Episode XXXII: Jack and the Travelling Creatures is the thirty second episode in the third season of Samurai Jack. Recognized as a mighty warrior, Jack is guided to a mysterious portal capable of returning him to the past. However, he learns that only one man can use the portal: the man who defeats its legendary Guardian.
Plot
Having just helped another group of people, Jack is told to journey North to the city of Kojima and meet a guide. The guide takes Jack out to the foothills beyond the city where Jack must then climb a mountain and cross a narrow land bridge. Once across the bridge, Jack reaches a mystical land at the shore of a beautiful lake. When Jack tries to swim across, he finds that he cannot float in the waters of the lake but sinks to the bottom as if he were made of stone. Struggling back onto the shore, Jack realizes that not even a fly can stand upon the lake without sinking. Suddenly, Jack notices a procession of small one-eyed creatures in robes wading into the lake. Jack runs over to warn them of the danger but the creatures stop and summon an enormous lake creature with extremely long legs, which ferries the robed creatures and Jack across the lake to a small island.
One of the creatures tells Jack that the Lake Creature is very ancient and very wise. Jack asks the Creature if he knows where he can find the time portal he seeks. The Creature notices Jack's sword, and after the robed creatures have disembarked, takes Jack up a river to a mountain range where it summons another creature, this one having six legs and huge mandibles. The Lake Creature and the Mountain Creature discuss whether Jack is "the one" and Jack continues his journey with the Mountain Creature. After climbing a ways, a trio of shadowy creatures attack and the Mountain Creature tosses Jack into the fray. Jack draws his blade and defeats them all, passing the Creature's test. Jack is then passed on to a huge pterosaur-like creature that flies Jack across a vast wasteland and drops him into a field of broken and rusted machines and robots. Jack follows a shining light through the rubble and finally reaches the time passage and meets its Guardian.
The Guardian tells Jack that it was prophesied that there is only one man who will defeat the Guardian and earn the right to use the portal. The rubble Jack crossed was the remains of all of the ones who came before and were defeated. Jack refuses to accept this and draws his blade. The Guardian draws a katana of his own and the two battle. After a long, arduous battle, Jack is defeated. The Guardian is about to crush Jack to death with a boulder but is stopped by a sound from the portal. The Guardian listens and replies that he understands. He whistles for the Flying Creature which appears and flies Jack away. The Guardian watches sadly and says that the Samurai can't use it just yet. Behind him, the portal shows an image of a much older, bearded Jack with many scars and hardened eyes.
Credits
- Written by
- Directed by
- Storyboards by
- Voices
- Phil LaMarr as Samurai Jack / Mountain Creature
- Kevin Michael Richardson as The Guardian
- Grey DeLisle as Monk
- Richard McGonagle as Villiage Leader / Water Creature
- Casting by
- Collette Sunderman