Freedom and Monsters

Freedom and Monsters is the sixth episode of Season 3 and the thirty-second episode overall of the Nelvana Redwall TV Series.

Summary

Martin the Warrior, Laterose of Noonvale, and Pallum traverse the wilderness, following Polleekin's instructions to find Noonvale, when they realize Grumm Trencher has gone missing. They hear the buzzing of bees and rush towards it; Grumm is covered with them, and Martin and Pallum are soon attacked as well. Rose realizes the bees enjoy her singing, and steers them away from her friends. They continue onward.

At Fort Marshank, the Rambling Rosehip Players, accompanied by Felldoh and Brome in disguise, entertain Tramun Clogg, Badrang the Tyrant, and their vermin. Ballaw De Quincewold performs a disappearing illusion involving Felldoh, and during the act, Rowanoak sneaks him away to find the fort's slaves.

Martin and his companions camp for the night. Rose tells Martin about her home, Noonvale.

Felldoh enters the slave compound, and he begins helping the captives escape with assistance from Keyla. However, Druwp sees what's happening and sounds the alarm. Badrang and his soldiers break up the Players' performance and try to prevent the slaves from fleeing. Brome and the Players attempt to exit Marshank as well.

Felldoh protects the slaves from the attacking vermin; Barkjon and Hillgorse assist with holding them back. Druwp attempts to murder Barkjon, so Felldoh kills him first. Felldoh escapes with Barkjon while Keyla and Hillgorse remain to fend off the advancing vermin. The two squirrels rendezvous with the Players outside and make a getaway. Badrang urges his soldiers to follow them, and they defenestrate themselves, right on top of Clogg's crew. In the chaos, they start fighting each other.

Martin and his fellow travelers rest near a stream when they're interrupted by a strange voice identifying itself as the Mirdop. It insists that they vacate the area, or else. Martin goes to investigate, and when Rose hears screams, she hurries to find him. She discovers a horrifying monster hanging in a tree.

Official Synopsis

Martin and friends leave Polleekin and continue into the woods where Grumm is attacked by angry bees and is only saved when Rose soothes and sings the bees to sleep. Camping for the night, Rose deciphers another piece of Polleekin's riddle map. Confiding in Martin, she describes her magical home of Noonvale as well as her worries about her brother, Brome. Outside Marshank, Brome, Felldoh, Ballaw and the players enter disguised as entertainers and delight the pirates-- but Badrang remains suspicious. As the show continues, Felldoh manages to find his father in the slave compound and they all escape over the wall-- but the alarm is raised by the treacherous Druwp.

Badrang realizes Ballaw's trickery just as Felldoh leads a rearguard action. Seeing old Barkjon's life threatened by Druwp, Felldoh is forced to kill the traitor. The remaining slaves manage to escape and in the confusion Badrang's soldiers and Clogg's pirates end up fighting each other. Martin and friends hear a terrible voice and come face to face with the Mirdop! As it threatens to destroy them, Rose courageously seizes a thick branch and rushes at the monster...straight into its arms!

Differences from Martin the Warrior

• In the book, Druwp doesn't try to kill Barkjon, and Felldoh kills him as he tries to escape the battle.
• Pallum goes with Martin and Rose to save Grumm from the bees. However, in the book, he stayed behind.
• The Player's performance was shortened in the episode.

Featurettes

• Presenters: Featurette Girl 2, Featurette Boy 3

• Brian Jacques transcript:

Courage is the moment when ordinary beings become extraordinary. A warrior is somebody that others don't look at, it's a person others look to. And that's a person who has courage. (repurposed from the episode Malkariss (Redwall Season 2))

Segments include:

• "Courage: Felldoh & Brome"
• "Warriors & Heroes"
• "Voice Acting with Lindsey Connell (Laterose of Noonvale) and Graham (Martin the Warrior)"

Note: Graham appears to be a relative of director Ray Jafelice, as he can also be seen in the featurettes for the episode Captured. The segment appears to be demonstrative for viewers, as the voice actor for Martin was Amos Crawley.

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Streaming

Freedom and Monsters is available for streaming on Nelvana's official Treehouse Direct YouTube channel.

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