Cactus Town

"**Cactus Town**" (stylized as "**Cäctustown**") is the fourth 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 Joanna Lewis & Kristine Songco and directed by Chris Copeland.

## Synopsis

Leading an army of new allies, Kipo argues with Wolf about the best way to avoid a hissy fit on Umlaut Snäkes turf. Can she talk it out with a Mega Mute?

## Plot

***Warning:** the following text contains spoilers about the plot or the series.*
In a flashback, Kipo feels melancholic about never getting to see the surface, while Lio cooks them a meal. He cheers her up the way he used to cheer up Kipo's mother, by playing a song that Kipo joins in on.

In the present, the Timbercats and the gang are crossing Cactus Town, Umlaut Snake territory. Wolf is disgruntled with the number of people they're traveling with, which Kipo is only delighted by. Wolf wants to use the loud cats as a distraction, but Kipo has no intention of separating. Meanwhile, Dave and Benson have second thoughts of going toward a dangerous Mega mute. And while they do like Kipo, up until now they've only ever had to look after themselves.

The Umlaut Snakes, rocking out on instruments confront the cats. Kipo tries to settle things peacefully, but is ultimately unsuccessful, and the snakes and cats start a massive fight. the gang manages to sneak away and Wolf pointedly demands they do things her way from now on.

When they come across a Glam Rock Hamster that warns them or more snake, the gang hide away in an old bar. Once again, Kipo and Wolf's ideologies on how to deal with other people/mutes comes up when Wolf orders Kipo to hide, saying she'll deal with them.

Cotton and Camille, leaders of the Umlauts, enter the bar trying to find the "right sound." Wolf attacks them but is easily beaten, so Kipo comes out and impresses them with her guitar playing while Dave scream-sings to Benson's drumming. The Umlauts come an agreement with Kipo, but Wolf still finds the situation objectionable. For the first time, Kipo is truly frustrated and angry with Wolf's attitude, just as Wolf continues to be exasperated with Kipo's.

The snakes lead them to the entrance of the Mega Mute's den and agree to let go of the Timbercats which they'd trapped in the Glamyrinth, a giant hamster maze. There, Kipo gives her friends an out, acknowledging just how dangerous the endeavor is. Dave and Benson are left behind, no pressure, and no awkward conversations necessary as Kipo, Wolf, and Mandu go in. The duo feels bereft, coming to the realization that they don't want to part ways with their new friends yet, no matter how dangerous the adventures.

Kipo grimly realizes just how optimistic she was, thinking her father was safe and uneaten when they see the giant sleeping back of the Mega Monkey. Wolf, surprisingly, encourages Kipo, pointing out the hotel further in the den with the idea that Kipo's people are inside. Kipo doubtfully and calmly asks Wolf if she really believes that. That is when Mandu finds Lio's clover-shaped guitar pick.

It reenergizes Kipo's hope, but the Timbercats run into the den with a battlecry, waking the Mega Monkey up. Dave and Benson hear the loud noises from the den and run back to help. However, their efforts seem like nothing but a distraction. Wolf sees this as a chance to sneak past the chaos, but Kipo is again unwilling to let the cats get hurt and comes up with a plan, this time including Wolf: She'll use music by burrowing one of the snake's guitars and distract the Mega Monkey. Meanwhile, Wolf will sneak atop it and hit it with Stalky. Wolf shows her support by giving Kipo Lio's guitar pick.

Kipo plays the song Lio often used to cheer her up and it shockingly calms the Mega Monkey to docility. Kipo signals Wolf not to attack and the Monkey almost seems like she knows the song. After finishing her song she questions the Monkey about her people. The Monkey doesn't eat people, and it appears they got away. Confused, Kipo asks why it attacked her burrow. Struggling to explain, a pink gas emits from a collar around the Monkey's neck sending it into a blind rampage once again.

The Mega Monkey runs off, and the Timbercats are reunited with their sacred scratching tree. Yumyan, as thanks, gives Kipo a can of tuna, which is a way of contacting him if she ever needs help.

While the gang heads off, Kipo remains optimistic that she knows her father out there safe at least. Wolf also points out that the Mega Monkey was under some kind of mind control as well. And there were rumors of a mute with that ability: Scarlemagne. Wolf deduces that Scarlemagne is targeting burrows since he sent the Monkey and thus is looking for Kipo's people. So they have to find them first. Benson is then struck with an idea of where they can look to next.

## Credits

* **Written by**
	+ Joanna Lewis
	+ Kristine Songco

* **Directed by**
	+ Chris Copeland

* **Storyboards by**
	+ Bridget Underwood
	+ Kalen Whitfield
	+ Zuke

* **Cast**
	+ Karen Fukuhara as Kipo Oak
	+ Sydney Mikayla as Wolf
	+ Deon Cole as Dave
	+ Coy Stewart as Benson
	+ Dee Bradley Baker as Mandu / Mega Monkey
	+ Steve Blum as Yumyan Hammerpaw
	+ Sterling K. Brown as Lio Oak
	+ Lea DeLaria as Molly Yarnchopper
	+ Jake Green as Jamack
	+ Grey Griffin as Cotton / Glam Rock Hamster
	+ Justine Huxley as Shoelace McCutty
	+ Joan Jett as Camille
	+ Matt Lowe as Ruffles

## Transcript

The transcript can be found here: Cactus Town/Transcript

## Episode notes

### Featured songs

* "Wild Jungle" by Beth Yen, Thurz
* "What We Have Is You"

### Trivia

* "Umlaut" is a mark ( ¨ ) used over a vowel, as in German or Hungarian, to indicate a different vowel quality, usually fronting or rounding.