‘Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty’ Recap – ‘Episode 7: Hard Times’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the midseason premiere of ‘Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty’.
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One would think that nature shows would be woefully unsuccessful at putting together a powerhouse cliffhanger. Simply because nature documentaries tend to avoid telling stories in that manner, since they are designed to educate us over anything else. But believe it or not, powerful cliffhangers are possible in regard to this type of series and for proof… then look no further than the BBC America series, Meerkat Manor: Rise of the Dynasty. For the colorful and dynamic little cuties that populate the Kalahari, engage in dramatic moments for certain, the kind that entertain and engage us whilst teaching us and those moments harbor the potential to create an intense cliffhanger, as evidenced by the midseason finale of this particular show.  
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For in that episode, young Sencha had been tossed from the Hakuna Matata Clan and left to her own devices and well, her fate was left hanging in the air, leaving all of us eager to learn what would become of her and the other families that populate this phenomenal series and thankfully, the wait to learn about their fates has finally come to an end. For last night’s midseason premiere of the series, ‘Episode 7: Hard Times’, wasted little time informing us that times were indeed tough in the Kalahari, mostly thanks to the heat that was bearing down upon all of our endearing meerkats. In fact, it was so hot that Brea found himself confused and managed to get separated from the Whiskers family on a food run, leaving him vulnerable and lightly frightened, until he eventually found his way back home… much to the relief of his wondrous family. 

But that was the lighthearted and easy struggle in this particular tale, because the genuine hard times in this story fell to Hakuna Matata Clan. Because we came to learn that Flint tossed more of her sisters out of the family in the hopes of protecting pups that sadly, never came. For a miscarriage and second failed pregnancy left the clan in smaller numbers than expected, but thankfully it seemed hope for growth was finally on the horizon. For Flint was once again ready to deliver a litter of pups unto the world. But before she could do that peacefully, great trouble arrived. For Daisy and the Ubuntu Tribe decided that the time had come to reclaim the territory that they once fought for and lost to the Hakuna Matata Family and well, that left Flint with a difficult decision.

In, that she could either fight and risk losing more of her clan and her pups, or she could surrender the territory and try to find a new burrow to thrive within and well, after a hard-fought attempt to keep what was hers… Flint came to realize that there would be no hope in holding onto her home and the time had come to start over anew. Which thankfully, the clan was able to do once they discovered an abandoned burrow but even then, the hard times present in their journey… didn’t end there. For this story ended on another shocking cliffhanger, one where the fate of Flint’s new pups remains up in the air and where Sencha’s fate was revealed. For in the closing moments of this story, Sencha found that very burrow… leaving one to wonder if she had encountered the family once again and was welcomed home and was helping with the new pups or if she was about take revenge upon her sister for casting her out.

Which is, a shockingly heavy way to end a story about cute little meerkats, but a fitting one none the less. For these little cuties are in fact, wild animals through and through and will do what they must to obtain territory and survive, as evidenced by Daisy and Flint’s actions and sadly… we will have to wait to uncover the truth about Sencha’s intentions and return. But while we wait to learn those facts, we can bask in the wonder of one fascinating and engaging tale. One that really did hammer home how this particular documentary is unlike any other since there is a story that unfolds in the Kalahari, one that writers Caroline Hawkins and Hayley Smith have genuinely tapped into and well, it will be fascinating to see where the second half of this incredible season takes us in the weeks to come as we plunge ourselves back into the struggles and the triumphs of the meerkat of the Kalahari. Until next time.

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