Western Animation / Captain Planet and the Planeteers - TV ...

Everyone Has Standards: Captain Planet is an environmentally-friendly super hero, but he had his fill of Zarm in the "Summit to Save Earth" two-parter after he ... FollowTVTropes EditPage Related History 3Reviews More DiscussionToDoPageSource Youneedtologintodothis.GetKnownifyoudon'thaveanaccount http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers Following WesternAnimation/ CaptainPlanetandthePlaneteers GoTo × EditLocked Awesome Characters FanficRecs Fridge Funny Headscratchers Heartwarming Laconic NightmareFuel Quotes Recap TearJerker Trivia WesternAnimati… WMG YMMV WarpThatAesop VideoExamples CreateNew -CreateNew- Analysis FanWorks Haiku ImageLinks PlayingWith ReferencedBy Synopsis Timeline Byyourpowerscombined,IamCaptainPlanet!"Ourworldisinperil.Gaia,thespiritoftheEarth,cannolongerstandtheterribledestructionplaguingourplanet.Shesendsfivemagicringstofivespecialyoungpeople:Kwame,fromAfrica,withthepowerofEarth...FromNorthAmerica—Wheeler,withthepowerofFire...FromtheSovietUnionnote or"EasternEurope"inthelaterseasons—Linka,withthepowerofWind.FromAsia—Gi,withthepowerofWater...andfromSouthAmerica—Ma-Ti,withthepowerofHeart.Whenthefivepowerscombine,theysummonEarth'sgreatestchampion,CaptainPlanet."—OpeningNarrationAdvertisement:ThebrainchildofBarbaraPyleandTedTurner(thoughmostoftheactualdevelopmentworkontheshowwasdonebyDiCproducersPhilHarnageandNicholasBoxer,aswellasPyleherself),CaptainPlanetandthePlaneteerswasanattempttoprovideashowwhichwouldentertainyoungerviewers,whilesimultaneouslyeducatingthemabouttakingcareoftheenvironment.TheeponymousPlaneteersareaMultinationalTeamofteenagersimbuedwithElementalPowerstostoppollutionusingthepowerof...Aesops!Whentheyareinevitablyunabletodealwithproblemsindividually,theycombinetheirpowersintoasingleunstoppableentity:CaptainPlanet.CaptainPlanetandthePlaneteers(1990to1996)underwentseveralsmallrevisionsoverthecourseofitsrun—itwasrenamedTheNewAdventuresofCaptainPlanetduringits1993to1996run,whichcoincidedwithachangeinproductioncompanies(fromDiCtoTurner-ownedHanna-Barbera)—butthetoneoftheshowalwaysfocusedontheenvironment,oftenwithAnAesopabouttheenvironmentnote thoughothertopicslikeviolenceorAIDSreceivedtheirAesopsaswellnearthecloseofeachepisode.Prevalentintheshow'sthemewastheconceptofpersonalresponsibility:CaptainPlanet'sCatchphrasewas"Thepowerisyours!"Advertisement:Thevillains—whoallhadObviouslyEvilnameslikeDukeNukem(notthatone),HoggishGreedly,andLootenPlunder—werestrawmenwhooftenseemedtowanttodestroytheplanetjustbecauseitwastheevilthingtodo,aswellasprofit.Thiswasasincere,ifexceptionallyhamfisted,wayofavoidingoffense:ifthevillainshadbeengivengrayermorality,thenkidsmighthavecomparedthemtotheirparentsortheirparents'employers,whoareonlytryingtodotheirjobsinanefficientmanner.Toavoidfriction,thewriterscreatedvillainswhowereintentionallyexaggeratedandmadetorepresenttheplanet'senvironmentalproblemsnote Dr.Blight=unethicalscientificresearch;DukeNukem=irresponsibleuseofnuclearpowerandradiation;HoggishGreedly=overconsumption;LootenPlunder=corporategreed;TheSlaughters=animalpoaching;SlySludge=wasteproduction;VerminousSkumm=diseaseandurbandecay;Zarm=hatredandwarratherthantheactionsofindividuals.Advertisement:Theshowwasquitepopular,fornotonlyitstackyandham-fistedcharm,butitsmessagesabouttheenvironmentandsocialissues.Probablyithasalotoftodowithhowmuchthisshowwaspromoted,sinceitwasclearlyAdoredbytheNetwork.TheCaptainwasalsoaunexpectedGuestFighterontheMascotFighterCartoonNetwork:PunchTimeExplosion.2017sawtheCaptainandKwamemakingaguestappearanceonCartoonNetwork'sOKK.O.!Let'sBeHeroes,withDavidCoburnandLeVarBurtonreprisingtheirroles.Theshow'sfirstseasonwasfinallyreleasedonDVD(intheUS)onApril19th,2011—justintimeforEarthDay.Thepackagingwas,unsurprisingly,madefrom100%earth-friendlyrecycledpaper.InJuly2011,CartoonNetworkannouncedthatalive-actionfilmadaptationoftheshowwasintheworks.In2016itwasannouncedthatLeonardoDiCapriowouldproduceandstar,withGlenPowellalsoonboard.Oh,andFunnyorDiemadeaseriesofspoofvideosfeaturingDonCheadleasCaptainPlanetin2011and2012.DefinitelynottobeconfusedwithCaptainEarthorcatplanet.Thisseriesgivesexamplesof:AbusiveParents:Wheeler'salcoholicfatheristhewholereasonhelefthome.TheAce:CaptainPlanethimself,whichiskindofunusualforaFive-ManBandtypeshowinthathehimselfisnottechnicallypartofsaidband.AchillesinHisTent:Ma-Tiin"RainofTerror"andKwamein"Kwame'sCrisis".AddedAlliterativeAppeal:Intheendcredits,thepartlistingthevoiceactorsfortheEco-Villainsislabelled"PortrayingPollutingPerpetrators".AdultFear:Considerhowmuchdangerthecharactersareregularlyputin,it'spredictablethatmanyofitwoulddealwiththekindsofperilthatparentsandadultswhocareaboutchildrenwouldbeterrifiedof.EspeciallyMa-Ti,whoisinoneepisodetiedtoachairinaburningbuildingwithanotherkid.OneepisodefeaturesLinka'scousinBoris,whoisaboutherage,beinginjuredandsubsequentlydyingasaresultofdrugoverdose.Anotherfeatureskidsabouttheageoftheotherplaneteersengagingingroupviolence(asin,buyinggunsillegally)whileanotherfeaturesFree-RangeChildreninNewYorkpossiblybeingusedasscapegoatsforSkumm'splots,whileanotherisflatoutkilledoff-screenafterjumpingonatrainbecausehehitthetunnel.Unlikemostkids'cartoons,wherethevillainsimplywantstogettheheroesoutofthewayoftheirplans,thevillainsherewilltrytonotonlymurderthePlaneteers,butevenotherchildrenwhostanduptothem.Andin"FutureShock",achildisthevillains'targetasherdeathwouldalterthefutureintheirfavor.Evenvillainsaren'timmunetothis.Inoneepisode,HoggishGreedlymass-producesasmog-generatingcarandtheaddedpollutioneventuallybecomesharmfultohisson,makinghimdesperateenoughtobegthePlaneteerstosummonCaptainPlanet.AnAesop:"BitterWaters"isaboutLootenPlunderactuallyshowingararePettheDogmoment-hewantstoopenupanagriculturalfirmonthereservation,whichwillprovideitsresidentswithjobsandmoney.However,wherehemessesupisthefactthatheisusingcashcropsthatarealittletoothirstyforthelanditgrowson,whichisverysimilartowhathappenedintheSovietUnionwhentheytriedtogrowcotton.Intheend,heevenadmitstheirideaswerebetterwhentheyusenativeandmoreappropriateagriculturalproductsandusethelandforgreenenergyplants.Themoralofthisstoryisthattheroadtohellispavedwithgoodintentionsafterall.AlikeandAntitheticalAdversaries:TheseriesusesHeterogeneousHeroesagainstHomogeneousVillains.ThePlaneteersaremulticultural,whiletheEco-VillainsareprettymuchallwhiteAmericans.A.I.IsaCrapshoot:Averted-ish.MAL,Dr.Blight'scomputerhenchman,wasoriginallyaniceAIwholikedtoplaygames,butwasreprogrammedbyBlightintohiscurrentmaliciousincarnation.HewasrevertedtohisoriginalprogramminginoneepisodeandthenproceededtohelpthePlaneteers.He'salsoclearlyinlovewiththebaddoctor,andisveryloyaltoher.note Atleast,thisbecamethecasewhenTimCurrytookoverforDavidRappaportasthevoiceofMAL.DavidRappaport'stakeonMALwasatypicalcomputerprogramwithnofeelings.AllJustaDream:CombinedwithsocialAesopslikeoverpopulationandhomelessness,it'ssomethingofaRunningGagforWheelertoend,uponewayoranother,enteringadreamworldoralternateuniversetoteachtheday'slesson.AllYourColorsCombined:TheneteffectofsummoningCaptainPlanet,sinceeachoftheringshasadifferentcolorassociatedwithit.AlsotheTropeNamer.AllergictoEvil:CaptainPlanetishurt(asinharmed,notmerelyupset)byAdolfHitler'shatred,whichishereconsideredtobeaformofemotionalpollution.AnalogyBackfire:OneepisodedealtwiththeethicsofputtinganimalsinzoostopreservetheirpopulationbyhavinganalienracearriveandputthePlaneteersandtheextrasoftheweekintoazoofortheirownpreservation.Thealiensmadetheexactsameexcuses,suchas"it'sforyourowngood,"thathumanshadmadefordoingsoearlier.Thisepisodehasmultiplefailedanalogies:First,keepingasapientpersoncapableoflogicandreasoningagainsttheirwillisimprisonment.Theshowactsasifpreservinganendangeredcondorinasafeenvironmentisthesameaskidnappingpeopleandstrippingthemofbasichumanrights.Second,thevillainsoftheepisode—Dr.BlightandHoggishGreedly—wereputtinganimalsinazootomakeroomforagolfcourse.Asmisguidedasthealienswere,theyatleastweren'tinterferingwiththeEarthitselfandactuallycaredaboutpreservinghumans.Meanwhile,BlightandGreedlywerebulldozinganecosystemformonetarygainandsimplydroppedtheanimalsoffatthezootofeelbetteraboutit.Third,ananimalthatisgenuinelyindangerofdyingoutwhileinit'snaturalhabitat,andpreservingthembybringingthemtozoos,isonething-humans,regardlessofhowbadtheyaremakingtheenvironment,areinnodangerofdyingout-ifanything,theopposite.AndI'mtheQueenofSheba:In"TheUnbearableBrightnessofBeing",WheelerretortstoGaiatryingtoexplainthatshe'sinDr.Blight'sbodybysnarkingthatheisCaptainPollution.AndKnowingIsHalftheBattle:ThePlaneteerAlertsegmentshadCaptainPlanetandthePlaneteersinformtheaudienceofhowtheycantakebettercareoftheenvironmentanddisposeofgarbageandotherwastesresponsibly.AndThenWhat?:ThePlaneteerssometimesreasonedwithpollutersbyaskingthemwhattheyintendedtodoaftertheiractionshavedonetheirdamage.AnimationBump:Fortheshow'sfourthseason,theproductionwasshiftedfromDICtoTurner'sownHanna-Barbera,leadingtoasignificantincreaseintheshow'sanimationquality.Animesque:AspertheusualwithDiCduringthistime,severaloftheirepisodeshaveamoreanime-likequalitytotheirartstyle.AvertedcompletelywiththeswitchtoHanna-Barbera,whichusesamorewesternizedlook.Anti-Villain:Mostpeoplewhocolludewiththevillainsareeitherdesperateordon'tknowanybetter.Surprisinglyenough,LootenPlunder,in"BitterWaters".He'sinterestedinrescuingaNativeAmericanreservationfromitspoverty,strikingadealwiththetribalchairmantobuildanirrigationfacilitythat'llallowthenativestogrowfoodcropsforsale,aswellasrestoringthelocaleconomy,personallypayingrentforallworkersandgivingbonusestothechairman.However,thechairmandoesn'tknowthattheirrigationisactuallypoisoningthelocalwaterreserves;it'sheavilyimpliedthatLooten,ontheotherhand,knewthisfullwell.ApocalypseHow:Theepisode"PlaneteersUnderGlass"hasthePlaneteersandafemalescientist(Dr.Derek)enteravirtualplanetwherepollutionissickeningtheplanetincenturies(spedupinminutes),startingfromClass0uptoClass3.ButthenDr.Blighttrapsthemallintherapidlywastingvirtualplanet,bringingtheApocalypseClassupto4andclosertoClasses5and6beforedestroyingthemall(notevenCaptainPlanetcansavethem)...orsoBlightthinks.Fortunately,theteamofPlaneteershaveabackupspotbeforetheyvanishsotheycanreturnsafelytostopBlight.ArtisticLicense–NuclearPhysics:TedTurnerdoesnotlikenukes,andDukeNukemisthewalkingembodimentofwhyweshouldneverusenucleartechnology.Actualtechnicalerrorsincludehavingmushroomcloudsformfromanyexplosionofnuclearmaterials,includingabombdetonatinginspace,andahighlyinaccurateportrayalofanuclearpowerplantinoneepisode,whichamongothererrorsdisplayedradioactivesmokecomingfromacoolingtowerafterDukeNukemblastedaholeinit.ArtisticLicense–Physics:"TwoFuturesPartTwo"hasWheeler'sinactioninhelpingtheplanetcausedaozonelayerholeoverRussia,whichwouldnothappenastheOzoneHolecanonlybeoverAntarcticabecauseitcanonlyhappenoversuper-coldareas,nootherplaceonEarthcanhavethathappentoit-noteventheNorthPole.AuthorAvatar:Eco-consciousTVtycoonFredLernerin"Who'sRunningTheShow?"TedTurnerAx-Crazy:It'sprettyclearthatDr.Blightcausestheproblemsshedoesforthesheersickpleasureofit.AsnotedunderCutLexLuthoraCheck,below,she'sdevisedallkindsoftechnologythatcouldbeusedtofixanynumberofecologicalproblems(andthisiswhatGaiaactuallydidwhenshebecametrappedinBlight'sbodyduringa"FreakyFriday"Flip)butcausingpollutionandwreckingtheEarthissimplymorefun.BareYourMidriff:Amaleexample,CaptainPlanet'soutfitseemstodothis(Thoughitisn'tknownwhetherthisisbecauseanimationofcartoonsatthetimewasstillgettingthere.)Linkainatleast2episodeshasherwearashirtthatshowsherstomach.BadFuture:Wheelergoesherein"TwoFutures,Part2",whereHoggishGreedlyandRiggerTakeOvertheWorld,andtheotherPlaneteersliveaveryroughlife,protectingwhat'sleftoftheenvironment.AndasforGaia...Therewasalsoabadfuturewreckedbypollutionwherethefuturedescendantsofthecurrentvillainsarealltogether,completewithDr.Blight'sdescendantcommentingontheironyofhavingcreatedtechnologytorecycle,followedbythemattemptingtoensuretheirfutureexistsasitstartstounravelbykillingthePlaneteersinthepresentday.TheBadGuyWins:Intheepisode"WhooGivesaHoot?",LootenPlundergetsawaywithhisschemetoclearcutaforestwhereendangeredspecieslive.ItendswithhimlaughinginthePlaneteers'facesanddaringthemtotrytostophimfromdoingitagain.BelligerentSexualTension:WheelerandLinkahadplentyofthisgoingon,andintheearlyseasons,notjustbecauseofgender.note Itresolvesitself,somewhat,whenthetwofinally(andpassionately)kissinEpisode69,"MissingLinka".BewaretheNiceOnes:DonotangerGiorMa-Ti.Ever.It'shardtopissthemoff,butifsomeonedoes?...wow.note Gitriestodrownagangmemberforcriticallyinjuringafriendofhers.Sheisnearlysuccessful.AlsoappliestoGaiawhocanbecomeMamaBearwhenthePlaneteersareindanger.BirthdayEpisode:Wheeler'sbirthdayiscelebratedintheepisode"NumbersGame".BittersweetEnding:Talkin'Trash:Yeah,Skumm'sEvilPlanfailedandTrishhasbeenreformed,butFrankieisdead.MindPollution:Again,Skumm'sEvilPlanfailed,andLinkahasfoundthewillpowertofaceheraddiction,buthercousinisdead.RadiantAmazon:NukemandSludgehavebeenstoppedfromdumpingtheirtoxicwasteintherainforestnearMa-ti'svillage,butMa-tiisstillcryingattheendbecauseheknowshisvillagewillfacefurtherattacksbeforelong.BoundandGagged:ThePlaneteershavethishappensooften,it'sawondertheygetanythingaccomplished.Theguysgettiedupasmuchasthegirls.ThishappenstoBambiBlightin"Hollywaste."Dr.Blightreceivesthistreatmentin"FrogDayAfternoon."BraggingEndingTheme:CaptainPlanet,he'sahero/Gonnatakepollutiondowntozero!Braids,BeadsandBuckskins:OneepisodecontainedaNativeAmericanwhoactedanddressedlikeanyotherperson.ButafteronehikethroughnaturelaterwiththePlaneteershadhimlettingloosehishair,tossinghisglasses,andbecomingonewithnature.BreakingtheFourthWall:SeveralexamplesexistInWho'sRunningtheShow,thenetworkmanageraskstheplaneteersiftheywanttostarintheirownshowcalled"CaptainPlanetandthePlaneteers"InHogTides,CaptainPlanetstartssingingtheshow'sownthemesong.BriarPatching:In"TheUnbearableBrightnessofBeing",GaiainDr.Blight'sbodytricksDr.BlightinGaia'sbodyintostrikingCaptainPlanetwithlightningsohecanpowerthemachineneededtoswitchtheirmindsbackbyconvincingherthatlightningcandestroyCaptainPlanet.BrokenAesop:Inthebeginningofoneepisode,Wheelerboughtanairconditionertodealwithaheatwave.Asnotedabove,theepisodelaterfocusedonthedamagethechemicalsofairconditionerscausetotheenvironment,sointheendthePlaneteersdumpeditandstarted...playingwithwaterandagardenhosetorefreshthemselves,implyingthatit'sbettertowastewaterthanusinganairconditioner.BroughtDowntoNormal:In"NoPlaceLikeHome",GaiagetsreducedtoamortalbyDr.Blight.ThisalsocausesCaptainPlanettonotonlylosehisownpowers,butitalsopreventedhimfromsplittingoffintotherings,whichalsorobbedthePlaneteersoftheirringpowers.ButtonMashing:In"PollutingbyComputer",MALwascontrollingtheenvironmentalagency'scomputer,andnobodycouldstophim.UntilWheelersavesthedaybyhittinglotsofrandomkeysonthekeyboard,confusingMALandlosinghiscontrol.BythePowerofGrayskull!:AllthePlaneteershavetoinvoketheirringsinordertosummonCaptainPlanet.CalltoAdventure:GivenbyGaiaatthestartoftheshow.AllfiveJumpedattheCall.OneepisodefocusedonWheelerrefusingitbytimetravel...biiigmistake.CallingYourAttacks:ThePlaneteershadtonametheirelementinordertoactivatetheirrings.Ofcourse,thishappenedwhethertheyactuallywantedtousethemornot,suchaswhenWheeleroffhandedlysaid"fire"andasmallfirebrokeout.CanaryinaCoalMine:OneepisodeshowstheoriginsofthePlaneteersinflashback.Linka'sshowsagroupofRussianminersescapingfromamineaftertheairgoesbad.Oneofthem,Linka'sfather,carriesthenowdeadcanaryandlamentsthatshewillbedevastated.Sheis.CaptainSuperhero:ThetitlecharacterisaheronamedCaptainPlanet.CaptivityHarmonica:Intheepisode"JailhouseFlock",CaptainPlanetatonetimesings,"Nobodyknowsallthepollutin'I'veseen,"andplaystheharmonicawhileinprison.Card-CarryingVillain:MostofthevillainswouldlovetoseetheEarthcoveredinapileofsludgeoutofthesheerjoyof...coveringtheEarthinsludge,withDr.BlightandZarmbeingtheworstcontenders.Evenif,forsomeofthesecharacters,thiswouldseverelyimpactthemaswell.Twoofthevillains,beingmonstersthatthriveoffdiseaseandradiation(VerminousSkummandDukeNukem,respectively),atleasthavesomesortofbenefittoturningtheplanetintoawasteland(sinceforthem,itwouldbebetter),andZarmisanAnthropomorphicPersonificationofdestruction,soforthemitmakessense.Catchphrase:"ThePowerIsYours!"ChainofPeople:KwameandWheelerformoneafterMa-TifallsofftheCapitolwhilebeingpursuedbyzombiedrugaddicts.It...makessenseincontext.ChickMagnet:Wheelerhadthisgoingforhim,andLinkausuallydidn'tapproveofit.ChristianityIsCatholic:Theepisode"Nothing'sSacred"impliesthatLinkaisCatholic,bymakingherreferencetheVatican.However,EasternOrthodoxywasfarmorecommonamongChristiansintheSovietUnion,althoughtherewereCatholics,usuallyamongspecificethnicgroups(Lithuanians,Poles,Rusyns,andsomeoftheByelorussians,GermansandUkrainiansforinstance).Ofcourse,anothernameforEasternOrthodoxyisOrthodoxCatholicandtherelationshipis...complicated,soamembermaylegitimatelythinkofthemselvesasCatholicandnotbeanexampleatall.Thenagain,theVaticanisstronglybelievedtobetheplacewhereSt.Peterisburied.Andit'sworthnotingthatbothCatholicandOrthodoxChristianityareveryfondoftheApostlesnote TheOrthodoxesdoseemtopreferSt.Andrewoverhisbrother,Peter,butthat'sbesidethepoint..Plus,LinkaisappalledafterhearingthatsomestolenOrthodoxiconsarebeingsoldaswell.ChuckCunninghamSyndrome:CommanderClashwasaminorrecurringallyofthePlaneteersintroducedintheDiCEntertainmentseasons.He'snowheretobeseenintheNewAdventuresofCaptainPlanetseasonsproducedbyHanna-Barbera.LootenPlunder'shenchmanArgosBleakisabsentintheshow'sfinalseason.Hewasreplacedbyapairofdim-wittedlumberjackthugsnamedOakeyandDokeyPinehead.ClearMyName:Theepisode"JailHouseFlock"engagesthiswhenCaptainPlanetandthePlaneteersaresenttojail.It'smademoredifficultwhenGreedlyletsthePlaneteersgo,thenframesthemfor"breakingoutofjail",thusmakingthemfugitives.ClingyJealousGirl:LinkaisaTsunderewhoalwaysdenieshercrushonWheeler,butopenlyshowsjealousyandpossessivenesswhenhehasaGirloftheWeekinthefigureofTeresa,ahomelessMexicangirl.CluelessAesop:Theshowprovidesatleastthreestellarexamples.Manyhavequestionedwhetheritwasreallyappropriateforashowaboutkidsandtheirsuperherobuddyfightingsupervillainsandsavingtheworldtotacklegangviolence,AIDS,andTheTroublesinNorthernIreland.Theshowtackledgangviolenceallthroughoutitsrun,withFOURepisodesonthetopic..."Utopia","TeersIntheHood","Talkin'Trash",and"OneoftheGang",andeveninepisodeswhereanothersocialissueisraised,therearemomentsofgangviolenceinthestory.Gangviolenceisahugepartoftheseriesbecauseitisatopicthataffectsyouth.TedTurnerwantedtheshowtocoverthesubjectofoverpopulation.TheteamwhodidCaptainPlanetalsobroughtinchildpsychologiststoreviewsomeofthemorecontroversialepisodes.Thisincludestheepisodes"MindPollution"and"AFormulaForHate".Onthewhole,theenvironmentalmessagesdon'ttranslateverywelltoreallifebecauseofhowreductiveandsimplistictheyusuallyareindealingwiththesubject,asthoughtheenergyproduction,manufacturing,andwastedisposalindustriescauseenvironmentaldamagejustforthesheerhellofit.Color-CodedElements:Eachringiscolor-codedinauniqueway.TheEarthringisgold,hasagreengemwithglobesymbol,andemitsagreenlight;TheFireringissilver,hasaredgemwithayellowflameaccent,andemitsaredlight;TheWindringisgold,hasadarkbluegemwithwhitewisps,andemitsawhitelight;TheWaterringisgold,hasalightbluegemwithawave,andemitsabluelight;andTheHeartringisgold,hasayellowgemwitharedheart,andemitsayellowlight.CombinedEnergyAttack:CaptainPlanet,downtohiselements.ThePlaneteersthemselveswouldfrequentlycombinetheirpowersinsmallerform,forexample,LinkaandWheelercreatingalaserbycombiningWindandFire.Comic-BookAdaptation:MarvelComicspublishedacomicbookbasedonthecartoonthatlasted12issues.CommanderContrarian:Wheelerexiststosayordosomethingstupidorjerkassandthenbecorrectedbyhiswisenon-Americanteammates.Oh,andtohavehispoweroffirefailtogetthemoutofthelatesttightspot.TheComplainerIsAlwaysWrong:AnyviewpointinnocentlycontrarytotheshowisgiventoWheeler.Evenwhenhehasaperfectlylegitimatepoint,theshowsetshimuptobe"proven"wrong,mainlybecausehehasthewrongattitudeorgoesaboutthingsthewrongway.In"Wheeler'sArk",theteamistakinghomelessendangeredanimalstoHopeIslandinanefforttoprotectthem.Wheelercomplainsaboutthisandratherthanmakethepointthattakingacutebutendangeredspeciesoutofitshabitatisbad,he'saheartlessjerk.ItthengetssubvertedbyGaiasayingexplicitlythatalltheanimalsmustreturntowheretheybelong.Hilariously,though,thekidsdon'tseemtogettheidea...andwhenWheelerchangeshismind,hetakesthePlaneteers'originalattitudetotheextreme,adoptingevenawhale.Somewhatinvertedin"MindPollution,"whenWheeleristheonewhotalkssenseintoLinkawhenshe'shighonBliss.Andagain,whenhetalkedGioutofkillingtheguywhoshotherfriend.Wheelerisalsoshowntoberightin"BeastoftheTemple",whenheistheonlyPlaneteerconvincedfromthebeginningthatthetitularBeastisn'treal."Hollywaste"invertsthetrope,too.UponmeetingDr.Blight'ssister,fourofthePlaneteers(especiallyLinka)areimmediatelysuspiciousofher.OnlyWheelerbelievesshe'sinnocent–andendsupbeingRightfortheWrongReasons.Theairconditionerepisode,inwhichWheelerisjusttryingtocooloffthePlaneteersduringaheatwave.ConflictBall:Wheelerdidn'tgotoowellwithanythingelse.ConfusionFu:In"PlaneteersUnderGlass",Dr.Blight'sevilcomputerMALtakesoveranenvironmentalsimulationandisabletoblockouttheprotagonists'attemptstoregaincontrol.ThenWheelerstepsintoconfuseMALintosubmissionbyrandomlyinputtingcommandsintotheterminal,likehedidearlierintheepisode.ContinuityNod:WhileCaptainPollutionappearsinonlyafewepisodes,theheroesoccasionallyreferencehimlater,forexamplein"TheUnbearableBlightnessofBeing"inSeason4.CorruptCorporateExecutive:LootenPlunderandtoasmallerextentHoggishGreedly.SlySludgeoftenhadelementsofthis,buthewasn'tnearlyasrichoraspowerfulasGreedlyorPlunder.CorruptHick:HoggishGreedlyisn'tasrichasLootenPlunder,hehasarednecksubordinatenamedRigger,andhisoperationsaremuchmorelocal.CreatorCameo:OneoftheH-BeraepisodesfeaturedBlight,Nukem,SkummandGreedlytakingoveraTVnetwork,withtheownernamedFredLerner(athinly-veiledparodyofTedTurner,whovoiceshimself!)CruellatoAnimals:Rarelyseenontheshow,surprisingly.CuriousQualmsofConscience:Rigger.Especiallytowardstheendoftheseries,hewouldfrequentlybealarmedathisbossGreedly'sactionsandpointoutobviousenvironmental/socialimpactsinanapparenthopethathisbosswillbeconcernedtoo.Unfortunatelythough,Greedly'sresponsewasneverfavourable,andRiggerdidn'tactonhisconscience.CutLexLuthoraCheck:Whydidn'tthevillainsjustselltheirtechnologyinsteadofusingitagainstthePlaneteersandbeingfoiled?Particularlymind-bogglingwhenDr.BlightswitchesbodieswithGaiaforanepisode.GaiausesBlight'stechnologytoeffortlesslycleanupoilspills,putoutragingwildfiresetc.;Dr.Blightisfuriousattheendoftheepisode.Justtheoilspilltechnologywouldmakehertheworld'sfirsttrillionaireifsheshoppeditaroundtooilcompanies,governments,theUN,Greenpeace...PlayedstraightinSlySludge'sfinalappearanceintheseries,wherehefinallygetsacluethatlegitrecyclingisactuallyprofitableandactuallyhasachangeofheartaboutpollution.DarkerandEdgier:Afewepisodesweremuchdarkerthantherestoftheseries,with"MindPollution","'TeersInThe'Hood","SeaNoEvil","101Mutations",and"Talkin'Trash"standingoutthemost.DeathGlare:FromAdolfHitlertoCaptainPlanet.PlanetactuallyfeelspainfromthehateHitlerprojects.DistressedDudes:Ma-TiandWheelerhavebothbeeninsituationswheretheywerecapturedandneededtoberescuedonseveraloccasions.TheDogBitesBack:Literallyappliedin"101Mutations".Dr.Blighthasapairofguarddogsintheepisodethatshemistreats.Eventually,shefindsherselfattheirmercywhentheshockcollarskeepingtheminlineareremoved.DownerEnding:"WhooGivesaHoot?"ThePlaneteersattempttostopLootenPlunderwithacourtinjunctionagainstclear-cuttinganoldgrowthforest.Theyfailandtheepisodeendsonthatnote,withPlundertauntingthemtotryandstophimagain.NotableforbeingoneoftheonlyepisodeswherethePlaneteersofficiallylose.Theepisode"MindPollution"whereVerminousSkummhandsoutdrugstoeveryoneandendsupkillingLinka'scousin.Theepisode"Utopia"endswithKwamerecoilinginshockashehearsthatcrimeandgangviolenceareexplodingnationwide,justafterhavinganightmareandreassuringhimselfthattherecouldneverbeaworldruledbystreetgangs.DrillTank:VerminousSkummandhisminionsoperateatankwithadrillin"RainofTerror".DrugsAreBad:"MindPollution".Skumm'sdrugBlissisrealistic,inthatitdoesmakepeoplefeelgoodforawhile,butyoumusttakemoreandmoretogetthesamehigh.Thoughdraggingdownthegrittyrealismfactorsomewhatareitseffectsonitsusers(glowingredeyes,turningaddictsintoliteralravingzombies),andhowitismadeandpeddledexclusivelybyamalevolenthumanratmutant.EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:Inthefirstfewepisodes,CaptainPlanetdoesn'twearboots.EasterEgg:In"'TeersintheHood",ShaggyandVelmaareattheirhighschool.At2:18.EasyAmnesia:Theepisode"ATwistofFate"hasWheelergainamnesiafromgettinghitonthehead.HeeventuallyrecovershismemoriesafterthehomelessloanhimapairofshoesthatremindhimofwhatGaiatoldhimaboutbetterunderstandinghowroughthehomelesshaveit.Element#5:Ma-TiisempoweredwithHeartsothathecanhavehisownelementalpowerwhilefire,earth,water,andwindarealreadytaken.ElementalPowers:"Earth!Fire!Wind!Water!Heart!GOPLANET!"EmpathicWeapon:Therings,whichcan'tworkwhileinheavypollution.Ma-Ti'sHeartringwasunabletoscanexactlywhatHoggishGreedlywasdoingwithWheelerinadistanttempleinoneepisode,becausetheveryfacthewasdoingsomethingevilblockedawayanythingelsetheringcoulddetect.EndingTheme:Whichisamixofrockandrap.EngineeredPublicConfession:In"JailHouseFlock",RiggeristrickedbyGiintoconfessingthathisbossHoggishGreedlyliedabouthispromisetoreplacethewetlandshisconstructionprojectwasgoingtodestroyandthatthetwocrookshadCaptainPlanetandthePlaneteersarrestedunderfalsepretenses.Rigger'sblabbingwasespeciallyundignifiedforhimbecausehewasn'tawarethateverywordhesaidwasbeingheardinthecourtroomfromaspeaker.EternalHero:CaptainPlanet,asaheroicincarnationofGaia,isarguablyanexample.Arguablebecausehe'samodern-dayheroandwemightyetkilltheplanetforgood.EverybodyCries:AllfivePlaneteersbreakdowncryingin"SummitToSaveEarth-Part1"afterZarmtransformsGaiaintoaveryoldmortalwomanwhoappearstobedead.Agroupofvillagersin"TheDreamMachine"burstintotearsuponseeingtheironcepeacefulandprosperouscommunityturnedintoanindustrialwastelandbytheirgreedywishesforunnesscarytechnology.EveryoneHasStandards:CaptainPlanetisanenvironmentally-friendlysuperhero,buthehadhisfillofZarminthe"SummittoSaveEarth"two-parterafterhecausedaBadFutureofEarthbeingliterallytrashedallover.CaptainPlanet:(atZarm)You'renothingbuttrash!AndthisisonetimeI'mNOTrecycling!EveryoneLovesBlondes:WheelerforLinka,andMALforDr.Blight.EvilBrits:ArgosBleak,MAL,andZarmareallvillainswithBritishaccents.EvilColonialist:HoggishGreedlyandLootenPlunder.Bothofthemoftengotoforeigncountriesinsearchofmorewealthandpowerattheexpenseofthenatives.SlySludgealsocounts,sincehisgarbagedumpingoperationsareallovertheplanet.EvilCounterpart:CaptainPlanetreceivedoneintheformofCaptainPollution.HewassummonedwithevilcounterpartsofthePlaneteers'rings,wornbytheEco-villains:SuperRadiation(DukeNukem),Deforestation(LootenPlunder),Smog(SlySludge),Toxins(VerminousSkumm),andHate(Dr.Blight).ZarmistheevilcounterparttoGaia,andthemostthreateningvillainoftheseries.Fittingly,heatonepointtriedtomanipulatethePlaneteersintousinghisringstocreatea"CaptainConquest."EvilFeelsGood:"TheConqueror"hasthePlaneteersfindenjoymentinbeingmanipulatedbyZarm.EvilRedhead:HoggishGreedlyhasredhairandisawastefulgluttonwholovescausingharmtotheenvironment.EvilTwin:CaptainPollutionwasanevilversionofCaptainPlanetwhowassummonedbythevillains,couldbedefeatedbybeamsofsunlightsincehe'salldirtyandstuff,andtalkedlikeasurfertocontrastCaptainPlanet,whohadasenseofhumor,butsoundedandactedlikeawisematureadult.ExtinctintheFuture:Theepisode"GorillasWillBeMissed"startsinafuturewheregorillasareextinct.FaceDeathwithDignity:Intheepisode"PopulationBomb",Piebaldisawareofhispeople'sinevitablefate.HegivesadvicetoWheelersothathumanitymightavoidsufferingthesamefate.FakingtheDead:In"TheGhostofPorkaloinPast",itiseventuallyrevealedthatHoggishGreedly'sgrandfatherDonPorkaloinonlyfakedhisdeathaspartofanattempttopersuadehisgrandsonintoabandoninghiseco-unfriendlylifestyle.Family-FriendlyFirearms:Whilesomeepisodesshowedthevillainswieldinglasers,thistropewasactuallyavertedinmanyepisodesthatdepictedrealfirearms,mostlybyminorthugsorsoldiersnotassociatedwithanyoftheEco-Villains.Notonlythat,thePlaneteersarethreatenedandshotatwiththosefirearms.Alsosubvertedin"Wheeler'sArk",whereDr.Blight'snewlaserweaponrymakesthemevenbetterkillers,testingthemonwolvestodeadlyandheartbreakingeffect,kickingofftheepisode.Family-UnfriendlyDeath:"MindPollution"showsLinka'scousinBorisdyingonscreenofadrugoverdose,and"Utopia"showsafamilybeingkilledinadrive-byshooting,withaDead-HandShotandthegroundcoveredinblood."FantasticVoyage"Plot:"AnInsideJob",inwhichKwamedrinkswaterpollutedfromrawsewage,whichWheelerofcoursedidn'tboilordisposeofwhenherealizedSlySludgewaspumpingouttonsofeffluentstraightintotheseeminglyclearmountainwater.Fortunately,thePlaneteersandtheGeocruiserwereshrunkdowninthewaterbyDr.BlightwhileKwamewasconsumingit,allowingthemtofighttheparasitesinside.FertileFeet:Gaia,in"NoPlaceLikeHome,"turnsalifelessconstructionsiteintoathrivinggrasslandfullofflowerssimplybywalkingthroughit.Five-TokenBand:Kwame(African),Wheeler(whiteAmerican),Linka(EasternEuropean),Gi(Asian),andMa-Ti(SouthAmerican).FortheEvulz:ThemostcommonmotivationwhenitcomestoCaptainPlanetvillainsistocauseharmtotheenvironmentsolelyforthesakeofdoingso.Whiletechnicallysomeofthemwerealsoostensiblygainingmoneyforit,theyusuallystillendedupbeingmorecomplicatedthanlegitimatealternativeswouldbe.IntheepisodewhereDr.BlighttriedtosellanatomicbombtoHitler,onemustwonderhowsheintendedtoprofitonwipingoutherowntimeline,andpresumablyherself.VerminousSkummtechnicallywantedtoruintheworldforhumanssoheandhisratscouldtakeover,buthismethodstendedtomakelittlesense,andheoftenjusttriedtomakelifemiserableforhumansbecausehehatedthem,thoughgivenhishatredofhumanshisdesiretoharmthemisatleastexplicable.OneepisodehadPlunderstartingawarbetweentwodesertvillagessohecouldsellweaponsandtankstobothofthem.Oneattackstheotherwhilehe'sinthevillage,andeventuallythey'rebothsopoortheycan'tpurchasefoodorrepairtheirfarms.Forthemostpart,HoggishGreedlyandLootenPlundercausedestructionforprofit,thoughtheirmethodsaremoremakeprofitsinthemomentandnotforthefuture.DukeNukemwhiletypicallyfallingintothisabsorbsradiationtostayalive,it'sbasicallyhowheeats."FreakyFriday"Flip:GaiaandDr.Blightswitchbodiesinoneepisode,andendupswitchingpowerstoo.Dr.Blightusesherpowersovernaturetocauseallkindsofecologicalchaos...whichGaiathenstartsfixingusingDr.Blight'stechnology.Free-RangeChildren:Doanyoftheirparentscarethattheirchildrenarefightingagainstevildoersabouttheworld?OnlyMa-TiandWheelerwereexplicitlyexplainedashavingnoparentstospeakof(Ma-TiisConvenientlyanOrphan;Wheelerranawayfromhome),sowhatabouttheothers?Frickin'LaserBeams:Despitetheallegeddesiretobetopical,allthetanksandweaponsareverysci-fi,andeverythinguseslasersormissiles.FriendtoAllLivingThings:Ma-Ti,frombeforegettinghis"lame"heartpowers.LinkaandGiarealsogoodwithanimals.FurandLoathing:AlthoughitonlyshowsupacoupleoftimeswithLootenPlunder,HoggishGreedly,andDr.Blight,andisn'tgivenanyrealfocus.Bothsurprisingandrefreshingforthisshow.Gaia'sLament:ThoughCaptainPlanettakesplaceinmoderntimes,withmostlycurrenttechnologyandculturescombinedwithoccasionalsuper-scienceandhigh-technology,in"AHeroForEarth",Gaiafindsouttheworldisinaterriblestate,thoughstillbasicallyinthesameconditionastherealworld,withpollutedwatersandskies,hugecities,anddyinganimals.Thepoorstateoftheenvironmentisenoughtomakehertakeaction.GagDub:ForEarthDay2019,CartoonNetworkmadeadubcenteringaroundtheEco-Villainsbeingannoyedbytheshow'sthemesong.G-RatedDrug:Intheepisode"MindPollution",VerminousSkummhandedsomedrugscalledBlisstoeveryone.Ofcourse,itdoesn'tturnoutwellfortheusers.Ithassomeexceedinglynastysideeffects;inadditiontocompletelynegatingtheabilitytofeelpain(tothepointwherepotentiallyfatalinjuriesareflat-outignored),itisquitetoxicand,judgingfromthefactthatallthevictimsareinahospitalafterwards,hasareallyunpleasantwithdrawal.GenerationXerox:TheepisodewherethebadguysformaLegionofDoom-typesetup(seebelow)alsoseesasecondalternatetimelinewhereanewgenerationofPlaneteersdropintomakethesave.Lookcloseenoughandyou'llnoticethefutureWinduserlooksalotlikeWheelerandthefutureFireuserlooksalotlikeLinka.Wheelerevenpointsthisout,thoughLinkarefusestoruminateonit.TheGodsMustBeLazy:GaiacouldeasilyrestorebarrenlandwithherFertileFeet,butchoosesnottobecausehumansneedtolearntotakecareoftheirownworld(exceptwhenwecan'tandneedmagic).Fairenough.Butwhycan'tshejustchooseanotherfireringuserwhenWheelerRefusedtheCallandwentbackintimetostophimselffromacceptingit?Okay,maybethePlaneteersarechosenbyahigherpowerthatevenshecan'tchange.It'saguess,butwhatever.Now,explainwhyshedecidestotakeahundred-yearnapinthemiddleofthegoddamnindustrialrevolution,thenreliesentirelyonfiveteenagerstofixacenturyofherneglect?Whatthehell,EarthMother?Addressedin"TheUnbearableBlightnessofBeing,"whereGaia!Blight'sattemptedradicalecologicalalterations(firstonherlistbeingtoturntheSaharaintoagarden)wouldultimatelyendupbeingjustasdestructiveasthestuffBlightusuallydoes,addressingwhyGaiadidn'tdothatherself.Yetthiscreatesanotherproblem,becausetheSaharaDesertisanaturalpartoftheenvironmentandofcourseturningitintoagardenwouldbebad(althoughthereareafewtheoriesthatitwasmassivelyexpandedbyovergrazinginearlyhistory).Butthere'splentyofplacesruinedbymanthatshecouldbeaffectingthatshejust...doesn't.LikecleaningupChernobyl,orputtingoutthecoalfiresinCentraliaorrefillingtheAralSeaormakingcountlessnuclearortoxicwastesitessafeagain.Inthesameepisode,GaiainBlight'sbodyspendstheepisodefixingecologicalproblemswithBlight'stechnology.Itseemsthatwhileshecoulduseherownpowertofixtheworld,she'dmuchratherteachmankindtocleanupafterthemselvesinstead,andbeinginBlight'sbodygaveherthechancetoshowhumanityitwaspossible.Whichisbetter?Herfixingeverythingforhumanityandthemlearningnothing,ifanythingmakingtheproblemworsebymakinghumanityexpecthertojustcleanupafterthemoractuallyforcingmankindtotakeresponsibilityfortheproblemstheycreatedandlearntofixthemthemselves?However,ifZarminterferes,beingarivalgod,GaiaWILLstepin.WhenZarmin"FutureShock"bringsfutureeco-villainsintothepasttochangethefuture,GaiastepsinandbringsfuturePlaneteerswithafutureCaptainPlanettotryandstopthem.GrandTheftMe:"TheUnbearableBlightnessOfBeing"featuresDr.BlightkidnappingandswitchingwithGaia'sbody.ThisbackfiresonherwhenGaiaspendstheepisodefixingecologicalproblemswithBlight'stechnology.TheGreatPoliticsMess-Up:Linkaof"TheSovietUnion"isoneofthegoodguys(albeitdescribedasfrom'EasternEurope'aftertheBerlinWallfell),andRussiawasneverplayedinanegativelightuntilalateepisodeintheshow'srun("MissingLinka"),whenLinkagoesbacktoherhomeinRussiatodiscoverthatahastilyabandonedandpoorlydugironminewasresponsibleforspreadingsicknessthroughthegroundwatertable,highlightingtherampantenvironmentalproblemsinRussia.GreatWhiteHunter:Inoneepisode,HoggishGreedlycapturedanimalsforclientswhowantedtoexperiencehuntingwithoutthedangersrealhuntersface.Arealhunteropposedhim.GreenAesop:Thewholeshowisdevotedtomoralsontakingbettercareoftheenvironmentandtheconsequencesofpollutionandimproperwastedisposal,witheveryepisodeevenhavinga"PlaneteerAlert"segmenttodrivethepointhome.Grey-and-GrayMorality:Popsupin"IfIt'sDoomsday,ThisMustBeBelfast".Bothpartiesineachethnicconflictareportrayedasstubborn,angry,andhavinglegitimatepoints.Buttheyallagreethatnuclearannihilationisnotonthetable.HealItwithWater:CleanwaterisoneofthethingswhichcanreviveCapifhe'shadhispowersdrainedbypollution.HealingShiv:Moltenrockandragingfireswillroastjustaboutanythingthatcomesintocontactwiththem,exceptCaptainPlanet.SincefiresandmagmaflowsarepartoftheEarth'snaturalecosystem,CaptainPlanetcanactuallyrechargehimselfbygettingsetonfireorswimmingthroughmoltenrock.LightningboltsarealsoshowntobecapableofrestoringCaptainPlanet'senergywithnodamagedonetohim(infact,GaiausedthisoncetotrickDr.Blightintoaccidentallyhealinghimwhenhewasalmostdead).HeartIsanAwesomePower:ItispointedoutthatHeartisthemostusefulpowerevenmorethenfire.Really,ifMa-Tiwasn'tsuchaNiceGuyhewouldbrainwasheveryone.(InanalternatetimelimeinwhichWheelerRefusedtheCallanddidn'ttaketheFirering,hedoesjustthat.)Hediduseittoconvincebusinessmentogivehimmoney,whichhegavetoneedyfamiliestobuyfoodfortheirchildren.TheTropeNamer,too.HeartLight:ThesymbolonCaptainPlanet'schest.CaptainPlanetweakenswheneveritgetsdirtiedbypollutionandcanonlyrecoverafterthesymbolhasbeencleanedwithwater.Heel–FaceTurn:HoggishGreedly’shenchmanRiggergoesstraightafterhisenvironmentalistgrandfatherDonPorkalointeacheshimalesson,asdoesSlySludgewhenhelearnsthathecouldprofitfromrecycling.Inafuturetimelinein"DirtyPolitics",it'shintedthatDr.Blightwillbecomereformedbyherdaughter,BetsiBlight.Inaddition,severalone-timevillainsgetreformedbythePlaneteersintheseries.HotScientist:Dr.Blightisprettygood-looking,aslongasyoudon'tlookunderthathaircoveringpartofherface.HumanLadder:WheelerandKwamein"AMineIsaTerribleThingtoWaste(part2)."HumanityonTrial:"TwelveAngryAnimals",wherethePlaneteersgetheldontrialbyseveralextinctandendangeredanimals,representingthehumanrace.HumansAreBastards:Prettywellaverted.Whilethosepoorsillyhumansarealwayswreckingtheirplanetwithwantondisregard,nearlyeveryonethePlaneteersmeet(excepttheeco-villains,ofcourse)canactuallybereasonedwith.Thevastamountofsecondaryvillainswhoredeemthemselvesmakethisclear.HumongousMecha:HoggishGreedlyandRiggerplantoobtaincolossalamountsofcrudeoilinaveryshortamountoftimewithamobileoilriginthefirstepisode,"AHeroForEarth".Ittowersoverthetreesandalmostsmashesarabbitwhoisant-sizedincomparison,butitstillprovestobenomatchforCaptainPlanet,andGreedlyandRiggermoveontooperatesmalleryetstilldestructivemachineswithapig-motifinstead.HurricaneofPuns:CaptainPlanet,intheheatofbattle.CaptainPlanet'spunhumorwasactuallydesignedfortheparentswatchingtheshow,athrowbackto1960'spopculture.IAteWHAT?!:In"HornsAplenty",WheelereatssomeauthenticChinesefood,whereGiwarnshimthatthisisn'tthekindofChinesefoodhe'susedto.Wheeler:[eating]Whatdoyoumean?It'sgreat!Gi:[lookingatthefood]Really?Ididn'tknowyoulikedduckfeetsoupandsquidinitsownink.Wheeler:[eyesbulgeoutandhebeginstocough]Suddenly,Idon'tfeelsogood...DoneagaininthesameepisodeattheendwhereWheelereatswhathethoughtwaspasta.Wheeler:[eating]Mmmm!Ilovepasta!Mabu:Uh...whatpasta?Itisgrubwormstew.[thefourotherPlaneteersgowide-eyed,thenlookatWheelerinmorbidfascinationashecontinuedtoeatuntilhecleanedoffhisplate,obviouslynothearingwhatMabusaid]Kwame:DoyouthinkweshouldtellWheeler?Kwame,Linka,Gi,Ma-TiandMabu:...NAAAAAAAAH![laughter]IdenticalGrandson:In"FutureShock",theantagonistsarethreevillainsdescendedfromDr.Blight,LootenPlunder,andVerminousSkummwhoallbearanoticeableresemblancetotheirancestors(thoughSkumm'sdescendanthasasecondhead).ThesameepisodefeaturesafutureteamofPlaneteersrecruitedbyGaiafromanalternatetimeline,withthebearersoffire,wind,andheartresemblingWheeler,Linka,andMa-Tiandthebearersofearthandwaterresemblinggender-flippedversionsofKwameandGi.IdiotBall:Althoughthe"Heart"powerisuselessinafight,itdoescomewithimmunitytotheIdiotBall,especiallyinMa-Ti'scharacterfocusepisodes.Especiallynotablein"TheBigClam-Up",whereMa-TiistheonlyonetospottheobvioustrapthatisthetiptogotoarestaurantonPier13atmidnight,andisthusabletosavetheothers,whoweredefinitelycarryingtheIdiotBallatthatpoint(andalsowhentheytalkedtoamimewhowasobviouslyVerminousSkummanddidn'tfigureitout).Blightpicksitupbigtimein"TheUnbearableBlightnessofBeing":shecreatesamachinethatallowshertoswitchbodieswithGaia,doessoandstartsusingherpowerstodestroytheenvironmentforthehellofit...yetapparentlygavenothoughtwhatsoevertothefactthataftertheswitch,Gaiaisnowinherbody.NotonlyisGaiafreetowanderaroundherbase,butBlightdidn'teveninformMALofthis.Naturally,notonlydoesGaiauseBlight'sgadgetstofightbackwithMAL'sassistance,sheeventrickshimintocontinuingtodosoaftertheyswitchback,claimingit's"allpartofherplan".IfYouKillHim,YouWillBeJustLikeHim!:In"'Teersinthe'Hood",GigetscalledoutonthisbyWheelerassheattemptstodrownthegangsterwhoshotoneofherteachers.Afairexample,asthePlaneteershaveneveractuallykilledanybody.IncredibleShrinkingMan:Charactersshrinkinghappensfromtimetotime.Ontheepisode"AnInsideJob",fourofthePlaneteersareshrunkbyDr.Blight.Theepisodebecomesa"FantasticVoyage"PlotwhenKwameaccidentallydrinksthemandtheymustfightparasitesinsideofhim.In"NoSmallProblem",SlySludgeshrinksthePlaneteersandleavestheminadump.WheelerandLinkaaftergettinghitbyBlight'sfrogdartsin"FrogDayAfternoon".Ink-SuitActor:Kwame,Gi,andLinkawereallprettymuchcartoonversionsofLeVarBurton,JaniceKawaye,andKathSoucie(respectively),ifthethreevoiceactorswereteenagers.AvertedwithJoeyDedio(Wheeler),andScottMenville(Ma-Ti),wholookednothingliketheircharacters.AlotoftheEcovillainsresembletheirvoiceactors.Specifically:HoggishGreedlytoEdAsnerDr.BlighttoMegRyanMALtoTimCurry(thoughMALalreadylookedlikethatwhenDavidRappaportvoicedhim)LootenPlundertoJamesCoburnSlySludgetoMartinSheenDukeNukemtoDeanStockwellZarmsomewhatresembleshisfirstvoiceactor,Sting.Worstofthebunch,VerminousSkummtoJeffGoldblum.No,theydon'tlookalikeatall,butSkummisahuman/ratmutant-typecharacter,whichfalls(likelyunintentionally)intounfortunatecastingwhenyourememberthatGoldbumisJewish,andJewishpeoplehavebeenportrayedasratsinvariousformsofmedia.Invocation:"Letourpowerscombine!"and"Go,Planet!"ItalsohasanoccasionalDarkRepriseinthetwo-parterwherethevillainssummonCaptainPollution.Go,Pollution!It'saWonderfulPlot:"TwoFuturesParts1and2"hasWheelerlearnwhatwouldhappenifheneverjoinedthePlaneteers.JerkwithaHeartofGold:WheelerisoftenlesspatientandmorehotheadedthantheotherPlaneteers,buthestillcaresaboutdoingtherightthingandcomestohisfriends'aidwhentheyneedit.JokeoftheButt:Intheepisode"GreedistheWord",oneoftheactorsstarringonBabewatchisnamedLindaBubblebutt.JumpedattheCall:AllofthePlaneteersacceptedtheirroleindefendingtheEarthwithouthesitation.JustaKid:Ma-Tioftenfeelslikehe'sTheLoadofthegroup,andoneofthereasonsisthathe'sjusttwelveyearsold,whereastheotherPlaneteersareallovertheageoffifteen.KarmaHoudini:ThevillainsseemtohavereceivedprisonescapelessonsfromLexLuthorandtheJoker,asnomatterhowmanytimestheygetputaway,theyseemtobebacktheverynextepisode.That'siftheyevengetpunishedatall.Thereareplentyoftimeswhenavillainreceivesnopunishmentbeyondhavingtheirschemebethwarted.Thelossmayhurtthemfinancially,buttheytendtowalkawayfromtheexperiencewithoutsomuchasaslaponthewrist.TheworstpunishmentanyvillainevergotwasVerminousSkummaccidentallyeatingadoseofBliss.Sincehedoesn'thaveanymoreandlosttheformula,hegotbetter,buthewouldhavehadtogothroughwithdrawal,whichisimpliedtobeveryunpleasant.ThePlaneteersthemselves,minusMa-Ti,destroyedamilitarybasewhileunderZarm'sinfluenceandnevergotprosecutedforit.KicktheDog:Manyofthevillainshavemomentswheretheydosomethingcrueljustbecauseincasetheyweren'tevilenoughforyou.Oneparticularlyheinousexampleisintheepisode"WhooGivesaHoot?",wheretheendinghasLootenPlunderrubitinthePlaneteer'sfacesthattheyfailedtopreventhimfromclear-cuttingaforestwhereendangeredspecieslivedanddaredthemtostophimfromdoingsoagain.LargeHam:Allthevillains,including"TheFührer"himselfintheinfamousWorldWarIIepisode.CaptainPlanetrulesthistrope,inadditiontobeingafineexampleofhowIncomingHamisdone.Last-NameBasis:Wheeler'sfirstnameisJames,andDr.Blight'sfirstnameisBabs(presumablyashortforBarbara).LaterInstallmentWeirdness:Thefinalseason,whichnotonlygivesthePlaneteersnewoutfitsanddesigns,butalsoreplacesitsOpeningNarrationwithaThemeTuneRap.LegionofDoom:The"SummittoSaveEarth"two-parterdepictedanalternatetimelineinthefutureaftertheregularRoguesGalleryformedaproperevilallianceandconqueredtheworld.Therewasalsothetwo-partepisode"MissiontoSaveEarth",wheretheEco-VillainsformedthatallianceunderLootenPlunderandcreatedevilversionsofthekids'rings,whichenabledthemtosummonCaptainPollution.Let'sMeettheMeat:Aninterestingexample.Despiteitsclearanimal-rightsagenda,CaptainPlanetneverexplicitlypromotesvegetarianismnordoesitcondemneatingmeatorhuntingwhenit'sdonesafelyandsmartly.Inoneepisode,amanateabear'smeatandworeitsfur,butalsohonoreditsspirit.Inanother,amanchidedLinka,asshewasangryathimforhuntinganimalsforsport,eventhoughsheherselfwaseatingalambkebab.TedTurnerownsTed'sMontanaGrill,whichserves,amongotherthings,bisonmeat,butactivelypromotesthesustainabilityofbisonherdsandisnotablyaggressiveaboutbeingenvironmentally-friendlyinitspractices.Betweentherestaurantandtheshow,themessageof"eatingmeatisOKifdonesafelyandsustainably"isaconsistentone.MadScientist:Dr.Blight.DukeNukemcountstoalesserextent.Malaproper:Linkacanfallvictimtoconfusingherwordsattimes.AlsohappenedtoMa-Tiin"TheBigClam-Up".MamaBear:GaiabecomesenragedwhenthePlaneteerswerethreatenedbyZarminthe"SummittoSaveEarth,Part1"episode.MasterofIllusion:Zarm;Gaiatoadegree.MayContainEvil:ThisisprettymuchthebasisforthecorporateventuresofDr.Blight,HoggishGreedly,andLootenPlunder,andalsowhatgoesoninSlySludge'swastemanagementoperations.MeaningfulName:HoggishGreedlyisbothgreedyandahog—oratleast,helookslikeone.LootenPlunderisaRobberBaronwithEvilColonialisttendencies.MessyPig:HoggishGreedlyprovesthis,beingapig-likemanwithpoortablemanners.MisappliedPhlebotinum:NoneofthePlaneteerseverusedtheirringstotheirfullpotential.Iftheydid,Ma-Tialonewouldbeenoughtoendmostcriseswithoutbotheringtosummonthemullet-wearinghero.KeepinmindthatCaptainPlanetrepresentsthekids'powerscombinedandmagnified.Hewieldstherings'powerstoahigherextentthantheringsthemselves.ThiswasexploredslightlyintheepisodewhereWheelertimetravelsandhasaRefusaloftheCallmoment:Ma-Tiwasusinghisringtobrainwashpeopleintodoingwhathefeltwasright.Mix-and-MatchCritters:Theanimalsin"PlaneteersUnderGlass"wereallhybrids.Anddidwementionthatthereisalsoaflyingcyber-demonduringthetimethattheApocalypseClassisspikeduptoClass6?MonikerAsEnticement:Inthethemesong,itsaysthatiftheviewershelptheenvironment,theycanbeaplaneteertoo.TheMoralSubstitute:It'sanactioncartoon,withanenvironmentalmessage.OntheoldCaptainPlanetwebsite,thiswasdiscussedasmanifestingitselfinnumerousrestrictionsonthetypesofactionthatcouldbeshown.Forexample,thePlaneteersneverpunchorkicktheeco-villainsbecauseitwasfeltphysical,imitableviolencerancountertotheethictheywantedtopromote.MoralityPet:HoggishGreedly'sson,toasmalldegree,aswellasDr.Blight'sdaughter,whowassupportiveofthePlaneteersfromtheverystart.MotherNature:GaiaisthespiritoftheEarth.MultinationalTeam:ThePlaneteersareallfromdifferentcontinents,withKwamebeingfromAfrica,WheelerbeingfromNorthAmerica,LinkabeingfromEasternEurope,GibeingfromAsia,andMa-TibeingfromSouthAmerica.MundaneSolution:ThePlaneteersgetcoveredinpollutedwater,causingtheirringstonotwork.WheycomeacrosshoselinkedtocleanwaterinwhichGitriestouseherringonit,butdoesn'twork.Shewondershowtheycangetthewater,untilMah-Tisimplyturnsonthevalve,makingherfeelembarrassed.MySignificanceSenseIsTingling:Ma-Ti'sheartpowercanenablehimtosensedanger.NamestoRunAwayfromReallyFast:ThevillainshavethekindofMeaningfulNamesthatshouldtriggerwarningbellsforanysaneperson.WouldyouinvestinacompanywithaCEOnamedLootenPlunder?OrtakeenvironmentalconsultingfromSlySludge?WouldyouletamannamedHoggishGreedlydrillforoilandmineforcoalbyyourhomecity?OrletawomannamedDr.Blight...within50feetofyou?NebulousEvilOrganization:TheEco-villainsoccasionallyorganizewitheachother,thoughthey'remorelikelytoappearalone.Noneofthemarereallynicetoeachother,thoughSlySludgeusuallyusesDr.Blight'stechnology.Seealsothe"LegionofDoom,"tropeabove.NeverLearnedtoRead:"TheFinePrint"hadLootenPlundertrickafarmworkernamedJoeintosprayingpesticidesalloverthefarmheworksat.ThedeceptionworksbecauseJoeisilliterateandcan'treadthathe'sactuallysprayingpoisononthecrops,butbytheendoftheepisodehemakesanefforttolearntoreadsohecan'tmakethesamemistakesagain.NeverSay"Die":"101Mutations"playsthisstraightbyusingtheterms"destroy"and"putdown"whenreferringtodogsbeingeuthanized,thoughit'sjustifiedduetothisbeingexplainedtoa10-year-oldboy.NewYearHasCome:Rightattheendof"TwoFutures,Part2".Linkabringsoutanaccordionandsingsout"AuldLangSyne",andinafewmomentsthePlaneteersjoininthesong,inaShout-OuttoIt'saWonderfulLife.NoFourthWall:"HogTide",inwhichCaptainPlanetsingsapartoftheshow'sthemesong.NoMatterHowMuchIBeg:Gaia,whileinDr.Blight'sbody,eventuallyfoolsMALintodoingthistoDr.Blightoncetheyareswitchedback.NoSwastikas:NonearetobeseenwhentheymeetAdolfHitler,andHitlerdoesn'tevenlooklikethehistoricalHitler.Specifically,forsomeinscrutablereason,theychangedhistrademarkmustachetosomethingthatwouldn'tbeoutofplaceonFuManchu.NobodyPoops:Somewhataverted.Ma-TimentionsthatmanureisagoodfertilizerinonePlaneteerAlert.Ifitmentionsakindofmammalsolidwaste,itimpliesthathumansvoidaswell.Otherepisodesdepictrawsewage.NoirEpisode:In"TheBigClam-Up",Ma-Tibecomesinterestedinreading1940sdetectivenovels,andimagineshimselfandhiscolleaguesinsequencesinshadesofgray.Non-HumanSidekick:SuchithemonkeyisMa-Ti'ssidekick.NotSoExtinct:Oneepisodefeaturesaninterplanetaryspacezoothathasallowedmanyspeciestoescapeextinction,includingsabretoothcats,mammoths,mastodons,woolyrhinos,giantgroundsloths,greatauks,elephantbirds,passengerpigeonsanddodos.ObviouslyEvil:PlayedstraightwithHoggishGreedly,SlySludge,VerminousSkumm,andDukeNukem,whoareallugly,rude,andattimesdirty.OtherEco-Villainslookedbetterbutstillhadobviouslyevilnames.Theevilanti-PlanetringsthatsummonCaptainPollutionareallnamedforevilthings.Inorder,fromthesummonchant:Super-radiation,Deforestation,Smog,Toxics,andHate.Off-Model:Sometimesthey'dforgettodrawtheCaptain'sboots.Intheveryfirstepisode,atacloseuponGreedly'sface,oneofhiseyesisslightlyoff-kilter.DukeNukemhavingthreeortwofingersoneachhandvariedoften,andwouldnotjustchangefrequentlybetweenepisodes,butsometimesbetweenscenesinthesameepisode.Oh,Crap!:WheneverCaptainPlanet'ssummoned,thevillainsknowtheirplansaredonefor.WhenGreedlyseeshimforthefirsttime,heimmediatelyordersRiggertogettheirmobileoilrigtheheckouttadodge.Oireland:TheBelfastsequencein"IfIt'sDoomsday,ItMustBeBelfast"isprobablythesinglemostoffensivetakeonthis.OmnidisciplinaryScientist:Dr.Blight.She'sworkedwithSlySludgetomakegarbage-disposingmachines,createdtheworld'slargestoilrefineryandmadeincrediblypowerfulrocketfuelforthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,madeseveraltime-travelingdevices,experimentedoncountlessanimalsandplants,andshe'sevenhackedgovernmentalcomputerstochangenationalparksintowastedumps.Sinceshecanprettymuchcreateanything,she'sthesubjectvillainofmanyepisodes.TheonlyvillainseenmorefrequentlythansheisisHoggishGreedly.OurZombiesAreDifferent:VerminousSkummendsupcreatingtwoplansthatthaninvolvecorruptinghumansintozombielikebeings.Thefirsttime,hepoisonedthewatersupplyofaSouthAmericanvillagewithafluidhemanufacturedcalled"RatRot".Itturnedthehumanswhogotintocontactwithitintorat-humanoidslikeVerminousSkumm,butalsomadethemferalandmindless.Theothertime,heproducedadrugcalled"Bliss"andsolditonthestreetsofWashingtonD.C.,whichwouldgivetheuserahighfeelingandmaketheireyesglowredandeventuallycausethemtogoinsanewithaddiction.Outside-ContextProblem:CaptainPlanethimselfandthePlaneteers.Intheearlyepisodes,it'sobviousthevillainsdidn'texpectabunchofkidswithsuper-poweredringstointerfereintheirplans,andCaptainPlanet'sevenmoreofasurprise.It'sbestsummedupbyRigger'sreactioninthepilot:"Holysmokes,whattheheckisthat?Huh,huh?"Gaiaherself'sevenmorethistrope,asonlyothergod-likebeings,likeZarm,couldevenhopetomatchherpowerlevels.PapaWolf:CaptainPlanet.WhenSkummgetsLinkahookedonBliss,CaptainPlanettossesSkummoutahelicopter.ParentalSubstitutes:GaiaandCaptainPlanetserveasparentalsubstitutesforthePlaneteers.ParentalAbandonment:ThekidsliveonHopeIslandwithGaiaastheirTeamMom.Wheeleristheonlyoneexplicitlystatedtohavelivingparentsbuthasrunawayfromhome,andMa-Tiisspecificallyshowntobeanorphanraisedbyhisgrandfather.Linka'sbrotherappearsinanepisode,makingthelackofparentalmentionthatmuchmorenoticeable.Kwamealsostatesinoneepisodethathenevergottoknowhisfather—implyinghisfatherisdead.ParentalBonus:Theepisode"IJustWanttoBeYourTeddyBear"hasthePlaneteersattendMardiGrasinNewOrleans.Atonepoint,WheelerofferssomebeadstoLinka,whoisoffended.AfterWheelerthentriesofferingthebeadstoGi,Gisimplytakesthebeadsfromhimandstates"Wheeler,you'reincorrigible.Butthanksforthesouvenir."ChildrenjustseeWheelerofferingthegirlsapresentinthehopetheymightgoonadate;adultswillbeawarethatit'saMardiGrastraditionforwomentoshowtheirbreastsinexchangeforbeads.PersonalityPowers:EachPlaneteerreceivescontrolofanelementrelatedtotheirpersonalenvironmentalpassionandtheirpersonality.PigMan:HoggishGreedlyvaguelyresemblesapig,whatwithhisobesity,pointedears,andpinkskin.PlagueMaster:VerminousSkummiscapableofcreatingillnesses.DukeNukemcounts,however,hismotivesaremostlyfocusedonspreadingaroundradiationandnuclearwaste.PoliticallyCorrectHistory:Amulti-racialAmericanarmyisdepictedintheHitlerepisode.TheU.S.militarywasforthemostpartraciallysegregatedduringWorldWarII-suchasthe442ndInfantryDivision,whichwasformedalmostentirelyoutofsecond-generationJapaneseandwasoneofthemostheavilydecoratedunitsinthewar.AvertedintheWildWestepisode,whereonlyWheelerandLinkaarepermittedtogointoashop,whiletheothershavetostayoutside.Completelythrownoutthewindowin"IfIt'sDoomsday,ThisMustBeBelfast".Theslur"kaffir"iseventhrowninSouthAfrica.Thoughthewaytheslursareusedis...questionable,intheiraccuracy,inplaces.PoliticallyIncorrectVillain:TheEco-Villainswouldoccasionallyshowsignsofbeingbigoted,justincaseitwasn'tcleartotheaudiencethattheyarethebadguys.HoggishGreedlyintheepisode"OKattheGunfightCorral".Hehiredabunchofracistwhitementoattackthelocal"Injuns"sohecouldclaimtheirlandashisandsellittoSlySludge,butotherwiseheneverevencommentedonanybody'sraceordidanythingremotelydiscriminatory.VerminousSkummharassedandliedaboutaboywhohadHIV,andhegavenucleardetonatorstopeoplefightingintheTheTroubles,TheApartheidEra,andtheArab–IsraeliConflict,inanattempttodiscredittheentirehumanrace.LootenPlunderin"BitterWaters",usingtermslike'chief','wampum',referringtotheNativeAmericansashis"redbrothers".Whencorrectedbythechairmanofthelocaltribalcouncil,hishenchmanArgosBleakangrilydeclaresthathe"doesn'tcareifhe'stheblinkin'medicineman".PottyFailure:In"NumbersGame",whenWheelergoesonagroceryrunwithhiseightchildreninthedreamsequence,hisyoungestdaughterkeepstryingtoexplainthatshehastogotothebathroom,onlyforWheelertokeepsaying"Notnow".Eventually,thelittlegirlstatesthatshe'swetherself.ThePowerofHate:ThehateoftheAdolfHitlerexpyissostrongthatitcanaffectandweakenCaptainPlanet.ThePoweroftheSun:WhenCaptainPlanetgotcoveredin"pollution"itwasuptothePlaneteerstocleanhimwithpurewater,thenexposehimtosunlighttorestorehispower.PrisonEpisode:Theepisode"JailHouseFlock"hasCaptainPlanetandthePlaneteersarrested.ThePlaneteersmanagetogetawayandhavetofindawaytoprovethatHoggishGreedlyhadthemarrestedunderfalsepretenseswhileCaptainPlanetchoosestostaybehindinhiscellatthepolicestationuntiltheconfusionissortedout.PrivateDetective:Intheepisode"TheBigClam-Up",Ma-TigetsengrossedbyabookaboutaprivateeyeandtendstomatchthePlaneteers'actionstothestoryhereads.ThePsychoRangers:Fiveoftheshow'smajorvillainsteamupwithevilversionsofthePlaneteers'rings.LootenPlunderhasaDeforestationRing,evilversionofKwame'sEarthRing.DukeNukemhasaSuperRadiationRing,evilversionofWheeler'sFireRing.SlySludgehasaSmogRing,evilversionofLinka'sWindRing.VerminousSkummhasaToxicsRing,evilversionofGi'sWaterRing.Dr.BlighthasaHateRing,evilversionofMa-Ti'sHeartRing.TheringsevencomewiththeirownEvilCounterpartforCaptainPlanet,CaptainPollution.PungeonMaster:CaptainPlanet,Wheeler,andmostofthevillainstendtomakepuns.PunnyName:Pickanyvillainontheshow,theirnamewillqualify:NOEXCEPTIONS.Radiation-ImmuneMutants:DukeNukem(norelationtoDukeNukem)lovesradiationsomuchheroutinelyhas"jacuzzidips"inradioactivepools."ReadingIsCool"Aesop:Theimportanceofreadingisthemoraloftheepisode"TheFinePrint",whereanilliterateworkernamedJoeisdupedbyLootenPlunderintosprayingapesticidealloverthefarmheworksat,notknowingthathe'sreallyusingpoisonbecausehecan'treadthelabelsonthebarrels.Theepisode'sPlaneteerAlerthasthePlaneteersinformtheaudiencehowreadingcanteachthemnewwaystotakecareoftheenvironment.RecklessGunUsage:AvertedinthetimetravelepisodewhereWheelershowsoffhisgun-twirlingskillswitharevolver.Kwamiworriesthathemightaccidentlyshoothimself,untilGreedly'shenchmanaccidentallyspillsthebeansthatthegunisempty.(Wheelertestsoutthegunprovidedtohim)Mah-ti:Heisquitegood!Kwami:Ihopehedoesnotshoothimself...Henchman:Hecan't.Heain'tgotnobullets....Ooops!Linka:WHAT!?WHEELER!YOUAIN'TGOTNOBULLETS!Wheeler:Huh!?(loseshisgriponthegun,whichfliesandconksGreedlyonthehead)RecruitTeenagerswithAttitude:We'rebrieflyshownqualitiesinallthePlaneteersshowingwhytheyweregiventhering,butGaiaspecificallylookingforteenstorecruitputsherpolicysquareinthistrope.RedEyes,TakeWarning:In"TheConqueror",ZarmhappenstodothisalotwhilepromptingthePlaneteerstotakehisGauntletsofConquest.ReedRichardsIsUseless:Theteamcouldeliminatemostpollutionbysimplyreleasingthetechnologytheyuseintheirownvehiclesandequipment(sincewe'retolditdoesn'tpolluteatall).RefusaloftheCall:Inatwo-partepisode("TwoFutures"),Wheelerdecideshe'dhavebeenbetteroffnotbeingaPlaneteer(inaShout-OuttoIt'saWonderfulLife),sohegoesbackintimeandconvinceshimselftorefusetheFirering.ThisresultsinahellishpresentwheretherearenoPlaneteers.Wheelerthenhasgotobackandstophimselffromstoppinghimself.RelativeError:"MissingLinka",whereWheelermistakesLinka'solderbrotherforherboyfriend.TheRemnant:In"MissiontoSaveEarth",thePlaneteerscometoanislandandstumbleuponCommanderClash.ThissoldierhadbeenassignedtoguardtheislandandprepareforapossibleinvasionofAmericabytheSoviets.AftertheymanagetoconvincehimthattheColdWarhasbeenoverforawhile,hegoesintoaHeroicBSoDwhenherealizeshissuperiorshadlongforgottenabouthimandhehadbeenfightingfornothing.ClasheventuallyfindsanewpurposeinhelpingthePlaneteersprotecttheEarthfrompollutionandsuch.Ret-Gone:Intheepisode"FutureShock",threevillainsdescendedfromLootenPlunder,Dr.Blight,andVerminousSkummareassignedbyZarmtotravelbackintimeandkillagirlthatwillgrowuptobeaprominentdefenderoftheenvironmentinordertopreventthefuturefrombeingchanged.Intheend,thethreefireatMa-Tibymistakeandtheirfailuretosecuretheirfutureresultsinthemceasingtoexist.RoguesGallery:There'saregularstableofvillainswithonlyahandfulofone-offs.HoggishGreedlyandDr.Blightappearmuchmorefrequentlythantheothervillains,becausetheyrepresentresourceabuseandtechnologygonewrongrespectively,whichareprobablythetwobiggestproblemsfornature.SadisticChoice:In"DeadlyRansom",whenCaptainPlanetistakenprisoner,thePlaneteers'oneoptionisdeliveringtheransom(whichisnuclearwaste)andtheother-lettingDr.BlightandDukeNukemkilltheCaptain.In"SummittoSaveEarth,Part1"ZarmmakesGaiachoosetoeitherstophimfromwreckingtheEarthSummitorsavethePlaneteers,whomhehasjusttrappedinapollutedtornado.SailorEarth:Acommonfanfictionconceptisasixth,AustralianPlaneteer,asitistheonlyinhabitedcontinentnotrepresentedontheteam.EvenwithoutthepotentialPlaneteerswithringscomingfromAustralia,Oceania,andAntarctica,theshowdoesinductnewPlaneteersallthetime.They'realmostalwayskidswhohelpinoneepisode,thennevershowupagain,andtheydon'thaveanyringsorpowers(TheonlyexceptionisGokiin"GorillasWillBeMissed").Giventhatthereareaboutsixorsevenbillionhumans,almostallofwhomcouldprobablyjointhePlaneteersinthiscapacity,youhaveanentirespeciesofSailorEarths!ScienceIsBad:WhileplayedstraightwiththecharacterofDr.Blightbyhavingherfocusherscientificendeavorsonfindingnewwaystodestroytheenvironment,alltheotherscientistsaregood.Infact,theshowpromotestheuseofscienceandtechnologyinagoodway.TechnologyonHopeIslandisperfecteco-technologyfromthefuturethatletsasupersonicjetflyoffsolarpower.However,thePlaneteersdon'tsharethistechnologywithanyoneelse,nordotheygointohowtheminingforrareearthelementsforsolarpowerisn'tactuallysustainable.ScrewtheRules,IHaveMoney!:HoggishGreedly,LootenPlunder,andSlySludgeareoccasionallysuggestedtobelievethattheycanavoidrepercussionsfortheiractionsaslongasthey'rerich.SecretTestofCharacter:Greedly'sgrandfather,greenindustrialistDonPorkaloin,fakeshisdeathin"TheGhostofPorkaloinPast"andleavesabogusfortunetohisgrandsontotestifGreedlycouldbetaughttobeenvironmentallyconscious.Nope.MadeevenworseasGreedlywaspracticallybeinghandledtowhattherightchoicewasforhisbenefit,buthejustblatantlyignoredthesigns.SensitiveGuyandManlyMan:Ma-TiandWheeler.Sentai:Awesterntakeonthisgenre.SevenDeadlySins:Theeco-villaincastcanbeseenassuch.VerminousSkummisLustduetohisbloodlustfordeath,destruction,andchaos.HoggishGreedly,despitehisnameisGluttony,whileLootenPlunderisanembodimentforGreed.Dr.BlightisEnvy,becausesheenviesotherscientists,hersister'saccomplishmentsandevenGaia'spowers,andseekstodestroythem,whileDukeNukemtakesPrideinhissuperpowers.SlySludgeistheembodimentofSlothwithhislazywastedisposalschemes,whileZarmrepresentsWrathduetohisneedtostartconflictstogetrevengeonGaia,asarethepoachersMameandStalkerSlaughter.Shout-Out:CaptainPlanet'sdesignlooksimilartoColossus.HisdesignalsoreportedlytooksomeinspirationfromDC'sCaptainAtom.Dr.BlightborrowssomefromTwo-FaceandDukeNukemisclearlymodeledafterTheThing.Dr.BlightalsoseemsheavilyinspiredbythevillainCesspoolfromG.I.Joe,whoshowedupinthelaterDiCseasonofthecartoon-aformerbusinessmanturnedevilwhentoxicwasteexposurelefthisfacescarred,fromasubsetofthetoylinethatfocusedonenvironmentalcleanup,debutingshortlybeforeCaptainPlanet.Wheelerdoesseveralshout-outstocertainshowsandmovies.Linka:Howcanyouthinkaboutpizzawithwhatishappeningtothoseturtles!?Wheeler:Idon'tknow.Turtles,pizza,mustbesomethingsubliminal.WhenGaiatellsthePlaneteersthatthetimestreamhadbeendisruptedwhichcausedtheGrandCanyontobeturnedintoadumpingsite,WheelermakesasubtlecomparisontoBacktotheFuture.WheeleralsomakesacommentaboutAlienafterhearingaresearcher'splantonaturallykilloffSkumm'smutatedweevilsbyusingwaspstolaytheireggsinthemandtheiryoungburstoutofthem.Wheeler:Cool!Justlikein"Alien"!ThePlaneteersdressinFlintstonesattireintheepisode"Who'sRunningTheShow?".Onecharacterfromthefutureisplayingavirtualrealitygame.He'swearingagreenarmorclearlymodeledafterRobocop.Inthetie-incomicsreleasedbyMarvel,Dr.BlightbuildsalargerobotdragonthatlookslikeFinFangFoom.SiblingYin-Yang:BambiBlightactuallycaresabouttheenvironmentunlikehersister,BabsBlight.Slap-Slap-Kiss:LinkaandWheeler,ofcourse.SpaceWhaleAesop:Don'tusenuclearpoweroramanwithyellow,rockyskinwillattackyouwithradioactiveblasts.WeneedPopulationControlorelseratswillinvadeusandtrytohuntusforfood.SpeaksFluentAnimal:Ma-Ti'sHeartpowerenableshimtotalktoanimals.SpecialAesopVictim:In"MindPollution",Linka'scousinBorisbecomeshookedontheFantasticDrugBlissanddiesofanoverdoseneartheendoftheepisode.StalkerwithaCrush:WheelerislikethistowardsLinka.StatusQuoIsGod:ThroughouttheDiCseasons,charactersneverreallychangedorseemedtolearnmuch.ThevillainsremainedvillainsandHoggishGreedlydidn'tlearnsquatafterhisownsonalmostdiedbecauseofhisactions.ThelaterHanna-Barberaseasonschangedthingsgreatly,allowingDonPorkaloin,RiggerandSlySludgetowiseup,turngoodandWheelerimprovedhisattitudesome.StrangeMindsThinkAlike:Inoneepisode,wesawVerminousSkummworkinginhislab,humming"I'veBeenWorkingOnTheRailroad"tohimself.Laterinthesameepisode,Capissinginghisownversionofthesong--whiletearingapartSkumm'slab,noless!StrawCharacter:LootenPlunder.Inoneepisodeinthefuture,heevenpromisedtax-cutsfortherichwhilerunningforPresident,because"Themoreyouhave,thelessyoushouldshare!".HoggishGreedlyisaDeepSouthstyleCEOwhopartiallyrepresentsthedamagecausedbyobtainingandusingfossilfuels.StrictlyFormula:Nearlyeveryepisodefollowsaveryspecificformula.Occasionally,theymightbreaktheformula-theepisodewhereLootenPlunderwon,ortheSpecialEpisodeswithnoeco-villains,forexample,butthatwasaboutit.StupidEvil:Thevillainsoftencomeacrossthisway,astheyapparentlypollutestuffjusttobeassholes,evenwhenit'sactivelydetrimentaltothem(suchascausingoilspillsonpurpose,consideringhowvaluableoilis,thismakesaboutasmuchsenseasflushingdiamondringsdownthetoilet).SunkenCity:Wheelergoesforwardintimein"TwoFutures",andthefirstthingheseesisNewYorkunderwaterduetoglobalwarming.TakeThat!:Aparticularlybizarreonein"Who'sRunningTheShow?"whereoneofthelow-browprogramstheEco-VillainsputonisastudioprowrestlingshowakintotheonesTedTurnerreliedonforviewershipinthe80sand90s.GiventhatTedTurneratthetimeownedWorldChampionshipWrestlingandhadrepeatedlyrebuffedeffortsfromTurnerexecutivestoremoveprowrestling,it'seithertone-deaforarathersubtleformofSelf-Deprecation.TakingtheBullet:Atthenearendoftheepisode"FutureShock",oneofthefuturevillainstriestoshootalasergunatalittlegirltofixhisfuture.Ma-Tijumpsinfrontofthegirlandgetshitbythebeam,whichrendershimunconscious.Hegetsbetter.TeamMom:GaiatheSpiritoftheEarth,andGitosomedegree.ThankYourPrey:InoneepisodeabeartellsaNativeAmericanhunterthathemayeatitsmeatandwearitsfurbuthemusthonoritsspirit.ThematicRoguesGallery:Themajorvillainsareallpolluters.ThemeTuneRollCall:Theshow'sopeningbeginswithanintroductionforallfivePlaneteers,explainingtheirnames,wheretheycomefrom,andwhatelementalpowertheygetfromtheirrings.ThoseWackyNazis:OneepisodesentthecharactersbacktoWorldWarII,wheretheymetHitlerhimself.Timey-WimeyBall:Wheelerjumpsintoatimeportalandmakeshispastselfrefusethecall.Thisdestroystheworld.Wheelertravelsbackintimeandstopshisotherselffromstoppinghispastself.Thenbothofthemaresuckedbacktothepresent,fusingtogetherenroute.TomboyandGirlyGirl:GiandLinka,butLinkaisstillanActionGirl.TomboyishName:Giisactuallyaboy'snameinVietnamese.TooManyBabies:In"NumbersGame",LinkaisshownlivinginadeeplyimpoverishedtowninHopeIslandwithoverhalfadozenkids...allfatheredbyWheeler.TotallyRadical:Particularlynoticeableinthegangviolenceepisode,wherethewritersapparentlyinventedtheirownstreetslangtomakeitsoundedgier.Theseason6openingrapsong."MegaMacDaddyofEcology"indeed.TownwithaDarkSecret:In"AFormulaforHate",nearlyallthetownspeoplearesodamnpliablethey'llfallforanything.TruthinTelevision:"TheDeadlyGlow"isbasedonacreepilysimilarinstanceinBrazil.Themainstorylinein"ScorchedEarth"isbasedofftheKuwaitioilfires.Ma-Ti'sbackstoryofhisparent'smurderisanallusiontothereallifemurderofBrazilianenvironmentalistChicoMendes."FormulaForHate"isbasedoffthereactionoftheschooltoRyanWhite'sHIVdiagnosis.TwoGirlstoaTeam:GiandLinkaaretheonlytwofemalePlaneteerswhiletheotherthreearemale.UnexpectedlyDarkEpisode:"TeersintheHood"whichdealtwithgunviolence,and"MindPollution"whichdealswithdrugaddictionsandhasLinka'scousinBorisoverdoseonthedruganddieon-screen.UnexplainedAccent:Oddlyenough,Giandherlackofaccent.AlloftheotherPlaneteersspeakwithaccentsbasedonwheretheyarefrom,evenAmericanWheelerspeakswithaBrooklynaccent,butGi,anativeofEastAsia,inexplicablyspeaksveryclearStandardAmericanEnglish.note Gi'svoiceactress,HiromiJaniceKawaye,isJapanese-American,andiscompletelyfluentinJapanese.Assuch,inthepilot,shespokeGi'slineswithasoftJapaneseaccent.However,fortherestoftheseriesrun,KawayethenswitchedtospeakingherlineswithhernaturalAmericanEnglishaccent.NoreasonfordroppingGi'soriginalAsianaccenthaseverbeengiven.Unfinished,Untested,UsedAnyway:Intheepisode"PopulationBomb",GeneralClawdecidestouseasoniccannon—whichhasneverbeentested—andendsupstartinganearthquake,whichultimatelydestroystheisland.ManyofDr.Blight'stechnologiesmayalsoqualifyaswell.Dr.Georgina"Georgie"Carver'sinventionstolenandusedbyDr.Blightcounts,too.UnresolvedSexualTension:LinkaandWheelerexpresshostilitytowardseachotherthat'simpliedtobedifficultyinhandlingtheirfeelingsforeachother.UnusualEuphemism:AlikelyunintentionaloneoccursbythePlaneteersthemselvesintheepisode"PopulationBomb"whenGi(whoremember,istheAsianmember)saysthatinsomecountries,thegovernment"recommends"thatfamiliesonlyhavetwochildren."Recommend"mightbeanunderstatementinmostcases.HellwhileGi'sexacthomecountryisn'trevealed,she'dbeveryluckyifitturnsoutshe'sfromacountrylikeChina.VerbalTic:HoggishGreedlysnortslikeapigwhenhetalks.Also,VerminousSkummhissesliketheratheiswhenhelaughs.VillainousGlutton:HoggishGreedlyconstantlyovereats.Heevenatehisownhorsewhileinthemiddleofadesertin"NoHorsingAround",becausehereallywasthathungry.He'salsomeanttorepresenthowacquiringvastamountsofnaturalresourcesdamagestheenvironment.VillainsNeverLie:Anoftenparodiedweaknessoftheshowisthatthesupportingcastalwaysseemtofallforthevillains'deceptions,despitetheirconspicuousnamesandmenacingappearances.VillainsWantMercy:TheusualrecipeforthiswasthatDoctorBlight'slatestexperimenthasGoneHorriblyWrong.Dr.BlightbegsCaptainPlanettosaveherfrombeingtrampledtodeathbyageneticallyalteredsteer(thatshecreated)stating,"Youhavetosaveme!It'sinyourherocode!"Capadmitsshe'srightanddoessaveher.LootenPlunderwhentheroboticwolfthatBlightmadeforhimmalfunctionsandgoescrazy.HoggishGreedlywhenhissonalmostdiesduetosmogproducedbyGreedly'sroadhogcars.SlySludgewhenthegarbageeatingmonstershereleasedaregettingoutofcontrol.ItwouldhavebeenperfecthadWheelernotthrownSludge'sbriefcaseofmoneytothegarbagemonsteratthelastminute.LootenPlunderandDoctorBlightin"SendIntheClones".InperhapsthemostextremecaseoftheexperimentthathadGoneHorriblyWronginthewholeseries,whichsawaboybeingclonedthousandsoftimes,evenBlightwantedtoseethecloningreversed.Plunderagreedintheendthatithadgonetoofar,butheofallpeopletookasurprisinglylongtimetorealiseitwasnolongerfunandgames.SlySludge'sunderling,Ooze,beggedforCaptainPlanet'shelpwhenallthegarbagetheyhadshrunkandcompactedstartedtogrowback,threateningtoburythemallalive.WardrobeMalfunction:DoctorBlight,whenshesqueezesintoapairofhersister'sshortsinanattempttodisguiseherselfashersisterintheepisode"Hollywaste".AsBlightsitsdown,shesplitstheshorts.WeaksauceWeakness:CaptainPlanetisweakenedbytheverythingheexiststofight:pollution.Ifhegetssludgeorwhateveronhim,thePlaneteershavetocleanhimoffforhimtobeusefulagain.Notonlythat,butthedefinitionof"pollution"isappliedinconsistentlythroughouttheshow;heisharmedbycrudeoildespitethefactthatit'sproducedintheearthasanaturalbyproductoforganicdecay.However,heishealedbylavaeventhoughvolcanoespumpoutmillionsoftonsofwhatcanbetermedaspollutants:toxicgas,carbondioxide,ashparticles,etc.Famously,inatimetravelepisodeCaptainPlanetisincapacitatedbyHitler'shate.Yes,that'sright,simplyhatinghimhardenoughcankillhim.Ma-Ti'sHeartringhassimilarproblems:inoneepisode,heisunabletouseitspowertolocateorgatherinformationonHoggishGreedly,becauseGreedly'sdoingsomethingevilatthetime,whichthwartshispower.Ontheothersideofthecoin,EvilCounterpartCaptainPollutionisweakenedbytheverythingheexiststodestroy:nature'spureelements.Hecanbetakendownbygettingburiedinearth,burnedbyfire,blastedbywind,andsplashedwithwater.WenttotheGreatXintheSky:Intheepisode"SmogHog",WheelerthreatenstosendHoggishGreedly'ssonJuniortothegreatpigstyintheskyafterseeinghimflirtwithLinka."TheGhostofPorkaloinPast"alsousestheeuphemismofgoingtothegreatpigstyintheskywhenHoggishGreedlymentionshisgrandfatherpassingaway.WhatKindofLamePowerIsHeart,Anyway?:TropeNamer.Ironically,LinkarapointedoutinhisreviewthatHeartwasactuallymoreusefulthantheotherelements,especiallyFire,asitcouldallowreadingofminds.Italsoworkedasacommunicator,andcouldcontrolwildanimals.ItalsogaveMa-TithechancetoseethroughtheillusionscastbytheMasterofIllusionZarm.Basically,ifMa-TiwereevilormoreruthlessintheuseofhisRing,hecouldpotentiallybrainwashalmostanybodyhewantedbymanipulatingthegoodintheirheartsforhisownagenda.Goodthing(forus!)thatGaiawassmartandpickedamoreinnocent,youngerPlaneteer.InthealternatefuturecreatedbyWheelernotjoiningthePlaneteers,Ma-Tidoesexactlythat–heusesthepowerofHearttobrainwashpeoplepassingbyintogivingtheirmoneytothelessfortunate.Which,admittedly,isstillwrong,buttheendgoalisniceinaRobinHoodsortofway.ItalsoworkswithHeart'soppositepower:Hate.Inatimetravelepisode,AdolfHitleremanatessomuchHatehismerepresenceharmsCaptainPlanetthesamewaytoxicsubstancesdo.No,thisisnotajoke.Thathappens.Wheeler'sfireringwouldbeincrediblydeadlyandusefultofightevilintherealworld...butinaSaturdaymorningcartoonshow,broadcaststandardsandpracticeforbidhimfromeveractuallysettinganythingonfirefordestructivepurposes,onlyoccasionallygettinganaccidentalcomedicsinge.Evenwithoutthat,it'smuchmoreuselessthantheotherrings,sinceitcanonlybeusedtodestroyandnotmuchelse,whilewind,earth,andwaterhadseveraldiverseabilitiesandcouldalsobeusedforoffense.WitchwithaCapital"B":Theepisode"FutureShock"atonepointhasDr.Blightcallherdescendanta"witch".Wheeler'scousinJoeydisdainfullycallsDr.Blightawitchin"101Mutations".WrenchWench:GihasbeenseenfixingtheEcoVehiclesafewtimes,evencoveredingrease.YouMonster!:Inthetwo-partepisode"MissiontoSaveEarth",CommanderClashcallstheEco-VillainsmonsterswhenexplainingtothesoldiersthatsidingwiththeEco-Villainswillresultintheplanet'sdestruction.LootenPlunder:Whoareyoucalling"monsters"?ZombieApocalypse:Skummtriedtobringabouttwoofthese.Thefirsthecreatedwithmutatedratpeople,thesecondwithdrugaddicts.Thepowerisyours! 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