the bridge of Mumm-Ra’s ship. They approach the star of Plun-Darr. Panthera objects to Mumm-Ra’s decision to destroy the star as billions of intelligent creatures will be killed. Mumm-Ra punishes her. but Leo agrees with her and attempts a more subtle approach to letting Mumm-Ra know. Mumm-Ra informs him that his decision is made and he proceeds with destroying the star. A probe is sent out to retrieve the matter that is created. Mumm-Ra and the Ancient Spirits use a blacksmith to forge a massive sword and claw shield…The Sword of Plun-Darr is born.
Lion-O and Pumyra are attacked by Addicus atop a bridge made of the crystals in the cave. Before he can attack, Lion-O plunges the Sword of Plun-Darr into it, destroying the bridge and sending them all to the depths. Pumyra grabs onto Lion-O who uses the claw shield to shoot out the claw ropes to save them both.Pumyra suggests that she take the Sword of Plun-Darr and that they split up. Lion-O begrudgingly agrees and hands over the sword. Moments after they split up, Pumyra is captured by Mumm-Ra, who now has the sword to himself.
Leo confronts Panthera and says that she was right. He relays to her a plan to form his own weapon from the leftover metals from the creation of the Sword of Plun-Darr. After nearly being caught by Mumm-Ra, Leo sneaks off and has the blacksmith create the Sword of Omens.
Back in the caves, Lion-O and Mumm-Ra fight. Eventually, the Sword of Plun-Darr is knocked away from Mumm-Ra. But Mumm-Ra destroys the crystal that Pumyra is tied to, sending her to the abyss. Lion-O makes a split second decision to save Pumyra, leaving the sword for Mumm-Ra to take. Having saved Pumyra, she finally realizes that he will always put the safety of his people first and she finally accepts him as king and Lord of the Thundercats. They exit the caves and meet up with the rest of the team. Lion-O informs them that Mumm-Ra has the sword and that they have to find the next stone first.
Review
A good, but not great episode. Only a few minor quibbles really, but they hold it back from being one of the best of the season. First the good…The flashback stuff was good to see. adding more to the overall lore of this franchise is a welcome development. showing the birth of the swords was also a nice touch and having the Sword of Plun-Darr being created out of the death of billions makes it a truly evil weapon. It was also nice to have another episode without the comic relief we’ve been seeing. The complete absence of Kit and Kat shows how strong the series can be without their antics.
On the down side, the flashback stuff felt shoehorned into the episode and very rushed. Where as previous flashbacks to this time period were allowed some time to breath, these flashbacks went by too quickly, leaving a lot of unnecessary questions. also, having Pumyra constantly harp on how terrible leader Lion-O is got old really fast. The appearances of Slithe, Kaynar and Addicus were nice, but they had almost “blink and you’ll miss it” appearances. Also, having Kaynar and Addicus beaten so quickly lessens how dangerous they come off.
The episode definitely ended on a strong note though. Mumm-Ra has his sword, the team suffered a brusing defeat after freeing the cats and the race is on to find the next stone.
Bottom Line
Like I said, a good episode. Had the potential to be a more important episode, but felt rushed and lacked polish (story wise). However, we’ve had multiple episodes in a row that fit together nicely, moved the story along and have the two sides set for a showdown by seasons end.
Overall: 8 out of 10
- Thundercats episode 21 Birth of the Blades Review
Please use this thread to discuss the Thundercats Episode 21: Birth of the Blade.
Excited. From what I saw of the previews, looks like it'll be a good episode.
Hope so. I still hold faith the MJ and the Crew will start fixing some of the problems in the show instead of compounding them so i wait with baited breath.
Okay, that is definitely Jason Marsden as Leo in this episode.
Man when he got the sword knocked so far away I was really hoping this would finally be where he did the "Come to my Hand" command. :/
But at least Mumm-Ra got the Sword of Plun-Darr!
I like these episodes that reveal the history of the characters. And it looks like Mumm-ra may be a far greater threat, now that he has the Sword of Plundarr.
I thought that episode was great!
Someone really likes Lion-O
Unless....
It seems like these episodes are fast.
At least if they do L/P it is more believable. Lion-o has done a lot for pumyra as adults.
Now we know why the SoP is more powerful than the SoO.
I think I like Panthera the most of the female characters.
Pumyra took over tygra's role in this episode until the end.
But at least Mumm-Ra got the Sword of Plun-Darr!
I thought the reflection of Lion-O in the crystals as a way of distracting Mumm-Ra was kind of a cool nod to the OS and Mumm-Ra's reflection as a weakness.
At least if they do L/P it is more believable. Lion-o has done a lot for pumyra as adults.
Now we know why the SoP is more powerful than the SoO.
I think I like Panthera the most of the female characters.
Pumyra took over tygra's role in this episode until the end.
But at least Mumm-Ra got the Sword of Plun-Darr!
Feeling like we might not see the SoO come to his hand in this series. Still hoping though!
I think she liiiiiiiikes him! She wants to dooooooo stuff with him! And I'm starting to sound like WilyKit...
wow ... once again the writing has greatly improved and this episode has become one of my favorites. this is what i've been craving ever since i started watching this show and there was no unnecessary subplots to distract us from the main plot, the action was just right. Lion-o is really becoming my favorite character in this series, they way he has been taking responsibility as king and making level headed decisions. i was really happy to see lion-o finally use his weapons in a smart way, the writers have done him justice this episode.
it seems that lion-o and pumyra are forming a strong bond and i must say i like the direction the writers are taking it. i like how the writers are making lion-o earn her trust and to almost prove himself to her as her king. i just hope the writers don't pull a 180 again for some sort of plot convenience. but overall the episode was really good and could arguably be one of the best episodes so far this season.
Next to Legacy, this was prbably my favorite episode.
At least with Legacy and this episode, the flashbacks were done right and actually added to the story.
Yeah Lion-O has greatly improved since the trials. I like him much better now.
At least if they do L/P it is more believable. Lion-o has done a lot for pumyra as adults.
Now we know why the SoP is more powerful than the SoO.
I think I like Panthera the most of the female characters.
Pumyra took over tygra's role in this episode until the end.
I like the fact that Pumyra is at least honest with Lion-O. When she is all Tygratude to Lion-O it is honest. When she is supportive/caring it is honest.
Sure beats the way the crew made Cheetara.
Panthera turned out to be a better Cleric to Leo than Cheetara is to Lion-O.
i definitely agree that next to legacy, this episode is just as good.
So true. My opinion is that the crew are being by far more careful to flesh out Lion-O/Pumyra because they did such an abject failure of a job with that triangle debaclc.
At least with Legacy and this episode, the flashbacks were done right and actually added to the story.
it seems that lion-o and pumyra are forming a strong bond and i must say i like the direction the writers are taking it. i like how the writers are making lion-o earn her trust and to almost prove himself to her as her king. i just hope the writers don't pull a 180 again for some sort of plot convenience. but overall the episode was really good and could arguably be one of the best episodes so far this season.
I agree but given how the writers have royally screwed the pooch before, I'm going to take it episode by episode. Maybe the crew will finally start doing things for the fans instead of themselves....
Sure beats the way the crew made Cheetara.
Panthera turned out to be a better Cleric to Leo than Cheetara is to Lion-O.
I still hold my issue with that flower scene was it showed Lion-O never even stood a chance with Cheetara. Cheetara never knew him, never knew of his qualities, never knew of his struggles and doubts. If Cheetara had known of Lion-O and witnessed how he was treated by the kingdom, his own family, and most of all Tygra, I am inclined to believe that it would have taken more than a flower for Tygra to win her heart.
That is why I - like many others - have such an issue with Cheetara's line to Lion-o that Tygra was in his shadow. Based on how Lion-O's life was and how he was treated, he was the one in Tygra's shadow.
I'm hoping the crew doesn't screw things up like they've done before.
Seems a better idea for the show would have been doing a prequel with characters like Leo and Panthera instead of a reboot that defaces and disrespects the legacy the OS established.
That is why I - like many others - have such an issue with Cheetara's line to Lion-o that Tygra was in his shadow. Based on how Lion-O's life was and how he was treated, he was the one in Tygra's shadow.
I'm hoping the crew doesn't screw things up like they've done before.
That is why I - like many others - have such an issue with Cheetara's line to Lion-o that Tygra was in his shadow. Based on how Lion-O's life was and how he was treated, he was the one in Tygra's shadow.
I'm hoping the crew doesn't screw things up like they've done before.
I agree. Maybe we get more than a wink from tygra in episode 1 or 2, it would be more believeable.
Agree, people change. They were just kids.
How can she do what she did when tygra tried to kill lion-o and she knew the betrayal was at the even bells.
Seems a better idea for the show would have been doing a prequel with characters like Leo and Panthera instead of a reboot that defaces and disrespects the legacy the OS established.
It would be MJ making BM lose to ST with WW.
I agree. Maybe we get more than a wink from tygra in episode 1 or 2, it would be more believeable.
Agree, people change. They were kids just.
How can you she do what she did when tygra tried to kill lion-o and she knew the betrayal was at the even bells.
If this was not a reboot, It wouldn't leave such a bad taste in my mouth.
Was that the Hammer of Thundera that the blacksmith made the SOP
I tend to believe the same thing. He strikes me as the type who stewed and stewed about it through his youth then got even more pissy when the comics were utterly laughed at.
That is why I - like many others - have such an issue with Cheetara's line to Lion-o that Tygra was in his shadow. Based on how Lion-O's life was and how he was treated, he was the one in Tygra's shadow.
I'm hoping the crew doesn't screw things up like they've done before.
That just further reinforces that Tygra was never in Lion-o's shadow; he was in the shadow of the crown - the shadow of all the past lions from Claudius to Leo.
Hey, why are we still doing this in every damn thread dedicated to a specific episode? It's a big board, make a thread for it.
I agree. Maybe we get more than a wink from tygra in episode 1 or 2, it would be more believeable.
Agree, people change. They were just kids.
How can she do what she did when tygra tried to kill lion-o and she knew the betrayal was at the even bells.
That wasn't misdirection, that was flat out deceit. Not a single one of DN's excuses really held up to the litmus test. Especially that pathetically weak bit about her becoming a cleric was all thanks to Tygra and Lion-O is just her job.
I don't think they could have been more sexist and misogynistic towards Cheetara.
I'm kinda wondering...Lion-O gives Myra the SoP...if he thought that maybe that wasn't the best thing to do since they both realized that Mumm-Ra can sense where it is? He technically made Myra bait for Mumm-Ra because he would go after her? And really, the poor thing doesn't have much to defend herself with. At least LiO has the SoO. Myra just has her sling shot and I doubt she can even pick that SoP much as big as it was. I know, they didn't have much of a choice there...but I just wonder....
If this was not a reboot, It wouldn't leave such a bad taste in my mouth.
I look at it like this; at least TC isn't as bad as the Voltron reboot.
Fans will chat and fans will get sidetracked in their chatting.
Just pass over the conversation and focus on another. Problem solved.
They needed a plot "device"