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Screams of
the Siren
Sometimes, we all need a reminder that things are not always
the way they seem and that it’s important to get all the facts before
acting. This episode features a simplified version of the context, but it’s still somewhat imaginative all
things considered.
While the Xiaolin
Warriors are retrieving a Shen Gong Wu that can turn the user into a fish
called the Gils of Hamachi, they find a most peculiar sight. Trapped in an iceberg is a lovely mermaid
called Dyris, apparently the last of her kind.
All the while, there’s a man resembling somewhat of a pirate or a Viking
called Klofange who’s set on hunting her down and destroying her. From the looks of things, it would be easy to
guess that Dyris is the victim while Klofange is ruthless and dangerous. The fact that he’s been pursuing the mermaid
for a long time before an ice avalanche froze them in time further showcases
this idea.
With Dyris appearing so
beautiful and innocent, the Warriors instantly befriend her and treat her as an
honored guest with all the water and amenities she needs. There also doesn’t appear to be anything to
suspicious with her playful side as she teaches Kimiko how to get the boys to
do her bidding, and subtly flirts with the other Warriors. As the episode goes on, it really becomes
concerning regarding just how easily manipulated these guys responsible for
saving the world are by a mere pretty face.
In the process, Klofange may seem villainous, but something seems up
when he shows interest only in catching the mermaid and thinks nothing of
Jack’s desire for world domination.
During an attempted Temple raid, it’s discovered that Dyris has gotten
out of her water, and Klofange explains that the mermaid is actually a monster. Her true form reveals whenever she leaves
water, leaving Jack humorously dumbfounded that he was helping a good guy. If that’s not enough, she’s taken appropriate
Shen Gong Wu to allow her to melt the polar ice caps and flood the world. At this point, I can’t even justify the
Warriors getting so manipulated by beauty that they’d get this specific with
their trade around someone they just met.
That’s just completely foolish and you can’t help but side with Klofange
and his frustrations with them.
All the
same, it’s nice that they’re willing to make up for their mistakes by stopping
Dyris when she goes after a new Shen Gong Wu that will help her withstand
intense heat. It’s made more difficult
when Omi keeps getting distracted by Dyris’ feminine charms despite knowing the
truth about her. He could at least try
to withstand her flirts. Ultimately, the
matter, as usual, has to be settled with a Xiaolin Showdown where the winner
must steal the other’s Shen Gong Wu.
Despite being rather short, low-scale, and convenient with a pool of
water right below Omi at the right time, it does its part to bring this story
full circle. It cements the message that
things aren’t always how they appear with the Showdown happening on dry land,
with Dyris’ truly monstrous form being revealed and known. Plus, Omi finding a way to beat Dyris and
still flirt with her is a solid conclusion after so much easy
manipulation. Finally, both she and
Klofange end up settling the conflict just as they started it, by getting
themselves frozen in time again. I’d
have to wonder how different the show would be if they were still around
though.
The message may be a tad on the
nose and the Xiaolin Warriors may mess up badly a lot, but it’s too hard to
fault taking time to mention that good and evil can come from anywhere.
A-
The Ranking
1. Citadel of Doom
2. The Evil Within
3. Enter the Dragon
4. The Deep Freeze
5. Days Past
6. PandaTown
7. The Emperor Scorpion Strikes Back
8. The Sands of Time
9. Master Monk Guan
10. Screams of the Siren
11. Crystal Glasses
12. Dreamscape
13. The Shard of Lightning
14. Hear Some Evil, See Some Evil
15. Sizing Up Omi
16. The Black Vipers
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where we meet Kimiko's father and once again see PandaBubba in action.
If you would like to check out other Xiaolin Showdown reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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