‘Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty’ Recap – ‘Episode 11: Trouble in Paradise’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eleven of ‘Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty’.
​
It is definitely safe to say, that the world eagerly welcomes spring’s return. Because its arrival means that the miserable cold and ice that made up our world during the winter is going to melt away and visual miracles will follow that particular change. For now, the barren landscape will become quite green and lush again as the grass and leaves return, and even the cute little animals that disappeared when the cold arrived, return to the fold, since they are done with their respective hibernation and are ready to go about their lives and continue their line by taking a mate. If anything, we welcome spring because it really does offer up a sense of renewal, one so strong that it also motivates us to get moving and complete our own yearly goals.

But what we don’t consider, is that springtime isn’t exactly a wonderful time for all the creatures of the world. For some cute animals, are super small and dainty and springtime and the flourishing foliage around them, can cause more harm than good. Simply because it can disguise the world around them and make it difficult to hunt or find safety if a predator is nearby and well, that particular surprise is top of mind today, because it served as the focal issue for the meerkats of the Kalahari to deal with during last night’s episode of Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty. For when we catch up with the various families in this part of world in ‘Episode 11: Trouble in Paradise’, the rains have been steady for the past three months and tall grass is now everywhere, and these little cuties are struggling because of it. Because the problems previously outlined are upon them, and that led to some polarizing moment and decisions.

For instance, over in the Hakuna Matata burrow, panic was basically settling in. Because they simply couldn’t tell which way was up and what was happening around them. And not being able to understand if the environment was safe, really did let worry come to fruition and one day while Flint was out and attempting to hunt… that worry turned to the panic in question. For Finnick thought something bad was on the horizon and that the burrow was in jeopardy. So, he started to pull the kids out and just put them any old place in a desperate attempt to keep them safe. Which was… a supremely poor choice for certain since that made them as vulnerable as can be. But thankfully, Flint came back and calmed the situation down and made sure the pups were safe. But alas, this really did hammer home how scary and difficult life in the tall springtime grass can be for tiny critters. 

However, this episode wasn’t a total festival of nerves and panic. For it also took the time to inform us that these kinds of surprises will sometimes motivate a meerkat to be brave and change their situation to ensure long term safety and security, as evidenced by how Swift handled this situation. For rather than sit and wait and worry, she thought the best decision possible, was to pack up the family and find a better place with safer views. Which put the family on a perilous journey, one that eventually brought them back to the farm burrow, where it seemed the cows nearby would keep them safe. But alas, an aggressive snake made it clear this spot would be a poor choice… so they moved on once again and eventually found the water tank that served as home so long ago, giving them safety and security at last, courtesy of some high ground views and fortified walls.  
  
If anything, this was just another engaging chapter in this wonderfully fascinating journey. Simply because, once again… we were privy to moments and observations that you just don’t see in nature shows all that often. Because who knew that the tiny animals of the world dealt with these kinds of struggles? And that they respond to said struggles in such a polarizing manner? The kind that oddly enough, resemble some elements of the human world since we too tend to have a flight or fight response when we are in trouble. But giving us an unfettered look at a world we barely understand is just what this show does best and once again, we are left hungry for more. Because we simply have to know how the Hakuna Matata family will handle staying put in a world that limits their vision and how the Whiskers family will thrive… courtesy of their reclaimed fortress. Until next time.

---