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 Merlins 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 its revealed as a wig) and do not pay enough attention to Merlins 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 Merlins 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 everyones 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 Merlins magic book. He casts the spell, only to discover that not only did it not send them home, its undone the spell that saved Helix in the first place! Terrified, Presto confesses what hes done to Merlin, who is really Venger, revealing the meaning of Dungeonmasters 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 Merlins 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 Merlins Castle floats off into the sunset. Dungeonmaster very briefly appears with the Hat for Presto and they all head off back to Helix.
= = =
INTERESTING INFORMATION
Scatter count a disappointing zero.
Prestos 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 Merlins Spellbook
Named Places Merlins Castle, the Town of Helic
Starwars References
Other References
= = =
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.
Erics folks have a place just like (Merlins Castle) in the mountains. Nice!
Wouldnt You be suspicious of a man whos pet rabbit can hang in mid air?
Diana is the one whos confident that Presto would never leave them, and looks shocked when he stays with Merlin. She is also the one who asks if hes sure, and the one who is going on about how strange it is as they walk to Helix. She has the line Weve gotta save him when they discover hes at Vengers mercy. At the end, its Diana who comforts Presto when he tells them why he stayed.
Merlins spell includes boiled bats claws, powdered insect wings, petrified spider eyeballs. (or rather, the breaking of Merlins spell, as Presto is preparing the wrong one).
Merlin hasnt 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? (hes 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 Sheilas 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
Merlins 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 Merlins spellbook is still in the castle at the end.
I dont 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?
= = =
ALTERNATIVES
Its 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?
= = =
FANWORKS
Helix Wallpaper, by Wolfman
= = =
Next Episode - The Eye of the Beholder