| The Twins of Destiny | |
|---|---|
The Twins of Destiny |
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| Format | Adventure, Animated series, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Suspense |
| Created by | Jean Chalopin |
| Developed by | Jean Chalopin |
| Directed by | Pat Griffiths Jean Morisse |
| Country of origin | France |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 52 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 26 minutes |
| Production company(s) | TF1 |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | TF1 ABC |
| Original run | 1991 – 1992 |
The Twins of Destiny (known as Les Jumeaux du Bout du Monde in French, or 天命神童 in Chinese) was a 1991 animated television series produced by French writer Jean Chalopin. It followed the (fictional) quest of two children, Jules and Julie, in their travels across Eurasia seeking to overthrow the Empress Dowager of China, and consequently, release their fathers from imprisonment. The animation was translated and introduced to China in mid-1990s.
Contents |
The story begins in Peking, China in 1895. Two children, Jules (a Chinese boy), and Julie (an English girl) are born, fulfilling the first part of a prophecy foretold by the soothsayer Laozi. That prophecy describes two children, born to different parents, but in the same place at the same hour (when the moon is at its highest point in the night sky) whose mothers both perish at birth ending the tyrannical rule of the Empress of China. In addition, the prophecy also states that this dethronement to occur, the so-called "Twins of Destiny" must replace two stone tablets at the Temple of Heavenly Harmony in the Forbidden City. As foretold, this would lead to collapse of the Empire. The children are also known as the children of the Moon Goddess.
The Empress is informed of this prophecy from her astrologer, and sends several eunuchs to kill the infants shortly after their birth. Although their fathers are captured, a member of the "Society of Freedom", Shou Cow, rescues the babies and arranges to send them to France via an arrangement made with a Captain Tournier and his first mate Martin Garçon.
Meanwhile, the Empress imprisons the fathers of Jules and Julie, petrifying them to stone with the aid of her court magician. Upon hearing that the Twins have survived, a pirate, Kung Lee, is sent to kill the twins. Although he successfully takes over the ship conveying Jules and Julie to Europe, he cannot bring himself to murder the children and goes to the empress pretending he has killed the twins. The Empress hears of this betrayal.
Twelve years pass. The twins, now living in France with Captain Tournier whom they believe to be their real father and call him Papa. They attend school. Several bullies taunt Jules because of his Asian heritage. At around this point in their lives, the Twins become careless with their power which the Captain has warned them not to use in public. An example of this is when they use a great burst of power just to move a toy boat to the edge of a pond almost breaking the boat. Later on they use their power to throw an Apple pie into A bully's face after he steals the pie from Jules. They again use the power of protection to save themselves when they almost crash Martin Garçon's car into a tree thereby almost killing themselves. Shortly thereafter the twins, the Captain and Martin Garçon go on a trip to Paris for the twin's 12th birthday, a Chinese ambassador becomes aware of the twins presence when they meet at a theatre, and Jules and Julie must escape. Their gardener, Ho Quan, a member of the Society of Freedom, assists them. However, Captain Tournier, dies of a heart attack. Martin Garçon is now guardian of the Twins.
Shou Cow makes contact with the Twins, and Jules and Julie are given an explanation to their supernatural abilities. They are finally told of their mission - to travel to Peking and return the Stone Tablets to the Forbidden City. The Twins then begin to travel across Europe, avoiding capture by the Empire's henchmen.
Jules and Julie are required to work together to overcome many obstacles in their journey. After being separated from Martin, they continue to travel, with their powers slowly growing over time. They eventually meet the Great Sebatier, a travelling magician who helps the Twins evade the eunuchs with his magic tricks and illusions, and assists them in their passage to the Middle East and beyond. The Great Sebatier leaves them, to make two more appearances as the series progresses (once more in the Middle East, and finally in the last episode).
After being imprisoned and forced to work for several days in a sweatshop, Jules and Julie again meet up with Martin Garçon and his love-interest, Paulette. This romance is explored in a minor subplot. Upon travelling on a ship destined for the Asia continent, the twins and all aboard are shipwrecked. Upon awakening on a deserted island, the Twins, separated from the other passengers, discover Giovan, a seemingly supernatural being. He explains that the Twins can learn greater control of their magic by use of the Seven Powers. These Seven Powers allow the Twins to use their magic more powerfully and efficiently.
At the end of the series, the twins, reunited with Martin and the others, finally reach the Gates of the Forbidden City, and enter via the sewers. Using the Third of the Seven Powers, they break the roof, providing them with much needed air and an escape route. Entering the Temple of Heavenly Harmony, they almost successfully replace the tablets, but are stopped by a Eunuch, Po Dung. The Society of Freedom launches an attack on the city, and the Empress flees to the Summer Palace.
Using a scheme involving fireworks and a hot air balloon, the twins enter the temple. Jules places the tablets on on the altar, reads the Chinese inscriptions and through a magical force their fathers, who are imprisoned in stone nearby, are freed. Po Dung and the other Eunuchs launch a final attack. Unfortunately for Jules and Julie, their powers start to fade. It becomes clear that the Seven Powers are tied to the Prophecy. Shou Cow explains that since the Prophecy has now been fulfilled, their power is no longer needed. However, the twins manage to call upon the Fourth of the Seven Powers one last time to attempt telekinesis, and together with their intelligence and a carefully planned strategy, manage to defeat Po Dung and the other eunuchs.
Giovan makes a final appearance, congratulating the Twins on their success. He also reveals that he and the famous "Great Sebatier" are one and the same - a spirit whose goal was to assist the Twins in fulfilling the prophecy. He further explains that he was always watching over them, in one form or another, and appeared when the Twins were in times of great need. The rebels, now in charge of the Forbidden City, announce that China is free. Julie is set to return to her home in England, with her father. However, Jules and Julie are terrified at the prospect of being separated from one another, and the twins run away together into the moonlight.
In order to use their magic, Jules and Julie would hold hands and say, for example, "We call upon the Third of the Seven Powers to blow up the wall."
Episode 1: Birth
Episode 2: Death at Sea
Episode 3: A New Life
Episode 4: Journey to Paris
Episode 5: Discovery
Episode 6: The Enemy Comes
Episode 7: The Attack
Episode 8: A Terrible New Home
Episode 9: The Trap
Episode 10: No Escape
Episode 11: Friend or Foe?
Episode 12: Danger in the Night
Episode 13: A Friend from the Fire
Episode 14: The Road to Danger
Episode 15: To Trap a Hero
Episode 16: The Selling of the Twins
Episode 17: In the Pit of Darkness
Episode 18: The Rabbits of Destiny
Episode 19: The Journey Continues
Episode 20: Crossed Paths
Episode 21: Children of the Moon Goddess
Episode 22: Goodbye to a Friend
Episode 23: River of Beauty, River of Danger
Episode 24: Faith
Episode 25: Adventure in Avignon
Episode 26: Marseilles, at Last!
Episode 27: The House of Despair
Episode 28: The Light in the Night
Episode 29: A Time to Leave
Episode 30: Voyage Into Danger
Episode 31: In the Eye of the Storm
Episode 32: Safe and Sound
Episode 33: The Return of the Mafiosi
Episode 34: Cruel Sea, Kind Sea
Episode 35: A Change of Plans
Episode 36: Battle at Sea
Episode 37: Heroes and Villains
Episode 38: Woman of Greece
Episode 39: The Terrible Lie
Episode 40: Greece by Night
Episode 41: Athens by Night
Episode 42: A Land of Danger
Episode 43: Danger in the Desert
Episode 44: Desert Adventure
Episode 45: The Trap Closes
Episode 46: Into the Mountains
Episode 47: Shifting Tides
Episode 48: Battle for the Scrolls
Episode 49: Reunion
Episode 50: Attack on the Forbidden City
Episode 51: The Temple of Heavenly Harmony
Episode 52: The Final Battle