Time Switch

Time Switch

Production
Episode	2.12
Original Airdate	September 22, 1987
Writer(s)	Sandy Fries
Chronology
Previous Episode	Ravage Island
Next Episode	The Sound Stones
All Episodes	Episode Guide

Time Switch is an episode from the original series of ThunderCats. Written by Sandy Fries, it originally aired on September 22, 1987.

Official Summary

While Tygra and Lion-O hoist an old Suspension Capsule left over from the ThunderCats' arrival on Third Earth, the capsule slips and shatters on the ground. The suspension gases within the capsule escape and envelope Lion-O, causing him to become progressively younger into his infancy. After foolishly attempting to cross a river by way of stones, Lion-O awakens a Tongue-A-Saurus. He is captured by the evil Luna-Taks, but manages to signal the ThunderCats for help. Lion-O, Snarf and the other ThunderCats arrive at the Cave of Time in hopes that the cave will reverse the gas effects on Lion-O. Tygra lures Lion-O into the cave and the Cave of Time reverses the effects of the suspension gases. Lion-O is returned to his true age.

Official Moral

A crane accident occurs while Lion-O and Tygra are bearing one of the time suspension capsules that first brought the ThunderCats to third earth, and Lion-O is engulfed in its gas. As a result, Lion-O’s aging process is reversed, and he begins to get younger. Realizing Lion-O’s life is endangered, the ThunderCats plan to put him in the Cave of Time, which advances the passage of time, in order to stop the process. Snarf and Lion-O begin to make their way to the cave but Lion-O, now immature and innocent, engages in foolhardy escapades, endangering himself by using stones to cross the River of Despair and awakening a Tongue-A-Saurus. In escaping this creature, however, he is captured by the Luna-Taks, who have observed his plight and plot to hold him and prevent his reaching the cave. Despite being captured along Snarf, Lion-O manages to signal the ThunderCats, who come to his aid. The Luna-Taks appear in force, and Tygra, Panthro, and Cheetara are also captured. Once inside Skytomb, however, they use Lion-O’s smallness to escape. At the Cave of Time, the ThunderCats use food to stop Lion-O’s crying and induce him to enter the cave. Their calculations prove correct, as the cave reverses the process begun by the capsule and Lion-O matures once more to his normal age.

In this episode, Lion-O reverts back to youth and immaturity. Part of being immature is the lack of knowledge and disregard for limitations and life. It is not accepting the way things are in the present and wishing they were otherwise. Not all limitations in life are self-imposed or lacking in reason. Many are necessary for our safety and survival and are founded in external reality and in the fact that we are not invincible. In winter, we cannot skate upon ice that is not completely frozen. During a thunderstorm, we risk being struck by lightning if we stand under a tree. Riding a bicycle down a steep hill and losing control means risking being injured. Growing up involves developing common sense. It means respecting limitations that are realistic and which cannot be avoided or wished away.

Story

While trying to bury one of their old Suspension Capsules, Tygra accidentally drops it right next to Lion-O, causing it to release the suspended animation gas inside it. The gas immediately causes Lion-O to start growing younger. Inside the Cats Lair, Tygra tells Panthro and Cheetara about the accident and the grim news that Lion-O will continue to grow younger until he disappears from existence. He suggests that the only way to reverse this is to take Lion-O to the Cave of Time.

Overhearing the ThunderCats’ conversation, the young Lion-O decides to go to the Cave of Time alone, taking Snarf with him. After a brief encounter with a hungry Tongue-a-Saurus, the two are caught by the Lunataks who take them to SkyTomb. Lion-O uses the Sword of Omens to summon the other ThunderCats, who arrive promptly but are also captured by the Lunataks and imprisoned.

With the help of the now infant Lion-O, the ThunderCats escape from the Lunataks’ fortress and drive straight to the Cave of Time. Using one of the C-Ration biscuits stored in the ThunderTank, the ThunderCats lure Lion-O into the Cave and then pull him out the moment he grows to his correct age.

Characters

Lion-O

Panthro

Tygra

Cheetara

Snarf

Luna

Amok

Alluro

Tug-Mug

Red-Eye

Chilla

Tongue-a-Saurus

Vehicles

ThunderTank

Ice Runner

Luna Tacker

Locations

Cats Lair

River of Despair

Sky-Tomb

Cave of Time

Trivia

• This episode marks the first and only appearance of the monstrous Tongue-a-Saurus. This creature even had its own LJN Toy.

• Neither Mumm-Ra nor the Mutants appear in this episode.

• None of the New ThunderCats (Lynx-O, Bengali, Pumyra, Snarfer) appear in the episode.

Media

This episode was released on the following media:

DVD

• Season 2 Volume 1 DVD
• Season 2 DVD
• Seasons 1 & 2 DVD

External Links

• ThunderCats 1985 cartoon series on Wikipedia
• ThunderCats on ThunderCats.org