I did try to cut this selection down to four episodes, but even the less essential ones were still useful for character moments!
The Gift
If the first episode wasn’t enough of a clue, the death of a featured character here is a reminder that this show isn’t treating its audience like children. It’s not screening them from the harsh realities of death. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it the first time. Watching it through adult eyes, yes, Rolf’s fate is pretty obvious from the start - the way Valiant keeps putting off seeing him until it’s too late, to remind the audience that you have to make the time for what matters - but it’s still a moment to bring a lump to the throat. It also introduces Valiant’s horse Caliburn, and Arn’s horse Crux, which he inherits from Rolf.
The Singing Sword
And from introducing Valiant’s horse to introducing his famous blade, the sister blade to Excalibur. This is yet another good example of how this is not just another cartoon, it shows actions have consequences, and here we see the change that has taken place in Bridgeford since Rowanne left with Valiant and Arn. This is the “stand up to the bullies” episode of the show - it’s worth mentioning that while the show was very different to most cartoons in terms of its strong character and story arcs and continuity, it still incorporated subtle lessons for the kids to learn. It’s good to see Duncan and Robert again, the former still very menacing, the latter still the closest thing this show has to comic relief.
The Trust Betrayed
Enter Mordred - or rather, re-enter, because sharp-eared listeners will recognise his voice from episode 6 as the plotter who had our heroes arrested. Valiant recognises his shield as being the same as the one in Tor’s cave, but I can’t say I spotted it in episode 5. Maybe the scene was edited out, I don’t know, because I doubt it would be a deliberate omission. Mordred went on to become the big menace in season 2, but this was his first proper appearance, so this episode was included for that reason. The talk between Arthur and Valiant at the end is also good to remind us of where the characters have evolved from.
The Secret Of Perilous Garde
This episode is one of the least subtle in the series in terms of the moral lesson it is teaching the viewers, but no worse for it, as it’s one of the biggest lessons anyone can learn. Privilege can become something people take for granted. My favourite scene though is probably Rowanne with the archery tournament, her line “well if it’s inspiration they want, far be it from me to disappoint them!” - before firing her arrow dead centre. This episode is a good showcase for Gawain in full laughing cavalier mode. (Bryant got a couple of good episodes in season 2.)
The Visitor
This is another good episode for Gawain, although for very much the opposite reason of the previous one. He’s in an odd mood for the whole of the episode, but as we eventually learn, there’s an excellent reason for it. Harold’s arrival as a kind of alternate father figure for the orphaned Arn is a great way of reminding him and us that it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish that matters. He takes Arn under his wing and acknowledges his own peasant beginnings, to help give Arn some confidence. Then we discover that he’s not all he seems. The duel at the end with Gawain is also well handled. Harold faces up to what he did and takes his punishment like a man. “You’re no coward, I’ll give you that!” as Gawain admits. Harold is another character who resurfaces in season 2.
Overall, these episodes show that our young trio are still learning. But they are learning well enough.