Season 1; Episode 7: From Zero to Hero

Season 1; Episode 7: From Zero to Hero

Hoo-Hah! It's time for Donkey Kong Country! This time, we're going to go over episode 7, which stars Bluster Kong, so this episode should be a real treat.

We start off our episode with Diddy and Donkey walking on over to Cranky's cabin, while the two are discussing about a movie they just saw.

Sorry. Not listening. Just staring at DK's diamond butt cheeks.

Anyway. The movie they saw is a reference to King Kong vs Godzilla. Diddy is complaining over how lousy the entire film was, criticizing the roles of the giant ape and mutant lizard. As Donkey tries to make some good points about the movie, Diddy notices that there is some commotion happening at Cranky's cabin.

Inside the cabin, Cranky is using an X-Ray machine, and is currently testing Funky Kong. Funky just loves the entire set-up of the machine, and just keeps shuffling around. Cranky tells Funky to stop moving, and he starts up the machine, which shows an X-Ray of Funky's brain.

The floating disembodied head!

Funky's brain is pea-sized, and drifting along in the liquids in his head. How suiting. Funky doesn't really seem to care. We also see that Krusha and a Kritter are there to get examined, as well as Candy and Dixie.

Donkey and Diddy approach the girls, and Dixie asks Diddy on how the movie was. Diddy replies that the movie was lame, and Donkey Kong takes note of Candy's fragrance, and compliments Candy on the fine scent. Candy thanks Donkey, and tells him that the perfume she has on is called Banana Dreams, hence why Donkey Kong loves it so much.

"Oh boy! Free radiation!"

Some more sparks fly from Cranky's cabin, and Diddy asks what's going on inside, and as to why K. Rool's minions are here. Candy and Dixie explain that Cranky is breaking in his new X-Ray machine, and that everybody in Kongo Bongo can recieve an examination.

Banana transition to K. Rool's Factory, where we see K. Rool giving a speech to two Kritters.

The Kritters scoff at yet another speech of K. Rool and his lackies taking over the island.

"Yeah, right. Heard this story before."

King K. Rool disregards that comment, and goes on to tell them that Krusha has infiltrated Cranky's cabin, under the guise of getting a medical exam, in order to steal the Crystal Coconut. That's pretty much all he has to say. K. Rool gives off an evil laugh, and we fade back to Cranky's cabin, where Krusha is currently being examined.

On the monitor, it seems as though that Krusha doesn't have a brain, but as it turns out:

Heh. He literally has a smart-ass.

Cranky is fascinated by this, and decides to conduct another test on Krusha. Cranky pulls a lever, and the machine spews up electricity at Cranky, covering him in soot. Cranky is ticked over how faulty the machine is, and stomps his cane on the floor. This causes the celestial globe case to open, and Krusha takes this chance to make off with the Coconut.

Cranky gives the machine a good kick, and the it starts functioning again. Cranky asks where Krusha has gone, but Krusha is nowhere in sight.

What the? How did Krusha escape? Donkey, Diddy, Candy, and Dixie are right outside the door.

Anywho, Cranky calls over the next person in line, which going by one of the previous images, should be Dixie. Instead, Candy proclaims that it's her turn, which gets denied by Bluster, who has just arrived.

Bluster butts in and steals the place of Candy, using the excuse of having a higher rank of seniority compared to the working class Candy, and the unemployed Donkey, Diddy, and Dixie. The four Kongs are dismayed by Bluster's action, and insult him on it.

Bluster heads in, and about a good 5 seconds later, heads right back out. Bluster is proud to announce that he is in tip-top shape, to which Diddy remarks on by labeling Bluster as egoistic. The girls have a good laugh, and Diddy tells Candy to go up. Candy says that she can no longer do so, since her lunch hour is done, and Dixie can't go in because.....reasons.

Some sounds are heard from inside the cabin, with Cranky being appalled by the results of something. Donkey and Diddy head in, while Bluster is still outside, overhearing the trio.

Cranky mentions that he has Bluster's test results, and that something is dreadfully wrong. Something is wrong with the machine, in that it's all messed up and not functioning. Cranky tells DK and Diddy that he'll give it about a week before it finally goes out, to which Bluster perceives the whole conversation as a review of Bluster's medical exam, convincing him that he's got a terminal disease.

-Wah Wah-

Later at night, at the Bluster Barrel Works, Bluster is sobbing over the little time he has left, saying that he has so much to live for. That at the moment, all he has left to leave behind is his current reputation. Bluster then realizes how much of a jerk he is, and decides that he must turn over a new leaf this week, so that he may be remembered for his last good deeds. One whole week to be remembered as: Bluster the Benevolent!

Song cue!

It's a song Bluster sings about the good deeds he plans on doing to get on the good side of everyone, so that they will miraculously pay tribute to him once he's gone.

"Bluster the Benevolent! Hailed as a god!"

Banana Transition to King K. Rool, who is pacing and wondering where Krusha is, with the Crystal Coconut. Just as he finishes his sentence, Krusha runs up to the King, with his hands behind his back. Krusha tells K. Rool he has the Coconut, which gets K. Rool excited. Krusha presents the Crystal Coconut, only to end up realizing that he doesn't even have the Crystal Coconut at all.

Oh, Krusha. You might be stupid, but you're stupid in the lovable kind of way.

Krusha turns over to one of the two Kritters beside him, and asks where the Coconut is. The Kritter summarizes the events beforehand, which include an unseen scene of Krusha and the Kritters going to a swamp for refreshments. I really do like it when this show makes reference to never seen locations on the island. It gives something for the mind to ponder over for what could have been.

Anywho, the Kritter makes note of a femme fatale that they encountered, and Krusha recalls that he gave her the Coconut. King K. Rool then points out that Krusha gave her the Coconut, causing Krusha to realize his mistake, to which he goes off to retrieve the Crystal Coconut.

I like to think that it was Kalypso who got handed the Crystal Coconut.
Even though she didn't even exist when this show came out.

King K. Rool mocks Krusha's intelligence, and we go to our first commercial break.

We come back to see Cranky walking in the jungle, about to cross the minecart track. Bluster then spins in and gets in front of him.

Wonder Woman!!!

Bluster looks around, and allows Cranky to cross, safely. Cranky is annoyed by this, and tells Bluster to move aside. Bluster hopes that Cranky will tell everyone of his good-doings once he has left the world of the living, to which Cranky heeds no mind to. Instead, Cranky makes sure to tell just who Bluster really is. Bluster leaves to do more good deeds, and Cranky then gets run over by a minecart of Kritters.

"I'll tell them about Bluster the Buffoon!"

Banana transition to Funky, who is currently channel surfing. Get it? Surfing? Channels? Eh...

Enter Bluster, who is flying in his barrelcopter by Funky's place. He is using a pair of binoculars to scope out any more troubles he can fix. He spots Candy lounging, and fawns over her. Candy then gets up from her chair, and walks behind a screen to do some aerobics. Bluster is not sure what to make of it, and we then go back to Funky, who has turned the channel to an interesting horror movie.

The horror film is in a scene where a woman is in danger, and calling for help. Bluster percieves all of this as a cry for help from Candy, and Bluster springs into action. Bluster flies right above Funky's place, causing the mechanism that holds up his house to break apart and plummet Funky. Bluster loses control over the copter from that hit, and is sent spiraling down before crashing beside Candy's condo.

"Have no fear! Bluster is here!"

Candy Kong gets peeved at Bluster for trashing her place, even though he simply crashed in front of it, and ridicules Bluster for his actions. Bluster realizes the mess he's caused, and apolgizes, saying that this is the new him. Candy reminds Bluster that he ruined hers, and Funky's homes, and is therefore a menace to the whole island. Bluster tells Candy to forget the whole fiasco, and to marry him and live on the rest of his days in his mother's mansion. Candy is bewildered by Bluster's offering to become a widow of the so-called national hero.

We then transition to a fantasy sequence of Bluster's funeral. All the while Pomp and Circumstance (The graduation song) plays in the background. Diddy is apparently the spokesperson for the occasion.

Oh lord! Please don't have Diddy sing!

Every Kong is bawling their eyes out for Bluster's death, as Diddy leaves the podium, unable to go on. Each Kong then goes up to a portrait of Bluster, to exclaim some words in honor of him.

We then reach our final speaker, Candy, who is grieving over the loss.

In reality, no Kong would ever say such nice things about him.

Candy breaks the fantasy, and asks what he is going to do for the repairs on her condo. Bluster then reminds himself that with Candy as her widow, she will inherit the Barrel Works, and all the money in the process. Candy is pleased with this possibility, and we fade back to King K. Rool.

Yes, appeal to her shallow greed, and she'll disregard any feelings she had towards her boyfriend.

King K. Rool has been waiting around for Krusha to get back, when in actuality, Krusha has been there already. Krusha has gotten the Coconut back, and now, the Crystal Coconut is once again in King K. Rool's grasp. He laughs manically, and we fade away to Donkey and Diddy, who are still discussing the movie they saw.

"It was just a movie. Now shut up, little buddy."

Just before Donkey plops a banana in his mouth, Bluster comes in from the leaves, and greets the two of them. Donkey Kong notes the roll of paper that Bluster is holding. Bluster tells him that it is the blueprint of the Bluster monument that is to be constructed.

Hey! More 2D art!
If the camera weren't so zoomed in, you would be able to see the stand that he is standing on in the drawing.

Diddy is baffled, and asks why he has plans for a memorial. Bluster doesn't fall for Diddy's supposed lies, and says that he overheard the two of them talking with Cranky about his untimely demise. Donkey Kong counter acts this statement by saying that they were talking about Cranky's broken X-Ray machine. Bluster refuses to listen to Donkey's reasoning, and asks if the 50 ft. statue of him is a bit too much. Donkey and Diddy reply 'yes', and Bluster is pleased.

Donkey tries one more time to convince Bluster that he is not ill, but Bluster is not at the slightest persuaded to stop his good deeds. Bluster leaves, and Diddy remarks how idiotic Bluster is. For once, I'll side with the tailed-chimp on this one.

Donkey Kong tells Diddy that they have to find a way to convince Bluster that he's not terminally ill, so that he won't kill all of them by trying to be a hero. They, leave, and we transition to the Kremlings, where we see K. Rool's army is ready to go.

Sorry! Our animation budget only allows us to render three animated Kritters.

The Kritters are cheering King K. Rool on, to which K. Rool proclaims this moment to be his finest hour. We then get right into our next song, with K. Rool as the singer.

It's mostly just about K. Rool having all the power, and how mighty he feels over it. Nothing too special, but K. Rool does have a nice singing voice. You know. When he's actually singing something and not blurting out words.

Bluster arrives on the scene, in a minecart, and is ready to accomplish his finest good deed yet. King K. Rool is confused by his presence, and we fade to black.

After the commercial break, we fade into a scene at Cranky's cabin, with Donkey, Diddy, and Cranky. Cranky recaps the whole situation, and is amused by Bluster's pathetic attempt at being famous. Diddy asks just how to get Bluster to stop acting this way, and Cranky comes up with a plan to trick Bluster that he is cured with a new miracle drink, which in reality is a bottle of old cherry soda. Just as Diddy and Donkey are about to reach for it, Dixie barges in and tells the Kongs of the bad news, concerning the Crystal Coconut. Cranky ensures Dixie that the Crystal Coconut is safe, and opens the case, revealing that the Crystal Coconut is no longer there.

Why is Dixie shocked?

Dixie then goes on to tell them that Bluster is on his way to K. Rool's Factory to be the hero, and get the Coconut back. Diddy is sure that the Kremlings will have their way with him, to which Cranky tells DK to grab the cherry soda and get Bluster to stop this, before he gets pummeled.

Donkey Kong accidently grabs the the 'Super Sonic Fighter-Punch Pack' bottle, instead of the cherry soda, and he and Diddy go off to catch Bluster. We then transition into sequence of Donkey and Diddy swinging on vines, and fade back to Bluster and K. Rool.

Bluster demands that K. Rool returns the Crystal Coconut, or he shall face the wrath of Bluster the Benevolent. Donkey and Diddy arrive by a minecart entrance, and see that they're too late. King K. Rool is unsure what to make of this situation, seeing as he has the clear advantage.

Bluster shows a new sign of bravery, seeing as he has no other reason to live anymore. Donkey gets Bluster's attention and tells him to come over to Diddy and him. Bluster does so, and Donkey gives Bluster the bottle. Bluster is confused for the preempt celebration, but accepts the drink regardless. Diddy tells Bluster that it is Cranky's new Miracle Elixir, and Donkey says that he is cured, and should stop before he gets beaten the bananas out of him.

Bluster is delighted by this news, and tells K. Rool that he'll be leaving, since he actually won't be dying. He starts to get all sing-songy about it, and King K. Rool instantly snaps and tells his minions to attack him.

"Get that idiot!"

Bluster looks behind him, and sees the army of Kritters about to fire at him. Bluster then becomes energized, and this happens:

This is amusing and terrifying at the same time.

Diddy tells Donkey that he gave Bluster the 'Super Sonic Mega-Punch Pack', instead of the cherry soda. A large flash of light smothers Bluster, and once it fades, Bluster is now fully stimulated, and ready to fight an army of Kritters.

"Hello, newts!"
"Ready to RUMBLE?"

Bluster then charges right into the army, and beats the daylights out of all of them. King K. Rool is horrified from this turn of events, and begins to flee on his elevator. Before he can actually do so, however, Bluster knocks over the base of the elevator, causing K. Rool to fall flat on his back.

Bluster has now retrieved the Crystal Coconut, and King K. Rool can now only wallow in his loss.

"One minute you're up. The next minute you're down."

Banana transition to the Bluster Barrel Works, where Donkey, Diddy, Candy, and Cranky are gathered to witness even more of Bluster's gloating over his so-called kindess. Bluster comes out, having a large portrait of himself above him, and everyone moans over this. Cranky informs the Kongs that the 'Fighter-Punch Pack' will be wearing off any second. Upon saying that, it appears Bluster has lost all his strength, and is unable to lift the portrait any longer. Bluster falls over, and busts through his painting, while everyone else leaves him, seeing as things are now back to normal. Bluster is upset over all this, and repeats the one-liner that K. Rool said before.

"You know, King K. Rool really does have a point."

Fade to black, and that's the end of the episode.

So, overall thoughts on this one?

...Okay.

Personally, I do like the whole focus on another character and everything, seeing as mostly every episode tends to focus on Donkey Kong and the Kremlings, but still. This plot isn't exactly original, and it really does show how shallow of a person not only Bluster is, but Candy is as well. You could argue that it was wrong for how the other Kongs treated Bluster, but then again, Bluster was already a jerk to them before his new leaf, and even after, he was ruining the lives of them with his deeds. Still. This Kong did actually manage to beat all of K. Rool's army, so I suppose it's pretty even for all of them now.

As for the Kremlings, Klump actually has no appearance or mention in this episode, and instead, the episode puts more focus on Krusha. I suppose to even out the absences that Krusha took before. Krusha himself is always amusing to watch, and this episode is no exception. Plus, I'll give props to King K. Rool for actually acting threatening and strategic in this episode. The only reason he probably lost, aside from the idea of actually using the Crystal Coconut, was because of Donkey Kong's ignorance. Go figure.

No Kong was particularly likable in this episode, and I'm pretty sure Funky is dead. Oh well. The next episode is about buried treasure. The episode is also called: "Buried Treasure". It's another average episode, just like this one. Until then!