Lord Destroyer
28-12-09, 05:44 PM
Fraggle Rock - the Complete Final Season, a recent DVD release by Lionsgate (not Hit Entertainment, as I mistakenly presumed) contains the last 24 episodes of Fraggle Rock's 96-episode run spanning from 1982 to 1987. The episodes in question are 11 episodes from Season 4 and all 13 episodes from Season 5 (its final season).
Lionsgate got distribution rights from the Jim Henson Company after Hit Entertainment released all 96 episodes in a 25th anniversary boxed set after releasing 72 episodes in 3 separate boxed sets prior to that. Problem was they did not bother with releasing the last 24 episodes in a boxed set of its own before doing so, much to the dismay of Fraggle Rock fans. The fans were upset to the point that online petitions circulated about Hit Entertainment's refusal to release the last 24 episodes in its own boxed set before doing the 25th anniversary collection. As such, Hit Entertainment lost distribution rights (or so I heard).
Anyway, the packaging changes drastically from how Hit Entertainment did it - it goes for a no-frills plastic case with a slipcover, no enclosed extras (e.g. copies of preliminary drawings, story ideas for episodes), and 5 discs within the case. First four discs hold the last 24 episodes (6 episodes per disc) and the fifth one is the extra features, such as interviews and excerpts from the shooting.
The episode run-down by disc (and I'll continue with the numbering as I had left off before the big crash - the episode count after the third boxed set ran up to 72, so the first one will be 73):
DISC ONE:
73. Sidebottom Blues - After Boober shows Wembley his home remedies, Wembley talks Boober into playing Follow the Leader in the Gorgs' Garden. Boober overhears Gobo talking about a big goof and thinks Gobo's talking about him (Gobo was really talking about Junior Gorg). It leads to Boober's fun side, Sidebottom, manifesting himself and hypnotizing Junior Gorg. However, it soon gets out of hand.
74. Uncle Matt's Discovery - Gobo's Uncle Traveling Matt returns from Outer Space and fears others see him as a coward because he came running in screaming about a face eraser. It strains things between him and Gobo, and it eventually leads to Uncle Matt and Gobo finding another area of Fraggle Rock that leads to other areas of Outer Space.
75. Junior Faces the Music - Junior Gorg wants to play the Royal Kazoo according to Gorg tradition with 5 Fraggles being witnesses. If Junior fails, he'll be banished to the swamp for 100 years.
76. A Tune For Two - It's time for the Duet-athon, but Wembley is without a partner. He eventually gets a partner - Cotterpin Doozer. However, the rules state Doozers can't participate, leading to an uproar that threatens to ruin the Duet-athon.
77. The Perfect Blue Rollie - Wembley and Boober go to Roaring Ravine and find a lot of smoothies and rollies (small rocks worn smooth by rushing water) when they find the rarest rollie of all - a perfect blue rollie. Wembley gives it to Boober in the spirit of giving, but Boober becomes selfish and nearly gets caught in a cave-in while protecting it.
78. A Brush With Jealousy - Mokey gets a magical paintbrush from the Trash Heap after she becomes determined to out-paint another great artist within Fraggle Rock. It leads to Mokey realizing why she enjoys painting in the first place.
DISC TWO:
79. Wembley's Flight - After Wembley saves a Spider Fly from a Snare Blossom, it turns into a creature that is willing to grant Wembley anything he desires. Wembley's desire is to fly, but he can do it only three times.
80. Red's Blue Dragon - Red happens upon the room Traveling Matt discovered with the many caves leading to Outer Space when she sees a blue dragon. It gets lost in Fraggle Rock, and her attempts at convincing Traveling Matt and Gobo to help fall flat because they're convinced she's spouting fantasy.
81. Wonder Mountain - Mokey desires to see the Aurora Fragglialis (a phenomenon that happens once every 1,000 days) and Red trails along behind her, fearing for Mokey's safety. They have to work together to get a rock monster away from them.
82. Space Frog Follies - Traveling Matt entrusts Wembley with what he intends to give Gobo as a surprise, and Wembley's hard-pressed to keep the gift (a frog) a secret from Gobo while making sure it doesn't die.
83. Boober Gorg - The last episode of Fraggle Rock's fourth season. Boober winds up with amnesia and mistakenly thinks he's a Gorg. His friends get captured by Junior and it's up to Boober to get his mind right so he can save them.
84. Mirror, Mirror - Red's been having a lot of parties lately, and her friends don't seem to be interested in celebrating with her again, so she goes to the Gorgs' castle with a new friend, Mavis, and Cotterpin Doozer in tow. Ma Gorg is upset and lonely because Pa and Junior have gone off honk-fishing and it's her birthday.
DISC THREE:
85. The Riddle of Rhyming Rock - Gobo is determined to solve the riddle of Rhyming Rock, but fails in his first two attempts (a Fraggle's allowed 3 chances). Gobo enlists the Storyteller's help and just may be the first Fraggle to crack the riddle.
86. The Voice Inside - Gobo wants to go to Grey Rock Ridge, but his friends back out. Wembley tries to talk Gobo out of it, but fails. Sprocket (Doc's dog) gets into Fraggle Rock again and accompanies Gobo and Wrench Doozer to Grey Rock Ridge, where there's a dust storm going on.
87. The Trial of Cotterpin Doozer - Another Doozer sees Cotterpin breaking a rule about consorting with Fraggles and seeks her downfall. Cotterpin stands trial and is given a chance to prove Fraggles are noble creatures, but there aren't any around because of Poison Cackler nest in the vicinity (except two). It's up to the two remaining Fraggles to do something about the Poison Cackler nest and save the Doozers.
88. The River of Life - Doc is promised $100K if he allows someone to dump industrial waste into Fraggle Rock. Sprocket tries to convince Doc otherwise, but fails. It's up to Boober to go to Outer Space to straighten things out, according to the Trash Heap's advice.
89. Beyond the Pond - Red and Gobo are about to have a swim meet when pink vines, called Knobblies are seen in Fraggle Pond. It leads to Red meeting the Merggles - an aquatic version of Fraggles whose way of life is being threatened by Boober's Kolerabi juice.
90. Gone But Not Forgotten - Wembley befriends Mudwell the Mudbunny during an overnight solo hike, but is then rudely brushed off. He tries to straighten things out but finds out Mudwell has passed away. He is saddened by Mudwell's passing and tries to do something to help him cope - he discovers something unique about Mudbunnies in the process.
DISC FOUR:
91. Mokey, Then and Now - When Mokey, Boober, and Wembley do a chant in the Sacred Cavern, they're transported back in time and Mokey claims to be an ancient leader to the Fraggles of the past.
92. Ring Around the Rock - Ma and Pa Gorg intend to renew their wedding vows, but Junior loses the ring - it goes into Fraggle Rock and is passed around all over the place.
93. Inspector Red - The Fraggle Horn goes missing, and Red starts investigating its disappearance. She mistakenly accuses Traveling Matt, Boober, and Marlon Fraggle in the process. This episode is when it's revealed that Doc's neighbor, Ned Schimmelfinny, is very ill.
94. The Gorg Who Would Be King - Junior is taken to the Nirvana Tree and told when the last leaf falls off of it, he will become King of Gorgs. Junior eats the last leaf and shrinks down to the size of a Fraggle. He learns the Fraggles have names and how important radishes are to Fraggles.
95. The Honk of Honks - Gobo goes into Outer Space for an adventure and is mystified that Sprocket can see him but Doc can't. Shortly thereafter, Gobo is told by Cantus, the lead Minstrel, to create the Honk of Honks, a requirement in creating the Song of Songs.
96. Change of Address - After hearing that Ned Schimmelfinny has to move to the desert for the sake of his health, Doc intends to come along and leave the workshop for good. However, he wants to see Gobo at least once before he leaves.
DISC FIVE:
Nearly 2 hours of bonus features are on this disc, including:
The Inner Gorg - an interview with the performers inside the costumes
Designing the Puppets - An interview with the puppet makers
Directing the Fraggles - An interview with Eric Till and George Bloomfield
Let the Music Play - An interview with Phil Balsam and Dennis Lee
Dance Your Cares Away - The evolution of the theme song
You Cannot Leave the Magic - Excerpts from the last day of shooting
Celebrating Fraggle Rock - Excerpts from the wrap party.
Although the packaging leaves something to be desired, I can now say I have all 96 episodes of Fraggle Rock on DVD. Overall, I'd say this boxed set was a good investment although a different distribution company did the duties.
Overall - 8.5/10
Lionsgate got distribution rights from the Jim Henson Company after Hit Entertainment released all 96 episodes in a 25th anniversary boxed set after releasing 72 episodes in 3 separate boxed sets prior to that. Problem was they did not bother with releasing the last 24 episodes in a boxed set of its own before doing so, much to the dismay of Fraggle Rock fans. The fans were upset to the point that online petitions circulated about Hit Entertainment's refusal to release the last 24 episodes in its own boxed set before doing the 25th anniversary collection. As such, Hit Entertainment lost distribution rights (or so I heard).
Anyway, the packaging changes drastically from how Hit Entertainment did it - it goes for a no-frills plastic case with a slipcover, no enclosed extras (e.g. copies of preliminary drawings, story ideas for episodes), and 5 discs within the case. First four discs hold the last 24 episodes (6 episodes per disc) and the fifth one is the extra features, such as interviews and excerpts from the shooting.
The episode run-down by disc (and I'll continue with the numbering as I had left off before the big crash - the episode count after the third boxed set ran up to 72, so the first one will be 73):
DISC ONE:
73. Sidebottom Blues - After Boober shows Wembley his home remedies, Wembley talks Boober into playing Follow the Leader in the Gorgs' Garden. Boober overhears Gobo talking about a big goof and thinks Gobo's talking about him (Gobo was really talking about Junior Gorg). It leads to Boober's fun side, Sidebottom, manifesting himself and hypnotizing Junior Gorg. However, it soon gets out of hand.
74. Uncle Matt's Discovery - Gobo's Uncle Traveling Matt returns from Outer Space and fears others see him as a coward because he came running in screaming about a face eraser. It strains things between him and Gobo, and it eventually leads to Uncle Matt and Gobo finding another area of Fraggle Rock that leads to other areas of Outer Space.
75. Junior Faces the Music - Junior Gorg wants to play the Royal Kazoo according to Gorg tradition with 5 Fraggles being witnesses. If Junior fails, he'll be banished to the swamp for 100 years.
76. A Tune For Two - It's time for the Duet-athon, but Wembley is without a partner. He eventually gets a partner - Cotterpin Doozer. However, the rules state Doozers can't participate, leading to an uproar that threatens to ruin the Duet-athon.
77. The Perfect Blue Rollie - Wembley and Boober go to Roaring Ravine and find a lot of smoothies and rollies (small rocks worn smooth by rushing water) when they find the rarest rollie of all - a perfect blue rollie. Wembley gives it to Boober in the spirit of giving, but Boober becomes selfish and nearly gets caught in a cave-in while protecting it.
78. A Brush With Jealousy - Mokey gets a magical paintbrush from the Trash Heap after she becomes determined to out-paint another great artist within Fraggle Rock. It leads to Mokey realizing why she enjoys painting in the first place.
DISC TWO:
79. Wembley's Flight - After Wembley saves a Spider Fly from a Snare Blossom, it turns into a creature that is willing to grant Wembley anything he desires. Wembley's desire is to fly, but he can do it only three times.
80. Red's Blue Dragon - Red happens upon the room Traveling Matt discovered with the many caves leading to Outer Space when she sees a blue dragon. It gets lost in Fraggle Rock, and her attempts at convincing Traveling Matt and Gobo to help fall flat because they're convinced she's spouting fantasy.
81. Wonder Mountain - Mokey desires to see the Aurora Fragglialis (a phenomenon that happens once every 1,000 days) and Red trails along behind her, fearing for Mokey's safety. They have to work together to get a rock monster away from them.
82. Space Frog Follies - Traveling Matt entrusts Wembley with what he intends to give Gobo as a surprise, and Wembley's hard-pressed to keep the gift (a frog) a secret from Gobo while making sure it doesn't die.
83. Boober Gorg - The last episode of Fraggle Rock's fourth season. Boober winds up with amnesia and mistakenly thinks he's a Gorg. His friends get captured by Junior and it's up to Boober to get his mind right so he can save them.
84. Mirror, Mirror - Red's been having a lot of parties lately, and her friends don't seem to be interested in celebrating with her again, so she goes to the Gorgs' castle with a new friend, Mavis, and Cotterpin Doozer in tow. Ma Gorg is upset and lonely because Pa and Junior have gone off honk-fishing and it's her birthday.
DISC THREE:
85. The Riddle of Rhyming Rock - Gobo is determined to solve the riddle of Rhyming Rock, but fails in his first two attempts (a Fraggle's allowed 3 chances). Gobo enlists the Storyteller's help and just may be the first Fraggle to crack the riddle.
86. The Voice Inside - Gobo wants to go to Grey Rock Ridge, but his friends back out. Wembley tries to talk Gobo out of it, but fails. Sprocket (Doc's dog) gets into Fraggle Rock again and accompanies Gobo and Wrench Doozer to Grey Rock Ridge, where there's a dust storm going on.
87. The Trial of Cotterpin Doozer - Another Doozer sees Cotterpin breaking a rule about consorting with Fraggles and seeks her downfall. Cotterpin stands trial and is given a chance to prove Fraggles are noble creatures, but there aren't any around because of Poison Cackler nest in the vicinity (except two). It's up to the two remaining Fraggles to do something about the Poison Cackler nest and save the Doozers.
88. The River of Life - Doc is promised $100K if he allows someone to dump industrial waste into Fraggle Rock. Sprocket tries to convince Doc otherwise, but fails. It's up to Boober to go to Outer Space to straighten things out, according to the Trash Heap's advice.
89. Beyond the Pond - Red and Gobo are about to have a swim meet when pink vines, called Knobblies are seen in Fraggle Pond. It leads to Red meeting the Merggles - an aquatic version of Fraggles whose way of life is being threatened by Boober's Kolerabi juice.
90. Gone But Not Forgotten - Wembley befriends Mudwell the Mudbunny during an overnight solo hike, but is then rudely brushed off. He tries to straighten things out but finds out Mudwell has passed away. He is saddened by Mudwell's passing and tries to do something to help him cope - he discovers something unique about Mudbunnies in the process.
DISC FOUR:
91. Mokey, Then and Now - When Mokey, Boober, and Wembley do a chant in the Sacred Cavern, they're transported back in time and Mokey claims to be an ancient leader to the Fraggles of the past.
92. Ring Around the Rock - Ma and Pa Gorg intend to renew their wedding vows, but Junior loses the ring - it goes into Fraggle Rock and is passed around all over the place.
93. Inspector Red - The Fraggle Horn goes missing, and Red starts investigating its disappearance. She mistakenly accuses Traveling Matt, Boober, and Marlon Fraggle in the process. This episode is when it's revealed that Doc's neighbor, Ned Schimmelfinny, is very ill.
94. The Gorg Who Would Be King - Junior is taken to the Nirvana Tree and told when the last leaf falls off of it, he will become King of Gorgs. Junior eats the last leaf and shrinks down to the size of a Fraggle. He learns the Fraggles have names and how important radishes are to Fraggles.
95. The Honk of Honks - Gobo goes into Outer Space for an adventure and is mystified that Sprocket can see him but Doc can't. Shortly thereafter, Gobo is told by Cantus, the lead Minstrel, to create the Honk of Honks, a requirement in creating the Song of Songs.
96. Change of Address - After hearing that Ned Schimmelfinny has to move to the desert for the sake of his health, Doc intends to come along and leave the workshop for good. However, he wants to see Gobo at least once before he leaves.
DISC FIVE:
Nearly 2 hours of bonus features are on this disc, including:
The Inner Gorg - an interview with the performers inside the costumes
Designing the Puppets - An interview with the puppet makers
Directing the Fraggles - An interview with Eric Till and George Bloomfield
Let the Music Play - An interview with Phil Balsam and Dennis Lee
Dance Your Cares Away - The evolution of the theme song
You Cannot Leave the Magic - Excerpts from the last day of shooting
Celebrating Fraggle Rock - Excerpts from the wrap party.
Although the packaging leaves something to be desired, I can now say I have all 96 episodes of Fraggle Rock on DVD. Overall, I'd say this boxed set was a good investment although a different distribution company did the duties.
Overall - 8.5/10