The Lion Guard S3 E10

## Plot

The Lion Guard and Makini are running along a path in a forest. They're getting really close to the Tree of Life. However, Bunga trips on a tree root, bumps into Kion, and the two go tumbling. Luckily, Kion doesn't seem too annoyed. The others want to take a break at a large pond, but Kion says they can rest when they get to the Tree of Life. Makini gives him some Tuliza, but she and Fuli notice that it didn't work like it used to. Bunga thinks the venom in Kion's scar is turning him evil, but no one else believes him. I thought this episode was going to deal with Kion's fears and potential to turn evil, and possibly strain his and Bunga's friendship for a little while. And then I actually watched the episode, and Bunga didn't take anything seriously the entire time. Even when he's trying to save his best friend from mortal peril, he's still cracking jokes. Look, I don't consider myself a very funny person, and I know everyone's sense of humor is different, and I also know that this show's target audience is preschoolers, and levity is important in a serious story to ease the tension, but still! Bunga almost never acts seriously or takes anything seriously, ever! I don't hate his character or anything, especially because his voice actor is amazing, but a little character development, even if it's just implied, like Ono's self-worth, can go a long way. While walking through a canyon, everyone sees a baby goose fall from its nest. The others rush in to save him and his sister, but then their mother returns and reveals that they were supposed to leave the nest for the first time to reach the water on the ground. Kion tells the others that from now on, they can't waste time helping animals that don't need help. Before they reach the end of the canyon, they come across a group of peacocks doing their traditional feather display dance. Kion wants to go through them instead of waiting for them to finish, and shoves one. He tells him to watch where he's going, and roars at him. At least it's not the Roar with a capital R. The others wonder if he did it on purpose. They make it through the canyon, and Kion tells Fuli that if they keep slowing down, they'll never get to the Tree of Life. Meanwhile, the others stop and talk to Yun Mibu, a clouded leopard that can hang from trees with just his hind legs. Kion notices that they're not behind him and Fuli, and tells them that they don't have time for new friends. He growls at Yun Mibu, who gets scared and runs away. He tells Beshte that he's slowing them down, and yells at him to stop being nice. Makini tries to give Kion more Tuliza, but he says it isn't working anymore. Fuli tells him that he's out of control, and suggests that she take over until he feels better, but he refuses. They get into pouncing stances, and the others worry that they're going to fight each other. Luckily, Bunga gets in between them, and tells Kion that he's been acting mean all day, and he's turning evil. The others don't exactly jump to his defense either. He yells that he's not evil, but then wonders if he is, and runs away. The others decide to give him some time to himself. So they sing a song about how they're friends till the end and Kion needs them more today, and just because he's angry doesn't mean that he'll turn evil. It also confirms that this Lion Guard has presumably been established for at least a few years now. We also see flashbacks, but I think it's newly animated footage made to look like flashbacks, which is weird. You'd think they'd use scenes from prior episodes to give the animators a bit of a break, and maybe even save some money too. Fuli tells Ono that they're still going to the Tree of Life. Kion thinks about talking to Mufasa, but he doesn't want his grandfather to see his scar. His reflection "turns into" Scar's, which reminded me of *The Lion King II*. Unfortunately, Scar's lines are just stock audio from the season premiere. I was really hoping that they brought David Oyelowo back to record new lines. I loved his voice work. Also, it's okay to reuse audio, but not visuals? To say I'm not a big fan of double standards would be an understatement. Kion says he may look like Scar, but he'll never act like him. He realizes that he has been acting mean today, and decides to go apologize. However, he slips on the ground, and winds up hanging onto a branch beneath an overhang. The others are worried about him. Anga sees the situation he's gotten himself into. She tries to save him, but she keeps bumping her head on the low overhang, and they can't reach each other. She tells the others, who rush to his aid, despite Bunga suggesting that it might be an evil trap. Ono could get close enough, but he's not strong enough to carry Kion. Bunga tries to reach him, but he's still too far. They at least use the opportunity to apologize to each other, albeit in a weird way without ever actually saying the words "I'm sorry." I know that actions speak louder than words, but still! Beshte decides to ask Yun Mibu to help them. He agrees to help Kion, as long as he promises not to growl at him again. He's able to grab him, but then he starts slipping off his branch. Anga grabs Kion now that he's far away from the overhang. He apologizes to everyone for his behavior, and this time he eats the Tuliza. Even if it's not working like it used to, it can't hurt. He admits that it's his fault that they lost so much time today, but before they can leave, Fuli reminds him that she's still in charge, and orders him to rest. The Tree of Life isn't going anywhere, and they'll move on soon. Fuli basically pulling rank was something I did not know I needed in my life until I saw it. Characters like Fuli, Anga, Kion, and Rani, who we haven't even met yet, are just the best, at least to me. I could watch a whole show focused solely on them. No offense to the rest of the Guard or Makini.