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The Missing Links of Moorshire
Going into this episode, one can easily find a good number of major traits of this reboot at its core. It’s driven by another instance of the Scrooge and Flintheart Glomgold rivalry and an imaginative globetrotting adventure everyone gets involved in. However, it’s the specific creative elements to the adventure as well as the interesting character dynamics this reboot has let itself be known for that truly stand out.
This time, the two billionaire ducks are off on a golf tournament for the intent of one-upping each other. This is all standard setup for an episode focusing on this rivalry, and it’s entertaining enough, but all other characters joining in have something entertaining to offer. Huey provides sportscaster-like commentary on everything happening with bumbling Launchpad as assistant; Louie is completely uninterested in the game, but is convinced to go along as he gets paid to be Flintheart’s caddie; Webby is her usual Scrooge fangirl through the whole game; and Dewey, who’s usually impulsive and reckless in everything he does, serves as Scrooge’s teammate and his performance ends up being very surprising.
In addition, there’s a creative aspect to this golf game when the group reaches a stone pillar circle, and with a mystical glow, they’re trapped in the course. The only way they can exit and go home is if they finish the golf game much to all feelings ranging from annoyance to competitiveness among other feelings. Aiding in the creative appeal is the presence of two mystical creatures serving as guides. On first glance, they’re innocent looking ponies that fit such an aesthetic right down to being voiced by Tara Strong and Andrea Libman. However, there’s a clever subversion to expectations when upon investigation, they’re actually kelpies using suggestions to go swimming as lures to drown everyone. The comedy comes from everyone clearly wise to their ruses and bluntly turning the offers down, and the kelpies still acting innocent and only begrudgingly say they’re no fun.
Going back to the game itself, a lot can be said about the performance of Dewey. Regarding how surprising he ends up being, that’s because of how well he plays; in fact, he turns out to get more balls into holes than Scrooge. He’s often told by Scrooge to take his time with his swings and not be reckless, but it turns out that Dewey’s recklessness is what works to his advantage. Scrooge’s methods are what seem to do no good as he turns out a shockingly shoddy performance. After a while, he naturally can’t take being one-upped by someone, especially an overall novice, and lashes out, ultimately taking the fun out of the game for everyone. This, while typical behavior for this type of story and expected from someone as accomplished as Scrooge, is not a pleasing direction. It makes Scrooge look very petty and not a likable character to follow, and that’s disappointing when the much less mature Flintheart Glomgold is along for this adventure. As the latter is incredibly temperamental and naturally keeps making a fool of himself, having Scrooge stoop close to his low makes him not much different.
However, the overall resolution to the episode does this direction solid favors overall. When everyone reaches the last hole, attention is drawn to a bunch of golfer statues along the way and a mist closing in on the area. These two different aspects turn out to go well together because, in another bit of worldbuilding, this mist turns people into stone. With that, the stakes are risen majorly when the game must be completed in order to reverse the mist’s power. It even intensifies more as much of the group becomes stone, but at this point, there’s a notable turning point for Scrooge. For how much he held onto his pride, he has enough sense to see Dewey is clearly the superior golfer, so he puts his trust in him to make the last hole. Turns out, for all of Dewey’s unconventional mannerisms and the difficulty for Scrooge to admit it, this really is the right call. Dewey makes the move to finish the game, everyone is returned to normal, family connections are strengthened, and the characters here for comedy’s sake get in a few laughs.
Overall, this episode is a clear sign of this show settling into its core elements, and with a good sense of wit, imagination, and care for characters, it knows how to make everything work.
A
Series Ranking
1. The House of the Lucky
Gander
2. The Beagle Birthday
Breakout
3. The Impossible Summit of
Mt. Neverrest
4.
Terror of the Terra-Firmians
5.
The Missing Links of
Moorshire
6.
McMystery at McDuck McManor
7.
The Living Mummies of Toth-Ra
8. Daytrip of Doom
9. The Great Dime Chase
10. Escape To/From Atlantis
11. Woo-oo
12. The Infernal Internship
of Mark Beaks
The next episode takes the group to Ithaquack to reveal Donald's relationship with a god, and develop the mystery of his sister Della and the Spear of Selene.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is an episode of Ed Edd n Eddy.
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