I liked the episode overall. A few points of interest did stand out to me though. For one thing, Ruby said, “I was told that Sharpteeth tell their kids this story to scare them.” Okay, let’s look at that. I highly doubt it was Chomper who told her that. If it was, surely she would have given credit to him. “Chomper told me that Sharpteeth tell their kids this story to scare them,” is what she likely would have said if it was told from him.
Chomper made no motion when she said this. If Ruby was told by Chomper, he likely would have done something like wink to her or smile. Sure, that’s only a weak theory. I mean, it is possible for someone to say something originally then when a friend repeats it, do nothing. But try this evidence on for size: During Ruby’s story, Chomper gasps. If Chomper was the one who told Ruby about the story, he would have no reason to gasp, having already known the outcome. Also, he asked Ruby a couple of questions about the story. If Ruby heard it from, he would have had nothing to ask about.
So here is the point I am getting at. How did Ruby come by a story told by Sharpteeth that Chomper didn’t know? I could be way off, but is there perhaps another Sharptooth that Ruby knows who speaks leaf eater that told her this? The Earth is huge. It could be easily possible that Chomper isn’t the only bilingual in existence. Anyway, that’s one point for you guys to chew on.
One minor thing I found amusing was, Ruby said, “But you know who knows closer to everything than me? Mr. Thicknose.” That is ironic, as in a later episode, “The Mysterious Tooth Crisis,” Ruby knows something important that Mr. Thicknose doesn’t. Mr. Thicknose is only known to have left the Great Valley once, in movie eight. It is doubtful that he’s left again. With Ruby’s experience in the Mysterious Beyond, I’ll bet that she knows an Apatosaurus load more than Mr. Thicknose does. Mr. Thicknose is old so knows the wisdom that comes with years, but Ruby has been around and seen a lot more than he has.
Okay, here is something that made me raise a brow. Petrie insists that he saw Hidden Runner, not in a sleep story, but for real. Then when Mr. Thicknose says, “So, Hidden Runner is back, eh?” Petrie is shocked to hear it. Huh? You lost me Petrie. Why did you insist that you saw someone, then gasp in shock to hear he’s back? “Hey mom, I saw Josh walking down the road.” “So, Josh is already home from his vacation, eh?” “What!? Josh is back from his vacation?” Do you all see the absurdity in that? What, did Petrie think he himself was lying? When he insisted seeing Hidden Runner, did he not believe himself? I don’t know what further to say. Petrie insists on seeing someone, then is shocked after hearing the guy is back. Oookaaaay. I think you’ve been eating too many berries, kid.
Next, I may be missing something, well actually, for the story’s sake I hope that I am, but in case I’m not, let me share point of interest number four. Mr. Thicknose started believing that Hidden Runner was back after talking to the kids, then decided to go on a journey to find him near some dark caves. Ruby told Mr. Thicknose that she was telling stories about Hidden Runner to the others. I’m sure that that would not make Mr. Thicknose believe Hidden Runner was back. So, what must have convinced him was Petrie saying that he saw the Hidden Runner. Now, Petrie was nowhere near these “dark caves on a hill” Mr. Thicknose mentions, so Petrie’s claim to have seen the Hidden Runner was local, elsewhere. So let me get this straight. Mr. Thicknose hears a while back that the Hidden Runner is by some caves, and now that Petrie has supposedly seen the Hidden Runner nearby, the Hidden Runner must be at the caves and not nearby? Apparently when you hear about someone’s whereabouts, the guy is actually at the second to last place you hear about him. News to me.
I hope I misunderstood something and that really does make sense. If not, writers, seriously? Are you even trying? “Dad! I just saw Jeremy by our barn!” “Thank you for telling me, sweetheart. I heard yesterday that Jeremy was seen at the bar, so I’ll go look for him at the bar tonight.” “But dad, I just said I saw him by the barn.” “I know, but it wouldn’t be much of an adventure to go looking around the barn. If I go looking for him at the bar, some really exciting stuff may happen.” “Dad, are you drunk?” “Maybe…”
Next! I am having my doubts that the writers have a college-level understanding of English. Some high schoolers may get away with it, but at college, this is a big no no: pronoun inconsistency, and we got it big time here. Listen to the song “Hidden Runner.” They always refer to the character as “it.” Now, listen how they speak after the song. They refer to the Hidden Runner as “he.” Then towards the end, they start using “it” again. Is Hidden Runner a male or neuter? Surely we members know it’s a guy, but for the sake of the little children who watch this, make up your stinking minds about the pronoun! I mean, gosh. “I want to play with my friend mommy.” “Sure. How is she?” “Oh, he is fine.” “Would you like it to come over?” “Oh, are they really allowed to?” “Of course. Both are always welcome.” See how confusing it can be if you don’t get your grammar right? Either hire a new editor or give your old one fifty lashings at the punishment post. End of discussion.
Well, that sums up my points of interest. Sure, they were mostly negative, but the positives of this episode have already been nicely addressed. I’m The Friendly Sharptooth. I tear apart The Land Before Time so you don’t have to! /Gets out of chair
