TUG to the Cartoons of the 80’s Episode Guide: Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light

Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light
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Episode 1: The Age of Magic Begins

Air Date: September 20, 1987
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: Leoric, Ectar, Feryl, Cryotek, Witterquick, Arzon, Galadria
Darkling Lords: Darkstorm, Reekon, Mortdredd, Cindarr, Cravex, Lexor, Virulina
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Bearer of Knowledge
Others: News Reporter (Virulina), Pilot (Ectar), Worker (Cindarr)

Synopsis:
During the intro we learn that the planet Prismos contained a civilization that lived lives of comfort and ease thanks to their mastery of science and technology. After 7000 years an alignment of the three suns of Prismos brought an end to that age. Once all of the electrical energy had been depleted an age of Magic began although years passed before men would believe it. In the meantime civilization had become more primitive. Darkstorm led one faction while Leoric led another as both searched for an advantage.

At one point an ancient wizard Merklyn appeared before Darkstorm telling him of the Age of Magic and the powers he had access to. Darkstorm mocked him and ignored him so he went to Leoric with the same pitch. Leoric took him up on the offer and Mortdredd overheard their plans

Merklyn let all of the assembled knights know that anyone who could scale the mountain, survive the traps and obstacles and reach his shrine shall be rewarded with magical powers beyond their dreams

The adventure up the mountain begins as the knight face a series of obstacles and perils. Some knights give up and others don’t survive

At one point a number of knights are hung out to dry and Darkstorm sees them. He offers to cut them down if they pledge allegiance to him, which they all do.

As the Spectral Knights and Darkling Lords meet up in battle, Merklynn tells them they have reached the shrine.  He assigns each of them an animal totem due to skills they displayed during the journey. He also explains to the 8 with staffs that their staff’s contain extra magical powers. However with every use their power will drain and they will need to reload in the shrine. He does mention that those without staffs will find other powers that they hold.

The end of the episode sees Arzon being tricked by Virulina but leaves on a cliffhanger.

Grade: 4.5/5

Episode 2: The Dark Hand of Treachery

Air Date: September 27, 1987
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters:Bearer of Knowledge, Owl of Wisdom,
Others: Knight, Guard, Villager 1, Villager 2

Synopsis:
We pick up with the fight between Arzon and Virulina. All of the darkling lords join her and Cravex is able to capture Arzon using their animal totems. Darkstorm thinks he will run out of sturdy metals for shackles and chains and so he sends Reekon and Mortdredd to find more while the rest of the lords reconvene in the war room.

There the two fight over the loyalty to Darkstorm and the fact that they don’t have staffs. They accidentally trigger a ship that somehow has power. They fly it back to the war room of the Darkling Lords. They allude to the fact that this may be their power that Merklynn alluded to. They crash into the building and Darkstorm tries to pilot it with no success. They learn that only Mortdredd and Reekon can make the machines work.

They use the ship to attack Witterquick. Witterquick runs out of power from his staff and is captured by the Lords just as Arzon was.

Next they focus their effors on Cryotek and Galadria. They outnumber them but Cryotek fights them off while Galadria jumps into the icy water. Darkstorm sends Virulina after her but she does not succeed. The Lords capture Cryotek. Virulina is scolded and mocked by the Lords as she returns empty handed.

Galadria comes back to the Spectral Knights and let’s them know what has happened. Leoric summons his staff and the Owl says “Become one with the Circle of Light” but the Knights cannot deciper the meaning.

The Darkling Lords attack New Valoric and use Cindarr’s staff and totem. Cindarr stops to save a cat though. The Lords capture Leoric and Feryl but Leoric throws his staff to Ectar right before being caught but Ectar gets caught shortly thereafter.  They end up with all of the knights, they put Feryl into a machine and steal his totem before throwing them all down into his dungeon.

Then Darkstorm addresses the planet. He tells them all to pledge to him. When one villager defies him he uses his staff to turn him old. They crowd pledges their loyalty and he returns the man to his youth. In the dungeon Leoric claims to have figured out the riddle of his staff and asks the knights to pledge to each other as the sacred order of the Spectral Knights and let their lights shine together. Just as they do this, Lexor unleashes water into their cell washing them away as the episode concludes. 

Grade: 4/5

Episode 3: Quest for the Dragon’s Eye

Air Date: October 4, 1987
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Bearer of Knowledge, Falkhama
Others: Main Guard, Guard 1, Guard 2, Guard 3, Guard 4, Guard 5, Farmer, Farmer 2, Farmer 3, Farmer 4, Farmer’s Wife

Synopsis:

The episode picks up where the last one left off after a quick recap of the prevoius episode. 

We begin with the Darkling Lords discussing their next steps and how they will split the booty. Reekon and Darkstorm argue over how it should be split. Cravex looses control and beats them all up out of rage.

Meanwhile, Arzon turns into an Eagle and flies Leoric out of the watery doom that they found themselves in. Once outside the guards sound the alarm on the escaped prisoners.  They are able to get past the guards and free the remaining Knights.

In the ensuing battle between the Darkling Lords and Spectral Knights the Knights discover that Ectar and Feryl can also pilot vehicles. The Knights use this new knowledge to capture all of the Darkling Lords.

However, Merklynn gives them a key to help them escape. Darkstorm decides to save the key until they truly need it and the Lords find themselves in shackles making traffic signs in a weird twist of good guy/bad guy roles.

The Knights come across a group of farmers complaining that none of their crops will grow. They vow to find a solution and head out to Marklynn for advice or magic. Unbenknownst to them Darkstorm has used his key which transported the lords to Merklynn’s tower. A fight ensues in which the lords retrieve their staffs. They all appear before Merklynn who tells them there is no fighting in the shrine. He tells them if they want more magic they need to find the Dragon’s Eye but that they can dip their staffs in the water to replenish their magic one last time. He gives the Knights a map and they leave. The Lords remain and attack Merklynn. Their attempts are futile and Merklynn tells them to get him the dragon’s eye.

The Dragon’s eye is being held by Falkhama who sits in a techno dragon. The Bearer of Knowledge tells them that Falkhama was in the same circle as Merklynn. They are able to obtain the Dragon’s eye and the Lords capture Falkhama. The knights use the dragons eye as a bargaining chip with Merklynn telling him that they know without it his magic pool will dry up. Merklynn agrees to use magic to help the townsfolk and the Knights are able to fulfill their promise. Meanwhile the Lords take Falkhama into captivity in case he can be of use later.

Grade: 3.5/5

Episode 4: The Price of Freedom

Air Date: November 8, 1987
Writer(s): Douglas Booth
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: None
Others: Orzan, Belizar, Marna, Roan, Robot Slave (Male), Robot Slave (Female)

Synopsis:

We begin with Reekon and Mortdredd driving back to Darkstorm when they comes across a villager who pleads for their help. Reekon asks the villager to show them his city (The Lost City of Kamir) and attempts to get them to pledge their allegiance to him. Mortdredd tells him Darkstorm is who they should pledge to and leaves in the ‘Dagger Dart’ to get Darkstorm. Meanwhile Feryl and Arzon have been tracking them in the ‘Capture Chariot’ to see what they are up to.

Reekon spots the Spectral knights and convinces the people of Kamir to attack them. As they do Darkstorm arrives to help. They do some damage to the Capture Chariot but Feryl and Arzon are able to get away. Meanwhile the people of Kamir pose as needy villagers and gain access to New Valeric.

The villagers allow the Darkling Lords to breach the walls and a skirmish ensues which results in the Spectral Knights all being captured and their power staffs and totems removed. Darkstorm announces a tournament for the vacant power staffs. Marna who has been skepitcal most of the episode sees the last Spectral Knights give up his freedom for his friends and she decides to help them gain back their freedom.

Virulina beats Lexor in the first round of the tournament. Craves and Mortdredd face-off in the next battle with Cravex getting the upperhand easily. At that point the Knights emerge and battle the Lords after they have gained their powers back.

In the end the Knights get the victory due to the help of the Kamir citizens who denounce slavery once and for all.

(Dagger Assault)

Grade: 3/5

Episode 5: Feryl Steps Out

Air Date: October 11, 1987
Writer(s): Buzz Dixon
Characters:
Spectral Knights: Leoric, Feryl, Arzon & Galadria
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Owl of Wisdom
Others: Pirate Captain, Pirate 1, Pirate 2

Synopsis:

The episode begins with some rogue pirates raiding a nearby village. Leoric and Feryl come to the rescue but Feryl runs his vehicle into a rock and is all up in his feelings that Leoric is the hero and he is not. Back at HQ, Galadria and Arzon try to console him. Virulina overhears and reports back to Darkstorm. Feryl goes to a local bar and closes it down (crazy in a cartoon). Darkstorm tries to get Feryl to join him but Feryl refuses and a fist fight commences between Feryl and Mortdredd. Feryl escapes but Darkstorm and Mortdred get on the Sky Claw to give chase. Darkstorm enlists Cravex to use his fear magic to entice Leoric away from his castle. The darkling lords capture Leoric and take his magic away. Feryl discovers that Leoric is captured and takes action. Darkstorm takes Leoric to what can only be described as a torture room. Feryl infiltrates and tries to free Leoric but is confronted by Mortdred. Feryl gets the best of him but not before Mortdred sounds the alarm for the rest of the Darkling Lords. Feryl and Leoric get to the vehicle to regain Leoric’s power, while that is happening Feryl has to hold them all off on his own to buy Leoric time.  Cindarr unleashes his totem which causes havoc to the entire castle. Together Feryl and Leoric get the best of the evil team and make their escape.

Grade: 3/5

Episode 6: Lion Hunt

Air Date: October 18, 1987
Writer(s): Buzz Dixon
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Fletchen
Others: Heskedor, Gleering, Villager 1, Villager 2

Synopsis:

Darkstorm and company go to the tower to recharge their staffs. Merklynn asks them to go on a quest in exchange and they refuse. They seek out the witch Heskedor to help them instead. Darkstorm mentions an ancient book of spells in which Heskedor is mentioned and she agrees to help him out. She points out a spell that can trap a Spectral Knight in their animal form forever. The trick is getting the potion close enough to him to use it. Darkstorm concocts a plan to trick the peasants of a nearby village by disguising one of their vehicles as an evil monster. The villagers call on Leoric and the Spectral Knights to help them as Darkstorm expected. Leoric immediately gives in to the request from the beautiful peasant girl.

Leoric is trapped by the Dark Lords and turns into his lion form to combat them. Darkstorm pours the potion on him and he turns the color red and is trapped as a lion. The villagers take him for a monster as well and attack him causing him to run off. Darkstorm tells the villagers that Leoric has died but that he can save them from the monster. Fletchen, the peasant daughter travels to the Spectral Knights to let them know of Leoric’s death.

Meanwhile, Fletchen is cornered by the lion who uses his claws to scratch Leoric’s name into the rock. She tried to warn the villagers but they attack him (even with her standing right next to him). Leoric runs off to be ensnared in one of the Spectral Knights traps. They are about to destroy the Lion to avenge Leoric’s death when Fletchen stops them. They enlish Witterquick to get to Heskedor in time to get an antedote and cure Leoric.

Witterquick returns just in the nick of time to cure Leoric and send the Darklords into retreat.

Grade: 4/5

Episode 7: The Overthrow of Merklynn

Air Date: October 25, 1987
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Falkhama, Bogavas, Weazaskweaza
Others: Citizen, Lawyer, Apocalipse

Synopsis:

Darkstorm and Mortdredd are discussing how much Darkstorm hates having to rely on Merklynn for anything. As they discuss they remember Falkhama, a wizard they captured a while back, as having mentioned knowing something about Merklynn’s weakness. They decide to bring him up from the dungeon where he was developing stage shows with the vermin that crawls through the dungeons, to help them out.

Falkhama tells them they need a book called the Omnipotecron in order to achieve their goals. He also tells them they need to get Merklynn from his shrine in order to get his orb as well. Once they retreive the book, which was being guarded by a sick dragon, Falkhama says they need Wizard’s bane as well. Armed with this, they trick the Spectral Knights into capturing them. When Merklynn appears to free the Darkling Lords, Darkstorm presents the Wizard’s Bane which takes Merkylnn by surprise. He uses it to free Merklynn and then Falkhama as well. With the Orb he banishes them to the wizard’s jail.

Darkstorm uses the book and his new found magical powers to punish some of the darkling lords for their lack of loyalty. He then casts a spell that he admittedly doesn’t know the effects of and it triggers an apocalyptic series of plagues. Somehow the frozen darkling lords become unfrozen and rejoin the group. The spell on the spectral knights stays intact though.

Eventually the Darkling Lords travel to the Wizard’s jail in order to get help to stop the eventual darkness. Merklynn let’s them know that the wizard’s have a fail safe which causes regular people to return the orb in these situations, which is exactly what Darkstorm has done. He tells him that he will no longer ever help him be free from imprisonent and chides him for letting all of the other wizards go free. He undoes the destruction and reverts everything back to how it had been.

Grade: 4/5

Episode 8: The Power of the Wise

Air Date: November 1, 1987
Writer(s): Doug Booth
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Bearer of Knowledge, Owl of Wisdom
Others: None

Synopsis:

The Spectral Knights are discussing which Darkling Lord powers they most fear. Leoric brings up Darkstorm’s power of decay and turning people old. Merklynn appears and call out their fear of turning old. He take the roots they have gathered and disappears. They summon the Bearer of Knowledge to ask him how they can avoid old age. He tells them of an enternal source of water signalled by rainbow flowers and on Shadown Mountain. Reekon has been listening in the whole time and goes back to report.

The Darkling Lords attack the Spectral Knights and in the end Darkstorm hits Leoric with his Power of Decay turining Leoric into a weak and trembling old man. They then set out to destroy the eternal spring.

They give the Spectral Knights a diversion by making a monster fear for his child’s safety. Meanwhile they destroy the spring water. The Spectral Knights are defeated by they are able to spot another rainbow flower in the distance and go to investigate a potential second water source.

The Darkling Lords and Spectral Knights fight and eventually get the better hand and force Darkstorm to use his magic to turn Leoric back to his normal age. The Spectral Knights present a little of the water to Merklynn who uses it to teach them another life lesson.

Grade: 3.5 /5

Episode 9: Horn of Unicorn, Claw of Dragon

Air Date: November 15, 1987
Writer(s): Buzz Dixon
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Fletchen
Others: Wood Nymph 1 (Melody), Wood Nymph 2, Wood Nymph 3

Synopsis:

While at their headquarters, Cryotek mysteriously faints and the Spectral Knights rush to give him aid. Fletchen, the peasant girl tries some of her herbal remedies to no avail and the knights decide to seek out Merklynn. On their way out Feryl passes out as well. By Cryotek’s side, Galadria does the same.

Leoric calls upon the bearer of knowledge for help, but that does not work either. They pick up on the fact that this is only affecting holders of magic. Leoric gets Arzon and Witterquick before they get to the fortress and orders them to go to Iron Mountain to seek help from Merklynn.

When the knights reach the mountain they observe Lexor and Cindar already there pleading with Merklynn. Merklynn stops their infighting and educates the foursome on what they need to break the spell. Cindarr and Lexor go after the Unicorn Horn while the two Spectral Knights are tasked with the Dragon Claw.

The Darkling Lords encounter a trio of wood nymphs who ultimately give Cindar a flute made of a unicorn horn after he saved a unicorn baby. The Spectral knights help a dragon who helps them obtain a claw as well.

Grade: 3.5/5

Episode 10: The Trail of Three Wizards

Air Date: November 22, 1987
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters:Merklynn, Falkhama, Bogavas, Weazaskweaza
Others: Dwarf Pick Pocket, Anarchy Zone Citizen 1, Anarchy Zone Citizen 2, Benny the Con, Barkeep, Magic Eater

Synopsis:

Picking up where Episode 9 leaves off, Merklynn expresses concern over three of the Wizard’s that escaped the Wizard’s jail. Leoic with terrible foresight declines Merklynn’s request, stating that he doesn’t want to risk his men on a Wizard’s hunt and because at that exact moment, they were not in need of having their staff’s charged or any assistance from him. Merklynn convinces Leoric to change his mind and the Knights head out to find the three wizards.

Merklynn, identifies, Falkhama who has already brought him trouble multiple times in the prior episodes, Wizasquizar (Weezer Squeezer) who cannot tell the truth, and Bogavas, who he says he has never observed doing anything evil but that they must make sure that NONE of the wizards reach the Lost Shrine.

They begin their voyage in the Anarchy Zone but find little trouble in rounding up each of the three wizards. However, when they attempt to leave they are ambushed by the Darkling Lords. They let Wizasquizar go to distract the villains and summon magic to transport themselves and the other 2 wizards while the Darkling Lords convince the lying wizard to lead them to the Lost Shrine. Merklynn banishes Falkhama back to the Wizard’s jail but then tests Bogavas and finds him to be honest. He charges the Knights to track down the final wizard.

The Knights and Lords meet up at the Lost Shrine which resembles an old zoo. The defenses are triggered and these rock like monsters quickly apprehend each member of both sides as soon as they turn to animal form. Leoric summons his staff and learns that he needs to stay in human form to evade capture.

Wizasquizar beats Leoric to the throne but Leoric uses his whip to destroy the orb which ends the magic of the shrine. Merklynn banishes the final wizard to the Wizard’s Jail. He kicks the darkilng lords out of the mountain and attempts to reward the Knights with gold but they decline. They do inquire about Bogavas to which Merklynn claims he may have been powerful enough to trick his test and if so he would be a dangerous wizard in deed.

Grade: 4.5/5

Episode 11: Sorcery Squared

Air Date: December 6, 1987
Writer(s): Doug Booth
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn
Others: Village Elder

Synopsis:

Arzon asks Cryotek and Feryl to help him remove some melted beams that are encroaching on an Eagles nesting zone. While doing this the three Knights are attacked by some of the Darkling Lords and Cryotek is captured. As they attempt to take away his magic, he opens the door enough to pull Cravex in during the process.

Cryotek becomes overwhelmed with both his and Cravex’s magical powers and is having a personality clash as the two take turns holding sway over his body. The Darkling Lords and Spectral Knights somewhat work together to try to get the Phylot totem out of Cryotek. Before they can capture him though he uses his magic to be taken to Merklynn. Before Merklynn can help him he turns back to his evil self and sets off for revenge against Darkstorm.

Eventually the Knights are able to get him back into the magical dungeon where they remove the Phylot totem for him. They use the dagger assault vehicle to lay waste to Darkstorm’s castle and sink the vehicle. Galadria lets Cryotek know that he never needed to be the life of the party, they all love him for the way he is. The episode ends with a hug and kiss between the two.

Grade: 3/5

Episode 12: Honor Among Thieves

Air Date: November 29, 1987
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn
Others: Dark Bishop, Botanical Society Male 1, Bontanical Society Male 2, Botanical Society Male 3, Botanical Society Female 1, Botanical Society Female 2, Terrible Bird, Meateous Chompti, Guard 1, Guard 2, Tour Guide, Rassius Dubrow, Butcher

Synopsis:

The episode opens with Merklynn presenting the Knights with the Crystal of Detection which the group is skeptical of, as it seems like a bribe. He informs them that it is not a jewel but a burgler alarm and they reluctantly accept.

The crystal is successful in alerting them to both a jewel thief and a Darkling Lord venture. Ectar is still skeptical of it as he shares a story of  Reekon developing a security measure and using it to steal thing in Old Valeric before the cataclsym. Even so, the citizens protest that the security budget be cut in favor of a new botanical gardens.

Due to the fact that the Knights told the Lords that they were on to them because of the Crystal of Detection, Darkstorm was able to look up information on the crystal and discover that the cloak of concealment can be used to counter it. They find the cloak thanks to a Bird that leads them to a Venus Fly Trap. Reekon uses the cloack to get the crystal and evade Ectar. He is abel to tear a piece of the cloak though and the Knights convince the Botanical Garden posse to let them know where the cloak came from. Ectar sets out to confront Reekon and get the Crystal back.

Arzon accompanies Ectar to the home of the Darkling Lords and togehter they are able to retrieve the crystal. Ectar and Reekon are presented with a chance to battle each other but call it a draw and each go their separate ways (Honor among thieves). They Knights return the useless crystal to Merklynn and he tries to make amends but the Knights turn down all of his offers and tell him to save it until a time they really need him. The Lords are having dinner and bemoaning the fact that the price of meat has gone up and they can’t afford any, they even throw in a ‘where’s the beef’ line of dialogue.

Grade: 2/5

Episode 13: Dawn of the Sun Imps

Air Date: December 13, 1987 
Writer(s): Flint Dille
Characters:
Spectral Knights: All 7
Darkling Lords: All 7
Recurring Characters: Merklynn, Bearer of Knowledge
Others: Abraxas, Gorge, Growl, Knightmare, Mysto, Shaggy, Citizen 1, Citizen 2

Synopsis:

We find Mortdredd and Cravex battling with Arzon and Feryl when they stumble across a tomb that has a warning of a curse written on it. Cravex wants to open it but is out voted by the other 3. They reconvene with Merklynn to gain guidance. He warns them that they would have unleashed the evil Sun Imps had they opened the tomb. Lexor is convinced that Merklynn is trying to keep something from them and tricks Cindarr into unleashing his power which opens the tomb and unleashes the Sun Imps. The Knights summon the bearer of knowledge but the Sun Imps use their powers to control what he says, playing a joke on the Knights and the Lords.

The Sun Imps cause a number of annoyances, one of them, Abraxas,  even visits Merklynn and entraps him with his own spell. Merklynn lets both the Knights and the Lords know that they must capture the Imps in a completely dark container and transport them back to the tomb and seal them in as the Sun is what supplies their power. The two factions work together to eliminate the threat and hunt them down one by one. Cindarr lets Shaggy out for a breath and allows him to escape. He makes him promise not to cause any more mischief and brings them an empty box. When Shaggy goes to release the rest of the Sun Imps, Merklynn closes the door behind him and winks at the camera.

Grade: 3.5/5