ThunderCats (1985 series)/Headscratchers
Just what is Third Earth anyway? Is it our Earth in some point in the future? Or is it an alternate Earth-like planet? Support for the former includes Mumm-Ra's obvious Ancient Egyptian origins and Hachiman being summoned from Feudal Japan, as well as an episode involving the King Arthur legend, where Mumm-Ra disguises himself as King Arthur. Support for the latter is that there is no evidence of human civilization in ruins on Third Earth, and the only sign of a human settlement is the kingdom of the Warrior Maidens.
If they're all members of the same alien species, why does each individual resemble a different species of Earth cat?
- Ethnic diversity. Housecats are one species, and look at all the variety. Now, why the names match so wonderfully with the big cats of Earth they resemble is a whole 'nother question.
- That could just be Translation Convention.
One thing that always bugged me is the pilot. For about ten minutes or so, there is actual FULL NUDITY! I'm serious, watch it! Where were the censors? Oh, and why is it when we go back in time in subsequent episodes, the inhabitants are actually clothed despite the fact that Jaga implies that the first time they are donning clothes when he hands them clothes?
- The nudity wasn't full and barely there at all. Not only was Barbie Doll Anatomy in full force, but they're all wearing trunks. Trunks the same color as their skin/fur, but they're there. Now why the Thundarians are suddenly wearing clothes in the flashback is anyone's guess.
- Also, why is Lion-O the only one who ages during cryogenesis? Wily-Kit and Wily-Kat were also children when they went into cryogenesis and they don't age.
- I think the idea was that Lion-O's cryo pod was damaged when the mutants attacked.
- Which is kind of a Fridge Horror moment when you think about it. Not only does Lion-O have the mind of a child in the body of a grown man, depending on how much he aged inside the cryo pod he's been cheated out of, what, a good 10-20 years of his life?
- If I recall right, bumpers on Toonami said he was 24, but mentally 12 due to a stasis malfunction. More importantly, how exactly did he gain that much muscle when there's not even room to stretch his arms inside that pod?
- Which is kind of a Fridge Horror moment when you think about it. Not only does Lion-O have the mind of a child in the body of a grown man, depending on how much he aged inside the cryo pod he's been cheated out of, what, a good 10-20 years of his life?
- I looked for that part when the DVDs came out. They never mention his pod malfunctioning, just that it was a really long time in stasis. I'll have to recheck. The only other option is that Wily Kit and Wily Kat are really small, immature adults. I lean towards malfunction given how everyone treats Wily Kit and Kat.
- There was one bit between Jaga's death and the crash on Third Earth where it shows a panel of numbered indicator meters (shaped like video game health meters), and one of them is flashing red. This might have been left over from a discarded attempt to say "Lion-O's pod malfunctioned," but that's little more than Wild Mass Guessing on this troper's part and I admit it.
- I think the idea was that Lion-O's cryo pod was damaged when the mutants attacked.
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