Season Three Episode One: Cave Dwellers
Network: Comedy Central
Riffers: Tom Servo, Joel Robinson, and Crow
Mads: Dr. Clayton Forrester and Frank w/Assistants Gerry and Sylvia
Plot Synopsis: In this Conan The Barbarian knockoff, Akronas, also known as "the Great One", is a legendary teacher, inventor, and philosopher. He leads an ivory-tower existence in a gigantic castle with his daughter Mila. Ator is a legendary swordsman/whatever the plot needs is a one-time disciple of Akronas and dwells in a remote castle/cave far away.
Akronas has discovered a new potent power source which he calls "the geometric nucleus". Apparently, it has many potential applications, one of which might be a weapon. Aware he is about to be overrun by the evil warlord Zor and his henchmen, he dispatches daughter Mila to summon help from Ator. Mila dons her best breastplate (hubcap?) and sets off on her journey just as Zor arrives at the castle. Eventually, Mila finds Ator's castle after an ambush by Zor's minions. After treating her wound, Ator to aid Akronas, with the help of his sidekick Thong.
Ator and company then make their way back to the castle (with several misadventures to flesh out the time.) Finally reaching it, he launches an attack on the evil Zor. After Thong kills Zor after Ator disarms him, the movie ends as a nuclear blast inexplicably is shown.
Host Segments:
Prologue: Joel welcomes us to the SoL, while JatBs give themselves favorite new names. Magic Voice prefers... Magic Voice.
Segment One/Invention Exchange: Everyone is still trying to figure out their names, but Joel just keeps the names the same. Joel creates the smoking jacket to look cool, while the Mads engage in robotic arm wrestling. JatBs cheer on Frank, then Forrester.
Segment Two: JatBs reenacts Cave Dweller 's half-screen credit sequence. Servo and Crow think this is a bit fruity.
Segment Three: Jatb ponder the conventions of naming fantasy objects in low-budget films.
Segment Four: Joel shows Tom and Crow how to use sound effects, the Joel foleys some sound effects, like the ocean, spine crushing, and a buffalo herd.
Ending Segment: JatBs are shocked by the film. They then point out the horrible continuity problems of the movie. The Mads remind them of their evilness.
Stinger: "Thong, the fish is ready!"
Review:
What a terribly hilarious film. This is the sort of film that falls into that 'sweet spot' category of great films to riff. Hilariously bad on their own, but with great riffing, makes it legendary. Season Three is when MST3K 'grew the beard', as they say, and this episode proves it right here. While there were some good episodes in the previous two seasons, this one really takes it to a whole other level. The final host segment is also hilarious as hell (the other segments were pretty good, to boot!) I would highly recommend showing this to a non-fan of the show to 'introduce' them to the series. 10/10
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In the not too distant future
Next Sunday A.D. ....