I really like this poster 😊
In my last review of Night on the Galactic Railroad, I mentioned how it was something from my childhood that I had overlooked. Today, I am going to tackle something from my childhood that I had seen many times over and still appreciate to this day. One that can also be appreciated by many others, especially for Memorial Day, however belated. It is a piece of my childhood media that has stuck with me in many unexpected ways.
My friends, in honor of Memorial Day, I'd like to share with you an episode from one of my favorite childhood cartoons, Ghostbusters!
No, not the one you're likely thinking about right now; this one.
For those who may be confused, the long story short is that a series of rights issues caused two different Ghostbuster cartoons to air alongside each other, albeit for only one season.
If you would like a more in-depth explanation, check out this well put-together video essay by Bob Chipman, a.k.a. MovieBob, then feel free to return to the review:
Anyway, Filmation's Ghostbusters was one of the many cartoons of my childhood that featured insane animation, wild stories, and over-the-top characters, guaranteed to make its target audience laugh and smile. It followed the exploits of two best friends, Eddie and Jake, along with their Gourilla companion Tracy, who take on paranormal threats sent mainly by the dark lord of the ghost world, Prime Evil (yes, it was that kind of show). While the show primarily existed to sell toys and other merchandise to my peers and me, it was also one of those shows that occasionally featured episodes that spoke volumes in many ways, more than the creators could have possibly predicted or intended. Today's subject is about one such episode that is not only perfect for a Memorial Day review (again, belated), but is also one of my favorites:
Episode 21 - The Looking-Glass Warrior
The story centers around one of the side characters, a reporter named Jessica, and her uncle, John Guardian (yes, that's his name), who recently retired from the armed forces. While spending the day together, Jessica and John are suddenly pulled into a mirror and find themselves trapped in another dimension populated by some insect-like robots dubbed "Invertroids." Fortunately, the Ghostbusters are on the case and make their way to the other side to save their friends and stop the Invertroids from taking any more victims.
The presence of a supporting character who happens to be a soldier is enough to make this a good episode for Memorial Day. Under most circumstances, that would be enough. However, this episode succeeded in driving home an essential aspect of the armed forces and why they deserve, usually, our admiration, appreciation, and respect: their willingness to self-sacrifice.
Typically, I would not explain everything I mean, as I encourage you to watch the episode for yourself to understand my point. However, I am aware that some of my beautiful readers may not have the time or inclination to watch a twenty-minute episode of an '80s cartoon show (which I understand). Still, in the interest of presenting as many options as possible, if you would like to see the episode for yourself, you may find a link to it below this paragraph. If you are the least bit interested, give the episode a watch, then return to this review. Otherwise, feel free to continue reading.
Skip to the "END" prompt if you have watched the episode.
For those who have opted to not watch the episode, here is a brief summary:
It turns out that the Invertroids are collecting warm bodies to use as vessels for their minds, transferring their very essence into a new biological form and freeing themselves from their robotic forms. Once they have collected enough bodies, they will transport them and themselves through a large dimensional portal back to their home world. After Uncle John, along with the help of Jessica and the Ghostbusters, preemptively sent most of the Invertroids back to their home world, they freed all of the captured people and sent them back home to Earth.
After sending the last victim home, the Ghostbusters make their exit and await their friends to join them. However, just as Jessica is ready to leave with her uncle, he pauses and tells her that he plans to stay behind. Uncle John realizes that some of the Invertroids are still out there, and he needs to stay behind to prevent them from carrying out their evil plans again. While Jessica protests, Uncle John assures her that he'll still see her on occasional visits, and he's likely to make some new friends in this strange world. However, his sense of duty calls for him to continue the fight for the freedom of those he holds dear.
When Jessica emerges from the mirror, one of the Ghostbusters asks where Uncle John is. When Jessica explains the situation, the Ghostbusters ask her why, and she replies...
"Because he's a soldier, and he's doing it for us!"
The final shot of the episode shows Uncle John patrolling the strange dimension, on duty once again.
END
This episode spoke volumes to me as a kid. I was well aware of the kind of bravery and selflessness expected of those who volunteer to join the armed forces, at least in my own way at the time. As I grew more mature and gained a better understanding of things, this episode continued to resonate with me for its commitment to such a mature theme. It also became one of the many examples that deepened my admiration and appreciation for those who dare to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
The cherry on top of all this is that the character of Uncle John was voiced by the legendary voice actor, Peter Cullen, who some of you may recall as the voice of one of the greatest animated heroes of the 20th century, Optimus Prime!
Incidentally, the story of how Peter Cullen developed the voice for Optimus Prime is equally fascinating and relevant to Memorial Day, as he heavily modeled his portrayal of the character after his brother, Larry, who was a Marine during the Vietnam War. If you would like to hear the whole story (and it is truly a beautiful one), check out this video of Peter telling it at a convention:
This episode of a silly 1980s cartoon show may not be the most profound statement about the necessity of Memorial Day. However, it is still a solid piece of work that succeeds in demonstrating what it means to be a soldier to a young and impressionable audience. In that way, it may very well be one of the many hidden gems of many collective childhoods that remind us who the real heroes are, and why they must never be forgotten.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
Vigilamus Pro Te
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