THE NIGHT OF NO TOMORROW
SUMMARY
The group have climbed a tall cliff, looking for a way home, when they accidently awaken Tiamat the dragon. Quick thinking by Hank saves an overenthusiastic Bobby, and Sheila tricks the Dragon into turning back to the cave, when they block her in with a rock fall.
Dungeonmaster appears to tell them that tonight is the celebration in the village of Helix commemorating their deliverance from the evil dragons of Venger. Dungeonmaster also warns them to be on the lookout for “the many faces of evil” (aka Venger), and “you shall know his newest face by his white hair”.
The kids head off north and find signs that say “Merlin’s Castle”, the home of a very powerful magician, who can do almost anything, including send them home! They find the castle floating on a cloud, and go up a magic ladder to meet Merlin. Their suspicion is aroused by his white hair (but it’s revealed as a wig) and do not pay enough attention to Merlin’s cute pet “bunny”.
Merlin cannot send them home, but tells them more about Helix and how the dragons were banished by Merlin himself. Meantime, Tiamat has escaped as heads for Merlin’s castle too, to confront them. There is a chase through the castle, ending when the Dragon is tricked into descending into the dungeons. Merlin thanks the kids for their help, and tells them that he wants Presto to stay and be his assistant. Much to everyone’s surprise, Presto agrees, and the remaining five kids have no choice but to continue to Helix without him.
Meantime, Presto has been helping Merlin, but when he gets the chance, the Magician looks up the spell to send them all home in Merlin’s magic book. He casts the spell, only to discover that not only did it not send them home, it’s undone the spell that saved Helix in the first place! Terrified, Presto confesses what he’s done to Merlin, who is really Venger, revealing the meaning of Dungeonmaster’s riddle. Venger takes the Hat and leaves Presto stuck in the castle while the dragons go off and destroy Helix.
In Helix, Hank discovers that Merlin has been dead for many years just as the Dragons attack. He and the girls remember that “Merlin” had a white hare and realise he was Venger, so they all dash off back to Merlin’s castle to help Presto.
At the castle, Presto is sitting miserably petting the hare when the others arrive. Hank tells him that Helix is being destroyed as they speak, and he has to cast that spell again. Venger appears wanting the other weapons, but they burry Venger under a pile of books and run. The plan is to distract Venger while Presto recasts the protective spell. Hank and Presto head off to find the spell book while the others “keep Venger busy”! They go back to the dungeons and release Tiamat, the only thing in the Realm that Venger is afraid of.
Venger finds Hank and Presto, but Tiamat arrives just in time to drive off Venger so Presto can complete the spell and save Helix. At the end, Presto tells them he only stayed so he could find a way home for them all, and Merlin’s Castle floats off into the sunset. Dungeonmaster very briefly appears with the Hat for Presto and they all head off back to Helix.
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INTERESTING INFORMATION
Scatter count – a disappointing zero.
Presto’s Hat produces – A cow, not a burger; A cow, not a horse.
Goodies – “Merlin” was technically a goodie
Baddies – Venger, Tiamat
Walk-ons – The Mayor of Helix, the Fortune Teller
Monsters – That “hare” – so suspicious
Groovy Objects – Merlin’s Spellbook
Named Places – Merlin’s Castle, the Town of Helic
Starwars References –
Other References –
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The floating bits of land, seen in the background of the intro, are here at the start of the episode.
Dungeonmaster “all things have a purpose, including your presence here”. He is pointing at Eric in particular.
Bobby likes peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
There is the recurring problem of food, specifically and survival in general, highlighted here.
Eric’s folks have a place “just like (Merlin’s Castle) in the mountains”. Nice!
Wouldn’t You be suspicious of a man who’s pet rabbit can hang in mid air?
Diana is the one who’s confident that Presto would never leave them, and looks shocked when he stays with Merlin. She is also the one who asks if he’s sure, and the one who is going on about how strange it is as they walk to Helix. She has the line “We’ve gotta save him” when they discover he’s at Venger’s mercy. At the end, it’s Diana who comforts Presto when he tells them why he stayed.
Merlin’s spell – includes boiled bat’s claws, powdered insect wings, petrified spider eyeballs. (or rather, the breaking of Merlin’s spell, as Presto is preparing the wrong one).
Merlin hasn’t lived for a thousand years! (he died soon after casting that spell). First Thousand year reference.
Fortune teller “I can see great wealth in your future…” to Diana. A subtle hint to E/D shippers, perhaps?
And where is Eric during the Helix celebrations? (he’s there when the all ride off back to the castle).
They can all ride well – at least H, D and E can. And Sheila does a very nifty jump on. But the best one is Uni; at least the landing, anyway.
At Helix – “the Legend says the final assault will come soon – and our town will be completely destroyed!” What Legend? What is he talking about!!
What kind of Dragons are they? (just common or garden brown ones?) EDIT - they are Wyverns! (thanks Kimmy!)
They are objects of power – not just plain old weapons!
Using Tiamat is Sheila’s idea!
Presto messes up every magic trick he tries – tricks here meaning the ones back at home.
“This game is ended” Venger. Allusion to the “game”.
Venger escapes through a hidden door in the castle walls. And Tiamat stomps past Hank and Presto.
“Eric, stop talking and start helping!” Diana
Merlin’s spell - “In the name of Merlin, in the time of sorrow, banish wicked demons, let there be tomorrow.”
How does Dungeonmaster get the Hat back at the end? Or is it a different Hat?
And Merlin’s spellbook is still in the castle at the end.
“I don’t ride with anyone one else, I want a steed of my own” – he gets the cow! What do they do with it, in the end. Would they get a good price for the carcass?
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ALTERNATIVES
It’s difficult to Alt this one without something really drastic happening!
But what did poor old Helix do to Venger, to warrant such an attack?
And we are missing an explanation as to where Eric was during the Helix celebrations. And how Dungeonmaster gets that Hat back.
What about that “hare” that can hang in mid air?? And what happened to it?
The spellbook is still in the castle, as the castle floats off. Useful for the future?
And how did they get rid of that cow?
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FANWORKS
Helix Wallpaper, by Wolfman
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Next Episode - The Eye of the Beholder