TV Review: Dragons Riders/Defenders Of Berk

Like so many Dreamwork's movies, How To Train Your Dragon got it's own show, titled "Dragons Riders/Defenders Of Berk", on Cartoon Network. If this show is anything to go by, the others might be worth checking out.

Start at my recap of Episode 1:
http://thecriticalcanucks.blogspot.ca/2013/11/dragons-riders-of-berk-reviews-episode.html

Dragons Defenders Of Berk Reviews: Episode 20 - Cast Out Part 2

We left off the last episode with Dagur and Savage taking Stoick hostage and Hiccup swearing to get him back, oh and the Screaming Death is coming for everyone's asses! It's the final episode of the season, so let's wrap this up.

The episode begins on Outcast Island, Dagur asks his special guest of honour if his accommodations are adequate. Stoick simply tells Dagur to go fuck himself with his facial expressions. Dagur takes note that the rope tied around him looks awfully tight, an Outcast takes that as an order to tighten his restraints even more. Dagur tells Stoick to sit back and relax. By the end of the day he'll either be back on Berk, or he'll mutilated fish feed. It all depends on Hiccup, Dagur gives Savage his ultimatum to deliver to Berk. 

The situation is not too well on Berk, the entire village is gathered in the Great Hall and are most likely yelling at Gobber about Stoick and what they're going to do. The Twins are not helping the situation by egging the villagers on, and only because they think an angry mob is awesome. Gobber pushes his way through and tells the crowd that Hiccup will answer their questions. As soon as Hiccup takes questions, the villagers want to take arms, man the catapults, and sail to Outcast Island to rescue Stoick. Hiccup can't keep them calm and under control. 

Snotlout thinks he's got what it takes to be a chief more than Hiccup does and pushes him aside. He gets Hookfang to light up, a spectacle for the crowd. But As Snotlout is about to give his grandiose speech, Tuffnut tell him he's on fire. Snotlout takes that as a compliment. He then notices he's on fire. 

Snotlout, let the men do the talking from now on.

With Snotlout's extremely brief takeover a complete and utter failure, Hiccup is back in the spotlight but still does't know what to say. Astrid tells him the to tell the crowd that they have nothing to worry about and he's got shit under control. Hiccup tells them exactly that, but they ain't buying that bullshit for on god damned minute. Astrid admits her idea worked much better on paper than it did in practice. 

Elsewhere, Fishlegs and Meatlug are scouting in the middle of the ocean. He looks around, but he finds no sign of any Berserker ships, he decides to head back and inform Hiccup. He finds something else however. Th Screaming Death plows it's way though a few Island rocks and appears to be calling for something, or maybe it's shouting out obscenities. Fishlegs hauls ass back to Berk. 

Hiccup is in the house, he finds the old axe from the movie and tries to life it. Gobber walks in and has a conversation with Hiccup about chiefing. He tries to make Hiccup feel better by saying that it sure as hell ain't easy, and that Stoick was a lost child when his day came. Hiccup can hardly believe it, but Gobber assures him that hardly anyone in town had it in him, Alvin for one. And we learn that Alvin and Stoick used to be best friend's. Hiccup wants to know what changed between, everything, Gobber simply says. But before they can explore this deeper . . . 

Hiccup!! We have a problem!!

Fishlegs reports the Screaming Death's last known position, Hiccup immediately rakes action and asks Fishlegs how much time they've got. Fishlegs think's they've got near jack shit for time. As if the situation couldn't possibly get any worse, Astrid brings Dagur's ultimatum to Hiccup. Hiccup reads Dagur's terms; They must deliver Toothless to Dagur by that night or Stoick will be flayed alive. His flesh will be chopped up and used as dragon feed, his bones will be their chew toys, and Dagur will wear his skin as a winter coat and his skull as a helmet. 

Astrid wisely suggests that it's a 99.99% chance that it's a ruse, if they go anywhere near Outcast Island they most likely won't be leaving. Hiccup decides to get two birds stoned at once, he tells Astrid and Fishlegs to get Snotlout and the Twins and form a welcoming committee for the Screaming Death. He's gonna break his father out of Guantanamo Bay Outcast Island. How will he do this? 

He goes to the Academy to recruit Alvin's help. Alvin asks Hiccup how his town meeting went, and mocks him about how he had the entire town in the palm of his hands. Alvin is extremely confused when Hiccup actually opens his pen. Hiccup explains all to him. 

I don't got time for your bullshit Alvin! Here's what's
gonna happen, we're rescuing my father, together!

Count me in boy!

Hiccup and Alvin head to Outcast Island on Toothless, but since Alvin is a 400 pound fat ass, he has a hard time maintaining balance on Toothless and has to death grip Hiccup's shoulders. Hiccup asks Alvin to ease up on the grip, but Alvin claims he can't help it, all his grips are death grips. Toothless decides to fuck with Alvin and smacks him with both his wings, laughing it up. Hiccup tells Toothless he can't be doing that shit, but he gives Toothless an approving look. 

After that little bit of goofing, Hiccup gets serious and asks Alvin what happened between him and Stoick. Alvin explains that they were best friends but also two young testosterone driven Vikings charged with defending Berk against dragons. One night, there was a Monstrous Nightmare attack and Alvin thought he had a better idea than Stoick's, but Stoick was the chief's son so he had the final word. Alvin disobeyed orders and got a lot of people killed. Things were never the same, Stoick couldn't even look at Alvin without suspecting him as traitorous swine. When Stoick became Chief, Alvin got the hell out of Dodge. 

On that cheery note, they've arrived at Outcast Island at last. But Hiccup points out they can't just fly over the Island, that'd be incredibly stupid and alert them to their position. Alvin says they aren't flying over the Island, they're going under. He takes control of Toothless and tries to dive underwater, but Hiccup ain't having none of that shit. Alvin's all like, "What the fuck yo? Ya gotta trust me on this one! Would I lie?". Hiccup decides to trust Alvin on this one and dives. Alvin points him to an underwater cave that leads to the heart of the island. Hiccup thinks this is fuckey, how does Alvin know it's clear? Alvin, however, has an ace in hole that assured him that is so. 

That traitorous swine is your ace in the hole?

Toothless is just as bummed to see that sweaty old fuck again, but Alvin defends Mildew. Mildew's always been faithful to him he says. Hiccup can at least take solace in the fact he's seeing Mildew act as nanny for a nursery of dragons, something he never thought he'd see. But something catches his eye, a female Whispering Death with a shit ton of eggs. Hiccup asks Alvin and Mildew if this is where all the Whispering Death eggs they planted in Berk came from. Alvin confirms it, and also confirms that it was Mildew's stupid idea. Hiccup asks Mildew if he remembers a big ass red egg, Mildew does recall it and asks how it turned out. 

Hiccup pulls out Sharpshot from his satchel, to Alvin's confusion. Hiccup explains to him that he's sending a message to Berk, and that the Screaming Death is headed there. But he thinks he may have found what it's looking for. With that bit of information Alvin starts to come up with a plan, but Hiccup stops him dead in his tracks. Hiccup thinks Alvin's plans suck dick, so they're going to do this Hiccup's way. Alvin and Mildew agree. 

Hiccup heads back to the surface and releases Sharpshot, with that shit out of the way, he and Toothless stealthily assassinate all nearby Berserker soldiers. He enters the Outcast arena and immediately gets ambushed. The Berserker's launch a shit ton of bolas at Hiccup that he deflects with his shield. But Toothless gets trapped in a cage and Hiccup is surrounded by Dagur's bitches. Savage personally welcomes him back to Outcast Island. Dagur inspects Toothless and can't believe the Night Fury is finally his. He thinks they need to change the name, because Toothless don't make a lick a sense. Dagur now wants to keep Toothless for himself, but if he can't . . . 

I'll wear his skull as a helmet!

When Hiccup protests, Dagur has his bitches throw his ass in the brig for skinning later. 

Back at Berk, Snotlout receives the message from Shaprshot, who chows down hard on his arm. Ruff and Tuff yank Sharpshot off Snotlout, laugh at Snotlout's misfortune, and hand the note to Astrid. She tells the others that Hiccup has an idea for how to deal with the Screaming Death, but first they need to lure it to Outcast Island. Ruff and Tuff think about how that could be done. Tuffnut thinks they need a small Island and a really big rope, he asks Astrid who they can talk to about obtaining such things.

Fisglegs thinks they can use the Dragon Root to lure the Screaming Death to Outcast Island, and Tuffnut's all like, "Shit, and you thought my little island idea was stupid?". Astrid likes the idea though, Gobber locked the dragon root up for disposal. Snotlout however makes a very good point that all their dragons will go nuts if they go near it. Fishlegs, however, does something he'll sorely regret in a few seconds, he points out that Meatlug doesn't get driven mad by it. 

Back at Outcast Island, Dagur has brought Stoick and Hiccup up to the arena. Stoick asks Hiccup if he's got the dragon riders or the Berk fleet with him. Hiccup says he doesn't have shit, he's got a plan he'd rather watch unfold. Dagur talks to Toothless about his bog plans for him. Toothless'll be the new symbol of the Berserkers, that'll of course mean Dagur'll have to change his shields, his sails and get himself a new belt buckle. He wanders how much dough he'll have to fork over for that shit. But he figures that can wait until Berk's nothing but a burned out, uninhabitable wasteland. 

While Dagur goes on about his plans, his Outcast soldiers are pulled under the ground by something. Dagur doesn't seem to notice this and he continues on his rant. He comes up with the name Deathkiller for Toothless. Then the whole ground beneath them starts to crumble, as a pack of Whispering Deaths bursts through with Alvin and Mildew. Alvin throws Mildew to Toothless' cage, Mildew then frees Toothless. Stoick is shocked by this. 

Didn't see that shit comin' did ya?

Alvin lands by Hiccup and Stoick and untie their restraints. Alvin says it's just like the good old days. With that, the trio and the Whispering Deaths kick some serious Berserker and Outcast ass. But during the battle, the ground beneath the Outcast arena breaks in two, sending Dagur, Toothless  and a bunch of Berserkers plummeting to the bottom. The Outcast arena collapses, forcing Hiccup to grab on for dear life and dropping his shield. Stoick grabs Alvin before he falls and throws him and Mildew onto a couple Berserkers. 

Dagur decides it's time to teach Toothless whose boss. He gathers the men that fell with him and order them to get him his Night Fury. Toothless dispatches those losers with ease, but Dagur manages to force himself on his saddle. Toothless puts up a fight and manages to fling Dagur's ass off. Toothless makes his way to Hiccup and reunite with him. 

As Berserkers swarm around them, Ruff and Tuff come in to save their asses. They love all the chaos around them and wish they could move there. Hiccup can't believe he'd ever be so glad to see them, but Astrid tells him shit's about to get a lot crazier. 

FUCK THOSE GUYS!!

Fishlegs is luring the Screaming Death to Outcast Island. But the SD is quickly gaining on him and manages to enclose its jaws around him. But Meatlug lets out a huge fart into its mouth, it fires a bolt rather than have that shit it its mouth. Stoick asks why in the name of all that is good, pure and holy in this world would Hiccup want to bring it there? Hiccup tells him about it's mother, Stoick is simply confused that it even has a mother. 

When Fishlegs is close enough, Hiccup tells him to drop the cargo. Fishlegs does so and The Screaming Death's mother calls out to it. The Screaming Death answers her calls, Dagur realises that the Screaming Death wants its mom. So he and a few other Berserkers grab some ropes and capture it. Hiccup tells him not to be so damn foolish, he could get them all killed!

Like I give a shit?! Hello, I'm mentally unstable!

Tuffnut finds that logic hard to argue with. As the distressed Whispering Death calls out, The Screaming Death starts to plow it's way through scores of Outcasts and Berserker soldiers. Savage decides it's time to cut his losses and get the hell out of Dodge. Dagur tells Hiccup to get the hell back or he'll run his spear through the Whispering Death, and then they're all fucked. 

Hiccup tells the others to back off, Dagur thinks that's a wise move. Dagur also mentions that he's willing to make a trade. He also can't believe Hiccup didn't see that shit coming. Just then, Snotlout decides to go against orders and pull some admittedly cool ass trick that burns Dagur's ass and frees the Whispering Death. 

The Whispering Deaths get free of their restraints and they reunite with The Screaming Death. The the Screaming Death turns its attention to Hiccup and Toothless. It gives them one last roar and takes off with its family. Snotlout tries to apologise for going against orders, but is completely shocked and think's Hiccup's fucking with him when he tells him he done good. And not only that, but Hiccup lifts Snotlout's suspension. 

But Dagur comes out to break up this heartfelt moment. Only for Alvin to knock the shit out of him. 

-I'm gonna fuck you up, boy!
- HELP!!

But before we can see whatever Alvin's about to do to Dagur, we cut to Alvin and Stoick burying the hatchet after so many years. They shake hands and put whatever ugliness between them, behind them. 

Back at Berk, Stoick tells Hiccup that he'll make a damn fine chief one day, maybe even one of the best. Hiccup thinks that if the last few days are any indication of what it's like to be chief, he'll gladly leave that shit to Stoick for many years to come. Turns out they both have their leadership duties to attend to, Hiccup has to deal with Snotlout and Hookfang and Stoick has to deal with Silent Sven, whose broke his silence. Gobber tells Stoick he isn't gonna like what Sven has to say. 

Then we get our first narration since the end of last season! Hiccup explains that Berk has got ice, it has snow, and it has even more ice. But they've also got dragons, the train them, learn from them, protect them, and the Dragons protect them as well. Even from themselves. They would trade that for anything, would you? Hiccup asks. Fuck no! But god, only if we had that to trade. 

Summary

Well, that finale wasn't quite what I expected it would be, but it was still one hell of a finale. Hiccup's leadership was once again to the test and his interactions with Alvin and Mildew were awesome. We also finally got Alvin's backstory, and I'm glad that by the end he didn't end up betraying Hiccup and Stoick. It also seems like Mildew also got his redemption as well. 

Dagur was as great as always in the episode, though this unfortunately will probably be the last time we see him. And the Screaming Death's resolution was also pretty good, what with being reunited with its mother and all. But I expected something a lot more, it was still handled well. This episode was also the most action-packed episode to date. 

As a matter of fact, I was shocked how well the episode turned out. There was a ton of things to wrap up in this episode. They had to wrap up Dagur's, Alvin, Mildew and The Screaming Death's storylines. That's quite a lot to wrap up in 20 minutes, and it shows. The pacing is a bit too fast for my liking and everything is wrapped up too neatly. 

But, this is still a damn fine season finale. And this show has been a really fun continuation of How To Train Your Dragon. It was enough to keep me until HTTYD 2 comes out. I'll have a video summing up my feelings about the show out soon, and HTTYD 2 soon after that. So be sure to check those out, and thank you for joining me for these recaps, I'll be seeing you when the show comes back for it's third season. 

9/10

Dragons Defenders Of Berk Reviews: Episode 19 - Cast Out Part 1

We're on the last two-parter of the season and the last episodes of the series (for now anyway). It'll be June soon, with How To Train Your Dragon 2 well on the way. So let's get this wrapped up, shall we?

Out in the middle of the forest, Gobber and a troop of villagers have catapults ready to fire. Gobber is stretching his old bones, until he sees a bunch of dragons coming their way, presumably to shit on their picnic. Gobber orders the villagers to fire! This turns out to be an exercise for the teens on how to deal with Catapults I suppose. Gobber's catapult malfunctions, but he smacks it until it works, nearly taking Ruffnut's head off. Tuffnut asks Gobber if he can do that again.

Hiccup decides that the shit's gotten too heavy and orders the others to retreat. Snotlout thinks that's a bunch of bullshit and moves in to take out the catapults. Hiccup tells him to get his insolent disobedient ass away from them, but Snotlout only lives to be a thorn in Hiccup's ballsack. He takes out a catapult that launches a boulder that hits Astrid in the head and sends her plummeting to her death. 

Nah just kidding, Hiccup manages to save her in time. Astrid wakes up a few minutes later and wants to know what the hell happened? Snotlout lands praising how awesome he is and what an amazing feat he just pulled off, completely oblivious to the fact he fucked up royal and nearly got Astrid killed in a Training Exercise of all things. Hiccup wastes no time in telling him what an utter, pathetic failure he is. And not just that, but he's a stupid, repugnant pile of shit that nearly killed Astrid. Snotlout brushes it off, Astrid looks fine to him. 

I'm gonna rip your balls off and stuff em' down your throat!

Hiccup's decided he's had enough of this bullshit, Snolout's also decided he's had enough of this bullshit. But he wants to know what bullshit Hiccup is sick of. Hiccup's fed up with Snotlout always doing the opposite of everything Hiccup says. Snotlout says he only looks out for he, himself and him. Hiccup points out that that is the problem, and that Snotlout's ass is suspended. To top it all off, Hiccup says Snotlout is also grounded. Snotlout tells Hiccup to go fuck himself, Hiccup ain't his dad!

Snotlout takes off on Hookfang, once again doing the exact opposite of whatever Hiccup says. Tuffnut is confused, because Snotlout is supposed to be grounded but what he just did is more like skying (Tuffnut's words, not mine). Astrid tells Hiccup that he didn't have to do that for her. Hiccup thinks that if Snotlout can't even follow simple orders during a fucking training exercise, he might fuck something up when they encounter Dagur again. 

Well, I mean there's plenty of times that Snotlout came through when the shit was down, but Hiccup does have a point that there's still a chance he might do something incredibly stupid one day that'll fuck them all. And speaking of Dagur . . . 

To any sane person, this would look queer. For Dagur, it's
just Tuesday. 

Dagur is talking to a picture of a Night Fury like a girl might talk to a picture of a hunk on her wall. His men find this to be totally queer, but they keep that to themselves, as this is Dagur we're talking about here. As Dagur is about to talking about ramming something up Hiccup's ass I'm assuming, Savage walks in and reports on the Dragon Root tests. But not before he has to correct his addressing of Dagur to 'You Derangedness". Dagur is pleased that the tests were successful, and Savage suggests waiting on Berk for the right time to plant it. Dagur likes it, it's so simple yet so . . . . . . . Deranged!!

At the Berk Academy, Hiccup flies in to find the Twins doing some work on Hookfang's old enclosure. Hiccup asks them what the fuck they're doing. Tuffnut tells him that since Snotlout was kicked out of the academy, they figured they'd tear down the wall between Barf and Belch's pen and Hookfang's, and perhaps do a little decorating here and there. In remembrance of Snotlout of course, he will be forgotten. 

Hiccup explains to them that he didn't kick Snotlout's ass out of the academy for good, he's just on temporary suspension. Tuffnut says that he doesn't really have much of a choice because of Snotlout's blatant disregard for Hiccup's leadership than to merge Barf and Belch's pen with Hookfang's. Ruffnut backs that point up, claiming his only other choice is total expulsion and losing the respect of the other riders. 

Wow, the first thing to come out of their mouths that's
not nonsensical drivel.

Despite what they just said making a semblance of sense, they unsubtly try to cover up the fact they just want to tear down the wall and put some decorations in there. Hiccup tells them they ain't tearing shot down yet! He'll talk to Snotlout when he gets back. 

Elsewhere, Snotlout finds a little Island in the ass end of nowhere and decides to call it Snotland. Hookfnag thinks this is totally lame. But Snoutlout thinks they don't need Hiccup and that stupid Dragon Academy, they've got their own shitty little Island now! Everything on it is theirs, the burned out trees, the rocks, all theirs! Hookfang at least enjoys burning those. Snotlout then points, unwittingly, to a wrecked Outcast ship. 

Back at Berk, Stoick is at the house holding an Ice Cube to his head. Hiccup drops by and asks Stoick how his day went. Stoick says it's been shitty, and being a leader can be a real bitch sometimes. Hiccup returns the sentiment, he doesn't know what to do with Snotlout, whether to kick his ass out, or to not kick his ass out. Stoick gives Hiccup some chiefly advice. Hiccup can't always be someone's friend and their leader at the same time, he's gotta make some tough calls for the good of everyone. Hiccup thinks on this nugget of wisdom. 

Back on Shitland, Snotlout cautiously closes in on the Outcast ship. He signals Hookfang over to him. With Hookfang as his big gun back up, Snotlout springs on the ship, and finds it filled with a big lot of jack shit. Snotlout and Hookfang look at each other in disappointment. Then all of a sudden, a couple tremors come out of nowhere. Snotlout blames Hookfang for bring them to an earth quaky Island. The Screaming Death shows up from under the ground to put that notion in the dirt. 

I'm back, bitches!

Snotlout realises that he and Berk are in the meat grinder, so he hurries off to warn everyone.  But The Screaming Death ain't having none of that shit, it's only interested in one thing; making Snotlout his bitch! The Screaming Death chases Snotlout and Hookfang around until Snotlout is knocked off and unconscious. As the Screaming Death moves in for the kill, a mysterious figure rescues Snotlout. 

Hookfang looks at the figure, who has the sunlight to his back, blocking most of his features. The figure flies Hookfang back to Berk, and presents an unconscious Snotlout to the town. The people wander of he's dead, then get excited at the prospect of Snotlout being dead. But Snotlout snaps out of unconsciousness and lets everybody know he's alive. This disappoints them. Hiccup and Stoick come to investigate, Snotlout says he captured the figure. The figure turns out to be . . .

Oh yeah, I'm back! . . . . Bitches!

Alvin The Treacherous is back, looks like Dagur's Skrill didn't kill him after all. Regardless, Alvin is placed under arrest and brought to the Great Hall to hear all the crimes he committed, Treachery, Attempted Treachery, Premeditated Treachery, Conspiracy to Commit Treachery, Sodomy, and Gobber decides they all get the point. The crowd cheers for Alvin's execution, but Stoick shuts them up. He tells Alvin that his ass is getting thrown in the brig until they figure out what to do with him. 

Alvin asks Stoick if they treat all people who've saved valuable lives like this. The Twins have serious doubts about the 'valuable life' part when dealing with Snotlout. Stoick doesn't believe for a moment that Alvin did what he did for Snotlout, he suspects Alvin has ulterior motives. You'd have to be a complete and utter fool to think otherwise. And indeed Alvin does have something in mind, he tells Stoick he has a proposal but Stoick ain't the least bit interested. 

Astrid and Fishlegs have come to inform Hiccup that Snotlout wokeup, and he said that Alvin wasn't the only big nasty thing on Shitland. The Screaming Death is back, and it's closing in on Berk. Hiccup is fed up with crap, but he knows he has to act fast. 

Back at the academy, the Twins are busy decorating Hookfang's former pen while Hiccup, Astrid and Fishlegs are busy practice scrapping and preparing of the Screaming Death. Snotlout then flies in and knocks Fishlegs down. 

Did you losers miss me?

Dammit! Why can't he just die already!

Hiccup tells Snotlout that he's glad he's alright, but Snotlout's arrogance really makes him reconsider what he just he said. Regardless, he tells Snotlout that he broke the rules and nearly got himself killed, so his ass is still suspended. Snotlout doesn't take this well, the Twins take it very well and go back to decorating. 

Snotlout thinks this is a bunch of bullshit, he found the Screaming Death and he captured Alvin the Treacherous! Astrid however points out that his stupid ass was unconscious the whole time, Snotlout says he was unconscious like a fox, which doesn't even make sense to the Twins. Hiccup tells Snotlout that this don't change shit! Snotlout is still suspended and Hookfang is getting locked up in his pen. Dagur watches this spectacle from afar, reveals his plan and unlocks a box containing a Dragon Root (the plant that makes the Dragons go nuts from episode 15 in case you forgot)!

Later, Hiccup decides to drop by the prison which is surrounded by angry villagers calling for Alvin's head. Hiccup heads on in and confronts Alvin. Alvin tells Hiccup the little proposal he was going to offer Stoick. Dagur is a loose catapult and off his rocker, he forced Alvin off his own Island and he wants that shit back! And he'll take it, with Berk's help. Hiccup thinks this is bullshit, why help get Alvin's Island back fro him just so he can get back to destroying Berk?

Oh come on man, I was a little pissed off, that's all.

For 20 years?

VERY PISSED OFF!

Alvin tries to make the claim that losing everything made him see things a bit differently, he's a changed man. Hiccup brings the conversation back to the proposal, he wants to know what's in it for Berk. Alvin says that the Berserker's will be gone, and the Outcasts will be their allies. An intriguing and very beneficial proposal, that is if Hiccup could trust the other party. 

Back at the house, Hiccup and Stoick are having supper. But Stoick notices the funny looks Hiccup's giving him, so he tells Hiccup to spit it out. Hiccup asks Stoick what Alvin did to get cast out of the tribe. Are we finally gonna find out? Not today it seems, since Stoick doesn't want to talk about it and gets really defensive when Hiccup presses him for answers. Stoick tells Hiccup that Alvin is their enemy, and that will never change. 

At the Academy, the dragons are sleeping peacefully in their pens. The Berserker's swarm the arena and open the gates. Dagur himself walks into the arena and signals to Savage to bring in the Dragon Root. With the Dragon Root in place, they open the pens and let the dragons out. 

FUUUUUCK YOOOOOUUUUU!!!

Back at Berkian Alcatraz, Snotlout decides to pay Alvin a visit. Snotlout tries to downplay Alvin's rescue, he could have gotten out of there himself. Alvin decides to go along with it, and even tells Snotlout they're both very much alike, motherfuckers don't appreciate the way they get shit done. Snotlout wholeheartedly agrees, and calls everybody stupid. Alvin asks Snotlout if he thinks it's right to let him rot in a jail cell, Alvin could have just left Snotlout to die, but he didn't. Alvin thinks that Snotlout owes him the key's to his cell at least, but that'll have to wait, as the warning horns start to sound. 

Hiccup wakes up and Astrid tells Snotlout that Dagur's been spotted by the arena. Snotlout runs off to save Hookfang, but not before Alvin tells him he can help defeat Dagur. Meanwhile, Hiccup sees the dragon root in the arena. He tells the others to go into the arena and distract their dragons, while Fishlegs and Meatlug jack the Dragon Root and haul ass out of there. Snotlout tries to tell Hiccup some important, but Hiccup doesn't have time for what Snotlout has to say. 

The teens head in to distract their dragons. Astrid tries to calm Stormfly, but she attacks Astrid instead. Snotlout and Twins aren't faring any better with their dragons. Fishlegs and Meatlug jack the Dragon Root and make for the gate, but the Berserker's close it before they can make their escape. Hiccup demands they open the gate, but Dagur surrounds Hiccup with archers putting him at a disadvantage. Hiccup wants to know what Dagur wants, but Dagur's goal has not changed. He wants what he's always wanted, the Night Fury. If Hiccup hands him over, Dagur and the Berserker's will leave peacefully. It's either the Night Fury, or his friends in the arena. 

Decisions, decisions, eh Hiccup?!

As the teens in the arena are running out of time, Dagur presses Hiccup for a decision. But Stoick, in a completely badass moment, makes the decision for him. They'll run Dagur through and open the gate themselves! With a small squad of Berkians behind him, he charges right into the Berserker's and kicks some ass! He reaches the gate and starts to open it, Savage is about to skewer him. Alvin however, kicks the shit out Savage before he can do so, and mocks Dagur for his mere existence at this time. Stoick throws Alvin a sword and tells him to kick some Berserker ass! Alvin Obliges. 

Stoick then manages to open the gate to the arena so Fishlegs can get out of there. Hiccup covers his ass while he books it. On the way out, Fishlegs accidentally knocks Stoick out during the skirmish. Hiccup closes the gate, as Dagur looks on and sees that his plan has failed. Savage suggests to Dagur that they get the fuck out of Dodge, but Dagur ain't leaving Dodge empty handed. Then he sees Stoick lying injured on the battleground, he orders Savage to follow him. 

The teens in the arena come out from their hiding places and embrace their Dragons who are pretty much back to normal. Tuffnut thanks Barf and Belch for not killing him, but he thinks they could have done with one less nut. Gobber calls Hiccup over to him, Hiccup looks up and sees Dagur and Savage with Stoick!

Nobody move! Or Stoick's ass is grass!

Dagur tells Hiccup they're leaving and if they see any dragon following them, rider or not, they'll be looking for a new chief. Dagur and Savage take their leave and say they'll be in touch. Hiccup makes a plan to cut them off at the beach and smash their boats to pieces before they can escape. Alvin advises against this, if they pack a man like Dagur into a corner, anything could happen. Dagur ain't gonna hurt Stoick, yet. Stoick isn't what Dagur wants. 

Gobber backs up Alvin's point, Hiccup asks Gobber if he lost all sense of reason during that skirmish, why would/should Hiccup trust Alvin? Gobber points out that if there's one thing Alvin knows, it's treachery. Hiccup takes Alvin's advise and leaves Stoick to Dagur, but he promises that he'll get him back, no matter what. 

Meanwhile . . . 

Summary

Well that was an awesome first part to the season finale, and it's shaping up to be an awesome one! Dagur, The Screaming Death, and now Alvin! Shit it's gonna be cool. As for the episode itself, it had a pretty good beginning with Astrid's near death experience. Hiccup had to make a big leadership decision and even had a nice discussion with Stoick about it. Snotlout was as entertainingly repugnant as ever. But the big surprise was Alvin. 

When Alvin supposedly died in A View To A Skrill Part 2, I was actually kinda hoping that would be the end of him. Put him to rest and let Dagur carry the series as the main antagonist. But, I actually loved Alvin's comeback. This one episode managed to make Alvin a far more interesting character than the rest of the series did. I'm looking forward to find what his backstory is. 

Dagur was as great as ever, and this lead to an awesome fight scene at the end. Dagur and Savage taking Stoick hostage has raised the stakes for the season finale. Oh, of course we know Stoick's gonna get out, he's in the next movie for christ sakes! But, it'll still be interesting to see how it all plays out. 

10/10

Dragons Defenders Of Berk Reviews: Episode 18 - Bing, Bam, Boom

Hiccup is overlooking what appears to be a giant, horn? Hiccup asks for Toothless' honest opinion on it, but Toothless doesn't think it's all that. Hiccup blows it off, Toothless will see for himself in a bit. In comes Stoick, who'll be the first Guinea Pig to test this device out. Hiccup calls it the Thunder Ear! In short, it's supposed to pick up the tiniest sounds from afar. This is for another attack by the Screaming Death, who we haven't seen in a good long while. What's he doing these days?

So Hiccup instructs Stoick to put his ear into the end of the horn and Toothless gives a signal for Fishlegs, who is miles off shore, to start singing 'I'm a Viking through and through'. Stoick thinks Fishlegs voice sound heinous, even from afar through the Thunder Ear. He wanders if this is all some practical joke, but Hiccup proves beyond reasonable doubt that he's not fucking with Stoick. 

Stoick admits that he's quite impressed, he thinks that this could even be used to pinpoint enemy ships . . .  though that thought will have to wait. As Stoick hears something else in the distance. 

Stoick! Pff, that joker? He'd be nothing without me.

Mother Fucker!

Aside from two-faced traitorous swine, Stoick hears something else on the horizon. He asks Hiccup to tell Fishlegs and Meatlug that they don't need to sing anymore, 'cause at this point he can't tell who sings worse. Hiccup listens, but he deduces that this is something else entirely. They decide to head out and find out what's causing a ruckus out there. But first Thornado has to make a cool-ass dramatic entrance with the sun at his back, something that Stoick never gets tired of. 

Stoick and Hiccup head off to find the source of the sound. On the way, Thornado gets a whiff of something and immediately heads in it's direction in a burst of speed. Stoick tells Thornado that he'll be doing the steering if he doesn't mind.  Hiccup tells Stoick to let Thornado lead the way 'cause he knows what's going down. Thornado leads the way to . . . 

Oh, how precious.

A trio of baby Thunderdrums are camped out on a rock. Hiccup wanders why they're out there all alone. The Thunderdrums then decide they want to goof around with Hiccup and Stoick and start flying around them. Stoick tells them to watch out and reminds their punk asses that he's a god damn Chief. Hiccup reminds Stoick that they're babies and baby dragons at that. They don't understand the concept of human hierarchy. 

Then they start to screw around with Hiccup and Toothless, Toothless runs away rather than deal with a trio of little Thunderdrum shits. Stoick thinks somebody has to let these little shits know that playtime's over. Thornado gives one good sonic blast that disciplines them. Hiccup is impressed, Stoick claims he taught Thornado how to discipline the younger generation. 

Now they've come to a dilemma, they've come all this way and found baby Thunderdrums who are all alone. Hiccup is about to ask Stoick something, but Stoick already knows what he's about to ask. It can't be done, there's enough racket on the Island with the Twins around. Hiccup just wants to be sure they'll be OK. Stoick thinks they'll be just fine, they're Thunderdrums! The toughest dragon in the archipelago, a comment Toothless doesn't appreciate. 

Fuck you say, Old man?!

  
Stoick is just like, "That's right, I said it bitch!". So they leave the Thunderdrums behind and head back to Berk where they meet Gobber. Stoick decides to toy with Gobber for that conversation he heard through the Thunder Ear. He puts Gobber on watch duty with the Thunder Ear all night, despite Gobber's plans to sing in the Great Hall. Gobber tries to get out of it, then Stoick unsubtly spills the beans that he knows about his conversation. Hiccup explains to Gobber that it was the Thunder Ear, Gobber has a different name for it. 

But before we can hear what it is, it cuts away to morning at the main household. Toothless and Hiccup are sleeping peacefully and everything is peace and quiet, until they hear shit breaking and feel large tremors coming from outside. Hiccup asks Stoick what's going on, but Stoick is just as clueless as Hiccup. 

They step outside to find Chaos, Anarchy, and madness! The baby Thunderdrums have followed them back to the village and are destroying shit and disorientating sheep and livestock. Stoick asks Hiccup if he still thinks they're cool, Hiccup's just on the fence at this point. Stoick tells him to get his ass off the fence and do something about those little shits! 

Fishlegs however is excited that there's baby Thunderdrums. He thinks their cute and tries to give them a hug. 

They're so . . . uidhfedhfudihfu!!

Ouuuuuooohhh, What hit me?

Hiccup decides that the time for fucking around is over, it's time to get serious. He tries chasing the Thunderdrums around town, but it only causes more chaos every step of the way. Especially in Gobber's shop. Astrid asks Hiccup if he's needs a helping hand, Hiccup most definitely needs a helping hand. He tells Astrid they need to corral the Thunderdrums into the academy. That proves to be a near impossible task as they're slippery little bastards. 

As if the situation couldn't get any worse, the Twins are now on the scene with Barf and Belch. Hiccup tells them that they need to stop them, but the Twins think they need to own them! But luckily the Thunderdrums give them the slip through trickery. Snotlout also attempts to catch one of them, but it also gives him the slip through trickery. Stoick complains that he always has to do everything himself, a lot Alvin did back in season 1. Coincidence? 

The Thunderdrums continue to cause chaos and there seems to be little the Teens' feeble efforts can to to stop them. But Stoick has an ace up his sleeve. He brings out Thornado, who manages to bring the little brats under control. Hiccup and Fishlegs are impressed, the little Thunderdrums are putty in Thornado's hands. The Twins immediately try to claim one or two, or the whole set of them. Stoick tells them to shut the fuck up and tells Hiccup to get those troublemakers off his Island. The Twins claim their mother will miss them, but Hiccup points out Stoick means the dragons. 

Oh, shit! Ha ha ha, almost had us there chief.

Hiccup tries to convince Stoick to let the academy train them, they're fast, powerful . . . destructive, loud, and out the fuck of control! As Stoick so eloquently puts it. The Twins say that Stoick's just making Hiccup's point for him. Gobber decides to throw his lot in with Hiccup, a squadron of Thunderdrums could be quite useful against Dagur and the Berserkers. Hiccup even reminds Stoick how great Thornado turned out. 

With all the evidence piling up for keeping the Thunderdrums around, Stoick gives in. But at the first sign of trouble, they're asses are gone. but Hiccup is confident that they can trained, and he already has a plan in place to accomplish this. 

- Let me guess, you don't have a plan?!
- Yes! No! Maybe. Ok, I don't have a plan.

Hiccup is absolutely clueless on where to begin with the Thunderdrums, Snotlout just wants to make them stop screaming before they blow their ear drums out. The Twins are facinated by this possibility and stick their faces in the path of the Thunderdrum's sonic blast. Hiccup tells them not to encourage them, but the others are not quite sure whether he means the Thunderdrums or the Twins. Meanwhile, Thornado watches this spectacle from outside, but Stoick quickly calls him away. You know, I'm really beginning to realise how underused Thornado is. 

Hiccup decides that the first course of action is naming them. Snotlout begs to differ, he thinks the first course of action would be to get them to shut the fuck up! Fishlegs manages to give them some dragon nip, which calms them down for the time being. Hiccup says they can't have them doing nothing all day, but Snotlout says that's what the Twins are for. The Twins don't appreciate that, since they already did something. When asked by Snotlout, Ruffnut is clueless to what they did. But Tuffnut explains they named the Thunderdrums Bing, Bam, and Lloyd. 

Fishlegs thinks there's something a little more logical than Lloyd, Boom. Although the Twins protest, Hiccup decides it's time to train them now. That goes about as well as you'd expect. Hiccup tries the hand on snout thing, but they blast his ass right into Fishlegs face and into Toothless' arms like he was a football. Astrid tries to get them to stay, but they swarm Stormfly and come back after she flings their asses off. 

Snotlout tries to get them to destroy something they're supposed to destroy. He sets up a bunch of target barrels and tells them to destroy the shit out of them, they destroy the shit out of him instead. Fishlegs tries to show them how to disarm a human opponent, which they do immediately. They steal his sword and Fishlegs tries to get it back. But they pass it to each other and it eventually ends up with Meatlug. 

Meatlug, pass it over here!

What the fuck?!

You too Meatlug?! Why are you doing this?!

The Twins tell Bing, Bam and Boom to repeat after them. They let out large belches that the Thunderdrums repeat, they seem to like it. Hiccup and Astrid want to know how this is helping, they ask how it's hurting? Then Bing, Bam, and Boom blast their asses into Snotlout, whose just finished rearranging the barrels. 

By the end of the day, Hiccup has completely lost control of the situation and Toothless is starting to get fed up with this shit. Hiccup uses 'excruciating' to describe it. But suddenly the Thunderdrums calm down and behave, looks like they've finally got through to them. Or at least, Thornado has. Hiccup gets Thornado to lead Bing, Bam and Boom on a lap around the Academy and has them well under control. Astrid says she can hardly recognise them. 

What have you done to them?! They're well behaved now!!

Stoick however comes to retrieve Thornado for Chiefing duties, Thornado reluctantly goes with Stoick, who compliments Hiccup on the massive improvement with Bing, Bam and Boom. He's gone with Thornado before Hiccup can tell him that it was Thornado that brought them under control, not him. Bing, Bam and Boom follow Stoick and Thornado out. Hiccup tells Tuffnut to make for the gate, but Tuffnut points them out instead of shutting the gate. 

The Thunderdrum trio are let loose on the village to cause more chaos. Stoick appears to give Hiccup shit, Hiccup tries to bullshit his way out of this. But after a death stare from Stoick, he admits he never had the situation under control. Stoick wants to know if they'll ever shut up, Fishlegs says that they will when they find their grown up voice in two years. 

They start tearing shit up once again, giving the teens the slip, blowing out Snotlout's ear drums and blasting a bunch of sheep that Fishlegs tried to defend at first, then decided he wasn't very close to anyway. Stoick and Thornado have to once again bring them under control. Stoick reminds Hiccup how he told him that he wouldn't be sorry if Stoick let the Thunderdrums stay. Well, Stoick is very sorry and decides the Thunderdrums have to go. 

So Hiccup and the gang bring Bing, Bam and Boom to Dragon Island. 

Here there's plenty of dragons to anno. . . I mean meet!

Although Hiccup explains to them how awesome Dragon Island is, he's finding it hard to reject their cute little faces. The Twins think this is sad, and recall the time their dad took their pet Yak Sam to go live on a farm. Though they also recall the delicious Yak steaks they had the day after. Snotlout decides to get the ball rolling on leaving, then they all take to the air. 

Hiccup and Fishlegs along the way try to convince themselves that they did the right thing. Hiccup says they could even visit them whenever they want. Tuffnut points out they could, but Bing, Bam, and Boom won't be there, since they're right behind them. Snotlout thinks they need to ditch them, so he heads back to Dragon Island and loses them in the cave. He mocks them for being stupid, right before they come up behind him and blast him off Hookfang. Astrid thinks they should try Snotlout's plan again. 

Next Hiccup and Astrid try feeding them fish, then while they're distracted, make a break for it and take the long way home. The first person they meet when they get back is Stoick. 

We're Back!!

OH. FOR. FUCK. SAKE!!

Stoick decides that these so called "Dragon Geniuses" need a hand from him and Thornado. So they head back to Dragon Island, this time with Thornado to keep them in check. Stoick thinks that sometime's you just have to show Teenagers tough love. 

So Hiccup has to go through the whole you gotta stay here routine. Only this time Bing Bam and Boom start making sad faces at him and whimpering. Hiccup asks them to stop it, they're tearing his heart out and making it harder than it already is. Stoick decides to let Thornado have a word with them. Thornado roars at them and they stay when they get left behind this time. 

Hiccup looks back but Stoick tells him not to, tough love he says. But Thornado smells danger afoot and immediately turns around against Stoick's orders. Back at the beach, Bing Bam and Boom are being surrounded and antagonised by wild dragons. They suddenly realise why they found the Thunderdrums in the middle of the ocean, they must have been chased off Dragon Island by dragons who don't appreciate their kind. Stoick decides to go in and help Bing Bam and Boom. 

Bing Bam and Boom are being cornered by a Zippleback, a Monstrous Nightmare and the Punk Ass Nadder?

Wait, this one's red, never mind. 

No matter where the Thunderdrum trio goes, there's always some pissed off dragon wanting to kick their ass. As a Monstrous Nightmare closes in for the kill, Thornado blasts that bitch out of the sky. Stoick and Thornado then charge at the other three dragons. Hiccup and Fishlegs take care of a couple that sneak up after Thornado and Stoick. 

As the trio takes care of each dragon, two more keep popping up to replace them, including the Punk Ass Nadder!

Surrounded by insurmountable odds, Thornado coordinates a plan with Bing, Bam and Boom. Stoick warns Hiccup and Fishlegs to cover their ears, as their about to get an earful of Thunderdrum sonic blast. Thornado and the babies use their combined sonic blasts to knock all the hostile wild dragons out of the sky. Hiccup thinks that taught them, but Fishlegs points out that's only for now. The wild dragons ain't gonna fuck off any time soon. Hiccup doesn't even know what to do with Bing, Bam and Boom. They can't take them back to Berk, but they can't leave them there to die. 

Stoick makes a big decision, he decides to set Thornado free. He realises that the babies won't survive without him, so he'll leave Thornado behind to look after him. In a tearjerker moment, Stoick says goodbye to Thornado. 

As Hiccup, Fishlegs and Stoick take off from Dragon island, Hiccup tells Stoick that he did the right thing. Stoick turns around for one last goodbye as they fly away. 

Summary

That ending alone rewards this episode a 10/10 for me! Thornado truly is the most underused dragon in the entire show, but we finally got an episode where he was the focus. But it unfortunately turned out to be his departure as well. Which is a real shame and somewhat illogical too. If Stoick was willing to give up Thornado, why didn't they just bring Bing Bam and Boom back to Berk and Thornado could keep them in check. Or what about Thornado's purple friend that was with him back in How to Pick Your Dragon? There's plenty of logical solutions to this problem, but this still doesn't make that good bye at the end any less sad. 

And this was by far one of the most spot on episodes when it comes to comedy. Everything with Bing, Bam and Boom was just hilarious (and the little guys were really cute too). Every joke, every failed attempt to train/contain them, every time they were just spreading chaos got a laugh out of me. Meatlug joining in on passing Fishlegs' sword around was gut busting (why not make Meatlug their surrogate mother? She seemed to get on with them well enough). 

And there was a great fight scene at the end with a ton of wild dragons that led to that incredible end. This is one of the best episodes, better than The Night And The Fury? Possibly, this is the only episode that managed to make me tear up a bit. If that doesn't count it as one of the best, nothing will. 

10/10