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Episode Discussion / Discuss: Escape from the Mysterious Beyond
« on: March 17, 2007, 07:25:52 PM »
Indications that "Cave of Many Voices" was intended to be the first episode of the series:
1.) The very first opening scene shows us dinosaurs that do not have anything to do with the plot. This is a common plot device (a character foil) that introduces us to the world before the characters are introduced. For example, in Disney's Dinosaur (the movie about Aladar) the opening scene is about a baby Parasolophus, which is then not seen again until the very end of the movie. It's a common trick to open a story with character(s) who are not pertenant, and then to show the important characters. Like the original Land Before time, which showed the small water lizard during the credits.
2.) After the opening scene with the dinosaurs that don't have anythign to do with the show, we are then shown the seven children one at a time as they observe the rain. This is obviously meant to be an introduction to each character, showing us their current family situation and also introduces their personalities.
3.) Ruby mentions Red Claw and the reasons why she and Chomper are in the valley, and also that the adults let them stay there. This is important because it introduces the main villain, and also tells the audience why they are in the valley and are now main characters (since last we knew from the movies, they were not).
4.) This episode focuses on Chomper and Ruby a lot. Ruby saves Ducky's treestars and helps her talk big. Chomper is the one who pushes to find a new cave. This is to be expected, that a first episode would focus on the newest characters.
5.) We are introduced to Red Claw and his fast biters in this episode. Red Claw is not in EVERY episode, but he was in this one. It would make sense that they would show us the main villains in the first episode.
6.) Petire mentions to Chomper the 'stinkly buzzers' which he can eat, which tells viewers right away what Chomper eats in the valley. This is an important question to get out of the way, since viewers would wonder what Chomper eats living here with leaf eaters. (We also see Ruby eating the clam thing earlier, so that answers that question as well.)
7.) This episode is a complete story, and doesn't introduce other sub-characters. There are some episodes that leave questions at the end, such as the one with Ali and Rhette (leaving us to wonder, will they still be here next episode? What will become of them?) Episodes like that one bring in sub-characters. Ali and Rhette, also Saur the Story Speaker, etc. These are characters that are meant to only be in one episode, used as a plot foil. There are no characters like that in "Cave of Many Voices," since it would be too confusing to introduce sub-characters when they are working on introducing their main characters.
Of course, these points woudn't necessarily mean much by themselves, but all together it is obvious that this was intended to be the first episode.
Like I said, as a writer, I can recognize these things. I've graduated college with a degree in writing and I now do freelance editing work and also work in a publishing press. I've had a lot of experience with writing, and plots in general. These are things I can see very obviously. I'm sure it's common sense to other people as well. DarkHouhoumon and I have talked about this episode on AIM and she agrees with my points that these are indications of it being a first episode, meant to introduce the series.
1.) The very first opening scene shows us dinosaurs that do not have anything to do with the plot. This is a common plot device (a character foil) that introduces us to the world before the characters are introduced. For example, in Disney's Dinosaur (the movie about Aladar) the opening scene is about a baby Parasolophus, which is then not seen again until the very end of the movie. It's a common trick to open a story with character(s) who are not pertenant, and then to show the important characters. Like the original Land Before time, which showed the small water lizard during the credits.
2.) After the opening scene with the dinosaurs that don't have anythign to do with the show, we are then shown the seven children one at a time as they observe the rain. This is obviously meant to be an introduction to each character, showing us their current family situation and also introduces their personalities.
3.) Ruby mentions Red Claw and the reasons why she and Chomper are in the valley, and also that the adults let them stay there. This is important because it introduces the main villain, and also tells the audience why they are in the valley and are now main characters (since last we knew from the movies, they were not).
4.) This episode focuses on Chomper and Ruby a lot. Ruby saves Ducky's treestars and helps her talk big. Chomper is the one who pushes to find a new cave. This is to be expected, that a first episode would focus on the newest characters.
5.) We are introduced to Red Claw and his fast biters in this episode. Red Claw is not in EVERY episode, but he was in this one. It would make sense that they would show us the main villains in the first episode.
6.) Petire mentions to Chomper the 'stinkly buzzers' which he can eat, which tells viewers right away what Chomper eats in the valley. This is an important question to get out of the way, since viewers would wonder what Chomper eats living here with leaf eaters. (We also see Ruby eating the clam thing earlier, so that answers that question as well.)
7.) This episode is a complete story, and doesn't introduce other sub-characters. There are some episodes that leave questions at the end, such as the one with Ali and Rhette (leaving us to wonder, will they still be here next episode? What will become of them?) Episodes like that one bring in sub-characters. Ali and Rhette, also Saur the Story Speaker, etc. These are characters that are meant to only be in one episode, used as a plot foil. There are no characters like that in "Cave of Many Voices," since it would be too confusing to introduce sub-characters when they are working on introducing their main characters.
Of course, these points woudn't necessarily mean much by themselves, but all together it is obvious that this was intended to be the first episode.
Like I said, as a writer, I can recognize these things. I've graduated college with a degree in writing and I now do freelance editing work and also work in a publishing press. I've had a lot of experience with writing, and plots in general. These are things I can see very obviously. I'm sure it's common sense to other people as well. DarkHouhoumon and I have talked about this episode on AIM and she agrees with my points that these are indications of it being a first episode, meant to introduce the series.
I'm proud of Bump's expression, like nothing ever really bothers him. B) 
(Not complaining, just excited for new material!)