Almost biblical in scope, He-Man and Teela arrogantly demand aid for Teela's frozen father, Man-At Arms, through threat of force from a creature they don't realize is more powerful than He-Man, a God-like Dragon who dislikes humans for aiding them 1,000 years ago and never receiving thanks or even "a gift" in return. Dragon effortlessly defeats He-Man, then gives him an astonishingly difficult moral decision-kill another living creature to save his friend or be permanently sent to the "realm of demons." He-Man initially agrees, and then breaks his bargain by refusing to kill intelligent tree Dragon wants to watch "burn in my fire pit." Upon magical recall to the Dragon's lair, He-Man tells Dragon of refusal to honor bargain "I will not take a life to save a life," and Dragon accepts this as the gift of-"Wisdom, compassion, and the honoring of a bargain." Dragon gives He-Man and Teela spell to save Man-At-Arms, and tells them to "Never disturb me again."
After a series of ethical mistakes which drive He-Man and Teela deeper and deeper into darkness, they finally make a good but painfully difficult moral choice that most adults would not, and do not make. Only the rarest of persons would take such an awful risk with grave potential consequences by refusing to honor such a Devil's bargain, once made.
Surprisingly advanced morality play for a kids show. Best single episode of the series. Only time I can recall a creature absolutely more powerful than He-Man.
After a series of ethical mistakes which drive He-Man and Teela deeper and deeper into darkness, they finally make a good but painfully difficult moral choice that most adults would not, and do not make. Only the rarest of persons would take such an awful risk with grave potential consequences by refusing to honor such a Devil's bargain, once made.
Surprisingly advanced morality play for a kids show. Best single episode of the series. Only time I can recall a creature absolutely more powerful than He-Man.
