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Rupert and Pong Ping

(NOTE: I’ve had this in my drafts for nearly 3 years... I had initially wanted to do a weekly series of reviews and analyses for the 90s animated series, but I’ve been preoccupied with a lot of other things. I kinda still wanna do this, but the enthusiasm isn’t there anymore. Who knows if I’ll ever actually come back to this. In the meantime, in honor of Rupert’s 100th Anniversary, I figure I ought to post what I did manage to write, back in 2017. Happy 100 Rupert, and here’s to many more to come. With Warmest Regards from Across the Pond.)

Episode Analysis (S1E1)

Let’s start off this series of reviews with debut episode Rupert and Pong Ping. The original story illustrated by Alfred Bestall can be found in the 1982 Annual.

Contains spoilers.

Story Synopsis

Rupert and his friend Pong Ping the Pekinese travel to China via a digging machine that goes straight through the Earth. The Emperor and Pong Ping are in fact old friends and spend the evening reconnecting, unintentionally neglecting their other friends. The Emperor’s pet dragon becomes very jealous of Pong Ping and has him kidnapped by the Great Dragon. Angered by this treachery, the Emperor banishes Pet Dragon. With some help from a wise old woman and a sleeping potion, Rupert is able to rescue Pong Ping, and later outwits the Great Dragon and also helps seal the friendship between the Emperor and Pet Dragon.

Episode Analysis

As the first episode of the series, it opens up with a look into the idyllic household of the Bears’ Cottage. Father Mr. Bear is outside doing some yard work and Rupert is off to fly his kite while his mother Mrs. Bear reminds him not to be home late. In his excitement, Rupert does not notice his father on the other side of the garden gate and accidentally knocks him face-first into a basket of leaves. Mr. Bear calmly assures his son no harm has been done but advises him to be more careful next time. A simple but endearing look at Rupert’s family life.

Later on, Rupert has gotten his kite stuck in a tree. “I’m not sure which is more fun, flying kites or climbing up after them!” This marks the start of a fourth wall trend in the animated series where Rupert will often make humorous comments about the current situation addressed to us, the viewer.

He sees his friend Pong Ping in the distance and calls out to him, when the ground suddenly and violently shakes, causing him to fall out of the tree. It certainly is a mark of how resilient Rupert is in that he can fall out of a tree during a quake and quickly get back on his feet just fine. The digging machine emerges from the ground and two men from within reach out to Pong Ping. Thinking his friend is being kidnapped, Rupert’s first instinct is to jump in after him, and not a moment too soon as the door shuts and the machine goes back underground.

In such a short moment, we are shown how much of a caring and quick-thinking person Rupert is. Where as any other child would panic and no one would blame them, Rupert is able to put aside his personal safety for that of his friend... even if there is no danger at all. Pong Ping quickly clears up the confusion. “We’re going to China for dinner!” He has received a personal invitation from the Emperor, and the digging machine came to collect Pong Ping. Since the digging machine cannot turn back, Rupert ends up tagging along.

Here, I find one of the most magical things about Rupert’s world is that it’s possible to dig right through the Earth and back in a single day and still be home in time for dinner. Not to mention, it would appear that in this universe time zones do not exist and it is the same time of day all around the world at once. Obviously an oversight on the creators’ parts but still, wouldn’t it be nice to travel around the world and back within a day and not have to adjust to a new schedule?

Though he is out of his comfort zone in China, Rupert is still polite and respectful to his hosts, even Pet Dragon who is quite rude to him. I certainly admire Rupert for calmly dealing with his string of rotten luck. Unable to get a good seat, he goes to sit in front of a gong which is then rung loudly with him still sitting there. Between his trouble with chopsticks and Pet Dragon’s smoke tantrum, he is unable to enjoy his dinner, let alone eat anything. But Rupert is a trooper and takes it all in stride.

Rupert notices Pet Dragon's jealousy and thinks the best solution is to reach out and be friendly. He is able to pacify Pet Dragon by relating to him that he feels left out as well but that he realizes Pong Ping and the Emperor are simply happy to see each other and doesn't hold any hard feelings towards Pong Ping. "Let Pong Ping and the Emperor have their time together. I'm sure I can find more exciting things to do than listen to them chatter all day. With some help. Let's be friends!" He is humble and admits that he has a lot to learn about Chinese culture, and with a hint of flattery suggests that Pet Dragon can teach him what he needs to know, surprising the creature.

When Pong Ping is being kidnapped by the Great Dragon, Rupert immediately tries to fight off the brute. Though unsuccessful, this is still another great mark of his bravery. In the morning he goes to rescue Pong Ping, despite the Emperor telling him it is no use trying to oppose the Great Dragon. When Pet Dragon reveals that he had asked the Great Dragon to take Pong Ping away, Rupert does not get angry or hold it against Pet Dragon, whereas the Emperor calls him out on his jealousy and banishes him. Rupert assures the dejected creature that the Emperor might change his mind about his banishment.

From the wise old woman in the mountains, Rupert obtains a sleeping potion, and with some help from a silly little lizard, he figures out the best way to get the Dragon to ingest the potion is by rubbing it onto the leaves of the trees he feeds from. He is successful and sneaks Pong Ping away, but unfortunately the Dragon’s sleep is short and the monster quickly chases them back to the palace. When cornered, the clever little bear is able to rescue everyone by outwitting the Great Dragon. "How can anyone learn that nobody escapes the Great Dragon and lives to tell about it, if you roast everyone who escapes before they can tell anyone?!" Unable to come up with a good answer, the Great Dragon agrees to let them all go so that they may spread his reputation.

Just when it seems all is well, there is one matter left to attend to. Having earlier been banished for his actions, Pet Dragon still came back to try and stop the Great Dragon from harming his friends. Though noble, he still broke the Emperor’s law. Rupert is able to help the Emperor realize that Pet Dragon is indeed regretful of his jealous deed and made up for it by coming back to help even under threat of punishment. The Emperor and Pet Dragon reconcile and a feast is held in honor of our heroes.

Already in one episode it has been established that Rupert is a compassionate boy who cares deeply for others, not to mention clever and quick-thinking. The other characters we meet are also wonderfully developed.

Pong Ping seems like a well-read type of person; he will often recite a quote to comment on the situation. When Rupert initially thought Pong Ping was being kidnapped, he playfully jokes "I think sometimes friend see frame by wrong picture inside." At times he seems a bit too sure of himself, at first brushing off Rupert's concerns about Pet Dragon's jealousy, and believing that Rupert oversteps his bounds when he questions the Emperor's wisdom. After being kidnapped, Pong Ping still maintains a level-head and has no qualms expressing annoyance at his situation towards the Great Dragon "It smells like a zoo in there!" He is also quick on the uptake. When he sees Rupert sneaking up the tree the Great Dragon is eating from, he quickly deduces that Rupert has a plan and quickly jumps in to help by distracting the Dragon with more complaints and insults at the risk of annoying the Dragon, which he does (good thing he's quick on his feet). All in all, he is a charming character and someone who is grateful for Rupert's friendship and loyalty. "It is said that only fool put head in dragon's mouth. But I say, sometimes fools make the best of friends." I am very saddened that Pong Ping was not a regular companion in the series, he was built up so well.

At first glance a stern person, the Emperor is in fact friendly but not one to be angered. He will not let something like favoritism stop him from doing what he believes is right, such as banishing Pet Dragon for his treachery even after admitting the creature had always been his favorite. The Emperor seems very set in his ways, someone who never changes his mind once made up. Pet Dragon even describes him as so. The Emperor believes that there is no use opposing the Great Dragon and makes no attempts to rescue Pong Ping even though he is greatly upset by his friend's kidnapping. Later on, though thankful for Pet Dragon's help, he attempts to uphold his law and that Pet Dragon must be punished for breaking it. But with some wise words from Rupert, he admits that he made a mistake and revokes Pet Dragon’s banishment.

When we first meet Pet Dragon, we see a jealous creature who expresses his feelings by blowing smoke in a tantrum. At one point he takes out his anger on Rupert, preventing him from sitting on the last cushion beside Pong Ping after he himself just had to give up the cushion next to the Emperor for Pong Ping to sit in, and later laughing at Rupert's misfortune with the gong. Later he is still hostile towards Rupert, warning him of the imminent danger to Pong Ping. He is surprised at how polite and respectful Rupert is towards him. He is very touched by Rupert's offer of friendship and mellows out, even excitedly accepting Rupert’s handshake.

By the time Pong Ping is kidnapped, Pet Dragon’s bitterness and jealousy have gone and he regrets his deed, especially after seeing how much distress this causes the Emperor and Rupert. He apologizes to Rupert for what he has done and offers him help by advising him about the wise old woman in the mountains. Though initially willing to go behind the Emperor's back and have Pong Ping taken away, Pet Dragon clearly respects and looks up to his Mister, obeying the command of banishment after realizing he has done wrong. He muses that the Emperor and the Great Dragon are similar in the respect that both will not be convinced to change their minds. He later comes back and bravely intervenes after his earlier fears towards the Great Dragon, even though he knows that he will be punished for not obeying his banishment.

Both the Emperor and Pet Dragon learn from their mistakes and strengthen their friendship.

We don't know much about the wise old woman, other then she appears to have some level of clairvoyance, as when Rupert meets her she already knows his name and what he needs to solve his problem. Rupert does not exactly find her himself, but rather he slips on some rocks and lands right outside of the woman’s cave. This is most likely the woman’s doing, as she seems to make herself known at will, appearing when she wants and just as quickly vanishing (and taking her belongings with her). As Pet Dragon put it, “If she want to help, she find you.” She is a fascinating one-time character, the first in a huge cast of many who help Rupert on his adventures.

The lizard is quite an interesting bit character. In a sing song voice she tells Rupert that pouring the potion into the water is a bad idea. She doesn't seem to realize that severity of Rupert's situation, and is more interested in playing guessing games, but still inadvertently helps Rupert figure out the solution to his problem.

The Great Dragon is a brute. Pet Dragon initially asks him to take Pong Ping away, but when he later regrets it Pet Dragon is afraid to ask the Great Dragon to undo it. "Then Great Dragon have me for breakfast! He is like Emperor, once mind is made up, never change!" It would appear that the Great Dragon has it out for everyone, other dragons included. To put it bluntly, he can also be a smug ass.

(Seriously, just look at that smug ass face of his.) He is not very clever as he is easily outwitted by Rupert's mind trick. Valuing his reputation, he lets Rupert and friends go, demanding they they spread word of his fearsome nature and flies off.

The episode also makes good use of reoccurring motifs. Throughout the episode, others tell Rupert "he has much to learn". Each time this phrase it uttered, it is under different circumstances and results.

When Rupert first meets the Emperor, he is a little awkward introducing himself. E: “A friend’s visit brings the light of ten thousand fireflies to a dark house.” PP: “The warmth of a friend’s welcome rekindles the forgotten fires of long ago.” R: “Uh, um, a man without friends is like, uh... a fish without scales!” The Emperor gives Rupert a confused look. PP: "This is my friend Rupert. He's a little unsure of the proper customs and procedures." E: "Ah, he has much to learn. Welcome, friend of Pong Ping!" R: “Thank you Your Majesty!” The Emperor and Pong Ping walk off in conversation, not realizing Rupert is still bowing to the Emperor. R: “I’ll get it right next time.” Rupert shrugs at the viewer while he says this, marking another time that Rupert addresses the fourth wall.

Later that night, Rupert is talking with Pet Dragon and wishes to have a bite from the apple he found. R: "Do you mind? My first try with chopsticks was a disaster!" PD: "You have much to learn!" R: "Heh! No argument there!" Rupert humbly admits his trouble and does not take offense, surprising Pet Dragon.

E: "Rupert! Where are you going?" R: "To help Pong Ping!" E: "Oh, you have much to learn little bear. Great Dragon's fire breath can melt even the bravest heart." R: "I have to try." E: "If that is your decision, friend of friend, I can only wish you luck and a safe return." Rupert presses on in the face adversity.

R: "Punishment? But he only came back to help us!" E: "For that I am thankful, but he has broken Emperor's law." R: "But you were angry! You said something you didn't mean." E: "I have no choice!" R: "Is it not said that a wise can be blinded by his wisdom, but it is a wiser man still who can see his mistakes?" PP: "Emperor's wisdom cannot be questioned! He has much to learn." E: "No Pong Ping, your friend has learned much. I choose to be the wiser man." We have come circle and the one who first commented that Rupert had much to learn admits that he himself has learned something as well.

To end on a humorous note, when the Emperor declares a feast in honor of Pet Dragon, Pong Ping, and Rupert, Rupert is not entirely pleased. R: "Chopsticks again?" PP: "Don't worry Rupert. Some things take longer to learn than others!"

(Where did that fork come from? I just love cartoony gags like these.)

Three portraits turn up in the episode that are a perfect visual metaphor of the “social climate” throughout the episode, so to speak. When we first meet the Emperor and Pet Dragon, they are in the middle of a portrait sitting.

Pet Dragon is used to having the Emperor all to himself. They are soon “interrupted” by the arrival of Pong Ping and Rupert. He is angry at being ignored but does little more than blow smoke. The last straw is when the second portrait is revealed, in which Pet Dragon does not appear at all.

Though the portrait was meant as a kind gesture to Pong Ping, The Emperor has been oblivious the whole evening and did not consider that Pet Dragon would feel left out. It is this that makes Pet Dragon decide that Pong Ping must be removed from the picture, figuratively speaking.

By the time of the third and last portrait, friendships have been made and sealed. The Emperor and Pet Dragon have reconciled with each other and Rupert has shown himself to be brave and loyal friend. A happy ending all around.

The episode ends with Rupert having returned home and having dinner with his parents. (It's a wonder that Rupert's parents haven't been worried sick about their son disappearing to the other side of the world.) They are having trouble using chopsticks and asks Rupert for help. He seems to have improved a bit by this point, but still slips up. Everyone gives it up as a bad job and settle for the forks and have a good laugh about it.

#Rupert #rupert bear #rupert nelvana #rupert and pong ping #episode analysis

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