Fun fact. Originally Winx Club was going to be called Magical Bloom. If the show was called that, then it would have made it look like the show was more focused on Bloom than the group as a whole. It's a good thing that they went with Winx Club for the title, if only because it's catchier. Magical Bloom might have been more accurate at certain parts, but I prefer the title that emphasizes the whole group rather than just the main character.
Time for episode 6, "Mission at Cloudtower". It's an accurate name that describes what the Winx will be doing this episode. 4Kids called it "Secret Guardian". While that title refers to a more important plot point, it's also blander. Point goes to RAI. RAI 2. 4Kids 2.
The episode begins with Bloom researching magical artifacts at the library, but she's having trouble finding what she wants. She soon finds Stella's ring, the sword of power. I don't think it's a sword. It may be a ring or a scepter, but it lacks certain important qualities of a sword, like a blade to slash stuff with. It's part of the lineal right of the princess of the sun and moon of Solaris. Either that book is describing a previous name for Solaria, or the translators for this episode weren't very good. Probably the translators. This is why it belongs to Stella.
Bloom explains this to Stella. Stella points out that she could have explained it herself. She says it's been in her family forever. Also, now she calls it the sword ring. Just nod your head and go with it. Bloom still doesn't know why the Trix want it. Flora points out that it's important and valuable. Stella says the Trix aren't common criminals, so there must be something else to it. Bloom asks who the Trix are. She's definitely got memory problems considering the name has been mentioned in front of her before. Musa explains that it's the nickname for their three favorite witches.
Bloom continues on about the ring. It was created so long ago that nobody remembers when. We get a nice shot of the planet Solaria. First view of a planet not named Earth or Magix. It was made out of a stone found in a spring of light. It was one of the gifts offered by the great sacred fire. Stella apparently didn't know that since she thought history was boring. She says Solaris, so it's an episode problem. Tecna asks what the sacred fire was. Bloom briefly imitates Griselda causing giggles. Bloom exposits that the Magic Dimension was created by he Great Dragon who sparked the sacred fire.
The Winx are walking outside for some reason now. Flora asks if it was real or just a mythical symbol. Tecna thinks it represents an ideal of good vs. evil. Bloom doesn't understand that. Neither do I, that came out of nowhere. Musa tells Stella she should know some of this, but again, history isn't her strong point. Her priorities lie more in the lines of shopping. Bloom heads back to the library to find more answers. This is where the mythology of the series really starts. While the theory is presented here is generally accepted, I don't think the story has ever been confirmed. It seems to be the kind of thing that would have a religion revolving around it, but kids show.
Bloom can't shake the feeling that the dragon isn't just a legend. Faragonda offers to help. In her office, she explains that there was nothing in the beginning. A dazzling light then appeared, the Great Dragon. The Dragon looks like the dragon Bloom summoned in episode 1. He spread life, light, and heat across the universe. He grew tired and chose to rest at Domino. Bloom says that Stella told her that Domino is a cold, dark place. Faragonda says it used to be a lush and prosperous place before dark forces attacked it and extinguished the flame. We see a scene of a planet becoming covered in darkness. Faragonda asks why Bloom is interested in the Dragon. She's just curious about all the new things. She excuses herself and leaves. Cue ominous shot of Faragonda. This scene is important because it gives the first hint towards the myth arc of the series(at least at first) and the overall main antagonists of the show.
The Winx are holding a meeting at night. Stella wants her ring back. Tecna wants to attack, but Flora points out they're not soldiers. She doesn't think they can take on the Trix. Bloom says they can do it by taking them by surprise by going to their house, Cloudtower. Stella is unsure about this, but Tecna is confident they'll come up with a plan. Bloom proposes using the old tunnels under the schools. Or they could mention it to Faragonda. Rivalry between fairies and witches is probably accepted, but I doubt attempted murder is. Then again, pride is on the line.
At Cloudtower the Trix are doing some sort of spell on the ring. It fails and causes an explosion, blowing them back. Darcy's nose apparently hurts and, she is more concerned about that. Stormy realizes they need to do something quick, especially when Knut asks what happened. She casts some sort of spell which apparently hid the explosion after it happened? Either way, no one is checking on them. Knut heads back to bed.
Icy is pissed at the ring, demanding its energy. I don't think it can talk, but in this universe I wouldn't be surprised. Darcy and Stormy realize that it doesn't hold the power of the Dragon. Icy is still angry that her efforts at getting the ring was worthless. She tosses it aside. Dejected, she declares they will get the power of the Dragon even if they must start all over again. Looks like someone did some faulty research. How long have they been looking anyway? The duck walks up to Icy, who's too annoyed to do anything to it. I'm surprised it's still alive.
The Winx are moving through the tunnels. Flora isn't sure they're going the right way. Bloom says they'll arrive under Cloudtower. How does she know? I guess she found some obscure maps. Hopefully they're better than the one the Trix had.
Knut is cleaning the Trix's room and complaining about it. Icy and Darcy tell him to finish cleaning quickly and join them in the woods. They leave through a mirror. He complains again that they call him good for nothing, but he's suddenly called in to clean up everything. He sweeps the ring into a trash pile. Darcy calls for him, and he scrambles off.
The Winx arrive in Cloudtower. They figure they'll have to use magic to find the Trix. They hear Darcy calling for Knut and decide not to bother with magic. Icy complains about having to wait for Darcy's ogre. Apparently Darcy is the one who takes care of Knut. I wonder how they met anyway. Bloom leads the Winx up.
The Winx are in the Trix's room. Musa can smell that Knut lives there too. Flora and Tecna want to hurry. Tecna finds some sort of doll with needles sticking into it and calls it creepy. Musa finds some sort of baton, which becomes covered in spikes and freaks her out. Tecna throws away the doll. Bloom and Stella see the trash pile and figure they had a party. I'm sure if they actually got what they wanted, nobody could miss the party they'd throw. They find the ring, and Stella puts it one. Well, mission over. Time to get out now. Tecna sure wants to. Unfortunately, they can't get through the mirror they went through earlier. Bloom figures there must be another way out through Cloudtower.
Bloom is at a door and wants to go through it. She feels that there is something behind it, though it's not a way out. Tecna points out that they have to get out of there. Listen to the smart one. Bloom decides to follow her sixth sense and heads in, thinking it'll be important. They find a library inside. Bloom being a moron decides to open one of the books. It causes a bright light to shine.
Griffon in her office realizes someone is in the archives. She looks in through a crystal ball and sees the fairies. She's excited and prepares to give them a warm welcome. I think she's still bitter that her ruin the Alfea party scheme failed.
The Winx look around the books, which chronicle various fairies and witches over the years. Bloom is excited that the history of every witch and fairy ever are in this room. Uh, I doubt every fairy and witch are gets a book here. There's probably millions of them after all. Tecna admits it's fascinating, but then says again they need to leave. Bloom begs for another minute. She wants to find a book about herself and find out about her powers. Not the time for this Bloom. Tecna says to do it quickly.
Bloom thinks it'll be new and possibly have a colored cover. Why she thinks that I'm not sure. She finds it conveniently on a podium. Tecna warns against opening it, as it may contain her future. Stella thinks finding out about her future would be awesome. Tecna points out the future isn't always pleasant. Does she speak from experience, or is she just making half of this stuff up? She says it's Bloom's choice though. Bloom only wants to find out about her powers and reaches for the book.
The book grows some vines and grabs onto Bloom, who shakes them off. Griffin is in control of the book. I bet she used some sort of advanced illusion spell, and it's not actually Bloom's book. Griffin is laughing at scaring them and wants to make them regret their intrusion. Says the woman who sent three witches to attack Alfea. Musa pulls Bloom away from the book. Griffin is in no rush to see them leave.
The door disappears. Tecna thinks they're in trouble, but she doesn't want to sound like a pessimist. While she's probably the most cynical of the Winx, I wouldn't call her a pessimist in any way. Captain Obvious maybe. Tecna tries to blast a hole in the wall, but it doesn't leave a scratch. Musa asks what now. Tecna decides on power convergence. Bloom agrees. Yes, it's about time you started listening to the smart one. She starts the transformation by shouting "Magic Winx", which is the first time a transformation phrase is said in the show. Cue the first five girl transformation scene, complete with obligatory poses at the end of it.
Bloom leads the combined attack. They make a hole and get through into the hall. After running a bit, they're already exhausted, and Flora is worried that there isn't a way out. Tecna realizes that they're in a different tunnel from before, explaining that she has a photographic memory. Now watch as that never comes up again. Bloom asks if they're lost, which they are.
Big spiders come out and surround them. Bloom decides they need a protective field, and they create a barrier around them all. It seems to disintegrate the spiders at first, but they just regenerate. Bloom says they made a breach, but no breach is visible. Regenerating and breaching are not synonyms Bloom. Flora comes up with an idea, and they drop the barrier and fly up. This is the first time that Flora, Musa, and Tecna are seen flying. Something unusual about Tecna is more visible here. Flora summons a giant spider-eater to well, eat the spiders. Stella is surprised that Palladium's lessons are actually useful. I would've thought that would be Wizgiz's specialty. The spiders are driven away or destroyed, and the spider-eater disappears. Bloom thinks they're still in trouble.
They land, and Tecna has apparently lost her sleeves. Animation oops. Now, here Tecna's wing was shown more clearly. Instead of normal fairy wings, it's some sort of big glider. She can also turn it on or off so it doesn't get in the way. This is what really separates Tecna from the others design wise. It's a neat touch that's never really commented on in-show. Tecna agrees with Bloom that it was to easy. Stella thinks they dealt with the problem efficiently. I assume by we she means Flora.
The remains join together and form some red sludge monster. The Winx run away, but the monster is somehow chasing them by hopping really fast. The Winx start flying to move faster. They come across a dead end. Tecna decides that they have to take it on. They get into formation. On Bloom's cue, they blast the creature and destroy it. Tecna covered them with her shield. That's a good girl, always thinking one step ahead.
Stella points out they have a problem with a closed door. Tecna just rams it open. Tecna continues to be awesome this episode. Stella's "not anymore" comment is also amusing. They're in some weird room. Looks like a storage room to me, but Stella says she's heard of rooms like this. She never thought they existed. Or it's just the basement. Stella complains that witches are messy instead of organizing things. The library earlier was messy. Musa has a bad feeling about the eerie silence.
Some big bug starts crawling to Musa. She freaks and calls it a...bagel monster? I can't make out what she says. Stella steps in to defend her and blasts it with a sun shower. That roasts the bagel monster and sets the room on fire. Great, Stella is a moron who doesn't know what attack is appropriate when. Musa is ungrateful to Stella. Hey she did it for you panicking over a stupid bagel monster Musa, so you don't get to whine if you burn to death. The fire spreads, filling the air with smoke and blocking the door.
Bloom privately realizes that this is all her fault. About time she figured that out. If she hadn't touched that book, they'd be okay. If they sacrifice Bloom, then maybe Griffin will come and save them. Or Bloom could start hearing voices. A mysterious female voice calls for her and directs her to a hidden exit. The exit looks very different from the rest of Cloudtower. It looks shinier than the rest of the castle. Bloom is in a trance. Stella congratulates Bloom and snaps her out her trance. Bloom is confused, but Musa just wants to leave.
They jump through the exit, which is a long slide. They land in a pile in the tunnels, barley avoiding burning to death. They start moving again. Tecna asks how Bloom pulled that off. Bloom says a sweet, kind voice spoke to her through the flames. Stella tries to make a joke that at least they got out of a hotspot. Tecna sarcastically states that it was funny. Musa just looks disgusted. That's two people that are unimpressed with the princess. Stella declares a victory since they have her ring back. Wait, couldn't she have just teleported them out of danger with the ring?
Back at Alfea, the Winx are exhausted. Bloom and Musa plan on skipping school today. Those two sure aren't model students. Griselda catches them and says they're in big trouble. Faragonda tells the Winx that she heard from Griffin that they broke into Cloudtower last night. She won't tolerate that. Before they can explain, Griselda says they should have an exemplarily punishment no matter what. She suggests that Faragonda revoke their magic until she deems it adequate to return it. Stella thinks asks if Faragonda would really do it. She replies there are few things she wouldn't do, and revoking their powers isn't one of them. Harsh. They lose their magic.
Back in their room, Stella suggests lying low awhile. Flora blames Stella for challenging Faragonda and making their punishment worse. Tecna doubts that changed anything and believes Faragonda knows exactly what happened. While I doubt Griffin would lie to Faragonda, I'd certainly believe that she might have fudged the truth a bit. Musa thinks Faragonda thinks low of them for falling for the trap with Bloom's book. She complains that they couldn't know it was a trap. Maybe they should've been more suspicious of the one book they want being conveniently out there.
Bloom says that having no powers isn't so bad for her since she lived most of her life without them. She then follows up by saying that she feels bad at making the others be stripped of a part of their identity, oh wait, she doesn't apologize for her stupidity at all. They need magic if they're going to solve any mysteries. She knows how they can get their magic back. They just need to say Winx. A few magic sparkles shine in her eyes, which actually foreshadows that magic can't be completely taken away from a person. End of episode.
Plot wise, a lot happened this episode. We learned about Domino and the Great Dragon. We learned the Trix's goal, which is to get the power of the Dragon. They got Stella's ring back. Bloom's mysterious guardian makes her first appearance. Plus, the Winx losing their magic sets up the next episode.
Bloom was an idiot this episode. They were doing well sneaking around, and then she had to just ruin everything for her own sake even when Tecna objected to it, putting everyone in danger. She did seem to realize she messed up near the end, but she never apologized, so I'm going to remain irritated. Her style of leadership is shown here as act before thinking. While sometimes they have to move fast, which Bloom is good at getting the Winx to do, it can easily lead them to make a stupid mistake.
Tecna was great. She remained smart and at her best the entire episode. She was the one who kept warning Bloom about how she should not be an idiot. When necessary, she took the initiative both on her own and for the group. Her unique wing was finally used outside the transformation sequence, which helps her stand out among the rest.
Stella was irritating with how easily she went along with Bloom's bad decisions and didn't help out much. Defending Musa would have been a good part for her, but she nearly got them all killed doing that. Musa did about nothing except give us the bagel monster. Flora didn't have much presence aside from the spider-eater, but she kept a level-head throughout everything and was against going to Cloudtower in the first place. A lot of headaches may have been avoided if they just told the teachers. That's probably the real aesop here. Tell your teachers about the criminals, or else you will burn to death in your own fire.
The Trix didn't come off well. We learned their goals, but that's about it. They didn't even bother to secure the ring, which probably could've been useful somehow. Griffin was cool though. She's a dick, but she messed with them because the Winx went where they should not have. If anything it's a good lesson for them to learn. This is one of the few times that Griffin gets to be directly the antagonist. This episode also confirms that Faragonda and Griffin do talk to each other, and Faragonda trusts Griffin enough that she doesn't need to hear the Winx's side of the story.
Mediocre episode overall except for Tecna. Half the characters were idiots, and the rest didn't do much. Plot is shaping up though, which is good. Hopefully future episodes will have conflicts that don't arise because the heroes are morons.
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