Whenever me and friends talk about the high points of kids' television for us, this show is always near the top. When I was a kid, I remember loving it but being aware of what I disliked about it at the same time. Age has a funny way of changing the way you look at things. I remember being 7 years old and thinking "No Retreat, No Surrender" was a cinematic masterpiece. I watched it again 10 years later and thought "What the hell was I thinking?" or "Had someone spiked my Um Bongo when I was watching this crap?!" 10 years after that I still agree with my 17 year old opinion. So with this is mind, I took a bit of a gamble the other day. I saw the D&D box set on sale in my local HMV for £20. Before I knew it, I was at the till paying for it and skipping merrily home. Within 30 seconds of being home, I was sat in front of my t.v. with a bowl of Sugar Puffs for company. Did I regret it? Not in the slightest. It's still as good as I thought it was, if not better.
The plot follows the story of 6 kids who while riding the Dungeons & Dragons ride at their local theme park are transported into the mythical realm of Dungeons and Dragons. Here they quickly make enemies with Venger, the Vader-esquire Dark Lord of the realm but are aided (some might say hindered) by the help of the all knowing Yoda-esquire Dungeon Master who aids them in their quest by giving them magical weapons, which Venger also requires to be all powerful. The best thing about this series is the characterisation of the 6 kids. And this is where its make or break for the series. If you don't buy into the characters, then you won't buy into their quest and then you won't care whether they get home or not. With each and every passing episode, you get a little bit more insight into each character. What makes them tick, what drives them, what they each fear. This is that rarity of a cartoon. Although it's firmly a fantasy serial, it doesn't talk down on it's audience. Yes, it is dark. Darker than most. For example, the episode "The Dragon's Graveyard" had the kids almost turn to the dark side after another opportunity to get home ruined by Venger. After this incident, the kids set out to find a way to kill Venger once and for all. Near the end, they bay for his death. Good and clarity of thought win the day in the end, but it was a brave move for a kid's cartoon. Good people can be reduced to evil deeds. The endings are not big triumphs, they're always bittersweet tinged with hope. Kind of like an ongoing Empire Strikes Back.
The series ended prematurely, with the final episode, although scripted, never completed due to the series being cancelled. In a way, this, although annoying and saddening at the same time, is what helps push the series into legendary status. As it is, it ends with my favourite character, the cowardly, selfish cavalier, Eric, coming to terms with their predicament. The youngest of the group, Bobby, rues another missed opportunity to get home, but Eric usually the comedic foil for the group and the first to complain, tells him that it's okay and although they're no closer to home, they're no further either. With a hidden Dungeon Master saying to himself that they are closer than they think, that's how it ends. The most pessimistic character becoming the most hopeful. What saddens me as an adult watching back on it, is that these characters that I grew to love, never did make it home.
Overrall, the best thing I ever saw on Saturday Morning TV as a kid. Better than Thundercats. Better than He-Man. Better than anything before or after it.
Someone, please, make the last episode. I'm 28 years old for god's sake and I need closure on a cartoon.
The plot follows the story of 6 kids who while riding the Dungeons & Dragons ride at their local theme park are transported into the mythical realm of Dungeons and Dragons. Here they quickly make enemies with Venger, the Vader-esquire Dark Lord of the realm but are aided (some might say hindered) by the help of the all knowing Yoda-esquire Dungeon Master who aids them in their quest by giving them magical weapons, which Venger also requires to be all powerful. The best thing about this series is the characterisation of the 6 kids. And this is where its make or break for the series. If you don't buy into the characters, then you won't buy into their quest and then you won't care whether they get home or not. With each and every passing episode, you get a little bit more insight into each character. What makes them tick, what drives them, what they each fear. This is that rarity of a cartoon. Although it's firmly a fantasy serial, it doesn't talk down on it's audience. Yes, it is dark. Darker than most. For example, the episode "The Dragon's Graveyard" had the kids almost turn to the dark side after another opportunity to get home ruined by Venger. After this incident, the kids set out to find a way to kill Venger once and for all. Near the end, they bay for his death. Good and clarity of thought win the day in the end, but it was a brave move for a kid's cartoon. Good people can be reduced to evil deeds. The endings are not big triumphs, they're always bittersweet tinged with hope. Kind of like an ongoing Empire Strikes Back.
The series ended prematurely, with the final episode, although scripted, never completed due to the series being cancelled. In a way, this, although annoying and saddening at the same time, is what helps push the series into legendary status. As it is, it ends with my favourite character, the cowardly, selfish cavalier, Eric, coming to terms with their predicament. The youngest of the group, Bobby, rues another missed opportunity to get home, but Eric usually the comedic foil for the group and the first to complain, tells him that it's okay and although they're no closer to home, they're no further either. With a hidden Dungeon Master saying to himself that they are closer than they think, that's how it ends. The most pessimistic character becoming the most hopeful. What saddens me as an adult watching back on it, is that these characters that I grew to love, never did make it home.
Overrall, the best thing I ever saw on Saturday Morning TV as a kid. Better than Thundercats. Better than He-Man. Better than anything before or after it.
Someone, please, make the last episode. I'm 28 years old for god's sake and I need closure on a cartoon.