As well as being revered by Safari Joe and Mule as the most obviously dangerous of the ThunderCats, this episode shows Lion-O triumphing even without the Sword of Omens, instead using his intelligence and cunning to outwit and ultimately intimidate the hunter. This episode is also a great showcase for Lion-O, for many reasons. Although it could be argued that, by stereotyping hunters in such a way, this is actually a slightly risky plot by the writer, nonetheless it fulfils the objective of making Safari Joe a thoroughly dislikeable villain that embodies everything the ThunderCats (and thus a large percentage of their audience) would hate. A greedy, selfish and boastful character, this episode makes it clear that Safari Joe, whilst ostensibly hunting under the banner of sport and because of his desire for a challenge, is actually a bully who delights in hunting because of the feeling of superiority it fills him with. With several animals in the past having been hunted to the point of extinction, Safari Joe is in many ways a caricature of the way many people would visualise a big game hunter. In many ways, this episode is something of a statement from the writer Stephen Perry on the subject of big game hunting. Not only is this a clever premise, but it also provides the series with one of its most memorable episodes. However, an episode like "Safari Joe" brings back to the audience's attention our heroes' feline attributes, when the intergalactic big game hunter this episode is named after attacks the ThunderCats, not because of a grudge or a lust for power, but because they are the only type of cat he has yet to hunt. "All out of ammo, Safari Joe? Looks like you ran out of courage, too!"Īfter a while of watching ThunderCats, it can become easy to forget the more feline attributes of the ThunderCat characters and instead come to think of them merely as super-agile, physically above-average humanoid warriors rather than as what they are - essentially an amalgamation of cat and human, with a lot of their appearance heavily emphasising their cat-like traits. "Now we know you're a liar, Safari Joe - let's see if you're a coward too! Come and get me!" "I might as well go in with teeth bared and fur flying!" "Big cats, aqua cats, sky cats, I've hunted them all!" No one is perfect and we all have both strengths and weaknesses. Having a weakness is not cause to cover up and be deceitful in relating to others. Friends respect one another more when each is truthful and realistic in one's self-appraisal. Being honest with ourselves about our abilities and accurately appraising them allows us to be open, honest and truthful in our representing ourselves to others. In this episode, it is shown that even the ThunderCats have strengths and weaknesses, just like we do. He cannot admit to himself and others the truth about himself. Safari Joe, who covers up his insecurity and cowardice with a false bravado, is exposed as dishonest and dishonorable when he changes from being the hunter to being the hunted. PANTHRO reprograms MULE, SAFARI JOE's robot, giving him a positive work directive. LION-0 cleverly lures SAFARI JOE to the Cats' Lair basement where he and SNARF spook SAFARI JOE into a cowardly surrender. LION-0 and SAFARI JOE make a pact: LION-0 must fight him without the Sword of Omens and he will release the THUNDERCATS. LION-0 falls into the hunter's camouflaged pit, but uses the Claw Shield as a decoy and escapes. JAGA appears and tells LION-0 of the THUNDERCATS' capture, warning him of SAFARI JOE's powers. Using his Multi-Barreled Gattling rifle, he captures each of the THUNDERCATS and imprisons them in cages of Thundraniun, which drain them of their strength. SAFARI JOE, an intergalactic Big Game Hunter, arrives on Third Earth to hunt the THUNDERCATS. Official TCL Review | Fan Reviews | Notes of Interest | Screenshots Official Synopsis | Morals | Memorable Quotes
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