The Lion Guard S2 E28

## Plot

Everyone in the Pridelands is still on edge whenever they hear or see something unexpected, even though some of them received combat training two episodes ago. This includes the Lion Guard. You know, I live in the U.S., which is the only country in the world that regularly has mass shootings, so I can relate, even if I don't live in or near a big city. The day the first episode of season 3 of this show originally aired, a gunman killed 23 people and injured another 23 in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. I originally wrote this review just a few days later. The first time I went into a big store after the shooting, I almost had a panic attack, even though I lived in a small town in the Midwest at the time. I shouldn't feel scared every time I go out in public, but because of America's backwards laws and loopholes and stupid people who value tradition more than lives, and people who stigmatize those with mental illnesses, or actively promote hatred, I don't really have a choice, and it sucks. And to make matters worse, the first fulltime job I ever had was working in that exact same store, and basically everyday, I imagine what I would do if a shooting happened at that exact moment. I could run, since there are lots of exits all over in case of an emergency, or I could hide somewhere and pray that a bullet wouldn't go through wherever I was hiding and hit me (and that the police would show up ASAP), or I could grab a weapon, makeshift or otherwise, and try to flank the gunman and catch them by surprise (most work alone and are troubled men). Anyways, Makini invites the Guard to her Mpando Mpya, a Royal Mjuzi ceremony where she'll plant her new baobab tree in Mizimu Grove. Kion decides to invite everyone in the Pridelands to lift their morale. The skinks overhear and tell Scar. The Outlanders attack, but all of the Pridelanders fight back, even Makini, although she loses her baobab seedling. And then the vultures drop sticks from the sky and light the grove on fire. The hippos try to put them out. The tops of the trees are on fire though, and when one of the branches of Rafiki's tree falls, Scar finally reveals himself. He tells everyone that his army took Kilio Valley, and Mizimu Grove is also doomed. It's only a matter of time before all of the Pridelands is his once again, and he disappears. Simba says that won't happen this time, and buries the Mark of Evil that was left behind with dirt. Everyone was spooked by Scar, and they all run away. Kion gets rid of the Army of Scar with his Roar. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done, and Ma Tembo talks to Simba while they put out the rest of the fires. The Guard gets the herds to stop stampeding, but they're the furthest thing from calm. They all have a lot of questions. Simba tells everyone that the Guard didn't tell them that Scar was back because he asked them not to. Ma Tembo doesn't agree with his decision, but she understands his reasons. He was afraid that if they knew, they wouldn't feel safe in the Pridelands and would want to leave. It's Simba's duty to protect all the Pridelanders, but he can't do that if they're not here. Basi says that his duty is to protect his pod, whether it's in the Pridelands or somewhere else. Simba tells everyone to come to Pride Rock tomorrow. They can tell him their decisions then. The Guard feels helpless. There's nothing they can do now. Kion looks at all the destruction at Mizimu Grove. Mufasa tells him that his ability to understand the other Pridelanders, even when it's difficult, proves that he's a good leader. Kion notices something on the ground. He shows it to everyone before they make their decisions. Makini's tiny sapling survived the attack. And if it survived, then there's no reason they all can't. If they stay together, they'll be stronger. Yes, Scar is back, but the last time he was around, there wasn't a Lion Guard. There is now, and they're here to protect them. Even on the darkest day, there's hope. All of the herds agree to stay, and they solemnly watch as Makini plants her baobab sapling.