Cha-cha-cha-changes!

Episode 10 recap: “The Birds”

The Whiskers wake up to a Kalahari air show featuring drongos catching insects on their wings. Eight-week-old pups Nugget and Beaker have never seen a display like this before. It’s time for the Whiskers to find another burrow once again, thanks to their last home being infested with parasites. Seriously, moving companies in the Kalahari could make a killing, but then again, meerkats pack light.

The mob stops for breakfast before setting out in search of new digs. Nugget and Beaker are now exclusively on solids, and a gecko omelet packs plenty of protein. I think I’ll stick with the Moons Over My Hammy, thank you very much.

Another bird swoops through the morning sky – this time, it’s a hornbill, and its large wings make it look like menacing, but as Rocket Dog knows, hornbills have little interest in meerkats as prey. Good thing too, as there’s more pups on the way – Rocket Dog is pregnant again, but she’s not the only one. All the female Whiskers are expecting, including Sophie, Wiley Kat, and even young Rita. However, Rocket Dog has no interest in a group baby shower – soon, she will evict any and everyone threatening her pups.

Over at the Commandos, Nikita’s pups are also eating solids but opt for something with a little more kick: scorpions. While a scorpion’s venom is powerful enough to kill a human, meerkats have built-in immunity. The Commandos have a thing or two to learn when it comes to sharing, though – stepdad Zorro has no intention of giving any part of his meal to the pups, while Nikita bullies Miles into giving up his grub.

The Whiskers are on the move, looking for new territory to call home. Nugget and Beaker continue foraging for themselves, a skill they’ll need to perfect now that they’re getting older, and learn that ants are much more difficult to catch than one might think. A strange call puts Beaker on high alert. It sounds like a goshawk, but turns out to be a drongo in disguise – this bird is the master when it comes to imitation, and pretty savvy when it comes to snatching away the meerkats’ meals.

Nugget wanders off solo, but the long grass doesn’t provide the most ideal vantage point for this youngster, who stands less than 8 inches tall, nor does it provide enough coverage or camouflage. A black-chested snake eagle is in the area, and when Rocket Dog raises the alarm, all are present and accounted for … except Nugget. The drongo soars in and aggressively mobs the snake eagle – the valiant move was more to protect itself, but in doing so, the bird saves the day for the meerkats as well, allowing Nugget to make his way back to the fold. With afternoon temperatures nearing 113 degrees, the Whiskers take a break from the midday heat and settle in for a nap, all except Mitch, who stands guard with one eye on his family and one eye on the sky.

There’s been drama brewing over at the Commandos as well, but all internal. Zorro is back on his brother Miles’ case for showing too much interest in Nikita. Miles is quick to the read the signs and maintains a low profile, keeping watch on his group from the edge of their territory. Nikita catches sight of him, but so does Zorro, and he wastes no time in marking Nikita with his scent and then heads straight for Miles, trapping his rival in a bolt hole with every intention of teaching him who’s boss once and for all.

The Whiskers awaken from their siesta only to discover three trespassers in the distance. Mitch mobilizes the troops, including Nugget and Beaker, who are about to get their first experience on the front line. They rise to the challenge, but the chase is a short one as the intruders quickly scurry away. It turns out to be none other than exiled Finn, along with her two pregnant sisters, who were hoping to make a return to the family fold. Three may be a crowd, but in this case, sticking together is the best option if they want to survive.

Back on Commandos’ soil, Miles survives Zorro’s ruthless attack but is now faced with life on the outskirts. It’s the first male eviction in manor history and the dawn of a new era. Zorro’s rise to dominance has been acknowledged not only by his fellow Commandos, including Nikita, but observers as well – he now spots a radio collar, an accessory that has become the ultimate symbol of power, authority and status.

Speaking of status, Rocket Dog is finally getting her family settled in their newly discovered home, and just in time, too. Soon, Nugget and Beaker will have new brothers and sisters to play with and protect. Will the Whiskers’ growing army prove to be strong enough to keep the Commandos at bay, especially now that Zorro has apparently taken over as commander-in-chief? Only three episodes remain – give me your best predictions for how it will all play out!

Comments

[ROCKET DOG]

omg Rocket dog is pregnant again and whos the father stockard channing stop taking out parts of what happens

[Brianna Smith]

That was pretty sweet how that bird saved the baby meerkat, and I sure hope that Miles isn't related to the other females that have been evicted. LOL! How there's only the three meerkat sisters, that reminds me of the third season, Three Degrees of Seperation. I hope that doesn't happen to them. Back at the Whiskers, I hope Rocket Dog at least isn't worse than Flower and evict the girls that are prego. She should just think of the benefits, she'll have a bigger group, but at a small risk of loosing her pups. And I think Nikita likes not having to do all the work since Zorro has been there, but she might get mad that he is taking her job, I'd be careful. Well, G2G, and good luck to all the meerkats on the manor, and hope the don't die or get TB or something.

From Bri Bri!

[sophie]

I can't believe it is be almost over,
i just hope they will put a season 5.

[sophie]

wow i can't rocket dog will be a mom again,and i'm so happy sophie is going to be a mom.

[Jerseykat]

This past episode was great as always. I love the kats and could watch them all day.

Like others I've heard rumors that there will be no season 5. Please let these only be rumors!

Meerkat Manor is such an amazing show and it's a highlight of my viewing week. Honestly much of television is a vast wasteland with a few shining gems, which Meerkat Manor is among those.

Thank you for airing the show this year and continuing to do so in the future.

[Crystal]

This weeks episode was very good! Rocket Dog, Maybelline/Monkulus and Nikita/Zorilla sure have alot going on. Meerkat Manor is a really good show and i am hoping to see a 5th season

[Angie]

I absolutely loved this episode from beginning to end, other than watching poor Miles be the first male to ever be evicted.
Looking at Miles face told the story of what Zorro had done, I surely hope that Miles will find a family to accept him. Poor Baker better watch out since he appears to be the next target for Zorros firing squad.

As for all the scenes with the pups I could watch that for hours on end and never tire of it. I also enjoyed watching their afternoon nap and play time again not to repeat myself but I could watch an entire episode of just that.
Rocket Dog sure has her paws full with all the Whisker gals being pregnant maybe she'll show some mercy like Flower did when she allowed Mozart and Toscas babies to live.

Nikta has her paws full as well with all the Whisker male testerone being thrown around. Like I wrote earlier it was sad to see Zorro turn on his brother the way that he did, but I understand why he did it. Afterall the position of DM is no easier to hold on to then the position of DF. It's a daily struggle when you are at the top.

Nugget, Beaker and the fab 4 are an absolute joy to watch and it's educational when you see how young they start out with the family politics and the neighbor wars.

It's hard to believe that this Season will be over next week, we waited so long for it to get here and in a flash it's gone.

I know there have been rumors that there wont be a Season 5, and I pray they are just rumors. I can't imagine what life would be without Meerkat Manor to watch, to talk about to your family and friends and to share each others views on the forum. So to TPTB please, please let there be a Season 5, like I wrote before I'd have no problem watching multiple families on the Kalahari as long as we get updates on our favorites the Whiskers and Aztecs.

Angie aka Meerkata