Maybe It's Maybelline

Episode 9 recap: “To the Manor Born”

The storms in the Kalahari skies may be dying down, but there’s plenty of trouble still brewing across the burrows. Maybelline and her small Aztec mob continue to wander the desert with no place to call home, having been booted by rival gangs again and again whenever they’ve tried to put down roots. Fortunately, Zaphod has stuck by her side through thick and thin, but life on the run is taking its toll on this seasoned meerkat, and things are not going to get easier any time soon. Not only is Maybelline expecting pups thanks to Wilson, but sisters Angie, Bananas, and even young EJ are all pregnant as well.

The number of forthcoming mouths to feed could be both a blessing and a curse – increasing their numbers should potentially make the Aztec mob stronger, but the pups will never survive if they can’t find a safe haven to raise them, especially in those crucial first few weeks of life. Maybelline is due any moment, but unfortunately the Aztecs current stomping grounds are none other than the Lazulis’ former homestead. A watchful Zaphod spots the rival gang (now under new management) approaching in the distance, and the Aztecs are once again faced with the decision to fight or flee – they choose the latter.

Across the way, the Commandos are gearing up for a day of foraging and babysitting. Nikita has added four new recruits to her brood, but after evicting a third of the group before the pups’ birth three weeks ago, she’s running low on helping hands. Nikita bends the rules and allows Venus to return so she can pitch in, but this formerly exiled meerkat is understandably still a bit nervous, and therefore not much of a help in the daycare department.

Meanwhile, the former Whiskers boys – Miles, Baker, Dizzy, and Duke – have managed to avoid stirring up any unpleasant reprimands from Nikita, but that doesn’t mean they’re not interested in getting her attention (and then some). Now that she’s fertile again, her dance card looks like it’s about to get very full – but not if Zorro has anything to say about it!

Back on the other side of the manor, the Aztecs have managed to flee the Lazuli for now, taking temporary refuge at a riverside bolt hole. Problem is, it’s just that – temporary. Maybelline is stuck between a rock and a hard place – she can’t go across the river bed, as that’s where sister-turned-enemy Rocket Dog has claimed her spot, but going back the other way will bring more Lazuli trouble and could prove to be disastrous. However, being homeless and pregnant isn’t an option as well, so Maybelline gathers her troops, small as the numbers might be, and her courage, and marches everyone to battle.

It doesn’t take long for the Lazuli to spy their foes, and though the tussles are fast and furious, it is Maybelline, Zaphod, and the Aztecs who claim victory. Of course, war does not come without casualties, and an injured and expecting EJ may end up paying the price, either by losing her pups or her own life. And while Maybelline’s attack on the Lazuli may have gained her group a birthing burrow, it’s going to be just as important for the Aztecs to hang on to the space over the next few weeks so her pups have a chance to survive.

The Commandos are dealing with their own battle – one for Nikita’s affection. Miles, Baker, and Dizzy all have an eye on her, but Zorro makes no bones about reminding everyone who is the dominant male. Regardless, Miles is the first to break out and make his move for the boss, and when Zorro’s back is turned, Baker tries his luck as well, but neither seems to get very far. Duke has decided to pursue other options, namely Nikita’s sister Rosie and her daughter Samba, but they have their hands full babysitting Nikita’s pups.  Has Duke lost his touch with the ladies?

A few weeks pass, and Nikita’s tiny tots have doubled in size as well as attitude. They are a feisty foursome and well on their way to becoming Commandos through and through. Zorro is still right by Nikita’s side, but his persistency at protecting his woman may prove to be futile. Nikita’s pregnant again, but as she’s been sneaking in some one-on-one “grooming” time with Mitch, it’s anyone’s guess as to who the father is! As one might guess, this has made Mitch a target and his days may be numbered.

Over at the Lazuli burrow, a relatively stable past three weeks has provided new mother Maybelline just the environment she needs for safely raising her new pups: McCartney, Ringo, Lennon and Harrison! However, two of her pregnant sisters are nowhere to be found – Maybelline had no choice but to evict them in order to give her own pups the best chance for survival. Injured sister EJ has managed to nurse herself back to health after the Lazuli run-in, but as expected, lost her pups in the recovery process. Her nurturing instinct will not go to waste, though – Maybelline is all too happy to have EJ step into the role of wet nurse to keep her pups healthy. The Aztecs have expanded from seven to 11, almost rivaling Rocket Dog’s group – could this be Maybelline’s moment to steal the spotlight once and for all?

Let me know what you think!

Comments

[Angie]

I absolutely loved this episode from begining to the end. I never thought I'd say this but I'm becoming quite attached to Nikta and anxiously await each week to hear the latest goings on in the Commandos.

Loved when Nikta smacked the boys, basically telling them that she's Zorro's girl no touching. I know that some posters were upset with the names of deliquent and such for Nikta's pups but I thought it was cute and fit right in with the group name.
Hopefully there will be a Season 5 and that they will show even more of the groups especially since so many of the original Whiskers have now joined another group and in some cases formed their own group.

Here all along based on dye marks I concluded that Angie was renamed from Bananas and then this episode throws a wrench in that thought, which then makes Angie the renamed meerkat Billy. It's great that so many females are pregnant but very sad that Maybelline evicted them. When they went to battle with the Lazuli I must admit my heart was in my throat. All of these pregnant females fighting, down and dirty, no holds bar and then to see little EJ injured as bad as she was left no doubt in my mind that she would lose her litter but at least she's still part of the family.

Zaphod in my book is the King of the Manor and deserves to be treated as such. It still bothers me that they refer to him as being incompetent but he's earned his keep and then some. The scene where he was grooming his grandpups was very touching and made me wonder if he too was wishing that Flower was still alive and able to partake in this kodak moment.

Any episodes that include pups irregardless if they are called the beatles or deliquents is an episode that I can rewatch a million times. Having had the opportunity last weekend to actually see 5 week old pups up close at the San Diego Zoo was a dream come true for me.

My final comment is to the Powers to Be and it is please put together a 1 hour episode of all pups. Pups playing, pups grooming, pups nursing, pups just being pups.
That along with an idea for Season 5, like I stated above I would be very interested in seeing more groups and their daily struggles, especially ones that include wild meerkats. Finally I would love if you guys could put together a special about the research group and how they go about habitating wild groups. I think it would be educational as well as exciting to watch, just a thought and one that I will be emailing to AP and MM Producers.

Angie aka Meerkata

[Axel]

When it suddenly says that the whiskers are weak,I'm hinted that something happened to a lot of whiskers.

[Axel]

Heres the rest of the schedule for season 4:Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation
The Birds
TV-PG (S)

Rocket Dog's pups Nugget and Beaker get their first lesson in desert survival out on the Manor. The Whiskers move burrows, and war breaks out over rations and power at the Commandos. Zorro decides to teach his brother Miles a lesson he won't forget.
Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation
The Rovers Return
TV-PG (S)

Roving male Wilson, along with his roving buddy Phillippe, go off on a mission to meet the ladies and just maybe, find a group they can join - a burrow to call home. But will it bring Wilson any closer to finding a group he can settle at?
Aug 22, 9:00 pm
(30 minutes)
Remind Me Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation
Home Alone
TV-PG (S)

With family size dwindling, the Whiskers are the weakest they have been for a long time. Rocket Dog's second litter of pups couldn't come at better time. But when danger can come from any direction, the pups survival is far from certain.
Aug 22, 9:30 pm
(30 minutes)
Remind Me Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation
The Darkest Day
TV-PG (S)

In the series finale, it's all out war at the Commandos when dominant male Zorro goes missing in action. And family history repeats itself when tragedy strikes at the Whiskers

[Axel]

Look what I found on the discovery forum:It's very old,but it's very crazy.i highlighted the wrong parts in double parenthesis.

Registered: 04-08-07 Posted 04-17-07 07:58 PM Since Flower died, I want to list the possible females who could become dominant.

1.)(( Mozart- She is most likely to become dominant; however, Zaphod is her father, so Yousarrian will be her partner.))

2.) Daisy- She has a slim chance of becoming dominant. During her reign of the Splinters, she was barking madly, so she is probably to nervous to become dominant. Her partner will become Yousarrian.

3.) ((Kinkajou- She has the same chance as Mozart to become dominant. Her partner will become Yousarrian. She IS old enough to breed, but she knows better)).

4.) Sophie- If she is old enough to breed, she could become dominant. Her father is either Carlos or Sondheim, so her partner will become Zaphod. She, like Daisy, has a slim chance of becoming dominant.

If Zaphod leaves the Whiskers, here is a list of the possible dominant males.

1.) Yousarrian- He is the likely chance to become dominant. He was dominant, but was removed, so he is more experienced.

2.) Big Will- ((His mother is Risca))(acually it's Vially), so he is unrelated to all of the Whiskers. His father is Yousarrian. He could mate with all of the possible dominant females. He is the only surviver of the very first litter of the Whiskers.

3.) Mitch- If Sophie becomes dominant, he could make the unlikely leap to dominant. He is very experienced, and acts like Zaphod.

Here are possible pairs-

1.) ((Mozart, Yousarrian(most likely)

2.) Daisy, Yousarrian

3.) Kinakjou, Yousarrian

4.) Mozart, Big Will

5.) Daisy, Big Will

6.) Kinakjou, Big Will

7.) Sophie, Yousarrian

8.) Sophie, Zaphod

9.) Sophie, Big Will))

10.) Sophie, Mitch
squirrellygirly
Senior Member

Registered: 02-04-07 Posted 04-17-07 09:10 PM Is it known for sure that Risca is Big Will's mom? I haven't heard this before, I thought he was Flower's pup from her first litter.
Ignored post by squirrellygirly posted 04-17-07 09:10 PM Show Post

bbells
Senior Member

Registered: 10-24-06 Posted 04-17-07 09:13 PM Youssarian is Zaphod's partner, and you have to update the list a LOT, there are rovers, y'know.
Ignored post by bbells posted 04-17-07 09:13 PM Show Post

krazymeerkats
Senior Member

Registered: 10-26-06 Posted 04-17-07 09:15 PM Mitchlover11, I think ((Big Will is Flower's son)), like one of her first. So you might have to change a few of those lol....
Ignored post by krazymeerkats posted 04-17-07 09:15 PM Show Post

bbells
Senior Member

Registered: 10-24-06 Posted 04-17-07 09:15 PM I meant Mozart's father! Mozart is Mitch's half-sister, so Sophie would be...his niece?
Ignored post by bbells posted 04-17-07 09:15 PM Show Post

krazymeerkats
Senior Member

Registered: 10-26-06 Posted 04-17-07 09:19 PM Youssy, I was laughing so hard... Thanks
Ignored post by krazymeerkats posted 04-17-07 09:19 PM Show Post

mitchlover11
Senior Member

Registered: 04-08-07 Posted 04-17-07 09:20 PM Mozarts father IS Zaphod!

((Big Will is the only survivor of the very first litter of the Whiskers.))

Risca was the dominant female of the Whiskers, but she left to start the Gattaca, so Flower took over, and later Zaphod took over Yousarrian.

Mozart is Mitch's sister!

Mozart and Mitch share the same mother and father.
Ignored post by mitchlover11 posted 04-17-07 09:20 PM Show Post

mitchlover11
Senior Member

Registered: 04-08-07 Posted 04-17-07 09:26 PM on the Kalahari site, it said (("Flower took over n 2000")), so why would they post that if ya'll think she founded the Whiskers?

Tell me that!
Ignored post by mitchlover11 posted 04-17-07 09:26 PM Show Post

bbells
Senior Member

Registered: 10-24-06 Posted 04-17-07 09:27 PM No, Zaphod is Mitch's father, ((Big Will is from Flower's, not the Whiskers', first litter,)) and (((what is wrong with you)Youssy is Tosca, Mozart, Shakie, and maybe Daisy's father))
Ignored post by bbells posted 04-17-07 09:27 PM Show Post

mitchlover11
Senior Member

Registered: 04-08-07 Posted 04-17-07 09:29 PM
I do have to agree that mitch & sophie are both so far off relatives that they could be )(People jst say unrelated)

[ROCKET DOG]

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/flower_%28meerkat_manor%29#flower

[RocketDogWhiskers]

The correct way to say it is "run over by a car". :-)

[ROCKET DOG]

well yeah she was ranned over by a driver

[RocketDogWhiskers]

Look at the article here:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-meerkatside6-2008jun06,0,1079844.story

Proof enough for ya'?

[Axel]

In two articles on the last thread showed proof of Rocket Dogs Death.It was miles,mot mitch.

[Brianna Smith]

Nikita and Mitch have some major problems of their own, and Zorro, best luck to that little guy! At the Aztecs, Maybelline and Rocket Dog have sure to have been stiring up the manor! Maybelline may have almost as many meerkats in her group as her sister, but there are a lot of pups, so she can't fight that well if she's got pups. Plus, she still has another sister that's prganant. And wait a minute, someone posted that Rocket Dog died of a driver, I never saw this episode and it never said anything about her dying. So, What the Fux UP? Mind my tongue please. Zorro might get into a fight with Mitch just 'cause one, that's his mate, and two, he's just fight happy. And Nikita, she's like a hooker, yes I say hooker 'cause i can't say other stuff, I would stay with Zorro if I was her. She's a widower and still has younger man and men on her side, that makes her user adn a hooker.

Well good luck to all them cuttie pies on the manor, and that's it for little Miss Brianna Smith.

[Kathryn]

Nameing the pups after the Beatles was cute, hope they don't suffer the same end.
Zaphod is a grand ol fellow. He is starting to show his age, but his gentleness with the pups showes the size of his heart.
Where is Wilson?
Where is Seacrest?

[WHTTAILTX46]

It is just wonderful that Maybelline has given birth
to four (hopefully) healthy pups, the Beatles!! Sadly, EJ lost
her litter but at least she can wet nurse the "Beatles" which will
give them a much better chance of surviving
to become big, healthy pups! I truly hope Maybelline allows Angie
and Bananas to return; that will
increase the number of pups and "spigots".
The way those four boys are over at the Commandos, you would
think Nakita is the only female on the Kalahari!! It seems
as if Nakita's pups are their mother through and through with
hardly any of their daddy's genes.
Nice to see the Lazuli again; and, even nicer to see Zaphod
help Maybelline and the family soundly give them "what for"
and run them off! 8>)
Zaphod did not appear to act like a "retiree" to me. He was
just as agile as the younger males. I wish they would stop
portraying "The Man" as some senile, withering, old "kat"!
He may be a grandfather but he can hustle with the best of
them!
Another good episode, AP, keep 'em coming.

[ROCKET DOG]

R.I.P ROCKET DOG she didnt deserve to die like that stupid driver anyways wat are cars doin in the desert if their werent any vechicles roaming around then she would of still been alive right now

[RocketDogWhiskers]

There are a few of errors in this recap.

"Over at the Lazuli burrow, a relatively stable past three weeks has provided new mother Maybelline just the environment she needs for safely raising her new pups: McCartney, Ringo, Lennon and Harrison!"

It should be "Over at the Aztecs burrow..."

"Nikita’s pregnant again, but as she’s been sneaking in some one-on-one “grooming” time with Mitch, it’s anyone’s guess as to who the father is! As one might guess, this has made Mitch a target and his days may be numbered."

It's Miles, not Mitch.

But I'm not holding you accountable, SarahGrace... the episode WAS kind of confusing. ^^