Escape from Catrina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
My Little Pony: Escape From Catrina is an children's television special that originally aired in the United States in 1985. It followed a previous special My Little Pony, aired in 1984.
The two specials led to the continuing series My Little Pony in 1986, and were later syndicated as part of that series.
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[edit] Synopsis
A magical cat forces the Bushwoolies to work to make Witchweed potion, the source of her powers. When they escape, she tries to make the Little Ponies her new slaves.
[edit] Plot
In an underground cavern, the Bushwoolies work under the supervision of the shapeshifting Rep to make Witchweed potion. The potion is delivered to a large cat named Catrina, who gains great magic powers when she drinks it. Their intense labour produces very little potion, and Catrina angrily demands more, to the Bushwoolies' irritation.
At Dream Castle, the Little Ponies are visited by Megan, a young girl who lives on the other side of the rainbow. Sundance works hard to prepare for the costume ball to be held in the evening, but her clumsiness causes a few accidents and the unicorn Sparkler yells at her. The Baby Ponies are so excited to see Megan that they don't want to nap before the ball, but Megan lures them to sleep with some reverse psychology. (Song: Let's Not Take A Nap)
The Bushwoolies turn off the Witchweed machine and make their escape while Catrina sleeps. Rep wakes her, but they are unable to recapture any Bushwoolies. Catrina spots the Little Ponies and, seeing the potential for new slaves, unleashes an unnaturally powerful snowstorm that buries them in seconds. Megan destroys the enchanted clouds with the Rainbow of Light, and the snow quickly melts. Catrina decides that before she can enslave the Ponies, she must capture the Rainbow of Light. Rep tries to convince her that she doesn't really need more Witchweed, reminding her that they were happier before she found it. Catrina insists that those days are over and that she loves having power. (Song: Those Good (Before You Turned Bad) Old Days)
Megan comforts a crying Sundance, pointing out that despite her clumsiness, she is a talented jumper. She also helps Baby Moondancer to dress up, giving her a crown and gown, then adorning her neck with the locket that contains the Rainbow of Light. Seizing the opportunity, Rep takes on the appearance of a Little Pony and asks Baby Moondancer for the locket, but she refuses and attacks him. As Megan runs to help, Catrina snatches up Baby Moondancer, and Rep takes on the form of a dragon to fly them both back to Katrina's lair.
Megan and the Little Ponies find the escaped Bushwoolies, who lead them to Catrina. She holds Baby Moondancer over a well filled with raw Witchweed potion, saying she'll drop her unless the Little Ponies agree to slavery. Rep tells her she's gone too far, but she ignores him and shoves him away. Enraged, he takes on the form of a bull and charges Catrina, knocking her and Baby Moondancer towards the well. Sundance saves Baby Moondancer with an incredible jump, but Catrina is left clinging to the sides of the well with her claws. Rep demands that Katrina destroys the Witchweed machine, and gives her the last of the treated potion, just enough for her to escape the well and do so. The Little Ponies invite Catrina, Rep and the Bushwoolies to their costume ball to celebrate. (Song: Dressed Like A Dream)
[edit] Characters
- Megan: A young American girl whom Skydancer brings from the other side of the rainbow.
- Spike: A baby dragon, adopted by the Little Ponies since their last adventure.
- Catrina: A large cat woman who's discovered the power of Witchweed potion and will go to any lengths to obtain it.
- Rep: Katrina's husband, who usually looks like a man-sized lizard (possiby some sort of chameleon judging by his curled tail and ability to transform), but can change into any form.
| Little Ponies featured in 'Escape From Catrina' | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Species | Colour | Hair Colour | Symbol |
| Baby Cotton Candy | Earth Pony | Pink | Pink | Spots |
| Baby Glory | Unicorn | White | Purple | Comet |
| Heart Throb | Pegasus | Purple | Pink | Winged hearts |
| Lickety-Split | Earth Pony | Pink | Pink | Ice creams |
| Baby Moondancer | Unicorn | White | Red | Stars |
| Posey | Earth Pony | Yellow | Pink | Flowers |
| Powder | Unicorn | Purple | White | Snowflakes |
| Skydancer | Pegasus | Yellow | Rainbow | Birds |
| Sparkler | Unicorn | Lavender | Purple | Diamonds |
| Starflower | Unicorn | Blue | Rainbow | Stars |
| Sundance | Earth Pony | White | Pink | Hearts |
| Baby Surprise | Pegasus | White | Chartreuse | Balloons |
[edit] Repeat Version
When My Little Pony became a regular series, Escape From Catrina was re-edited into a two-part story and shown along with the new episodes with several changes.
- The title was changed to Escape From Katrina
- Part 1 opens with the new series' opening tune, and then features Escape From Catrina's original opening tune, which plays over the action.
- Part 1 ends with Katrina unleashing a snowstorm, and Part 2 opens with Megan coming to the rescue with the Rainbow of Light.
- Rep and Katrina's song 'Those Good (Before You Turned Bad) Old Days' is removed completely.
- Megan's departure, over which the original closing credits played, is replaced by credits matching the series.
[edit] Notes
- Megan, Spike and Sundance returned for My Little Pony: The Movie, then became regulars in the television series, along with Heart Throb, Lickety-Split, Sundance, Posey and Surprise. None of the other characters in Escape from Catrina appeared on television again.
- Many of the same unnamed Sea Ponies from the previous special appear, as do four new Sea Ponies resembling the toys named Backstroke, Sand Dollar, Sea Mist and Whitecap.
- During 'Let's Not Take A Nap', Baby Surprise appears with wings and a horn for several seconds.
In the German translation, this episode is titled die Erdhexe Katinka - 'The Earth Witch Katinka'.
[edit] DVD Releases
The two-part version of the episode is available on the following:
- Region 1: Disc 4 of My Little Pony: The Complete First Season
- Region 4: The Prince And The Ponies & Rescue From Midnight Castle & Escape From Katrina
