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owsalfa · 5 years ago

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Official episode descriptions from the old website!

The Promised Land: We meet our rabbits on their journey to WATERSHIP DOWN, following Fiver's vision of "High, Lonely Hills". They find themselves in all sorts of scrapes on their travels. Frantically chased by a dog, Blackberry saves the day with her idea of 'floating' an exhausted Fiver and Pipkin across the river on a log. Pipkin befriends Kehaar, a sea gull lost on his way to "The Beeg Vater". Disillusioned by their long journey and no sightings of their new home, the rabbits spot Nuthanger Farm and want to raid it for some tasty 'flayrah'. Hazel cautions that they are tired, so Dandelion tells one of his famous folklore stories, to give them time to regain their strength.They then head to the farm, as has Kehaar, who has joined forces with a street wise mouse called Hannah. Hannah saves the rabbits and Kehaar from a nasty attack by Tabatha, the farmhouse cat. Kehaar is injured, but Hannah knows of somewhere to stay, WATERSHIP DOWN.

Home on The Down: We meet our rabbits on their journey to WATERSHIP DOWN, following Fiver's vision of "High, lonely hills". They find themselves in all sorts of scrapes on their travels. Frantically chased by a dog, Blackberry saves the day with her idea of 'floating' an exhausted Fiver and Pipkin across the river on a log. Pipkin has a close shave with a weasel whilst out looking for food for the injured Kehaar. Bigwig is angry at Kehaar's lack of responsibility and is not happy to share the warren with a bird and a mouse. Pipkin is shaken up, but not just by the weasel, he heard the Black Rabbit of Inle calling Bigwig's name, Bigwig brushes it off. Blackberry is in charge of building their new warren. Bigwig, Hawkbit and Dandelion are not happy at digging and an argument erupts. A game of Bobstones is played between Bigwig, Champion Bobstones at Sandleford and Fiver. Bigwig loses and accuses Fiver of cheating with his gift of vision, but grudgingly he accepts defeat. An alert call from Kehaar interrupts digging - the weasel is back. Bigwig hears his name called and is now convinced the Black Rabbit of Inle is here for him. He decides to fight the weasel to save the others as the end is near for him. Hannah has a better idea, she knows of a secret rock tunnel, she lures in the weasel and the rabbits block the entrance, trapping him inside. Bigwig's name is called again and he is now certain this is the final curtain. But it's Captain Holly from Sandleford with news of its destruction. Fiver was right after all.

The Easy Life: Holly explains he's left Pimpernel at a neighbouring warren. Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and Holly go to find Pimpernel, while the others stay to help build the warren. They are met at the neighbouring warren by a sleek, well-fed rabbit called Cowslip. He is very hospitable and feeds them with the best flayrah. The warren rabbits are a curious lot and no one will tell them where Pimpernel is. Fiver is very unsure of this warren and tries to warn the others, but they are far too impressed with the easy way of life these rabbits appear to have. Fiver refuses to stay at the warren and spends a cold wet night outside. A gun goes off and Hazel is concerned for Fiver's welfare, yet Cowslip merely advises them that man was killing a fox for them. But man is elil! Cowslip invites them to feast on the flayrah which man leaves for them. On collecting it Bigwig gets caught in a snare. Cowslip refuses to help. Hazel and Fiver frantically dig out the peg holding the snare in the ground and Bigwig is saved just in time. They turn on Cowslip, finally understanding that Cowslip encourages new rabbits joining the warren, to give him an extra day of life. They leave the Warren of the Shining Wire, taking with them Strawberry, a disgruntled rabbit with a desire for a new life.

The Raid: Hazel is thinking about Primrose and the future of the warren. Hannah mentions the hutch rabbits at Nuthanger Farm and Hazel, Fiver and Pipkin set off to break them out. The four hutch rabbits aren't used to thinking for themselves and only Clover manages to escape. After a close shave with Chester the dog and Tabatha Cat, in all the commotion, the farmer is disturbed and as they make a run for it Hazel is shot. Hazel drags himself to a sheltered pipe, Fiver can sense that Hazel is still alive but can't find him. Kehaar is out searching for them and finds the distressed Fiver. Kehaar knows how bad a gun shot is and knows time is running out for Hazel. Fiver uses his vision as he never has before and wills them to find Hazel. They are lead to the pipe and Kehaar removes the bullet. They head back to WATERSHIP DOWN exhausted, but Hazel's thoughts are still with Primrose at Efrafa.

Escape from Efrafa: Bigwig convinces Woundwort of his desire to join his warren. He is appointed a probationary Captain of Owsla. He forewarns Primrose and Blackavar that Hazel plans to break them out.Primrose shows Bigwig her escape tunnel.The WATERSHIP DOWN rabbits prepare the boat for a getaway, still unaware that Bigwig is at Efrafa. They move in closer to Efrafa and Hazel sees Bigwig talking with Campion exaggerating their security flaws. He realises what Bigwig is up to and nods his acknowledgement. Bigwig's loyalty is questioned by Woundwort when he's seen talking with Kehaar. His excuses earn him promotion. Time is tight and Bigwig, Primrose and Blackavar make their escape with the Efrafans hot on their trail. Blackberry is waiting by the boat, they all jump aboard, leaving Woundwort, Campion and Vervain forced to watch them drift away.

The Vision: Primrose is homesick for her home warren, Redstone and wants to go and visit. Against his better judgement, Hazel agrees to take her there. Fiver sees a vision of an empty warren, but Primrose will not be dissuaded. The journey allows Primrose and Hazel to get to know one another better, but when Primrose falls into a canal, Hazel risks his life to save her. When they reach the warren, it is deserted all bar Captain Broom, an old eccentric rabbit and the only one to survive The Great Sickness. Primrose persuades Broom to come with them to WATERSHIP DOWN. Meanwhile, back at WATERSHIP DOWN, Fiver has a vision and they decide it's the weasel for revenge. Hawkbit blames the warren's bad luck in Fiver's vision. Fiver is mortified and leaves the warren. Bigwig is not best pleased with Hawkbit. They all set about securing the warren setting a trap for the weasel. The weasel falls into their prepared pit and the rabbits fill it with earth and stones. They recruit two hedgehogs who attack the weasel sending him slinking off howling in pain. Hazel and Primrose return with Captain Broom and Hazel announces he's going to be a father. Fiver returns to the warren once he's persuaded that some of his visions have happened before he's seen them. He does not cause them.

A Tale of a Mouse: Bigwig wants to raid the farm for flayrah. Dandelion tells an El-Arah story of cunning and trickery, the principal of which they try to use on Chester the farm dog, the only obstacle between them and flayrah. Hannah mouse has raid plans of her own but becomes trapped by Tabatha Cat in a bread bin. Alerted by Chester's bark, Tabatha becomes more interested in the rabbits, Hannah tries desperately to warn them. Tabatha leaps at the rabbits, Fiver becomes trapped under a wheelbarrow. Tabatha waits by the wheelbarrow for her prey. Hazel has a plan, Hawkbit diverts the cat, Hannah tries to tell Fiver their plans, but gets caught by Tabatha, Fiver bangs the wheelbarrow shocking the cat into letting her go. Fiver is told to dig under the fence and under the dog. Chester's watching Tabatha, Tabatha is still watching the wheelbarrow. With Chester diverted, Bigwig digs into the carrot field, passing flayrah through the fence. Fiver pops up too close to Chester, Chester chases Fiver and Hannah, they escape just in time down Bigwig's hole. They return to WATERSHIP DOWN with lots of carrots for everyone.

Lost: Hawkbit discovers the beginnings of an opening in one of the burrows. On showing it to Hazel and Fiver they fall through into a secret cavern. They can't find a way out but Hazel senses a flow of fresh air and they follow it in hopes of an exit. Bigwig is giving Owsla training. Efrafan captains, Campion and Vervain, are on wide patrol search for the WATERSHIP DOWN warren when they pick up the rabbits' scent. Kehaar spots the Efrafans from the sky, but they follow him thinking he'll lead them to WATERSHIP DOWN. Kehaar cleverly takes them the wrong way. Blackberry and Primrose are worried about Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit. A search is organised, the only explanation is that they must have fallen underground. Kehaar informs Bigwig of the Efrafan patrol, Bigwig fears they have Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit. Bigwig confronts two Owsla guards, demanding to know if they have Hazel. On Owsla honour they say they don't. Bigwig makes to leave and bumps straight into Vervain. A chase ensues. Bigwig looks doomed, just as Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit pop out of the end of the cavern, hidden by the stream. They see Bigwig's in trouble, he hides with them until the Efrafans give up. They now have a secret passage way into the heart of Efrafa.

Friend and Enemy: Bigwig watches an exhausted Efrafan patrol. Their orders, to find and destroy WATERSHIP DOWN. Woundwort will not rest until Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig are found, pushing his troops to the point of collapse. WATERSHIP DOWN is very close to discovery. Hazel decides to lay false trails. They monitor the patrols as they lay their tracks.Hazel and co stumble upon a greenhouse and stare in wonder at the strange building. Close by, the Efrafans are attacked by a hawk and Campion is badly injured. A terrified Vervain pulls out his troops and deserts Campion. Hazel drags Campion into the greenhouse and stays with him through the night to aid his recovery, sending the others back to WATERSHIP DOWN. A gardener shuts them in. Two parrots warn them of a dangerous snake. Campion recovers enough to attempt an escape. Back at WATERSHIP DOWN, Fiver senses Hazel is in trouble and they head back to the greenhouse. They arrive just in time to get them out before the snake catches them. Hazel has saved Campion's life and he will not forget this. Vervain is reprimanded by Woundwort for deserting an officer.

Kidnapped: Kehaar dives on a wide patrol, again searching for WATERSHIP DOWN. The Efrafans are sick and tired. Kehaar warns Hazel of the patrol. They all fear for their warren. Hazel hopes he has made an ally in Campion - perhaps he'd help them from the inside. They set out to approach Campion, via their secret cavern. Campion tries to reason with Woundwort that the troops are being pushed too hard but Woundwort doesn't want to listen. Campion is disillusioned and Hazel asks for Campion's help. He has until sunset to decide. They are spotted by Vervain and are chased. Vervain accuses Campion of consorting with the enemy. He confesses they asked him to betray Efrafa, but only to gain their trust and double cross them. Hazel and Bigwig meet with Campion and Vervain and his troops jump them from the bushes. Campion sides with Hazel and Bigwig and helps them escape. Campion returns to Efrafa as a double agent for Hazel, but to look convincing it has to appear Campion had to fight his way out. Pipkin, keen to see if Hazel and Bigwig are safe, gets swept away by the stream. He's captured by Woundwort. A trade is requested, Woundwort wants Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig in exchange for Pipkin.

The Market: Kehaar is homesick and wants to visit the Big Water. He and the WATERSHIP DOWN rabbits set off and finding a van on route filled with food, stop for a feed. Suddenly, the van moves off and the rabbits are along for the ride! Kehaar follows, desperate to save his friends. The van pulls up at a market where the rabbits discover a new bustling, busy, terrifying place - full of food and flayrah but also people, dogs and all sorts of elil. Escaping from a dog, the rabbits hide in the luggage compartment of a coach… bound for the seaside. Kehaar promises he'll follow them, but as he lags behind, the rabbits wonder if they'll ever see their friend and home again.

#watership down #wsd01 #wsd02 #wsd03 #wsd06 #wsd08 #wsd09 #wsd10 #wsd11 #wsd12 #wsd16

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