'Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation': A Whole New World

Television throughout the years has taught us that a strong, loving family is the basis for all that is good in the world. Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation continues this tradition with an episode that runs the full gamut of emotions.

Strap in, as these Spoilers will take you for a wild ride!

A massive midday storm has taken over the Kalahari, and the new Whisker pups look none too pleased. Then again, you probably wouldn't be if you had a morning like these two did.

We then flashback to sunrise and see the pup's side of the story. It starts normally enough, all the while finding out that young Nugget and Beaker are two of the largest pups ever recorded for their age. The adults head out to forage, leaving Sophie to once again baby-sit the children. Since Sophie cannot provide milk to the kids, she must find a way to provide a meal for the young ones.

Enter Simon. He finds grubs a-plenty, but bringing them back to the burrow without eating them proves to be quite the challenge. Simon does return with grub in mouth, but before Nugget can enjoy his gift, Beaker makes quite the steal and gobbles it down herself.

Frustrated, Nugget takes it out on Sophie. Perhaps now is a good time to remind young Nugget that we do not gnaw on babysitters!

Simon and Sophie take the kids away from the burrow for the first time. Even with much better opportunities for food, Nugget still seems to be coming up short. He tries to snatch a live scorpion from Simon's mouth, but ends up only getting the run-around. Once they're finished with the feast, they decide to take a quick catnap before they head back.

That is, until a rival clan charges towards them. Holy Hell, Batman, it's the Aztecs! Maybelline and crew finally make their long awaited return. Sophie unwisely sounds the alarm, giving the Aztecs the perfect GPS system to hunt down the remaining Whiskers. However, the babysitters and kids make it to a shelter before the storms (and Aztecs) arrive.

We then flashback from the flashback to get Rocket Dog's version of what went down. As per usual, Rocket Dog leads the family on a morning food hunt. During breakfast, they come across an old burrow of theirs, most recently occupied by the Aztecs. The Whiskers go about reclaiming their old territory, all the while keeping tabs on Maybelline and her family.

When Rocket Dog spots the Aztecs making a move on the burrow, she leads the Whiskers full charge to drive them away. While successful, she is dismayed to find that Nugget and Beaker, along with Simon and Sophie are nowhere to be found. With the storm settling in quickly, Rocket Dog can't make the mad dash across the Manor to find them.

Back at the bolt hole, as if the danger of the Aztecs attacking wasn't enough, now Simon and Sophie must deal with a snake as well.

The storm ends, day turns into night and back again to day. Fearing the family might be shrinking against her will, Rocket Dog leads the rest of the Whiskers on an all-out search party. It seems hopeless at first... that is, until Sophie is seen running towards them. Playing the role of Lassie to the family's Timmy, Sophie leads the family to a much alive and safe Nugget and Beaker.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for Simon. As any good babysitter/bodyguard/member of the family would do, he put the good of the family before himself and bought Sophie and the kids time to escape. Unfortunately, that meant going up against the snake. Simon is the true definition of a hero in my book. Rest in peace, little man.

Next time on MM:TNG, More Aztec goodness while Zorro attempts to fend off challengers to Nikita's heart.

Welcome back Aztecs... but do they have what it takes to be the dominant Manor family? Could there have been a more eventful 24 hours for Nugget and Beaker away from the burrow? How will you remember Simon and the great sacrifice he made?

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