Dennis Woodyard
Reviewed by: Purrsia
Torr (a Thunderian commoner who we first met in the Return to Thundera series) gets a magical lift from Jaguara to the beacon tower, where Panthro, Lion-O, WilyKit and Snarfer are tracking an incoming ship of refugees. But, since the tower is still under construction, they have trouble guiding the ship (bonus points for a Snarfer electrocution scene bwahahaha!). Thanks to Snarfer's jolting sacrifice, the beam is back up and safely guides the ship down.
The ship lands and Thunderians emerge. Most are guided to the settlement by Kit, but one guy spots Torr and has a keen interest in him. His name is Baron Tas and he's clearly a snobby aristocrat complete with a wimpy sidekick (and his accountant), Mr. Grubber. It seems Torr once worked for Tas but in an indentured servant kind of arrangement. And it seems Tas still feels Torr owes him his services. Once Torr fills Lion-O in on the shady way Tas handles the servants - more like slaves than the original agreement - Lion-O would have none of it. He declares not only Torr a free Thunderian but also anyone else who might have been in the Baron's employ. Tas puts on airs of respect in the presense of a Thundercat, but notes that "contracts must be honored". Lion-O dismisses the claim, stating this new planet is everyone's shot at a fresh start.
Tas is further insulted by Lion-O's invitation for him to live among them as an equal under the understanding that he would work with them for the common good. Furthermore, Lion-O insists that he either live by their rules - honoring the Code of Thundera - or be exiled. Grubber whispers that they have no more funds to travel elsewhere, so the Baron reluctantly agrees to Lion-O's terms. Of course he plans all the while to double cross Lion-O, and seems to get excited when an amulet that holds his flowing cape on him starts to pulse.
He tells Grubber it means they're very near *something*, but for now he doesn't reveal what that something is. I like this, as I believe it's the first time a genuine Thunderian since Grune has double crossing thoughts.
Lion-O assigns Torr, the Baron and Grubber the task of finding water and bringing it back to those working on the beacon. He gives them each a bag to fill. But partway through the forest, the old miser tires out as does his sidekick, so Torr takes one of their bags and goes on without them. Torr simply asks that they fill the last bag and meet back up with him.
Of course, Tas has other plans. The tired act was just that, and he shows Grubber to an old cave; one both are familiar with for they are actually on Tas' old estate. Inside the cave sits the infamous well of doubt. Drinking the water from it causes one to lose all self-confidence. Tas hopes Lion-O will drink plenty, make mistakes, and doubt himself so much that he will no longer be able to be an effective leader. Tas hopes that when the Thunderians lose faith in Lion-O, he can step in. If they resist, as Grubber worries, Tas reveals his amulet will awaken his stone guardsmen which will keep the Thunderians in line.
The trio returns to the beacon tower, and Torr is sent off with his two bags of water to the settlement. Tas offers Lion-O a drink from his bag, which of course contains the tainted waters from the well. Lion-O, having worked up a thirst, is grateful and Panthro asks to keep the Baron's water bag at the tower for the crew. Pleased, the Baron and his henchman go back into the forest to fetch his guardsmen.
In the meantime, Lion-O and Snarfer board the Whisker for there are some antennas to adjust near the top of the tower. Suddenly, the waters of the well do their magic on Lion-O and he starts second guessing everything. Once in the air, his uncertainty and lack of faith in his skill get them in trouble. Panthro, with Torr joining him once again, watch from the ground in disbelief. Jagaura also shows up, as Torr promised to do some repairs for her before, and her attention is also drawn to the Whisker and its troubles. Lion-O freaks out so bad, that Snarfer has to take the controls and ends up making a not-so-good landing.
When they emerge from the damaged ship, Lion-O is hard on himself and nobody can figure out what went wrong until Panthro suggests getting another drink for Lion-O and Jaguara senses the liquid's true origin. She uses her magic to knock the glass out of Torr's hand and destroy the water bag. She then quickly explains why she did that, and the Thundercats realize the Baron sabotaged them.
Just as they come to that conclusion, the Baron is back with his stone thugs. He makes his intentions of a coup clear and orders the giants to attack. Jaguara and Panthro do their best but the giants are a tough act to fight. Jaguara shields them in a magic dome for protection, but it won't last long. They urge Lion-O to help but he's still under the spell of the water and doesn't think he can do any good.
Finally, Jaguara takes the Sword of Omens, and with her, Torr, Panthro and Snarfer all holding it, she uses it to help Lion-O overcome the water's spell. Once Lion-O is back to his old self, he takes the Sword and kicks some serious stone ass. Albeit in an unsual fashion - he uses the Sword to make a storm cloud with lightning that destroys the stone giants and melts them (and destroys Grubber's little book of figures), and rain that makes Tas vow to be good if only the storm stops. M'k.
In the end, the Baron and Grubber are made to seal off the cave entrance to the Well. Afterward, Torr takes them back to the settlement to face judgment for their deeds. Lion-O and Jaguara have a discussion about how some self-doubt is normal and how swell it is to have friends. Then Snarfer makes a bad well pun and is left to hoof it alone back to the tower for such a clunker. Bwahahaha!
Torr: He hasn't changed at all.
Lion-O: Maybe not, but Thundera has and by Jaga, his shady dealings will not be allowed here anymore.
"The destruction of old Thundera ended those contracts. This new planet is everyone's chance to start over with a clean slate." - Lion-O's dismissal of the Baron's hold on his servants.
"You expect me to do common labor?" - Tas, incredulous Lion-O would suggest he work hard for the good of all.
"Maybe...we should surrender?" - Lion-O's spineless solution to get out of trouble. And even then he's not too sure of himself.
"Feel the common bond of your people through the Sword of Omens. Feel the strength in the Eye of Thundera." - Jaguara, as she uses the sword to heal Lion-O.
The Thunderians had a social hierarchy, alright. There was the nobles who became the Thundercats, and then this upper class that Tas apparently belonged to. Finally, there was the commoner, such that Torr was.
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Captures from Well of Doubt
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