S1 Ep1: The Rise of Makuu Review

Episode Description

When Makuu wins a Mashidano duel against Pua and becomes the leader of the local crocodile float and invades hippo territory, chaos ensues for the Pride Lands. Kion is torn between fighting and surrendering and struggles to find a middle path to stand his ground to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, Ono tries to find a way to free Bunga from his stinky smell.

Song: "Don't Make a Stink" sung by Ono, Timon, Pumbaa, and Bunga

Pros

  • First off, I feel like I have to point out this is the official first episode of The Lion Guard after the pilot. It's a bit confusing because Never Judge a Hyena By Its Spots was released on the same day, but this episode was the first one that they showed to early test audiences a month after Return of the Roar. I personally consider this to be the first episode of Season 1 because I think it's a fantastic transition from Return of the Roar to the start of the series.
  • Now onto the episode, it starts with the Lion Guard running to an emergency, which I think, considering the pilot ends with them having defeated Janja and his clan, this is a good introduction to them continuing to protect the circle of life. I also particularly like the animation of the Pride Lands with them running across it.
  • The animation for the Lion Guard's facial expression look really good in Season 1. I especially really like Kion's, "Bunga, the Lion Guard's duty is to defend the circle of life. Even if it means, helpin' a hyrax out of a thorn bush." His smile was adorable.
  • I'm glad Bunga manages to be proactive and smart to get the hyrax out of his thorn imprisonment. Bunga, being a honey badger, is probably the most equipped at freeing animals from thorn bushes because he's resistant to sharp objects.
  • Now onto the whole Ushari/hyrax thing. To be honest, I get why people complain about Bunga throwing Ushari far away, but, I would also defend Bunga. I'm not going to go into too much detail because u/HoraceTheBadger had already written a longer version in the original review of this episode. But, I will say that I agree with him. It feels a lot like one of those situations where you watch a baby rabbit get rescued, rehabilitated and finally released into the wild only to get scooped up by some bird of prey. Let's just say that Bunga is a literal child, and I can tell you if it was me who had just saved an animal as a small child, I would definitely have done everything in my power to keep it from being eaten as well. Also, it feels like Ushari only did it because the Lion Guard were there and also he didn't put in much effort to catch it, he just picks up with them watching. He kind of had it coming to him. Also honey badger/cobra dynamics...
  • Kion's face when he says, "Ah, c'mon. That's just how Bunga smells. He's always been a bit.... ugh.... fragrant," is quite funny. But, also, certified best friend moment.
  • This was the first episode to introduce us to symbiotic relationships, a relationship where two organisms benefit, in this case, the fish in Big Springs cleaning and eating the dirt off Beshte's skin and cleaning his teeth. Fun Fact, this is actually a very real thing. Hippos need help getting clean, and so, they partner up with a fish called the Barbell. Barbells eat away all the ticks and parasites on the hippo's skin and is also responsible for dental hygiene (according to www.thirteen.org). I really appreciate them simplifying symbiotic relationships for the kids.
  • "Now I'm feelin' clean as a whistle," {girl hippos whistle flirtatiously, Beshte not getting it} "Hello to you too," one of my favourite jokes in early Season 1. I'm positive at least one of these ladies has a huge crush on Beshte since childhood, admiring his super strength.
  • I really love the introduction of Basi, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson (Captain Gantu from Lilo & Stitch, Jabba the Hut from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and more). I think he's a cool worldbuilding character and I love his dynamic with his son, and also the rest of the Lion Guard. "When there's too many fish in the lake, the crocodiles come and eat the fish...." I appreciate how he teaches how the Circle of Life works in a way that kids can understand. His voice was perfect in my opinion. You can just tell Basi and the Royal Family of the Pride Lands go way back.
  • I also love Pua, the old crocodile leader. I think he's a great addition to the Lion King story and he's also a cool worldbuilding character. I headcanon him and Mufasa as two childhood friends who go way back, but when Mufasa had to take his place as king and Pua had won the Mashindano of his time period, they had to put their friendship aside in order to uphold their responsibilities. I love his voice, I think Gerald C. Rivers (M. Bison from Wreck-It Ralph) was perfect casting.
  • I love everything about Pua. From his design, to his voice, the fact that he's a good crocodile who respects the Circle of Life while still being a fair and strict leader who understands his place in the Pride Lands, and not being completely friendly either. I headcanon that before he was a nice guy, he was a lot like Makuu and actually bullied Mufasa and his friends as cubs, but then they saved his watering hole and he had a newfound respect for them.
  • "More than last time Pua. But not enough for your float of crocs...." I love Pua and Basi's relationship. I love the fact that they're both very respected leaders within the Pride Lands and they value the Circle of Life, but are also strict rule-followers. Basi informs Pua that there aren't quite enough fish for the crocodiles, and Pua complies. I love how this series introduces a more nuanced version of the Circle of Life and why the Lion Guard are important to it.
  • This is a great episode for worldbuilding/Pride Lands politics, in my opinion. We learn more about the crocodiles in the Pride Lands and about their "crocodile ways". I'm glad the writers gave the crocodiles something to do. They call for a Mashindano to figure out who should be the new leader and that it takes place at Lake Matope ("mud" in Swahili) at sunset.
  • But, of course, the star of this episode is Makuu (voiced by Blair Underwood from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), who I think does a flawless, spectacular job voicing job. His voice just really suits the character. Makuu is totally one of the most S-Tier characters in the entire show. I love everything about him. His design is one of the best designs in this series, his voice, his bravado, his ego, his charisma, his design is the most slick and cool-looking. He's easily the most intimidating villain in this entire series and him and Pua having different views on the Circle of Life. I could geek out over Makuu all day. He's kind of like the Scar to Pua's Mufasa.
  • Let's talk about the Mashindano. Oh my God is it just perfect! I love everything about it. I love the lighting to give it more of a dark tone, the music in the background, the tense atmosphere, the mood, the Pride Landers chanting to start the fight feels very "wrestling match" kinda vibes, the darker undertones, it has very "Not One Of Us/Be Prepared" vibes other than the fact that Makuu won fair and square, and Scar won by selfish means. I love the "trash talk" between Pua and Makuu, with the former calling Makuu out for his oversized ego. I love the fact that the fight is surprisingly brutal and intense that it's so easy to get engaged. It's probably the most intense I've seen from a Disney Jr. show. The crocs are literally biting the hell out of each other or really hurting each other.
  • "Pua might have better technique, but, Makuu is too strong and fit for him." Well said, Basi. That's very "old veteran with a decade of wisdom and experience vs. young rookie with no experience who wins through fitness" vibes. It kind of reminds of Lightening McQueen and Doc Hudson in Cars. Of course, Makuu won because he was so much younger and fitter than Pua, but the latter still has decades more fighting experience than him. I have to imagine Basi watched the Mashindano where Pua became the new leader of the crocodiles and knows how it works.
  • I think this is a good episode for Simba. I mean, yes, he could've kept on him to make sure he wasn't causing any trouble, but, at this point in the episode, Makuu done anything for Simba to be concerned about and the Mashindano is the crocodile way after all. Simba is not saying he doesn't care, he's saying he can't intefere as long as the animals of the Pride Lands are behaving themselves. Makuu done anything to make Simba and Nala worry at this moment. Yes, Simba could've been at Pride Rock later on, but, in hindsight, he didn't annoy me as much most episode he's in. I still don't think Rob Lowe was a good casting choice, but, yeah, Simba is a big step up from Return of the Roar.
  • Moving away from the Mashindano, I love the fact that we get to see the Lion Guard just hanging out together as friends. As much as I hate the B-Plot of this episode, I really love the part where Fuli says to Ono, "Are ya trying to stop Bunga from smelling or being able to smell?" We don't get to see them being regular kids enough.
  • "Zazu just received word that a herd of giraffes have moved into the baboons' forest," I like the fact that Kiara is being put to good use in this episode. I enjoy seeing her and Kion interacting together, and I'm glad Simba and Nala actually got up and decided to go hunting. Simba decided to get off his ass, not like real male lions.
  • "True. But, he's young. He can learn." I really like how, despite the fact that Makuu had no respect for the Circle of Life, Pua still respected the crocodile ways and he still had faith that Makuu would grow out of his need for control. I have to imagine Pua was a lot like him as a young crocodile. Also, he was totally right about him maturing after Season 1.
  • I really like how this episode finds a way to teach kids what a Trophic Cascade actually is. If you don't know what it is, it's where indirect actions cause a whole chain of events that are powerful enough to control an entire ecosystem, for example, when top predators are removed from an ecosystem and it can cause a population of other animals to also be removed, like in this case, the way Makuu and his float push out the hippos and upset the whole ecosystem. I think it's a simple and effective message for kids and there's a good lesson to be learned from it as well.
  • To top it off, the moral of this episode is really solid and I think it's an important lesson for kids. "Violence is never the solution to resolving conflicts, but also backing down and allowing people to push you around isn't a good idea either." I can respect this episode for teaching kids how to find the balance between standing your ground and not letting yourself be pushed around, while also not resorting to violence. I feel like us Gen Z's who watched this show as preteens were taught that "Violence is never the solution", but were shown quite how to go about resolving conflicts. In the age of social media and video games, it's more important than ever to teach kids not to resort to violence.
  • "Makuu, once the fish population is built back you and your float are welcome to come back," I like how this episode highlights that Makuu was wrong to want to take everything and why the Lion Guard's intervention is valid, while also highlighting that the crocodiles are entitled to eat the fish in the lake as long they don't eat more than is necessary for survival. It's a valid point and makes the Lion Guard's role necessary.

Cons

  • Unfortunately, where this episode shines in one area, it fails in another area. I feel bad given how much I loved the main plot of this episode and all the worldbuilding elements and the Pride Lands politics. But, sadly, this episode wants to be an epic animal showdown with a cool wrestling match and expansive lore, but also be a goofy and silly story about encouraging little kids to take baths. I hate the fact that the stink song is immediately followed up by the Mashindano, which is then followed up by Ono trying to get Bunga clean.
  • Bunga and Ono's characters are pretty disappointing and it feels like they were given nothing to do in this episode, so, the writers just used them to pad the runtime. I will say that I am all for encouraging kids and toddlers to take baths and remain clean and healthy, because I think it's a good message, but it's just not suitable for an episode dedicated to an episode where an upstart crocodile creates chaos and where a lion cub has to learn that violence isn't the solution to any problem. The bathing subplot just takes away from this episode, and I think once the Lion Guard left Big Springs, the writers could've done with that plotline and focused more on Makuu and his float.
  • The stink song, which, can I just add, has absolutely nothing to with encouraging kids to take baths as far as I'm concerned. Please tell me if I missed something because it's entirely a song dedicated to Ono wanting Bunga and Pumbaa to stop farting. It feels childish and cheesy and it ruins the darker tone of this episode for me. This is Ono's first song in the series and he deserved much better than this. It's a waste of his character and a waste of Timon and Pumbaa. This song was purely targeted at kids. I feel like this is a perfect example of why the Lion Guard should've been made for an older audience all along. Adults will likely get annoyed by this, but this is a child's show after all. But, this song is a big middle finger to the A-Plot. The only thing I found kinda funny This song is literally made to pad the runtime. It's the worst song in Season 1, 0/10.
  • I know I gave the writers praise for giving Kiara a role in this episode, but, it still begs the question, where on Earth are the lionesses in Simba's pride gone? Are you telling me every single one of them went on a hunt while the kids are in Pride Rock? I mean, I know lions are pride hunters, but, I feel like they wouldn't all be gone at the exact time for the same length of time. I know this is kid's show and they had to make the Lion Guard and Kiara be the main focus, but, why do the lionesses just seem to disappear whenever this series demands it?
  • Let's talk about Pim the hyrax. I don't like him, in this episode at least. He's essentially a plot device that's used to as a cheap way to add an obstacle in the heroes' way and the pad the runtime without even trying. I feel like time could've been better spent with the Lion Guard trying to brainstorm ways to get Makuu to leave Big Springs and, by the end, the hyrax just doesn't add an obstacle in the way of Kion using the Roar. I would've liked if they had something more exciting in this episode. I think forcing in another scene with him takes away from the A-Plot of the episode and it reminds us too much of the stink subplot.
  • Also, why is Ono even trying to make Bunga stink-free when he's a honey badger for crying out loud? Honey badgers are supposed to have stink sap in order to scare predators away, it's in their nature. Also, if he used his stink spray in the pilot episode to save Kiara, then that means he's not required to change his smell just because he's a member of the Lion Guard. Plus, another thing I don't like about this is the fact that it doesn't complement Ono's character very much and the fact that Bunga not being able to scare Pim away makes the entire B-Plot pointless.

Overall

So, as you can see from my review, this episode is not perfect nor do I think it's as good as the very next episode and it has its problems. I still think it's a good episode and it was still an awesome transition from the pilot episode and a good way to introduce Season 1. I still consider it a strong contender for one of the best episodes of the series. I loved all the A-Plot of this episode ever since I was a kid. I imagine a kid aged between 6 and 13 would get invested so easily. I really like how it's a bit more of dark episode and the story is quite mature for a Disney Jr. series. I love the expansive lore and the worldbuilding, it really fits in with the Lion King-verse, in my opinion. We get to learn a bit about Pride Lands politics and the fact that every animal has their own customs, and we learn about the crocodiles in the Pride Lands. I love all the new characters, like Basi, Pua and Makuu. Blair Underwood's voice is just flawless, in my opinion. Makuu is such an awesome villain. I love the Mashindano sequence so much and Kion's plight throughout the episode about how to handle Makuu is quite serious for a kid's show. I really like the educational value, like the symbiotic relationships for example. Unfortunately, negative points for the horrible B-Plot of the episode. Easily the weakest subplot in Season 1. It highlights the problem of making a show for younger viewers. This episode wants to engage with older Lion King fans, but also encourage kids to take baths in a childish and silly kind of way. I can admire that, but, it does nothing to compliment the episode and just takes away from it, in my opinion. The song was just cringe and childish. Ono's character was completely wasted. Bunga, Timon and Pumbaa had nothing to do, and Simba and Nala were also a little underused. But, just for the worldbuilding elements and exciting action sequences and the lesson, I'll give it an 8/10, the pros still manage to outweigh the cons.

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