So, I have now officially seen EVERY episode of Dink, the Little Dinosaur that ever aired. What's my final verdict? In the end, it was a good show. In fact, I feel that it could have gone another season. It was definitely good enough.
I'm just trying to figure out what it was that made this go off the air so soon. There's several factors here that I'm probably overlooking. It might have to do with the time slot. Something that aired on other channels. Maybe the kind of shows that were coming on at the time. I really don't know here.
However, I think a key thing in it all is the lack of new episodes. I did point out that there were only 42 episodes. Here's the "but", though. Each episode is just over 10 minutes long. Some did reach close to the 11 minute mark, but even then, it was obvious they were just trying to wrap everything up. This was forcing them to put 2 episodes into each time slot. They only ended up doing 26 episodes for the first season, resulting in massive amounts of reruns.
Then there were only 16 episodes for the second season. This resulted in even more reruns and this caused a massive problem. Reruns are only a good idea if not used that much. The lack of new episodes and the inability to make them longer seems to be a big cause in the show's downfall. Both factors can render the thought that the creator's aren't being creative. That they aren't putting much thought into them. This can make you lose your audience in the end.
In the end though, Dink, the Little Dinosaur did have the potential to go another season. The creators did one key thing that all of the grand shows of the 90's did back then. They took risks.
I'm talking fatal injuries, having evil villains that don't need to be evil to be scary but are anyways, suspense to the maximum amount for the plot and, the one thing I feel that has been cheapened the most with kid's shows of today, bringing the love factor to the max.
That's another thing I miss with today's shows. The shows back then used the love factor to the max that was allowed with kid's shows back then. (Basically, there being a complete confession of love and a highly possible kissing scene.) They showed that love was a normal and beautiful thing to experience in life. Some did joke with it, but there was no doubt of how far they went with it all back then.
Today, love is cheapened to the point where it just doesn't exist in kid's shows. That the thought that you really, really like someone is presented and not that you LOVE them. Any chance of two characters being in love is only a fantasy and only happens in the world of fanfiction.
They don't cheapen it with Dink, the Little Dinosaur. I've already pointed out the episode where Shyler is in love and he tries to impress the girl with an earlier post. Then there's the joke where Dink's nose gets hurt and Amber says, "Aw! Do you want me to kiss it better?" And he practically shouts "NO!". Old love that never died. (Crusty and Buttercup, anyone?) There being the concept of boyfriend and girlfriend. Also, they even used the term "mate" in one episode.
To be honest, I've never seen a kid's show use that term. Dink, the Little Dinosaur could very well be the only one that does. Even if it's just for one episode, it's there.
Also, in the final episode, they used an actual kiss on the cheek. I'm talking full on lips touching the cheek with that old familiar sound of a kiss happening. I miss hearing that. I really do.
Anyways, the fact that they were willing to take risks shows that it had real potential. It could have gone further if the creators were willing.
To be honest, I'm rather satisfied with where the show ended. Sure I'm sad that it ended as soon as it did, but it goes to show that this was a good show. It's a lost gem that was never given a real chance.
That just saddens me in the end. It really does. -_-
