Season Two: Exploring JOURNEY TO SHANGRI-LA
Britrock website copyright EA Woolley
JOURNEY TO SHANGRI-LA
Journey To Shangri-La is one of those episodes where you can't let the plot
destroy your enjoyment of the abysmal animation techniques. I have several
fun captures from it already on my site and I always find something new to
laugh at when I watch it.
However, laughs aside, there are notable moments within this episode that
suggest something more than just another airy fairy nonsense tale. The relationships
between characters are very significant too - as are the actions of a few
people.
THE HOLOGRAM'S QUEST
Right from the start you know that this story is off at a half cock. When
british explorer Andrew tells the Holograms about the magical music of Shangri-La
and that he believes the place really exists, he entices the girls to come
along to see if they can find it too! The whole thing is ludicrous, but also
highly amusing at times. The Holograms as a team across the snow are fun
to listen to - Shana complaining about the walking "rest...did he say rest?!"
for example. The bonds between the Holograms are fairly clear here.
They are a closeknit group and I much prefer them when they are shown to
be, because it adds strength to them as characters.
Why they should be hunting in Tibetan mountains for a lost city is beyond
my ken, however.
MISFIT COURAGE
Well, being a Misfit fan, there is no way I can leave this out.
People call the Misfits selfish and materialistic, and it's true that the
only reason they even go to Tibet is to try and grab the music before Jem.
Equally, when Jem and the Holograms take time out from their own trek to
help them after a climb goes wrong, the Misfits simply scramble up and then
say "see-ya!", leaving them to flounder themselves.
However, all of this is swept aside by one important event. Whilst a villager,
LaiSenn is trying to show them the way to Shangri-La, the girls slip down
an embankment and wind up in a heap at the bottom. During this time, LaiSenn
is trapped beneath a bush of poisonous thorns. Though she tells the Misfits
not to touch them, because they are poisoned, Pizzazz and Roxy set in to
rescue her, becoming scratched into the bargain. The poison takes effect
almost immediately, yet these two Misfits risk their own lives to save a
complete stranger. It can be said that they rescued her because they needed
her to find Shangri-La. This is true, and I won't deny it. But at no point
is there mention made of this fact. Stormer says that they have to help her,
Pizzazz agrees and drags Roxy in to assist.
If it were true that the Misfits were merely individuals out for themselves,
then Jetta and Stormer would have fled into the snow the moment the Yeti
appeared on the scene, for they are obviously terrified of him. However,
their instinctive action is to protect Pizzazz and Roxy from the perceived
threat. Misfit solidarity in the animated proof. And once they are back at
the village and begging the help of the Holograms, there is even a moment
where you see Jetta nursing Roxy. Despite rivalries, in a matter of crisis
all barriers are broken down.
THE YETI
One of the most amusing parts of this episode is the yeti, who clearly has
a mad passion for Pizzazz. Yes, you read it right. During the rendition of
"You Oughta See The View", he is following the band and looking all goofy
and happy as he does so. Then, when Roxy and Pizzazz are stricken in the
snow, it is Pizzazz who the yeti makes for, obviously wanting to help her.
The yeti is also important for Jem and the Holograms, in that Jem has a brief
encounter with him too. Let's face it, old Yeti is a flirt, because he's
quite at home with Jem until Andrew comes and scares him off. The Yeti's
most important role, however, is carrying the two stricken Misfits back to
camp so that they can be tended.
Another important thing to note about the Yeti - when delerious, Pizzazz
murmurs to him "Dad...is that you?" Hilarious as it might seem for Pizzazz
to associate large, white and furry with her father, it also holds a deeper
meaning. Pizzazz's first instinct when she is unwell or vulnerable is for
her father - whatever anyone says, even miles from America in Tibet, Pizzazz
is still thinking of Harvey.
THE "FALSENESS" OF JEM and THE MAGICAL MUSIC
Right from the moment they meet, the old woman in the village says that
Jem is false, and that she will not find the way to Shangri-La. I've said
it many a time and I will say it again - she is entirely right. Jerrica when
Jem is false - not only does she look different, but she acts differently
too and is not really herself. Once Jem converts herself to her Jerrica form,
the old woman says "now I see you as you truly are!" But it;s my belief that
she sees more than just the holographic form - noone else can tell that Jem
is false unless they know the secret. I'm sure that she sees that Jem is
not acting to her real personality, and that is the reason for her reluctance.
I am sadly disappointed in Jem here. There is every opportunity for her to
be the good heroine and to make a real stand for herself as the star of this
series. I don't like her, but even I would have been forced to concede that
Jem is responsible for selflessly saving the lives of the Misfits....
Except for one thing.
Jem's explanation to the old woman for why she must go to Shangri-La is to
find a cure for the Misfits' poisoning. But once she reaches Shangri-La she
tells a different story - that their music needed a new sound, and that they
hoped that the music of Shangri-La would help them do that. I actually wonder
if there is a conflict of emotions within her at this point. Part of her
wants to genuinely help the Misfits heal, but she is not concerned (or selfless)
enough to discard any idea of going to Shangri-La for her own ends too. My
belief is that noone can reach Shangri-La for selfish means, and whilst the
Holograms are able to enter under the reasoning of rescuing the Misfits (one
of the reasons that Jem gives to the gatekeeper), they also utilise what
they learn there for their own commercial ends.
The Misfits, however, cannot enter Shangri-La because their only reason for
going there is to find the music to boost their own sales. Whilst I'm glad
that Jem and co entered Shangri-La and were able to save the Misfits - Kimber's
words "I can't wait for our fans to hear this great new music!" makes me
sad. Oh well. At least the Misfits survived. And, whatever Jem's other motives
for doing it, at least she did do it in part to save their lives.
CONCLUSION
Without the character interaction and the odd funny remark this episode would
be one to throw to the dogs. But, surprisingly, it's a very enjoyable episode,
once you get your brain around the fact that most of the basic story is highly
improbable and does not happen on your average rock star's calendar. It is
only one of three episodes where Roxy and Jetta seem to put aside any differences
too (the others being The Jazz Singer and The Stingers Hit Town). And Jem
gets chatted up by a yeti. Yes. Definitely worth the popcorn!
Episode rating: 7/10.
Original site concept c. 2001
This version c.2014
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