Episode 15: Trials of Lion-O Part I
Original Air Date: March 31, 2012
Episode Written by: Todd Casey, Directed by: Yoshiharu Ashino
Article by: Purrsia



Purrsia's Synopsis:


The 'Cats check the Book for the location of the next stone. Lion-O interprets the clue to mean it's "up" and leads the group up a steep cliff, the entire way various members of his troop questioning the wisdom of the route and the interpretation. They stop for a lunch of candy fruit, and are soon ambushed by Slithe and his two new henchmen. A struggle ensues, with their enemies getting the upper hand and the Sword/Gauntlet. Lion-O manages to grab the Gauntlet back, and in his effort to help Kit, gets pushed off the cliff by Kaynar. Lion-O falls to his death. The others are rounded up, Slithe on a mission to find the Gauntlet as it contains the spirit stone.

Meanwhile, the Spirit Stone considers Lion-O worthy of another chance at life. But as a spirit form of Jaga explains, he has to earn it in a series of Trials where he has to overcome his weaknesses.
His first Trial is against the kittens - or at least something that took a form he'd be familiar with. He has to use his cunning to get a key from them which opens the door to his next trial. Problem is, there's many pairs of kittens, only one of them real, so he could end up chasing fakes forever if he doesn't devise a way to figure out which set is real. Eventually, Lion-O learns to "follow his nose" and snags the key from an unaware Kat that hadn't taken his own advise about paying attention.

Back in the land of the living, the Thundercats are being transported as prisoners, while Slithe still tries to locate the Gauntlet - he fears it washed out into the sea. The Thundercats try to plot their escape and look to Tygra, as their new king, to come up with a plan.
Lion-O then comes into his next Trial, this one against Cheetara and an intimidating labarynth of thorns. He must get to the end of the maze to the key befor Cheetara. At first he's feeling defeated because he figures he can't out-run Cheetara anyway. So she gives him a head start, which does him little good as he's still not looking for the easier way. Finally, he notes a great winged creature flying above and realizes he can use this creature to reach the end of the maze - the rules never said he had to go through the maze or he couldn't use an aid. Even so, he barely reaches the key before Cheetara.

The Thundercats continue to struggle for their freedom. Tygra taunts the two new generals into focusing on him, which buys time for Kit and Kat to pick their locks. The others are set free of their bonds as well, and they manage to hold off attempts to re-capture them. Slithe decides the Thundercats are not important as he still has the Sword of Omens, and orders his crew to continue pursuit of the Gauntlet. Tygra is determined to get the Sword back.

Quotes:

"The Book can be cryptic at times. Maybe you're misinterpreting the message." - Cheetara to Lion-O
"It's not us, kid. You're your own worst enemy." - Panthro's response to Lion-O wondering if they're all against him.
"You run like a girl." - Kaynar to Cheetara.
"While your first life was given to you, your second life must be earned." - Jaga, explaining to Lion-O that he can't just 'take' the Spirit Stone's offer of a second chance at life.
"And you're still acting like the same stubborn prince you were the day I met you. Can't see a dead end even when you're running straight into it." - The trials Cheetara's response to Lion-O's accusation that she always toys with him.
"I'd rather die a king than live forever as a mindless lackey." - Tygra, taunting Slithe after the lizard told him he'd have the shortest reign of any cat king.

Facts of Note:

Death is apparently not always final.

Classic Compare/Contrast:

Lion-O went through Trials in the original series, but they were a part of his coming of age - a long standing tradition. Here, Lion-O only goes through them because he's died and this is his only chance to return for a second chance at life.
Still, the Trials themselves resemble somewhat those of the original series. The kittens were still a match of wits. Cheetara was still a race he thought he couldn't win. The basics were there with various details changed.

Purrsia's Two Cents:

Killing off the main character is a pretty bold move, although they are quick to note he has a chance to come back - always possible for people to keep in mind in a magical universe, but I can see why they quickly pointed it out in the story. Fans get attached to characters or something right?
The Trials part had kept true to many aspects of the old trials but instead of one per ep, they moved things along. And the part about passing them to come back to life is an obviously HUGE twist.
I know Cheetara said there'd be time for mourning but so far it's kinda weird how nobody other than Kit's even shed a tear. But then when their kingdom got wasted they didn't dwell too long on it either. I'm kinda wondering what those drawings were Kit made on the rocks. To me it looks like she made one to mark the death of one king, and the second she made with a smiley on it after Tygra kinda came through for them - maybe marking the birth of the new king?
Also be interesting to see if leading humbles Tygra at all and what the dynamic is gonna be between those two once Lion-O returns from the land of spirits. There are two Trials left but the old show had a final Trial of Evil - wondering (and hoping) if that won't be where Grune tries to throw a wrench in things. He is, presumably, astral bound!

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Captures From Trials of Lion-O Part I

PURRSIA'S SCREEN SHOTS