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Launchpad’s
First Crash
This is an episode that looks into one of the major
characters in the cast which is always great to see. Long story short, it's Launchpad McQuack. How
he’s so upbeat and loyal to those he serves is almost always a joy to watch, so
anything to learn about him is welcome.
We
learn how he first met Scrooge McDuck in a flashback during a mission where
Launchpad announces to Scrooge that the crash that occurred is his 100th.
I don't know about you, but I think this is an appropriate occasion to reflect on how his crash spree
started. The flashback isn’t
particularly deep though and could just take as easily take place in the present.
The first crash was in a typical fortune hunt
where Scrooge needed a pilot, and Launchpad was all who was available. There’s nothing particularly special about
Scrooge and Launchpad’s first meeting, but that doesn’t mean what happened
isn’t good. In fact, it thrives on the
show’s usual brand of creative adventure crafting and does answer why Scrooge
keeps Launchpad around despite his misfortunes.
For one thing, how they got into their predicament is interesting
through the very strange idea of them flying into the center of the Earth in a
flimsy plane. It’s an exciting scenario
coming from something so dilapidated, but the creativity doesn’t stop
there. Within the center of the Earth is
not endless masses of burning lava, but a civilization of nothing but female
warriors. They think like cavepeople with limited vocabulary and nonsense words
for certain things. They’re desperate to
have males around in their tribe, and when Scrooge and Launchpad landed in
their civilization, they mostly had them perform all the menial chores.
There being no men at all is interesting, and
more importantly, Scrooge and Launchpad’s adventure down there is a great
example of Launchpad’s best qualities.
He may mess up a lot, but during this adventure, his simple ways brought
about interesting off-the-wall solutions to get out of big problems. When the warriors threw them to a squid,
Launchpad handled the escape by feeding it diamond beads he and Scrooge got
earlier. Later, they and a female warrior ended
up in a cave infested by short male warriors who hid there the whole time as
well as big white bats. Launchpad happened to pack something perfect to fend
off the bats, a harmonica played at a high note. It was also in this cave where Scrooge
uncovered a lost city of diamonds he just had to have. Launchpad’s
innocence helped to inspire all the warriors to work together and help Scrooge
get the diamonds out while avoiding even more bats. It also helps that this is what got the male
and female warriors back together after the males insisting they stay and make
their own choices. Launchpad’s good
traits also had a role in managing Scrooge’s greed. It was him who insisted much
of the lost city’s diamonds be let go or they’d be trapped in the center of the
Earth forever.
By the time the flashback
is over, it’s clear that for all his bumbling and crashing, Launchpad is loyal
enough to work as an adventurous pilot. However, the last scene in the present
where his plan to fly him and Scrooge home fails is not the best
follow-up. How do they even get
home? Despite that, this look into
Launchpad’s background may not be anything special as a flashback, but it still
works as a general creative adventure and a look into his appeal as a
character.
A-
The Ranking
- Duck to the Future
- Launchpad’s First Crash
- Jungle Duck
The next DuckTales review introduces Gladstone Gander and his creative quirk when it comes to luck.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is "Snowballs" and "Frog's Best Friend" from Rocko's Modern Life.
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