[thrusters whoosh]
Kid, if you want to be taken seriously as an artist,
this isn't gonna cut it.
It's my first draft. Give me a break.
Did Jane Austen get a break?
Did the rebel poets of Chillion get a break?
Your characters? Trash!
Your prose? Trash!
Your themes?
Actually, I found your themes to be quite compelling.
But everything else? Trash!
Gee, thanks for the feedback.
Hey, don't get sensitive on me. It's not all bad.
This "Flobby" character you've got here, there's something about him.
He was charming, yet elusive.
Compelling, but distant.
I'm telling you, if this story is gonna be worth anything,
we need more Flobby.
There's no space for Flobby.
What? Sure there is.
H-Here, just get rid of this boring Dad character.
Flobby's the real hero.
I mean, to be the hero,
Flobby would actually need to do something heroic.
[gasps softly]
[gasps] Wow.
[wondrous instrumental music playing]
That's where Dad is?
No. [sighs]
This isn't Doloraam. It's Veeger-79.
What's here?
Hopefully… [sighs]
…some help.
[upbeat dance music playing]
♪ We can feel the energy-gy-gy ♪
-[Lisa] Whoa. -[Sean] Whoa.
[chuckles]
Now this is my type of planet.
The kind of place where a blob could settle, you know?
Really put his goo down.
[Lisa] Ugh.
You know, Blobby, you're free now.
You don't have to tag along with us anymore.
Who said I was tagging along? I was headed to the club anyway.
If anything, you guys are stalking me.
Any weapons?
Other than my staggering intellect, no.
[sighs] Just stand still for the scan.
Scan?
-[camera shutter clicks] -[scanner trills]
Next.
Oh. Oh, no, no. We can't. [chuckles]
No scan, no entry.
-Don't! [sighs] -[camera shutter clicking]
-[Lisa] Come on, Mom! -[Sean] Party's not gonna wait forever.
Uh… I-I just need to get my kids.
No scan, no entry.
Big J, is that really you?
Dirty Mike?
[laughs] No one calls me Dirty Mike anymore.
I'm Clean Mike now.
Clean Mike. Okay. It's so good to see you.
-Ah, it's good, Jer. She's with me. -[door opens]
[sighs] I owe you one.
Man! It's been, what? Like 14 years?
I'm glad to see you're back.
Unless, of course, uh, you're not back. [chuckles]
Hey, you know me, J. Whatever the deal is, just let me know.
Yeah, I know, Mike. We'll see how things shake out.
But I was, uh… I was actually looking for Adja.
-Does she still hang out around here? -[laughing]
Residents of Veeger-79…
-[clanking] -[lights humming]
…I have one question for you.
[cheering, screaming]
Who is ready to partay?
[up-tempo percussive dance music playing]
[Sean] That's your friend?
[chuckles] Back in the day, her and Big J were inseparable.
-[Lisa] Mom, who's "Big J"? -[sighs] It's just a nickname.
-[Lisa] For Tess? -For Janeera.
-Now, can you please-- -[Lisa] What's "Janeera"?
-It's my name. -[Lisa] Wait.
-We don't even know your real name? -Lisa, please.
[music continues]
-[Adja] Prince Klorgonmine, looking great. -[prince chuckles]
-L'flurglemime, don't you stop dancing. -[patrons cheer]
Helen! Radiant as ever.
Hey, Adj, look who's here.
[gasps]
Hey.
Long time no see.
-[glass shatters] -[patrons gasp]
-[music continues] -[patrons whooping]
[Lisa] Janeera, can we look around?
[Sean] Please.
No. And stop calling me that. [sighs]
[chuckles] I gotta reprogram this bot, 'cause… hmm.
So, you have kids now.
-[Sean] Ah! -[Lisa laughs]
[sighs] Yeah.
And you, uh, bought this place.
Mm. I spend so much time here, figured I might as well.
[Sean] Clean Mike says you and my mom used to do everything together.
[Lisa] Yeah. Have any fun stories for us?
[Tess] Uh.
[rock music playing]
Wah! Huh!
-[thud] -[music stops]
-[glasses shatter] -[music continues]
Woo-hoo! Yeah!
-Mozzarella sticks for everyone! -[crowd cheers]
Ma'am, please get down.
[dance music playing]
Nothing comes to mind.
[Lisa] I knew it. Just as boring as she is now.
[laughing]
[Lisa] Hmm.
-What are you doing here? -[sighs]
-I know. -[fingers snap]
I know that this is unexpected, but…
[sighs]
-Look, I don't mean to just-- -Ha-ha!
…show up like this, but honestly, I don't know who else to turn to.
Ah. You need something.
No! It's not like I--
Oh, you don't need something from me?
What in the…
[squeaking]
-I'm Robo-Sean. What's your name? -Bruh-caw?
[grumbles] Oh.
-[cup clatters] -Is there somewhere…
-[eyelids plink] -…quieter that we can go?
[Lisa] All right. Prepare to lose, boys.
-But, Mom-- -[Tess] Little girl, you have a problem.
[computer scrambling]
[chiming]
[whizzing]
-[computer] Target match. -[beeping]
[Beta bleeping]
[thrusters blast]
[crowd cheering]
[panting]
Damn!
[pants, grunts]
Ugh.
[grunts]
[panting]
Fine. You wanna play?
-Gah! -[crowd cheering]
-[gasps] -[Terry yells]
-[grunting] -[vines snap]
-[sighs] -[crowd cheering]
[laughing] Okay. Is that it?
Hmm. Just watch.
[suspenseful ambient music plays]
[low growl]
[deep voice] To get past this next trial,
you must solve a final riddle.
"I have no eyes, but can see for miles."
"I am loud, but silent. I can fly, but have no--"
[Terry grunts]
[powering down whir]
[grunts]
[crowd cheering loudly]
No one's ever tried that before?
[crowd chanting] Brok!
Are we done here?
My offer still stands, Odoman. Simply say the word and my guards will--
Do what, B'Caala?
[sighs] Whatever's necessary.
We are Doloraami,
and we will do this in the way of our people, B'Caala.
If you'll excuse me, Emperor, I have somewhere I need to be.
We've gathered because the EHC would like to present their case.
Thank you all for the opportunity.
I know there are concerns, and that's why I'm here, to address them.
The Conglomerate's offer is attractive,
but your ask is great.
Our Doloraami crystals are more than a powerful energy source.
Our entire civilization was birthed from it.
[crystal whirs]
[wondrous music playing]
[energy whirs, whooshes]
[Gurira] Throughout the ages,
the Kalatite crystals have remained in Doloraami hands,
because we know how dangerous they could be in the hands of others.
Oh, I hope you don't consider the Conglomerate
among those wrong hands.
-We're dedicated to-- -Connecting the universe? Hmm.
Yes, I am well aware of your new mission statement.
Noble though it might be, it does not erase your corporation's past.
Oh, of course.
After all, I've only talked about connecting the universe.
I've yet to show you how we intend to do it.
-[headset chimes] -Beta, assume manual control.
-[Beta] Yes, Creator. -[bleep]
[rumbling]
[Pam] For far too long,
the inhabitants of the universe have been isolated,
their possibilities limited by the reaches of their solar systems.
-Initiate Warp Gate. -[headset chimes]
[Warp Gate whirring]
[zapping]
[spaceships whooshing]
[loud whoosh]
[fireworks whistling]
With these warp gates,
the cosmos will become free to travel, free to explore.
With these warp gates, we connect not just the universe, Empress.
We connect people.
And all we need are your crystals to power them.
[dignitaries gasp, chatter indistinctly]
[speaking in Doloraami]
-[clapping] -[in English] I call for a vote.
If the financial incentive wasn't enough, this demonstration is.
We must take this deal!
-[woman] What? -[chattering]
[chatter stops]
This demonstration has given us much to think about,
but it still must be thought through and discussed in private.
[Pam] Of course.
-I look forward to a prompt response. -[B'Caala gasps]
[sighs]
-[Gurira] B'Caala. -[clang]
You are a member of this court, not its commander.
Forgive me, Empress, but I thought I spoke for the room.
What are we waiting for?
We have a chance to be a part of history,
to make more money than our planet has ever seen.
The Conglomerate is offering us a chance to retake our place
as the rightful kings of this universe.
But would we be the kings, or would they?
[sighs, growls]
Calm waters can still hide a hungry rii'bau.
The waters are far from calm, Empress.
You cannot delay this vote forever. Doloraam is moving into the future.
It's best you and your husband move with it.
[dramatic music plays]
-[all gasp] -[Lisa] You live here?
-Wow. -Mm. Whenever I'm on Veeger.
-Make yourself at home. -Don't mind if I do. Ha-ha.
All right, let's hear it. Why are you here?
I need your help. My parents kidnapped Terry.
Right. [sighs] Sorry.
Sabo. Sabo Brok.
The bounty hunter?
My husband.
All right, hit me!
-[grunts] -[objects clatter]
Huh. Guess that explains the kids.
Look, I need to get him back,
and I need to get them home as fast as possible.
Yeah, because why face your family after running away for 14 years, right?
I assume room service is…
-Get whatever you want. -Kids, we're getting Porlusian Mukluma!
H-Holy…
-[gasps] -[solemn music plays]
[weapons thrum]
[gasps]
-[drumming] -[crowd cheering faintly]
[solemn music continues]
-[Adja] Pretty awesome, right? -[music ends]
Mom looks so cool. What were you guys doing?
We call it the Iku Iwaddi.
It's a rite of passage every Doloraami warrior must take
before they can be entrusted with our planet's Kalatite.
-Your mother hasn't told you about it? -Hey, I just found out her real name.
Well, that's a shame. Janeera was once a great warrior.
-There's a lot she could have taught you. -[Tess scoffs] "Once"?
You've been away for so long… Tess. I just assumed you'd lost your edge.
Well, you assumed wrong. Once a Doloraami, always a Doloraami.
[scoffs]
-[drum music plays] -Care to prove it?
[music stops]
"Once a Doloraami," right?
[drum music resumes]
You think Mom can take her?
No. But it will be fun to watch her try.
Dinner and a show. [chuckles]
Blobby, freedom agrees with you. [gobbles]
If you're going to back out, you better do it now.
I mean, I'd hate to embarrass a mother in front of her kids.
Last time I checked, you were the one who always used to tap out.
Well, it's been a long time.
[energy thrumming]
-Whoa. -Whoa.
[battle drums pounding]
Ah!
[grunting]
[Adja] Yah!
The rules of the Iku Iwaddi are simple, kids.
-The last woman standing wins. -[staff whooshes]
[both grunting]
A Doloraami warrior fears no man
or battle.
A Doloraami warrior doesn't even fear death.
Our people have no place for weak, selfish cowards.
[energy thrums, blasts]
[Tess groans]
-Whoa. -Whoa.
-Mom's never had markings like those. -[Sean gasps]
Oh, she used to, but I doubt she has them now.
Like our people, our powers have no place for the weak.
Oh. [pants] I'll show you weak.
[staff swishing]
[yells, grunts]
You know, most people think that the power of the Doloraami
lies in the crystal,
but it's really the spirit of the warrior.
[both grunting]
Our spirit is fueled by our connection to our planet, to our people.
Each marking represents a member of our bloodline.
It's through them, for them, that we fight.
-[Tess] Ah! -[Adja grunts]
-[energy thrums] -[Tess grunts]
[thrumming wanes]
[both gasp]
[Tess gasps]
[grunting]
[Adja yells, grunts]
-[Tess] Ah! -Mom!
-[Tess groaning] -[staff swishes]
[chuckles] Don't worry, Sean.
I don't use my full strength on people who can't handle it.
-[thrum] -[drum music ends]
Yield.
[panting]
Mom! Are you okay?
[panting, sniffs]
Of course. Me and your Auntie Adja, we're just…
[pants] We're just playing. [chuckles]
I wanna play. That was awesome!
[straining, grunts]
Give it time.
-You'll get it. -No, I won't.
-[despondent music plays] -[sighs]
The Doloraami spirit is strong in you.
I can tell.
[dramatic music playing]
[doors closing]
-[comm trills] -[automated voice] Dialing.
[sighs]
You promised me a deal.
The royal family is stubborn. These-These things take time.
[Pam] And you're running out of it.
Trust me, the demonstration helped. Discontent is brewing.
A little more time and I know I can push the council to a yes.
B'Caala, when we made our arrangement,
you told us you had the full support of the council.
You didn't seem very supported in that meeting.
Things are chaotic right now.
Empress Gurira is distracted with the fires in the west.
And the emperor is wasting his time putting Sabo Brok through those trials
to find his daughter.
They are ignoring the will of the people.
Believe me, everyone wants this deal.
I don't like waiting, B'Caala.
Make it happen.
[distancing train rattling]
Does this mean we're even?
You have 13 years' worth of beatdowns before we're close to even,
but I may be ready to talk.
-I don't even know where to start, girl. -Try the beginning. That usually works.
[menacing music playing]
[footsteps plodding steadily]
Hey, buddy, can't let you in without--
Whoa! [straining]
[electricity crackling]
[bubbling]
Where were you today?
I have the EHC making unauthorized demonstrations,
a frustrated council pressuring me to take the deal,
B'Caala just about to lead an insurrection!
Nah. B'Caala is a fly.
B'Caala is a threat. One of many.
And he is not the only noble whispering about us behind our backs.
I cannot run this planet by myself, Odoman.
Where have you been?
Eh, there was a delicate matter I had to attend to--
No, not "where were you?" Where have you been?
I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry. Be here.
I can't do this alone.
[sighs]
Do you ever think about her?
What?
Janeera. Do you ever think about her?
[sighs] Is…
Is that why you've been acting this way?
[sighs] Odoman, she is my child. I think about her every day.
But Janeera chose to leave years ago. We can't afford to chase ghosts.
There are too many problems amongst the living.
[melancholy ambient music playing]
[clang]
[Odoman sighs]
-[comm beeps] -[guard] Yes, Emperor.
-[snoring] -[doors open]
[gasps, grunts] Guys, come on, not again.
[sighs] I swear, if this is another trial--
[Odoman] Leave us.
Look, man, I've played your little games.
I'm over it. If you wanna kill me, kill me.
[dramatic music plays, fades out]
Okay, well, maybe don't "kill me," kill me.
Do you have children, Sabo Brok?
Hmm, my Janeera, she was always a wild one.
Passionate, unpredictable.
Except for on my birthday.
Every birthday, she would do the same thing.
She would get up hours before the sun rose…
[yawns]
…evade her guards…
and sneak out of the palace.
She would go to the gardens and gather my favorite flowers.
She'd pawn off some precious heirloom
for pounded yam,
hurry back to the kitchen
and do her best not to burn down the entirety of the palace.
And every year,
right as the sun peeked over the horizon…
she would slip into our room…
and we would enjoy a birthday breakfast.
[Tess giggling]
She always had this special way of taking care of everyone.
Could you imagine how it feels to lose someone like that?
[Terry sighs]
[Sean giggling]
-Woo! [giggling] -[Terry grunts]
-[gasps] -If you could tell me anything.
If you could just tell me if she's… still alive.
[sighs]
-[Adja] I can't. -Adja.
I can't! I feel for you, I-I do, but--
Then help me.
You can help yourself by marching into your royal palace
and facing your own family
instead of sneaking around and trying to get me involved.
I don't have time to deal with my parents. Okay? I left space for a reason.
-My kids. I just-- -Oh, enough, Janeera.
Honestly, don't act like this is about your kids.
This is about you. You being scared and selfish, like always.
Adja.
Do you know that your parents have not smiled since the day you left?
Do you know the constant threat of insurrection
that B'Caala has held over their heads
because of you running out on your engagement?
You left your family, your people, your duty.
You left me.
[distant spaceship whooshes]
Maybe Doloraam doesn't matter to you anymore,
but it matters to me, Janeera.
[spacecrafts whizzing, honking]
I didn't have a choice.
Everyone has a choice. You just made the wrong one.
-[doorbell chimes] -[gasps]
About time.
Your food. [bleeps]
Kids, get ready to…
What the…
[glass bottle clattering]
-[gasps] -[menacing music plays]
[gasps]
No. Oh, man.
Oh, man. Oh, man. Oh, man. [sighs]
You're a free blob now, no entanglements. This isn't your fight, Blobby. [pants]
Ah! Screw it!
[panting]
-[dramatic music playing] -[screams]
[grunts]
[groans, gasps]
[panting]
Come on. Come on, Blobby.
Come on. You got this.
[grunts]
[wheezing]
All right.
[panting] Yah!
Whoa! [grunts]
[horn blares]
-[grunts] -[gasps]
Mwah. Ah!
[panting]
Oh. Oh, no.
[panting]
Yah!
Yah! [grunts]
[grunting]
Come on. [panting]
Come on.
[spaceship whirs]
[panting, groans]
Gah!
[gasps]
[groaning]
Gah!
[whir increasing]
[groans]
-[somber music plays] -[thrusters screech]
Wait. What was that?
Sean! Lisa!
[ominous music playing]
-[panting anxiously] -[music building]
-[music stops] -[Tess crying, whimpers breathlessly]