I do a pretty amazing (or so I’m told) rendition of “Empty chairs at empty tables”
I thought it was a good episode. I don’t agree with the people that have been saying it wasn’t very good. I can’t remember who it was that said that the kids aren’t important characters, but I completely disagree. I think they are important, every character has an important role to play.
I have been a fan of the thunderkittens since the original series, and I was thrilled to hear about an episode dedicated to them. I was both surprised and saddened by their history, though as this thread has pointed out many a question still remains unanswered. It was enjoyable, and I look forward to a continuation on their past later on in the series. ^.^
Also, slightly different topic, it was revealed that Lion-O’s mother did die in childbirth, that made me think. If she was dead, who was the female standing next to Claudis in “Snarf’s Butterfly Blues”? :wilykat:
Was there? It was kind of hard to see because the King and co. weren’t really shown in focus, I just assumed it was Jaga.
I think I am seeing a double standard here. Allot of people are complaining this episode was a filler and did not move the story forward but raved about last weeks episode when, in my eyes, it was just as much a filler episode and did nothing to move the team forward in their quest. It was just about a character that we are more invested in. I think the Kittens are getting a raw deal here. I think this episode was on par with last weeks for content. We got some really great info on the Kittens history as we did with Tygra last week. Granted Tygra had a sadder story which related to other characters we care about but he has the Family history to explain. The Kittens, by proof of this episode are really the new kids in the pack. No previous history with any one so no real relation which is the type of history we all like. What were they like together before the series launched. I think the Kittens story does hit on some very interesting back story for the others as it did show life in Thundera from a point of view outside the palace looking in. Showing both sides of the coin as it were. I really think this episode has a much Deeper meaning then we are aware of at this time.
Of course I could just be talking out my back side and seeing things that are not there nor intended to be. But then again what Fan doesen’t 
Well you do have a point…BUT lets agree here that when it comes down to it.. “Native Son” is a WAY more superior episode than Survival of the Fittest. Native Son was in essence a Filler..but was so good and explained so much about Tygra that it didn’t feel like a filler..
The kittens are going to be important to the plot of the story…the search of that lost city of Dara i think holds a lot importance…This will be the main reason for why the kittens exist in the series aside from comic relief. As far as interest in their character..they are the least interesting for now..don’t get me wrong.. we love them..they are funny and cute, breaking the seriousness from the story..but compared to the other characters their back story just doesn’t grab the attention much…With that said..it’s those least interesting characters that come back to bite us in the ass..with a huge plot twister…so guys don’t be fooled by those cute little faces.
I’m guessing it was either Tygra’s or Lion-O’s nanny.
I personally would not say “Native Son” is a WAY more superior episode" but I will concede it was a better episode. I just feel it was better due to the fact it was a story we all were eagerly waiting for where, as much as it pains me, not as many people care to much to hear the Kittens History.
I think it’s a lot of this. Sad, but true.
I wanted to know about it, and it was a good backstory, but the main part of the episode was kinda boring in my opinion. Both the flashbacks and the main plot were incredible in Native Son.
Absolutely 100% agree. Yes the kittens may not be my favourite characters, but it was still very interesting (and balanced) to get their back stories too, as we have to give ALL characters (okay, not Snarf) their time in the spotlight. It was the kittens time to shine, that’s all. And yes, it was just as good as last weeks episode, but as you say Tygra is more popular. The back story was very sad, it showed the kittens loss, and showed their motivation for finding el darra. It surprisingly showed that they still possibly have family out there which will lead to future stories. It was also really nice to see that during a little downtime while Tygra and Liono were off finding a new route, Panthro and Cheetara took the time to teach the Kittens something. It showed the unit gelling as a family and bonding. Little moments like this are really important I think.
It really surprised me in a lot of ways too, not least that we were all WAY off in our predictions (no safari joe?!?), and the kittens being hunted wasn’t as large a focus as the episode description made out (or how I read it). I was also really surprised that the kittens weren’t actually orphans. That was a BIG shock moment.
BUT, overall it was a GOOD episode! Not on the list of all time WOW episodes maybe, but still a very good one. The animation was good, the characterisation was great and the story was brilliant. What more do you want?
What we learned from survival of the fittest.
-The twins father had died by a tornado.
-They once lived on a farm.
-They have a mother and two siblings.
-They left to help ease the burden on there family.
-There mother/siblings may still be alive.
-WilyKit did not get her “flute” from home.
-The Twins steal for the first time.
-They tried to give lost money back but were accused to be thieves.
-That vegetables can get really big
-Panthro thinks that cute animals taste best.
-Cheetara has wilderness survival skills.
-Snarf can be trusted around candy fruit.
-They got the idea of Eldara by there father and his book.
-That Thundarians teach children to hunt at an early age.
What we learned from native son.
-All Tigers are jerks(just like Lion-o was wondering).
-That Lion-o’s Mother died giving birth to him.
-That Lion-o’s mother was hot.
-Tigra got a new whip.
-Tygra was going to be sacrificed but his father saved him.
-We see the spirits of evil for the first time but no Mummra.
That just about right.
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How do you see the pictures?
a strange comparison, wonder what you wanna tell us. I disagree very much with you.
- We learned much much more than these few points, but I won’t repeat in this thread what we already discussed in the ‘Native Son’ thread.
- “-All Tigers are jerks (just like Lion-o was wondering).” I Couldn’t disagree more with you!
It was a nice ep, emotive and fun, but not as good as the previous one.
It was interesting to see the TCs ready to hunt for survival, so different from the OS.
Also, unlike the OS, in the NS it’s Kat the adventurous, challenging one, while in the OS it was usually Kit.
I was wondering if they were the equivalent to the OS unicorns.
I disagree in those points as well.
The difference in Native Son and Survival of the Fittest is that while both had flashbacks explaining character’s backgrounds, Native Son had a much more interesting story in the present which blended more cohesively with the flashbacks. I didn’t feel like the “learning to hunt” part of the story related to the flashbacks in any way at all.
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That is an extremely biased comparison. Especially when you’re throwing in things like “vegetables get really big!” How is that in any way important to either story?
I could just as easily add things to Native Son’s side like
-Tygra’s bracelet was a family heirloom passed on from his father.
-Tygus stayed loyal to Mumm-Ra after Leo freed the animals.
-Tygra’s family lived in a cave
-Tygra was has been the heir to two different clans at different points of his life
-Tygra did not get his armor from his family
etc. etc. etc.
Personally, both episodes were good examples of character back story. I also liked that they were parallel.
Still curious as to where the next Stone is though.
Yes, “Survival of the Fittest” isn’t quite up there with “Native Son” and “Song of the Pedalars”, but it’s a nice episode with some sweet moments and a sad one as well. It’s about time Kat and Kit are showcased and it’s an interesting twist the writers put on their background by making them the children of a farming couple. It was a pleasant surprise to learn they have a younger brother and sister. And this is where we first hear about the mythical city of El Darra as well as Kat and Kit’s mom humming her lullaby to her children. The writers don’t leave out the tragedy when they show Kat and Kit’s father being sucked into a deadly tornado, an very real-life possibility if you happen to live in the American Midwest. Among the annoying parts of the story was Panthro conducting a men-versus-women hunt for food. I more than understand the hunting part, but was the sexism neccesary? I thought it was insulting to the viewers’ intelligence. The lesson was about the Kittens learning to survive on their own? Okay, so they didn’t have to hunt game in the city slums of Thundera and had to steal to get their food, but they were by themselves, so I call that surviving on their own. Also, having Kat and Kit’s parents say they were too young to help with the farm work is unrealistic; centuries ago farm children had to work out in the fields and they started at a young age. The animation was good as usual, though not as good as in “Native Son”.
As to where Kit got her flute and Kat his lassos (where are his grappling hooks?), I think they either found them or stole them while scrounging around Thundera for food and clothing.
That’s probably my favorite part (that and Cheetara getting to interact with someone outside the triangle and play the “big sister” role). Even though Lion-O and Tygra aren’t there that doesn’t mean life doesn’t go on and everybody just twiddles their thumbs until they get back. You’ve got to find something for them to do or else the fans start asking questions.
All Tigers are jerks? What version of the episode did you watch? I got the one with the King who struggled with his clan’s past decisions, and the need to protect his son over the lives of his people.
Mine also included the Tigers who were clearly misguided, and after 20 years of living in limbo as horrible night creatures, wanted to “return home”.
And if Lion-O made such a generalization about an entire race of beings, then he’s the jerk:D