Mulholland

*For the Mute with the same name, see Tad Mulholland.*

"**Mulholland**" is the seventh episode of *Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts*. It premiered on Netflix with the rest of season 1 on January 14, 2020. It was written by Taylor Chapulin Orci and directed by Chase Conley.

## Synopsis

The friends stumble upon tardigrade dream-maker Tad Mulholland, who allows the gang to realize their bliss. But let's get real: It comes at a price.

## Plot

***Warning:** the following text contains spoilers about the plot or the series.*
Lio Oak builds a telescope for his daughter Kipo. Kipo uses it and sees microscopic tardigrades in the water pitcher with awe when they hear a knock on the door. Lio opens it to reveal Song Oak, Kipo's mother.

This turns out to be a dream. Kipo, Wolf, Benson, Dave, and Mandu are floating in a lake while a large mute walks around them monologuing about freed minds allowed to be pure energy.

Earlier in the day, Kipo has resorted to counting to 3,262 from the starting point, still unknowing about what 3.262 could mean. Wolf continues to hide Lio's letter, much to Mandu's continued disapproval.

Thirsty, the group stop at what looks like a harmless water fountain and quench their thirst there. But the fountain turns out to be a trap set by Tad Mulholland, a community of tardigrades; water-dwelling, microscopic water bears. Tad sees himself as a guru, helping people get in touch with their desires, and building them their dream world. He sees it as a symbiotic. He puts creatures in their ideal setting while he feeds on the energy their brains produce.

The group falls asleep, each dreaming of their perfect fantasy.

Wolf dreams that she and Kipo are buff and tough Mega Bunny hunters, and have hunted every Mega Bunny in Las Vistas. She is partners with a Kipo who understands Wolf's rules not to attract attention and doesn't get "mushy."

Kipo dreams she's back in the burrow with the welcome return of her mother who died when Kipo was a baby. Song was kidnapped by a Mega Bunny and managed to finally return. Song's presence is also a comfort and reassurance to Kipo's inner panic about being part mute, because Song is the same. Together they face quiet adversity and prejudice that Kipo imagines would happen if other humans found out. All while Lio supports them, even if he doesn't quite understand.

Dave and Benson share a dream world where they live in a safe luxurious house, with a fridge full of food. They have a house party where they're the center of attention and cheered for as they dance.

Mandu's sweet simple dream is of a forest of giant cheese puffs. All she can eat with no interruptions.

But, Wolf, whose subconscious is filled with guilt, breaks out of the dream when she's plagued with images of the ram; Aries' symbol. Wolf wakes up Dave and Benson, and they go to break out Mandu while Wolf goes for Kipo. Kipo hears Wolf and realizes the fantasy she built and the explanations she had for being part mute was not real.

Tad is shocked at their vehemence to escape and comes to the conclusion he needs to do some soul searching of his own before leaving.

The rattled and traumatized group rest around a fire subdued. When Wolf finally admits to keeping Lio's letter a secret from Kipo. Kipo is at first furious before Wolf breaks down completely and admits to not wanting to lose her and that's why Wolf has been too afraid to give the letter to her. Kipo silently accepts the apology, pulling Wolf into a hug.

## Credits

* **Written by**
	+ Taylor Chapulin Orci

* **Directed by**
	+ Chase Conley

* **Storyboards by**
	+ Jacob V. Eaton
	+ James P. Gibson
	+ Ben Li

* **Cast**
	+ Karen Fukuhara as Kipo Oak
	+ Sydney Mikayla as Wolf
	+ Deon Cole as Dave
	+ Coy Stewart as Benson
	+ Dee Bradley Baker as Mandu
	+ Sterling K. Brown as Lio Oak
	+ Jee Young Han as Song Oak
	+ Michael-Leon Wooley as Tad Mulholland

## Transcript

The transcript can be found here: Mulholland/Transcript

## Episode notes

### Featured songs

* "Bounce Like This (feat. Sissy Nobby)" by Brian Dawe & Buza
* "Crumbs (feat. Blasko)" by Jordan Dennis

### Trivia

* The episode's title and Tad Mulholland are named after the 2001 film *Mulholland Drive* directed by David Lynch, which explores the themes between dream vs. reality. This is one of two episodes named after a David Lynch work, the other being "Twin Beaks."

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Season 1E7 · Mulholland. tunefind.