criticism of the dungeons and dragons cartoon (spoilers)

[messy]

this thread was to be titled "praise of the dungeons and dragons cartoon."

just a few days ago, i was greatly enjoying the dungeons and dragons cartoon dvd. although some of the episodes were a little weak, there were a few, like "servant of evil" and "the dragon's graveyard" that were outstanding. i loved watching the children develop in ways i never expected from cartoon characters -- they grow, they cry, they fall in love, and they challenge venger, tiamat, and even dungeon master. i even liked uni, and was surprised at how concerned i was whenever she was in danger.

as if the episodes themselves weren't enough, i loved the ending credits music every time i heard it, and seeing "co-producer e. gary gygax" was the cherry on top.

i couldn't wait for the series conclusion, when the children would finally find a way home.

then i watched the last episode, and they didn't find a way home.

not only that, but numerous storylines got no conclusion, like dealing with venger or tiamat, or the revelation that there was more to the relationship between venger and dungeon master than i ever would have guessed.

and my enjoyment of the series is gone.

what a colossal disappointment.

 

[Pseudonym]

I fondly recall the cartoon from my childhood and every now and again get the urge to watch it again, forgetting each time that there is a considerable nostalgia filter I ignore.

 

[jonesy]

Have you yet read the final episode? And I do mean read, because it wasn't produced. Over here:

Final Episode of Dungeons and Dragons

 

[jasper]

true the whole series was disappiontment. I think Thudarr the Barbariani was better.
But I was 19 when the series started so I higher standards for what the series should have been.

 

[Twowolves]

If you are upset because a serial got cancelled without a finale, then get used to disappointment. 99% of shows NEVER get the chance to do a wrap-up episode, always ending on a cliffhanger in hopes that'll get them renewed for another season.

Did Gilligan & Co get home (permenantly, that is)?
Did the 4 travellers on Sliders ever get home?
Did Gargamel ever get to eat those smurfs?

etc etc yadda yadda yadda

 

[Ulrick]

Which version of the DVD collection do you have? In my version, the last DVD has "Requiem" being read aloud as a radio broadcast by some of the people who did the voices for the show.

 

[jonesy]

Did Gargamel ever get to eat those smurfs?

Wait, Gargamel was the hero? I was watching that show the wrong way the entire time. Those smurfing smurfs!

 

[Lord Crimson]

Which version of the DVD collection do you have? In my version, the last DVD has "Requiem" being read aloud as a radio broadcast by some of the people who did the voices for the show.

This is what I was going to ask for the same reasons.

But, as mentioned above, it really isn't a reflection on the show that they didn't get to shoot a "final episode". Most shows don't get that privilege.

And it's not even because they aren't good shows a lot of the time. It's often just because they couldn't keep up ratings that the network wanted, either because of a bad time-slot or stupid network execs (screw you Fox!! I'm still bitter!!) or too high an expectation or just being in competition with a more popular show.

So, yeah. I was disappointed that the kids don't make it back to Earth. But I wasn't disappointed in the show for that. I was just disappointed.

 

[messy]

Have you yet read the final episode? And I do mean read, because it wasn't produced. Over here:

Final Episode of Dungeons and Dragons

wow, thank you for posting that. i feel better now.

 

[Celebrim]

I was and am a big fan of the show, but I share your frustration that it never had time to fully develop any of its story arcs. That it was striving to develop story arcs set it far and away ahead of most of the cartoon fare of the time.

I've often wanted to write my own episodes and endings.

Personally, there are several of the shows themes that I think 'Requiem' does little to address. I understand the limitations reality emposes on the show, but in my fantasy episodes the needs of the network aren't important. While its true that a reoccuring theme show is about the relationship between children and parents, Venger and The Dungeon Master are just one of these relations; my 'finale' would begin with Eric's father being drawn into the Realm, landing in in the Dragon's Graveyard and picking up that Vorpal Sword the children left behind.