None of the bonus episodes on the DVD are from post-“Rise of Scar”, they’re just episodes from late Season 1, which is a confusing choice because every other episode since July has had a Scar-related plot point, and the most recent episode had Kion catch a glimpse of the ghost as a cliffhanger.

It doesn’t ruin Scar at all. He literally comes springing out of Hell and announces himself to the hyenas. It’s pretty awesome.

The animation on this series is also astonishing, possibly the best Disney has ever produced for TV.

The only good things that came from this “movie” (in my opinion) are all the lore about Scar, the whole thing with Kion speaking with Mufasa is somewhat explained, and also the shamanic mandrills like Rafiki & Makini (who was curious yet VERY annoying, but unexpectedly led to kickstarting the plot). Also, Scar’s voice. David Oyelowo rocked the role, making him sound like a real threat (even though he barely does anything).

But yeah, my hopes for this series have begun to wane, mainly because it is a Disney Junior series. The stakes aren’t a problem and situations are solved easily with the Guard & Pridelands feeling no aftereffects at all. If this were a Disney cartoon like the much-better “Tangled: the Series” is, there would be much more tension and cause & effect for the members of the Guard when they act too reckless. Maybe they should learn that others sometimes HAVE to die and bad things have to happen in order to make the Circle of Life continue (which is what the Guard is supposed to be protecting, by the way). It’s a huge problem for a show that is basically a kid-friendly “The Avengers: Pridelands”. (No, really.)