Pirates of Dark Water Rewatch "The Quest"

Episode 1: “The Quest”

Original Airdate: February 25^th 1991

The introduction of the PIRATES OF DARK WATER, with its musical opening and flashes of scenes from upcoming episodes, stays standard throughout the run of the show. If, as a first time viewer, you aren’t drawn right in by that and the voice-over by Hector Elizondo that gives you everything you need to know going in, then this type of story isn’t for you in the first place. You should return to watching Rubik: The Amazing Cube or Caillou.

“The Quest” begins with a lone figure in a small craft struggling against raging seas. It approaches the island nation of Octopon, once a jewel of the world of Mer, now just a ruin. At a lighthouse on the shore, a young, blond haired, blue eyed, brown skinned man exclaims he has spotted “something” on the stormy seas. Ren, our erstwhile hero-to-be (voiced by George Newburn) is begged to come out of the lighthouse by a female companion just as an errant wave crashes through the windows, dousing the light. Reigniting the light, Ren sees that the small boat has been smashed upon the rocks, though there is a survivor. Leaping into action, we are treated to a sequence of Ren doing acrobatics, jumps and dives, to the chagrin of his companion. The animation here is not what any viewer used to Hanna-Barbera of the last twenty years has seen. There is an obvious anime influence but it’s cluttered with American style, particularly in the beautiful watercolor backgrounds. Already hooked as I was by the intro, this stirred more interest. Ren rescues the old man, who struggles as he’s dragged onto shore. He calls Ren “Bloth” and says he won’t be taken again.

Cutting to a view through a telescope, we are then introduced, via the rich, basso voice of Brock Peters, to Bloth. Aboard a monstrously huge ship not far off shore, we are speedily informed that the fearsome, blue-lipped, scarred, beastly Bloth is captain of the Maelstrom, the vessel that sits calmly in the raging waters. Bloth is great for exposition, as he informs us that the old man Ren has rescued was his prisoner for 17 years and that he wants him back. He’s also a stone cold killer, as he drops his jail master down a deep hole, oddly enough in the middle of the main deck of the Maelstrom. Approaching a red, winged creature that squawks, he offers a deal for food as the story cuts to a scene break.

 

On shore, the old man wakes to ask Ren if he’s reached Octopon. With a positive answer and refusing an offer to be brought inside, the old man forcibly takes Ren’s hand and they both start to glow. Asking Ren to look upon the ruins of the city nearby and tell him what he sees, Ren (and the viewer) watch as Octopon briefly transforms to what it likely once was. The old man explains that he has a destiny and that he’s the only one that can return Octopon to its former glory. Telling him to go to someone called Alamar to deliver the message that Primus has escaped the Pirate King Bloth, the old man calls Ren “my son” and dies. A swell of water washes over them both, dramatically taking the body of Primus out of Ren’s arms and out to sea. Five minutes in and we have more information than most cartoons would have given the average viewer, some of which is ham-fisted, some of which is obvious (Primus and Ren have such similar features, even a two year old could get the reference before it’s told), but it’s all just part of the set up. Trite it may be, it was enough to want more. You’d better believe this isn’t your typical H-B fare. Let’s continue.

At the lighthouse, Ren remunerates with his companion, who reveals she’s been his guardian for the past 17 years (that magical number again, enforcing the fact that Ren is at least 17, girls). Giving Ren a broken sword she had hidden in a wall, she claims Primus was indeed Ren’s father and that he fulfilled prophecy by returning to Octopon. Telling Ren that Alamar is at the Abbey of Galdabar, he unquestioningly tucks his broken weapon into his boot just as the red, winged critter smashes through a window, grabs Ren and flies off with him into the storm. Struggling with the creature, Ren is dropped unceremoniously unto a dinner table adeck of the Maelstrom. Bloth is upset as the critter was supposed to grab Primus, not Ren. The creature, Niddler, can talk and doesn’t care who he was supposed to kidnap, just that he wants his promised food. Reneging, Bloth tries to kill Niddler, then orders the crew to as he escapes.

 

Ren isn’t a complete dullard and has put the pieces together quickly. He’s figured out that Bloth had imprisoned Primus and puts up a bit of bravado and gives Bloth lip. Bloth blindly tells Ren he’s searching for the lost Thirteen Treasure of Rule, which Primus had hid away many years past. Naively telling Bloth he’s Primus’ son, Bloth delightfully exclaims he thought he’d eliminated all heirs. Grabbing Ren with one hand, we’re treated to an idea of the size difference between Bloth and Ren. Bloth’s deep, melodious voice is a far cry from his fearsome, brutal visage. It’s not a wonder why he’s leader of such a ship as the Maelstrom. He tosses Ren into the “pit” we saw earlier on the deck, which introduces the Constrictus. Water fills the bottom of this hold, and the many-limbed worm-like creature attempts to eat Ren as he avoids it. Escaping the Constrictus Pit, Ren engages in combat with the crew until a stubby, peg-legged pirate wielding a meat cleaver pushes his way through for some one-on-one. Soundly defeating him with derring-do and Errol Flynn styled antics, Ren reaches the crow’s nest. This whole action sequence is chock full of old swashbuckling movie mores; it’s definitely beginning to put a capital ‘H’ on High Adventure. Bloth fires acid-spewing squid from a catapult onto the mast, knocking it out from under Ren (losing a main mast apparently won’t bother the Maelstrom much). Before falling, Niddler returns and cuts a deal with Ren to help him escape. Bloth orders the release of the Dagroths, flying lizards that employ riders, to pursue the monkeybird, as he calls Niddler.

Ren had talked Niddler into flying him to the Abbey of Galdabar at the close of last scene, which they arrive at, unknowingly spotted by a dagroth rider. The Abbey, a rocky formation on a volcanic island, looks just as you’d expect an alien abbey to: desolate, isolated, barren. Inside, a voice calls out and Ren answers that the son of Primus seeks Alamar. A robed monk bearing a staff approaches from the dark and Ren mistakes him for Alamar. The monk angrily answers that Alamar is at the abbey, dragging Ren to a far wall and opening a secret panel in it. Inside is a glowing amulet, which he hands to Ren saying, “In darkness and in light, this will be your guide”. Ren puts the amulet on as the wall opens, revealing a stairwell leading down. Niddler and Ren are sent to Alamar as the monk remains behind to close the secret door.

The stairwell leads to a cavernous area with pools of bubbling liquid. Ren and Niddler question why anyone would want to live in this area, then call for Alamar. A huge shadow from the background appears, with an outline befitting a dinosaur, responding to the calls. A nervous Ren yells for Alamar to call off his beast, which has the “dinosaur” reach down, pick Ren up and tell him that he, the “dinosaur”, is Alamar. A little heavy-handed, the viewer and Ren learn that Mer isn’t going to be what anyone expects, and that preconceptions are not wise. As Ren apologizes for his ignorance, he asks about the 13 Treasures of Rule and the quest he’s been set upon. Breathing fire onto the wall, glowing words appear, revealing a prophetic phrase. “Thirteen treasures of ancient time, thirteen lessons of rule in rhyme. To find the jewels in secret places, follow where the compass faces. If returned from the shore beyond, a new day dawns for Octopon! But if they fall into evil hands darkness descends on all the lands. For these riches two shall vie, in the realm of Dark Water where treasures lie!” As Ren reads, he holds up the amulet, therefore conveying that it is the compass mentioned, rather deftly done, in all honesty. When Niddler remarks on the meaning of the last part, Alamar fiercely sends them away, explaining another searches for the treasures (as if that wasn’t already evident).

Bloth has chased Ren to the abbey and already interrogated the monk. His men destroy the secret door with fireballs from slings and enter Alamar’s sanctum. Sending Ren and Niddler off, Alamar tries to delay Bloth’s men with his size and fire breath. Quickly overcome, Ren returns to help the giant abbot, who perishes anyway. Bloth spots the compass on Ren and more fighting ensues, with even Niddler attacking a bowman. In the fracas, Bloth grabs Niddler and Ren uses the dropped bow to pin Bloth, allowing him to escape. Ren and Niddler get away…

Disguised and in a new location (likely Jandatown, a port revisited often later in the show), our intrepid pair decide it’s time to find a boat – Niddler refuses to keep flying Ren wherever the compass points. Devising a plan, they go to an inn and shed their disguises. Discussing their options, they’re interrupted by a serving girl (Jodi Benson, who’s character we’ll be properly introduced to later), complaining that they need to order if they intend to stay. Ren spots a man nearby and puts his plan into action. He and Niddler start loudly arguing over a map and directions, then hush up at the mention of treasure and the approach of the sailor. Sitting down, our “experienced seaman” (Hector Elizondo, with a rich accent to match the wild character design given to him) has food brought to the table, disparages Niddler as a “mutant beast”, dismisses the serving girl rudely and works out a deal with Ren, claiming to have the finest ship in all the harbor. A quick, well written and dialogued introduction to Ioz, who is handily the most complex, amusing and intriguing character on the show.

 

Dockside, the group is loading supplies onto a smallish ship that Ioz hurriedly dubs, “the Wraith”. Expressing concern that they need to sail with the tide, some men begin charging the dock, brandishing weapons and calling them thieves. Once away from dock, Ioz happily mentions to Ren that they did, in fact, steal the Wraith. The show isn’t called PIRATES of Dark Water for nothing!

Cue five days later, with an unhappy Ioz discovering that the treasure map Ren tempted him with is a fake. Alarmingly, the compass lights up brightly and Ren reveals that he’s on the hunt for the 13 Treasures of Rule. Ioz is appalled; after all, they’re just a myth. The compass continues to shine, pointing to an area called the “Dragon’s Maw” by Ioz. It looks like an elevated river peppered with stalagmite formations throughout. Both sides of the “river” fall to the sea below. Striking to look at, preposterous to believe, it’s dangerous because Ioz says so, and you want to believe him. Just as he takes the wheel from Ren, fireballs reign down onto the deck, fired from behind by the Maelstrom. Let’s not question the sailing ability of our characters just yet, maybe the Maelstrom is just difficult to see from up close in daylight. Guess what? Ioz knows Bloth too, having crewed with him once, with it apparently ending poorly.

With Ioz and Ren arguing which way to go and Niddler dousing fires, the serving girl pops up from below decks as smoke chases her out. In easily the clumsiest scene in the episode, Tula introduces herself IN THE MIDST OF FIREBALLS HITTING DECK, hand out for a shake and all. Ioz whines as she gives her reasons for stowing away and we, you and I, question the intelligence of our characters. She’s been hiding for FIVE DAYS. There are three people aboard, one that eats constantly. He wouldn’t notice the stores shrinking? Ioz wants to throw Tula overboard and most viewers would tend to agree with him, on principle alone, but Ren nixes that (he’s 17ish, she’s a girl… makes sense) and the Maelstrom chases the Wraith through the Dragon’s Maw, once again showing off the animators that worked the show. You also get a good look at the size of the Wraith in comparison to the Maelstrom, which never really seems exact as the series progresses, but I’d imagine there were difficulties, considering you need to show the Wraith more.  Showing off her sailing prowess, Tula gets a brief spotlight so Ren can gape and show up Ioz for not throwing her overboard. Here, the compass points directly to the First Treasure of Rule, housed at the apex of a rocky point in the sea below the Dragon’s Maw. Bloth is pleased, who needs prophecy and a compass when you can just follow the stupid hero? Niddler is sent to retrieve the treasure as Bloth’s catapults continue to fire burning pitch at the Wraith. Ever the evil pirate, Bloth has a shot fired at Niddler as he gets to the treasure, which connects, destroying the top of the rocky mount and, apparently, killing Niddler. Entreating to Ren, Bloth offers to find the remaining 12 treasures together. Flat out refusing, Ren spins the wheel of the Wraith, sending it off the raised river portion of the Dragon’s Maw, down the waterfall. Just before hitting bottom, the sail of the ship catches air, allowing it to glide to calmer sea, skipping like a stone. Safely away, Ioz and Tula are amazed they survived, while Ren laments the loss of Niddler. In fine dramatic fashion, Niddler arrives alive, treasure safely in his mouth. Bloth calls to Konk, the short, peg-legged pirate seen earlier, ordering him to the scout ships. Five smaller craft are ejected from the Maelstrom, gliding down off the Dragon’s Maw, which obviously isn’t that odd a feat for the pirates. Ren offers to drop the others off at any port, not wishing to endanger them further. They all choose to stay as the episode closes, Wraith sailing into the sunset, scout ships of the Maelstrom in pursuit. Cue music, end credits.

Noy Jitat! Being the premiere, we hadn’t quite reached into the depths of language for Mer yet. It comes soon.

Mutant Scum – Creatures new and strange appear almost immediately. Right at the opener, we catch a dagroth flying about right before it’s devoured by a leviathan, creatures we’ll see often later in the series. Urchins of some sort are flung at Niddler as he escapes Bloth. Acid squid are used to destroy a mast. Niddler, the monkeybird. The crazy faces and pirates of the Maelstrom. Bloth’s Constrictus, the fearsome pet in the belly of his ship. Not to mention Alamar, whatever he was supposed to be, this show is liberal in its depiction of creatures as equal as the men partnered with them. In most cases, as becomes prevalent later.

When do we get to eat? Ah, Niddler. As the show progresses, Niddler is a little of everything. Treacherous, cowardly, brave, awed and always, always hungry. I’d wished he was less cowardly than he is in some episodes, as later, we see not all monkeybirds are created equal, but that’s what you get sometimes. The monkeybirds are way too cool a race to discount, though.

It’s all in the art – Just a quick look at the names attached to the show and I wonder if I just wasn’t predisposed to like the show. Gil Kane. Alfredo Alcala. Iwao Takamoto. Creators I grew up with an enjoyed. They all did some spectacular work on the show, backgrounds to design to layout and storyboards. I credit the animators for keeping what can be seen as their touches in there.

As an opener, you couldn’t get much better, particularly for what was aiming at the Saturday morning crowd. I don’t recall exactly when/where/how I caught wind of the show, I think I saw the name and taped it with my trusty VCR to watch when I was home from work. I believe the local station aired it at 6 or 7 Sunday morning, which would place me working then. All I know is that I didn’t see it when it was originally aired Roddy McDowell as the voice of Niddler. I wasn’t even aware of that fact until much, much later. The design of the show, overall creation giving credit to the H-B mainstay, Iwao Takamoto and character design to Tim Burgard, was unique and wonderful. Everyone is exotic, or creepy, or alien. Clothing is drawn as clothing, boots as boots, hair as hair. The backgrounds have this vaguely Barsoom feel to them, and the sea-based adventures give off a Sinbad flair that hearkens to the best adventure tales. The characters were rich, flawed and voiced with care. Much credit to Kris Zimmerman for the casting of the show, who went on to many a Cartoon Network program after the absorption of H-B. I always wanted to tell Brock Peters or Hector Elizondo how awed I was at the work they did on this show, which I felt got the short end of the stick for being an H-B production. They use their distinct voices on all levels, adding much to the show and the characters they made come alive. George Newburn gets it as Ren but he’s not quite at the level he’ll be when he portrays Superman for the Justice League. Jodi Benson as Tula… well, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in that role, really. She made a name for herself as Ariel in Disney’s LITTLE MERMAID, so she was a coup for female voice talent here. Tula is really just a slapped on character in the first episode, it’s a shame her intro wasn’t until the second episode, in order to draw her in a bit better. Frank Welker as Niddler is just what you’d expect from this veteran of cartoons. Having him aboard never hurts. Would it have been nice to retain Roddy McDowell? Maybe. As I wasn’t introduced to the show that way, I think I’d prefer Welker.

Thinking back, I can easily see why I watched this show with no hesitation. I have a hard time not watching more than one episode in a sitting. I think you would, too. As a rating, if pressed, I’d say that I’d give “The Quest” four minga melons out of five. If you don’t know what a minga melon is, keep watching.