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The Shadowmaster
Shadowmaster - Title Card
Production
Episode 4.15
Original Airdate September 22, 1989
Writer(s) Dennis J. Woodyard
Chronology
Previous Episode Ma-Mutt's Confusion
Next Episode Swan Song
All Episodes Episode Guide


Shadowmaster is an episode from the original series of ThunderCats. Written by Dennis J. Woodyard, it originally aired on September 22, 1989.

ThunderCats Bullet Point Story[]

The episode starts with the introduction of a new character, the Shadowmaster, an ancient megalomaniacal Thunderian wizard who was banished for all eternity to the Shadow Realm by Jaga and Claudus. The Shadowmaster contacts the Ancient Spirits of Evil and offers to destroy the ThunderCats if they will free him from his eternal prison in return. The spirits agree, much to the chagrin of Mumm-Ra who sees the Shadowmaster as a competitor who could very well replace him as the Ancient Spirits’ main pet.

The Shadowmaster had captured Claudus just before the destruction of Thundera and uses him as bait to lure Lion-O into the Shadow Realm. Following Jaga’s instructions, Lion-O uses the Eye of Thundera to project him through the Book of Omens and into the Shadow Realm. Snarf stands guard to ensure that the book and the sword are not separated or else Lion-O will grow extremely weak and remain stuck in the Shadow Realm forever.

In the Shadow Realm, Lion-O, who strangely chose not to take the Claw Shield with him, is forced to fight the Shadowmaster’s conjured beast using flint rocks. Back at Cats Lair, the Shadowmaster’s Shadowbat steals the Sword of Omens with Snarf still hanging onto it and flies away. With the connection between the sword and the book broken, Lion-O loses his strength and falls to the ground.

Just when all seems lost, help arrives from the unlikeliest of places. Mumm-Ra, who has quietly been observing the proceedings in his cauldron, secretly sends Ma-Mutt to throw a wrench into the works. Changing into a giant bat, Ma-Mutt destroys the Shadowbat and carries Snarf and the sword back to the Cats Lair where Snarf quickly reconnects the sword with the Book of Omens. Having regained his strength, Lion-O calls the Sword of Omens to him and he and Claudus use it to trap the Shadowmaster in the ruins of his fortress while they make their daring escape.

The father-son reunion, while very short-lived, is gratifying for the audience as well as Lion-O. Unlike the ending of “Return to Thundera” where Claudus is presumed to have died, leaving Lion-O with a lot of sadness, here his departure is a happy one as he goes on to join Jaga in the spirit world.

ThunderCats Bullet Point Characters[]













ThunderCats Bullet Point Locations[]





ThunderCats Bullet Point Notable quotes[]

Claudus: Farewell Lion-O Lord of the Thundercats. You've made your father a proud man.

Panthro: But Lion-O, this could be a trap.

Shadowmaster: Listen to me Ancient Sprits of Evil. I can do what this miserable mummy has failed to do that is defeat the Thundercats.
Mumm-Ra: What? You dare insult Mumm-Ra the ever-living.
Ancient Spirits of Evil: Stay your hand Mumm-Ra let the Shadowmaster speak.
Shadowmaster: Thank You great spirits.

ThunderCats Bullet Point Trivia[]

  • At the end of “Return to Thundera”, Lion-O remembers Claudus and says, “May we meet again somewhere in time”. This episode grants Lion-O’s wish and reunites him with his father.
  • The scene near the end of both Jaga and Claudus’ spirits standing side by side is an obvious nod to “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” in which the spirits of Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker are similarly seen standing side by side at the end.

ThunderCats Bullet Point Goofs[]

  • In this episode we get to see a younger Claudus who has a red mane, similar to his son Lion-O. The older Claudus shown in the episode “Return to Thundera” had yellow hair.
  • Strangely, Snarf fails to recognize Ma-Mutt. Even though the demon dog is in his Ma-Bat form, his face is still that of Ma-Mutt and clearly visible to Snarf.

ThunderCats Bullet Point Episode Screenshots[]

ThunderCats Bullet Point External Links[]

ThunderCats 1980s - Episode Guide - Season 4
Return to Thundera - Part I | Return to Thundera - Part II | Return to Thundera - Part III | Return to Thundera - Part IV | Return to Thundera - Part V | Leah | Frogman | The Heritage | Screwloose | Malcar | Helpless Laughter | Cracker's Revenge | The Mossland Monster | Ma-Mutt's Confusion | The Shadowmaster | Swan Song | The Touch of Amortus | The Zaxx Factor | Well of Doubt | The Book of Omens Tygra
Seasons Season 1 | TV Movies | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4 | Full Episode List
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