Pirates of Dark Water Rewatch: Dishonor

Episode 2: Dishonor

Original Airdate: February 26^th, 1991

Written by: Lane Raichert, Mark Young and Kelly Ward (Additional dialogue by Jim Woodring)

Directed by: Don Lusk, with Ray Patterson as Supervising Director

The second episode of Pirates of Dark Water, initially just called Dark Water, opens below deck on the Wraith, with a just waking Ren and a sleeping Niddler. Ren spots some of the scout ships sent to pursue the Wraith at the conclusion of episode 1, THE QUEST. While attempting to wake Niddler and stir him to action, the ship is bombarded with rocks fired from one of the pursuing scouts. Here, Niddler already starts to slide away from his scheming, conniving ways of the first episode, falling more into the realm of comic relief.

The scout ships of the Maelstrom, of which three are seen here, are all much smaller than the Wraith. All have a catamaran style, with the body of the boat above water, supported by pontoon runners. All have a small deck attached to the mainmast, raised above the rest of the craft, sort of a mini stern castle. There are a number of armaments with each, including a catapult on at least one. Three pirates man each ship, really showcasing the small size of them. There are some really fun designs here, pirates and scout ships both.

Ren arrives from below, just as a missle fired from the scout ship catapult sails down, smashing the aft door and putting a hole in the deck. Deftly avoiding being hit, Ren is then propelled to the wheel by Ioz, appearing smartly on the scene. As Tula struggles with the sails, more rocks are shot at the Wraith, damaging her further. Ren is curious as to how they got so far off course, which sets off Ioz and Tula’s constant bickering. This, while usually annoying in a show of this sort, actually becomes great character development as the series progresses. Ren admonishes his crew with a smile as they head into battle.

Post scene break, the fade in has Ren spinning the wheel of the Wraith, slamming into and destroying one of the pursuing ships. An exhultant Ren is then lassoed by peg-legged Konk, aboard another scout. He hauls Ren into the water as the Lugg Brothers, two more of Bloth’s crew (and usually partnered with Konk), grapple and board the Wraith. Tula severs a boarding line with some sort of throwing star, sending Lugg 1 into the water. Lugg 2 (these characters were never given proper names) lands on the trap door in the main deck just as Niddler pops his head out, starting a string of silly comedy-of-errors for the poor monkeybird, affirming his comic relief standing. He then launches himself at Ioz, who steps on a loose deck board, propelling him into the water. Ren decides to start hauling himself out of the water using the line he’s being dragged with. He appears aboard the scout, surprising Konk, who’s been firing arrows at the crew of the Wraith. After tossing Konk into the drink, he swings acrobatically to his own ship.

With a brief reprieve, Niddler is finally able to come out from below deck just as land is spotted through the nearby mists. An oddly shaped island, it appears as a massive dome, made up of a plant’s root system, turned upside down. Whether or not these “roots” are made of wood or stone is never quite made clear. There doesn’t seem to be a clear passage or port, causing Ioz and Tula to argue over a heading, pulling the wheel in different directions and making the Wraith zig-zag.

Konk and the Lugg Brothers have regained their craft and continue pursuit with the other scout, colliding when they are confused by the Wraith’s actions. Ren ends the argument by using the compass to put them in the direction of the next Treasure of Rule, but their way is blocked by the sudden appearance of the Maelstrom!

Bloth’s arrival heralds the first appearance of Mantus, first mate of the Maelstrom. Emaciated, fierce and greedy, Mantus will be seen more in later episodes. Bloth and his first mate revel in the success of their feint to catch the Wraith, as the rest of the scouts ships seen at the end of THE QUEST arrive to box in our intrepid heroes. Desperate, Ren sends the Wraith into the “tunnels” of the oncoming island, smashing the crow’s nest and drawing the ire of Ioz.

 

With all of his vessels converging, Bloth throws a hissy, ordering Konk and the brothers after Ren and into the “caves” of the island. Konk is reluctant, as this is the “Island of the Pale Warriors”, making Bloth threaten Konk to a second round with the Constrictus. A quick pan and a wan look from Konk to his peg leg are all the impression needed to understand that story.

Inside the “caves”, Ren steers the Wraith through more open areas, though you do wonder what propels the ship. Is there wind blowing through? Is the water moving in a tidal flow? It’s hard to say for certain, then you remember two things: cartoon and it’s Mer, not Earth. Physics mean little here.

Ioz complains about the maze of passages as an ominous foot appears half off screen, high above the ship. Debris hits the water and Ioz and Niddler grow nervous as red eyes appear from the dark. An arrow puts out the torchlight on the Wraith and by the time Ren relights it, the crew is surrounded by red-eyed, white-haired, pale-skinned warriors.

Now prisoners, the crew is brought before the king of the island, Aubric. On the way, they are marched through rooms laden with gold objects and items of high value. Ioz is beside himself, Ren chastises him and the king introduces himself and his Atani warriors. Aubric is unhappy at the intrusion of the Wraith and does not believe Ren’s wild tale until the First Treasure of Rule is shown to him. He then recognizes Ren’s resemblance to Primus, of whom he’s acquainted. Ordering the release of the crew, the king announces a feast to celebrate Ren’s arrival, as well as having the Wraith repaired and stocked. Telling a story of his own, Aubric informs the others that Bloth has been preying on the Atani ships since the “year of the Black Tide”, keeping other nations from trading with them. It’s inferred that the king would love some aid in fending off Bloth and his pirates. Ioz and Tula get greedy, with Ioz practically drooling over the gold items all over the place. Tula slinks off to a map room and steals some maps and scrolls, apparently searching for some other treasure. In a rewatch, it’s not that big of a surprise. I do recall the first time seeing the episode and enjoying this turn of events considerably. Tula is a bit of a cypher until this, a huge jump for her character and definitely adding more to her exclamation of wanting adventure in THE QUEST.

During the repairs of the Wraith, Konk and the Lugg Brothers sneak aboard, hiding below deck. It’s becoming apparent that if you want to hide anywhere, the hold of the Wraith is the place to be. No one will find you, no matter how many are on ship. Presumably, they’d sailed in as well, with much more stealth than the Wraith.

The following day, the crew is returned to their ship. Niddler, sitting on a gunwale and chowing down, remarks on the heavy robe Ioz is now wearing. Ioz loudly and with a bow, claims it’s a gift of the king. Yeah, it’s a plot hammer, you get used to them. King Aubric blesses Ren and watches the Wraith depart, only to be interrupted by the Atani captain, with news of thieves! Dubious initially, then angry that Ren would use his good father’s name to steal, the king orders the fleet mobilized to recapture the Wraith.

Ren and the crew discuss the stay with the Atani, while Konk attempts to leave the hold through the trap door, causing yet another series of mishaps in the same, tired vein that Niddler suffered through. Just as they think things are going well, crossbow bolts fired from an Atani ship rain down on the Wraith. Ioz and Tula jump into action to run from the assault, though Ren is skeptical. Ioz is struck by a quarrel, revealing he’s stolen from the king, lining the robe with items of gold. Ren isn’t pleased, but Ioz reasserts that it’s his nature – he’s a pirate! That sort of logic is worth the entire episode, endearing this viewer to like the show, and the character of Ioz, that much more. Ren tries to turn the Wraith around after arguing with Tula and Ioz, who think he should just head out to sea. All three struggle for control of the wheel and the Atani witness it, with the king concluding that there may be more going on. Ren drops sail and the Atani surround the Wraith.

Captured and boarded, the Atani demand the return of the gold objects and library scrolls from the crew of the Wraith. Ioz is confused about scrolls, which he didn’t steal, as he hands over the gold. Ren takes the scrolls from Tula, though she sneaks one into her boot, turning the goods over to the Atani. The king demands the thieves remain with him and Ren offers himself up in recompense. Aubric is swayed by the noble gesture, banishing the crew of the Wraith from the island of the Atani. With things settled, Konk surprises everyone from below, taking the king prisoner. He demands the compass and First Treasure in exchange, which Ren is forced to comply with. The Lugg Brothers and Konk commandeer an Atani ship, letting them know a king’s ransom will free their leader. Ren grabs a gold disc and throws it at Konk, distracting him enough for Aubric to leap overboard and escape. Konk sails off in the stolen ship, still in possession of the treasure and compass.

Bloth’s scout ships spot Konk and he enters open water, where they also notice he’s gained the compass and First Treasure. Early celebrations are cut short as the Wraith appears and provides a little payback when it collides with the scout ship that caused all the damage the previous day. Cut off with rendezvous with the Maelstrom, Konk turns his ship on a heading to Jandatown, to much enjoyment from the Lugg Brothers. Jandatown must be a place, to get pirates so excited.

The Wraith sails off in pursuit of Konk, with Ioz and Tula apologizing, abashed that Ren put himself up in their place for their actions. Ren accepts their apology and stops Tula before they return to their duties, curious as to her reason for stealing. She brushes him off, which has him turn to Niddler for advice. The monkeybird tries to comfort Ren, while our hero considers possibly having to leave Ioz and Tula if they don’t get with the goal of the quest. Niddler also has a strange notion of time, claiming it’s only been two days since Ren was a lighthouse keeper, while it was explained in the last episode that Tula stowed away for five days before revealing herself. Maybe more will be revealed in the next episode of High Adventure!

Noy Jitat! DISHONOR is rife with the language of Mer, likely overcompensating for the fact that there wasn’t any in the first episode. Noy Jitat is first spoken by Ren as he spots the scout ships in the opener. The phrase is used in any number of ways, usually in exclamation or cursing. Ren also uses the word ‘scrollops’ which could mean anything your mind wants it to, considering it’s a place to put things, and not nicely. Tula calls Ioz a “smool brain”, which she’ll use again in the future. It’s clever to give some of the characters phrases they’d use more often than the others might. She also uses ‘noy jijajitat’ as a way to rile herself up before battle. Ioz is our winner of the episode for new phrases and words, such as ‘skarpango’ and some things probably made up by Hector Elizondo as he grumbled into the microphone. He calls the stolen scrolls ‘kurbisek’, or similar spelling, another curse word.

Mutant Scum – The viewer is introduced to a number of new pirates of all shapes and sizes, including the creepy Mantus. The “Pale Warriors”, the Atani, are lanky and stand much taller than Ren and the others. They have a somewhat Albino appearance, likely caused by their environment. Later, when Tula searches out scrolls, she uses a lantern that is nothing more than a living, luminescent fish in a glass globe with a handle, carried like a torch. To get more light, you agitate the fish by moving the globe, which gives off more luminescence. Interesting and clever. Also, gold floats on Mer. Ioz tries to catch the disc thrown by Ren in freeing the king by using a boarding pike. I don’t think this maintains through the series.

When do we get to eat? Niddler is relegated to little more than comic relief and occasional pilot of the Wraith. With plenty to eat and a place to sleep, he has little to complain about or do.

It’s all in the art – This episode is filled with continuity flubs typical of budget-conscious animation and characters that go off model frequently. The interior of the Wraith looks like a Motel 6, rustic style. It makes one wonder what exactly the previous owner of the Wraith was doing with it. There are times when the faces of Ioz, Tula and Bloth all distort immensely. Ioz’s eyes are drawn nearly off his face, Bloth’s lips encase his head and Tula looks like a petulant child, complete with pursed lips. The whole deal smacks of a different animation company handling this episode compared to the last. When the Maelstrom shows off the fact her stern opens up to capture smaller vessels, the color is off, the style is off and it looks superimposed over existing animation. Which is unfortunate, as it’s an excellent effect, once again increasing the threat that the ship is. The island of the Atani is also a disappointment, as it’s never really seen with any detail. The general design is great, why skimp out now?

Ahoy, skarpango pirate! As stated, this is the first appearance of Mantus, voiced by the veteran Peter Cullen, best known as the voice of Optimus Prime. His deep resonance is a great compliment to Brock Peters and really gives the impression that the crew of the Maelstrom are not to be trifled with. He doesn’t get much to do here, but Mantus is seen again, soon. This is also the first real dialogue from Konk, who made his first appearance in THE QUEST. Konk is voiced by the multi-talented Tim Curry, who has done a little of everything and may be best known to someone for one thing or another. Depending on your generation, you either know him from his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, his musical albums or as Darkness in LEGEND. Konk makes the most of his antics in every episode and you can’t get over the accent Curry came up with for him. The Lugg Brothers are split between veteran character and voice actor Earl Boen (arguably best known as the police psychiatrist seen in all four Schwarzenegger TERMINATOR movies) and Peter Cullen. While the brothers have a few appearances, they sadly disappear before long.

 

Overall, this is a mediocre episode with good character development. Whatever magic was in the bottle for exposition in THE QUEST seems lost here. The animation is poor at times, with errors that glare. Ren just goes through the motions with a negligibly present Niddler, while Konk, Tula and Ioz steal the fun. The mystery of what Tula is after is interesting and, other wanting to know what Jandatown is, totals out the tally of curiosity for DISHONOR. I’m giving the second episode 2 minga melons out of 5. How often does the bad guy actually get away with the treasure, really?