Gone

Beastmaster Episode Review

In which someone thought they were being clever but really weren't.

What Happened

Dar saves "Tasmanian" tiger from being hunted by a man named Kaleb, who blames the beast for the deaths of his wife and children. Even though Dar goes out of his way to keep both Kaleb and the "Tasmanian" tiger from getting hurt, Kaleb insists on getting them all in trouble with King Voden.

With some help from Arina, Voden is capturing animals in the hopes of luring Dar to their rescue. He finally captures Dar, who rejects Voden's offer of an alliance. You know... Dar just doesn't want to help Voden take over the world with the help of his animal friends.

Kaleb finally twigs to the fact that Voden's Nords slaughtered his family and helps Dar free the "Tasmanian" tiger. Then, he and the "Tasmanian" tiger wander away together, each the last of their kind.

What We Learned

• Dar talks to animals, birds, and sometimes a few humans.
• Regretting your stupidity all too late, it's a common trait in humans.
• Tao's father was a carver; he doesn't know what happened to him, but carries a wooden figurine he made for remembrance.
• Dar's staff was passed through generations. The history of his people is written on it.
• What you do returns to haunt you.
• Tao understands that he isn't really as useful as a pair of ferrets.
• Arina vowed vengeance against Zad, but now understands that she is bound to "a greater evil," in Voden.
• Dar doesn't have pets. (Except for Tao.)

What I Couldn't Figure Out

• How can the animal be a "Tasmanian" tiger? This is a fantasy world. Tasmania is a place on Earth. Named for a real live (well, now he's dead) guy named Tasman.

What Did I Think?

I can see that the "Tasmanian" Tiger would die out and become extinct, but couldn't Kaleb go find another wife? Was he non-human or just from yet another slaughtered tribe? Let's face it, if he and his wife and his kids had been the last of a species, they would be extinct in a generation anyway, wouldn't they? That's not to say he can't be sad about his family, but this whole lone survivor last of his kind thing just sets my teeth on edge. Melodrama much?