(Banner image by Ryan Campbell.)
Welcome to The DRAGONS TV Recap! This is a Rotoscopers series in which we recap and discuss the DreamWorks Dragons television series!
Today, we will review and recap episode six (“Gone Gustav Gone”).
(WARNING #1: This recap/review will contain SPOILERS for episode six. Do not read if you haven’t watched this episode yet.)
(WARNING #2: Only spoilers for this episode can be discussed in the comment section. If I see spoilers from other episodes, you will be put on notice.)
After a trippy detour in “Big Man on Berk,” things finally start to progress forward plot-wise in “Gone Gustav Gone” (written by F.M. De Marco and directed by Elaine Bogan). This episode also sees the return of two familiar faces. First, we have the return of an older Gustav (if you haven’t already guessed that from the title) and the reappearance of Dagur (who’s finally out of his prison rags and in nicer duds).
The episode starts by showing us what Dagur and his crew were up to in the four episodes since the opening two-parter: salvaging anything and everything of worth from the sunken Reaper. Everything except the Dragon Eye, a new fixation of Dagur’s that comes as part of his antagonistic relationship with his ‘brother.’
Meanwhile, on Dragon’s Edge, Hiccup is investigating the different maps and mechanics of the Dragon Eye when he is met with an unexpected visitor: a 16-year-old Gustav (still voiced by Lucas Grabeel), who is more restless and reckless than ever. Still determined to become a part of the Dragon Riders, Gustav proposes that he and his dragon Fanghook move in with the Riders (to everyone’s dismay). They let him stay on the promise that he follows the orders and training of everyone else, but Gustav (in his own special way) can’t help be screw things up (in his own special way).
The thing to understand about this episode is that this is most definitely a Gustav episode. Sure, there is something of a major development in the ongoing mystery of the Dragon Eye (which we will get to later), but it is clear from the moment when Gustav crashes into Hiccup’s hut (on the back of his dragon, Fanghook) that Gustav takes center stage in this episode as both a character and a major driving force in the plot.
Now, how one feels about this will depend entirely upon how he or she views the character. In contrast to the older, late-teen characters surrounding him, Gustav is an energetic ball of (mostly) untamed energy, brashness, boldness, and sheer determination that combines all the worst qualities of the two characters that he takes after the most (or, at least, their younger selves): Hiccup and Snotlout. For example, his massive (and hilariously awkward) crush on Astrid definitely brings to mind a younger Snotlout. Also, his inability to fit in with the ‘cool’ guys and his deliberate rebellion against an older authority are trademarks of a young Hiccup. In short, his rebellious drive and spirit do provide something of a different perspective (as hotheaded as it might be).
After he causes a bunch of mishaps around the base (he fails his training, fills a boar pit with rocks, and burns Fishlegs’ trees), he gets sent by Snotlout to stay in Hiccup’s hut so Hiccup can look after him. However, Hiccup and Toothless are absent, which leaves Gustav and Fanghook to fool around in the hut before they find what appears to be a map inside the Dragon Eye that contains the location of treasure.
Gustav and Fanghook go off to search for this treasure inside a cave, but are stopped in their tracks by Hiccup and Toothless. Gustav goes back to Dragon’s Edge to get an earful from Hiccup about his irresponsible actions and he is deemed unready to be a Dragon Rider. As you would expect, Gustav rebels against this notion and flies off into the night, fuming…only to be caught by Dagur the Deranged and his men. With very little effort on Dagur’s part, Gustav spills his connection to the Riders and cooperates with a plan to have Hiccup hand the Dragon Eye over to Dagur in exchange for him.
Fanghook arrives back at Dragon’s Edge with a ransom note from Dagur. Seeing now that Gustav got himself into some real trouble, Hiccup and Toothless go alone with the Dragon Eye in hand. They arrive at Dagur’s ship and reluctantly hand the device over, only for things to get twisty when Gustav decides to stay on Dagur’s side in order to help him locate a certain treasure hidden within a certain cave…
Dagur and Gustav arrive on that island and go into the cave in search of the treasure. Just as Dagur is about to double-cross him, Gustav double-crosses Dagur and shines the Dragon Eye’s light in his face. Hiccup and Toothless arrive as Dagur snatches the Dragon Eye from Hiccup. Using Toothless’ plasma blasts, Hiccup tries to force Dagur to give the Dragon Eye to him. Dagur instead throws the Dragon Eye into the pit and escapes. Gustav goes after the Dragon Eye and is rescued by Fanghook (after a close call with a boulder). Gustav apologizes to Hiccup for the way he acted, and Hiccup apologizes back (realizing Gustav;s future potential as a Dragon Rider after handling Dagur). They escape, but not before Hiccup finds a chest and takes it with him.
Back on Dragon’s Edge, Hiccup discovers that there is a new lens for the Dragon Eye inside the chest and Gustav and Fanghook prepare for their return back to Berk. As for what that new lens contains…that’s something we’ll have to find out later.
Random Thoughts/Observations/Quotes
- It appears that Gustav’s outfit is comprised of pieces of clothing that were (at one point) worn by the Riders when they were younger (Snotlout’s belt, Astrid’s old shoulder pads, etc.).
- Apparently, Gustav also has the world’s deepest V-neck shirt.
- I like the various designs for Toothless’ tail on Hiccup’s wall.
- I guess that boar pit won’t be used anymore (unless they manage to somehow get those rocks out within the next six episodes).
- Gustav wouldn’t be the first person to crush on Astrid, but he’s certainly younger than she is.
- When Dagur throws knives without warning it’s boss.
- Gustav may be an uncontrollable brat, but he does (during the first cave scene) display a more nuanced control with his trust in and partnership with Fanghook.
Video Recap #4
Thanks for reading! Check back tomorrow for the recap/review of Dragons: Race to the Edge episode seven!
What are your thoughts on this episode? If you have seen this episode, discuss it in the comment section below!
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
