Recap / Xiaolin Showdown "The Journey of a Thousand Miles"

"Thousands of years ago, a furious battle was waged between the great and noble Xiaolin Dragon, Dashi, and the Heylin witch, Wuya. This was the first Xiaolin Showdown. Wuya pitted her dark magic against Dashi and his mystical power objects, the Shen Gong Wu. In the end, Dashi triumphed, and Wuya was forever imprisoned in a simple wooden puzzle box. The threat averted, Dashi spread his Shen Gong Wu around the earth. For generations, they have secretly maintained the balance of good and evil, and the long line of Xiaolin Dragons has stood ready to face evil should that balance ever shift..."

— Master Fung

Written by Bill Motz & Bob Roth

Over 1500 years ago, Xiaolin Dragon, Grand Master Dashi, used his mystical power objects to seal away the evil Heylin Witch, Wuya. After her defeat, Dashi hid these power objects, the Shen Gong Wu, across the globe to protect the balance between good and evil.

Flash forward to current times at the Xiaolin Temple with Master Fung informing Omi that new students are coming to train at the temple. Though confused, Omi is soon introduced to Raimundo, Kimiko, and Clay and vows to teach them everything he, as an experienced Xiaolin monk, knows. Going as well as can be expected, Omi struggles to gain the others' respect, growing frustrated with the nonexistent success.

Meanwhile, in the lab of Jack Spicer, Evil Boy Genius, Jack is mapping out his plan to take over the world. During his planning, a Jack-Bot brings him a gift from his father- a small wooden puzzle box. Jack solves the box easily, opening it to reveal a strange mask. Tossing the mask aside with little interest, Jack attempts to return to his plots. The mask soon rises, taking on a ghostly form and Wuya confronts Jack on his hopes for world domination.

Jack Spicer: Who are you? What are you?!
Wuya: Me? I'm your new best friend.

Back at the temple, the Ancient Scroll of the Shen Gong Wu has been disturbed, indicating a shifting of the balance in the world. Mater Fung quickly (and correctly) deduces that the only thing that could cause the shift is Wuya.

Returning to Jack's lab, the two decide to strike a deal. Jack will collect the Shen Gong Wu for Wuya, who has no physical form, in return for ruling at her side once they have all been gathered and world conquest has been achieved.

At the temple, Master Fung has warned the four young monks of the disturbance and possible consequences, informing them of their need to collect the Shen Gong Wu before Wuya does. The Mantis Flip Coin soon reveals itself and the monks (with Dojo as their guide and transport) set out to retrieve it.

When they arrive, Jack Spicer has already found the Mantis Flip Coin and, though a minor struggle breaks out, escapes with the artifact. Omi is angered by his "students' incompetence" and demands a better effort on their part. The next Shen Gong Wu, the Two-Ton Tunic, is then successfully retrieved by the monks.

The last Wu to reveal itself is the Eye of Dashi. Both Omi and Jack manage to grab it at the same time and a Xiaolin Showdown is initiated. Dojo explains the rules and both wager their respective Shen Gong Wu in the tournament.

Dojo: Gong yi tanpai! ...That means go.

Jack takes a quick lead in the Showdown due to his favorable Wu and even stops to cheat. On the other hand, Omi utilizes the lessons that he learned from his friends to overtake Jack despite his disadvantage and win the Showdown.

Once all four have returned to the temple, Master Fung reveals that the others are Chosen Ones as well and that they are here, not for Omi to teach, but to teach Omi.

Tropes

• Defeat by Modesty: Omi defeats Jack by pulling off his pants, then rush to touch the Eye of Dashi to win the showdown.
• Dick Dastardly Stops to Cheat: Jack, despite having a Shen Gong Wu tailor made for stone-hopping and could've easily outpaced Omi, who was weighed down by the Two-Ton Tunic, resorts to siccing his Jack-bots on him and accidentally inspires Omi to use his friends' lessons to win.
• Distant Prologue: The episode begins with a Storybook Opening of Grand Master Dashi sealing Wuya away in a puzzle box.
• Once an Episode: The (very first) Xiaolin Showdown of the series pitching Omi against Jack Spicer in a stone-hopping race to the finish for the Eye of Dashi, with Omi's Two-Ton Tunic versus Jack's Mantis Flip Coin. Omi wins.
• Storybook Opening: The prologue has a scroll opening and depicting Dashi sealing Wuya away and hiding the Shen Gong Wu.
• Sealed Evil in a Can: Wuya is trapped in a puzzle box until Jack releases her out of it.
• Title Drop: From Master Fung, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step."
  Dojo: Where do you get this stuff?
  Master Fung: I have a desk calendar.
• You Can't Thwart Stage One: Jack gets the Mantis Flip Coin, the first Wu revealed, in order for a showdown to happen towards the end of the episode.