The Abyss (Redwall Season 2)

The Abyss is the ninth episode of Season 2 and the twenty-second episode overall of the Nelvana Redwall TV Series.

Summary

At Redwall Abbey, Abbot Mordalfus, Ambrose Spike, and Constance check on their hostages, Quickbill, Diptail, and Brightback. They escort them outside, as General Ironbeak and Mangiz call for their prisoners, Mrs. Churchmouse, Cornflower Fieldmouse, and Rollo, to be taken down as well.

The prisoner exchange is conducted, however Ironbeak uses the moment to have some of his flock stock up on supplies from The Orchard, while other birds take over the Infirmary and Dormitories, forcing the Redwallers into Cavern Hole.

Matthias, Basil Stag Hare, Jess Squirrel, Cheek Stag Otter, Jabez Stump, Orlando the Axe, and Log-a-Log commence tracking Slagar the Cruel and his gang.

Mattimeo, Sam Squirrel, and Slagar's captives believe they've spotted a desert oasis, and run towards it, only to find it's on the other side of an Abyss. Slagar has everyone cross a rickety old bridge; he then sets it ablaze and cuts it down in an attempt to prevent anyone else from following them.

The Redwallers determine they have enough food to survive in Cavern Hole for quite some time, but they need water. Foremole suggests digging a tunnel out with his mole crew, and Mordalfus approves.

Matthias and his companions are attacked by buzzards, and Sir Harry the Muse arrives just in time to save them. He asks if he would be able to find a home at Redwall, and Basil and Matthias assure him that he could.

Ironbeak's flock busies themselves with destroying a room in the Abbey. Foremole emerges from his tunnel within eyesight of the Redwall Abbey Pond.

Matthias and company find the Abyss.

At Redwall, Foremole returns, having dug a tunnel that redirected pond water right to Cavern Hole. Ironbeak motivates his flock in Great Hall, and commands the destruction of the Redwall Tapestry of Martin the Warrior.

Jess suggests that Sir Harry fly into the Abyss and recover the remains of the bridge.

Cynthia Bankvole and Mattimeo observe a mysterious quiet in their surroundings.

Matthias and Jess use Orlando's battle axe to secure a rope from the broken bridge. The mouse then demonstrates how to zipline across the Abyss. The Guerilla Union of Shrews in Mossflower, Log-a-Log, Cheek, and Basil follow suit. Orlando tries to cross as well, however he gets stuck. Log-a-Log comes to his aid. Jess then swings across with the axe. The group cools off in the oasis.

Foremole witnesses the birds wrecking Martin's tapestry, and alerts Constance, who instructs Redwall's archers to prepare an attack. They rush into Great Hall to stop the flock, but quickly realize it was a ruse to trap them.

Official Synopsis

Slagar reaches the Abyss and forces the slaves across a rope bridge, cutting it away behind him. There is now no way for Matthias to pursue him. A full day and night behind the pursuers arrive at the abyss and are stopped dead, until Sir Harry comes to their rescue by retrieving enough rope to cross the bottomless gorge.

At Redwall Abbey the hostages are exchanged but Ironbeak treacherously uses the diversion to take over a section of the Abbey. The Redwallers are trapped without water and only saved when Foremole digs a tunnel. The celebration is short when it is discovered that Ironbeak is attacking the Martin the Warrior Tapestry. Rushing to its rescue the Redwallers are trapped-- it was a baited ruse.

Ahead of Mattimeo and the slaves are the Badger head and the Bell rocks in a silent, lifeless wasteland-- ominous portents which scare even Slagar and his band. The terrible journey is approaching its climax.

Differences from Mattimeo

• In the book, it is Brother Trugg who sees ravens trying to destroy Martin's tapestry, not Foremole.
• In the TV series, the Vultures attempt to carry off Log-a-log instead of a random shrew.

Featurettes

• Brian Jacques transcript:

"Hello, I'm Brian Jacques and welcome to Redwall. In our last episode, Warbeak finally delivered the deciphered riddle to Matthias. Unfortunately, her life ended in the effort. Matthias vowed that Slagar will pay for his evil. Today, as Slagar gets closer to his destination, Matthias gets further from his son. Let's not miss this dramatic episode of Redwall."

This episode contains the exact same featurettes from "Cluny the Scourge - part II."

Segments include:

• "Castles"
• "Character Spotlight: Cornflower"
• "Redwall Trivia"
• "Ask the Author: Brian Jacques"

{{#ev:youtube|hVRGLyXg7DE|400|center}}

Streaming

The Abyss is available for streaming on Nelvana's official Treehouse Direct YouTube channel.

{{#ev:youtube|UM3fTHApff4|400|center}}

Note: This article is about the Nelvana Redwall TV Series episode. If you're looking for the place, see The Abyss.

de:"Der Abgrund"