The Final Countdown

Get ready for three times the Meerkat in one recap as we take you through the final episodes of the season!

Let’s begin with “The Rovers Return,” featuring everyone’s favorite meerkat ladies man, Wilson. This particular morning, he’s sauntering by the Commandos’ crib, but with Zorro now glued to his mother Nikita’s side, the welcome mat is not exactly out. Wilson not only needs a new place to call home, but a new group as well, hopefully one where he can take on the role of dominant male. With wingman Phillippe by his side, Wilson’s chances of succeeding are vastly improved.

It’s been a rainy summer in the Kalahari – rainy as in “torrential downpours” -- enough to make the Whiskers’ burrow look like an island rising among the tall manor grass. Whiskers’ leader Rocket Dog is in the final weeks of her pregnancy, but she’s not the only one expecting. She’s managed to evict most of her competition, with the exception of Rita as well as Wiley Kat, who is due very soon and needs to stay on Rocket Dog’s good side as long as possible. Of the other pregnant females already evicted, only Sophie remains in the vicinity. Her hopes of giving birth within the Whiskers’ safe haven have all but disappeared, but she’s still lurking close by in case the tide should turn. For now, her efforts to get back in their good graces are put on hold as an eagle in the area sends everyone running for cover.

It’s a close call, but now the Whiskers have roving Wilson and his sidekick Phillippe nosing about. Wilson is certainly popular among the Whiskers’ girls – let’s be honest, he’s likely the baby daddy for all of them (now there’s a talk show interview waiting to happen!). But Mitch doesn’t have any intention of giving up his position as dominant male, at least not without a fight. Even though Wilson has Phillippe to watch his back, the duo is no match for Mitch and his lieutenants.

Sophie has been watching the attempted coup from the sidelines, but when Wilson and his buddy dart away, she takes advantage of the situation and heads after him, hoping to spark a reunion. She gets exactly what she wished for, thanks in part to Phillippe, who distracts the Whiskers long enough for Wilson to lead Sophie to a bolt hole for a little privacy.Though Sophie has spent the afternoon with her long lost love, it turns out she’s been creeping back into the Whiskers’ burrow at night to catch some zzz’s after everyone else has gone to bed. This time, she finds pregnant Wiley Kat blocking her path, and she’s all too happy to deny her sister Sophie entry, especially if it’s going to earn brownie points with Rocket Dog. Wiley Kat's pledge of allegiance doesn’t prove to be enough – the next morning, Rocket Dog gives her the boot and it couldn’t come at a worse time because Wiley Kat is due any minute. Now the only person Wiley Kat can turn to is the very same sister she refused just the night before, but Sophie knows what it’s like to be an outcast and quickly forgives and forgets. They head below ground, as Wiley Kat’s pups could easily arrive before nightfall.

Meanwhile, Wilson and Phillippe have set their sights on Maybelline and the Aztecs but first they will need to oust her father Zaphod. He may be more of a senior citizen meerkat when it comes to the manor, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost his fight. While Phillippe tries to take on Zaphod, Wilson attempts to woo Maybelline; however, both fail and it appears this dynamic duo may not be so dynamic after all.

As for Wiley Kat, her litter did indeed come during the night, but sadly none of them made it. The deaths may be a sign of things to come for Sophie as well, as pups born away from an established group rarely survive for long, if at all. Fortunately, Wilson and Phillippe return to make it a foursome, but whether or not they’ll become a force to be reckoned with remains to be seen.

In the next episode, “Home Alone,” we head back to the Whiskers’ burrow, where Rocket Dog has just given birth to four new pups. The new mom managed to evict nearly every other adult female that posed a threat prior to the pups’ arrival, with the exception of 1-year-old Rita who is expecting a litter of her own soon. Rita is also well aware that her pups would have a much better chance of survival if Rocket Dog’s litter were to conveniently “disappear.” It would be the darkest of deeds, but it’s not out of the question, so it’s a bit surprising that Rocket Dog chooses to leave Rita in charge while the rest of the group heads out to forage.

Just down the road, Sophie, Wiley Kat, Wilson and Phillippe are still together a week after first joining forces, which bodes well for Sophie’s own forthcoming litter and their chance of survival. Their good luck is temporarily thrown off by the presence of a genet, a catlike predator that fancies the undergrowth as a resting place until nightfall when it becomes more active. The Kalahari kitty cat is not a serious threat, but the foursome play it safe and take refuge in their bolt hole for the rest of the day. Later, Sophie discovers the genet has finally wandered off for greener pastures, but unfortunately, so have Wilson and Phillippe. It looks like she’ll be facing life as a single parent after all.

Meanwhile, the Whiskers return from a successful outing. Their good fortune is marred, however, when Rocket Dog heads underground to feed her pups, and she makes a grizzly discovery. The blood around Rita’s mouth confirms her worst fears. The pups are gone. It’s a shocking move, and it may prove to be a fruitless one, as Rita ends up bearing just one pup of her own, Juno. Most of the Whiskers seem indifferent to his arrival, even his own mother. In the distance, Sophie and Wiley Kat keep an eye on the situation, looking for any opportunity to make their way back into the fold to give Sophie’s forthcoming litter a chance of survival.

It looks like Sophie's persistence has paid off – three weeks later, we discover that Sophie has not only been allowed to return, but put in charge of watching wee Juno. With her own litter of three new pups – Pickle, Chips and Flashman – Sophie has also beefed up the Whiskers’ strength in numbers. Their expanding brood is threatened by vultures lurking overhead. Normally, Rocket Dog would have moved her clan to a new burrow by now, but the births caused a delay and now they have no choice but to attempt the relocation under dangerous circumstances. In the chaos, Juno is left behind, but Rita’s maternal instincts finally kick in and she helps him to safety.

And so we head into the final episode of the season, and with a title like “The Darkest Day,” one can only imagine what trouble lies ahead. For the Whiskers, it looks like it’s come in the form of a puff adder that infiltrated the burrow the night before in search of a pup buffet. Juno and Sophie’s triplets cheat death, but Rocket Dog is severely wounded in the line of duty with a snake bite to the head. Her best chance of survival is to move as little as possible, but this is no time for R&R – it’s imperative to get the pups and the rest of the group to a new burrow as soon as possible. With Rocket Dog out of commission and fighting for her life, the move is painstakingly slow and interrupted by the presence of another group in the distance. The Whiskers are forced to take cover in the nearest bolt hole until the danger passes, while Rocket Dog fears she may meet the same fate as her beloved mother Flower.

Meanwhile, over at the Commandos, Miles has returned from life as an outcast – Zorro had thrown him out earlier in the season – and he scans the group for any signs of his foe. Zorro is nowhere to be seen. Could the job of dominant male be up for grabs? Maybe, but Miles is not the only one interested in the position. Brother Baker has his eye on the prize as well, and the two soon get into a bloody battle. Nikita even gets involved for a bit, surprisingly helping Miles pin down Baker, but she eventually leaves the two males to hash it out mano-a-mano.

Back at the Whiskers’ bolt hole pit stop, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only is venom coursing through Rocket Dog’s veins and threatening to take her life, but now a mole snake is lying in wait to ambush the rest of the group as they try to make a move. Fortunately, Axel keeps the predator distracted long enough for Sophie to get the pups to safer digs. Mitch stays behind to keep vigil over his fallen sister.

The shot of a radio collar in a tree can only mean one thing: the manor has lost a leader … but who? In this case, it is not Flower’s daughter Rocket Dog, but rather her son Zorro, who not only lived by the claw, but died by it as well. Though it seems like Rocket Dog may not be far behind in meeting the same fate, she manages to muster up enough strength to catch up with her family at their new home. After three days, her swelling begins to subside and her status switches from severe to survivor. Though Sophie is waiting in the wings to take over the reins of leadership, Rocket Dog has clearly proven her power, strength and ability to overcome the odds.

An amazing end to an amazing season – be sure to share your thoughts, and come back next to week to sound off about your top moments from the entire season!

Comments

[Kristin]

I was bawling when I saw that Rocketdog got bit like her mom. I was bawling when Flower got bit! I was like OH NO NOT AGAIN! And she was sooooo brave and strong to make it. I was crying so hard when she came out of the burrow and the little pup came and hugged her! That is terrible that she suffered so much and then got hit by a car. After everything that poor little baby went through and then she dies poor baby. There was another Meerkat that got hit by a car in one of the earlier episodes but I don't remember which one. Meerkats are so loving, they all must miss her very much.

[PeggyNC]

I loved every episode of season 4, I can't pick a favorite :D

Thanks so much for bringing us another fabulous season of meerkats, my only "complaint" is that the season is so short--I sure hope there will be a season 5! I never tire of watching them. I like the new narrator, she injects subtle humor and her voice doesn't "take over" the show, so I can hear the meerkats' wonderful voices as well.

[Ashley]

I'm shocked by how Rocket-Dog survived.But, I'm also confused as to how Zorro died.Wilson and Phillipe are a pain for starters.Thats the reason why every member of the Whiskers clan was pregnant.Wilson,I can understand his intentions,he wants to belong to a group.Phillipe is a side-kick with other things on his mind.

[flower forever]

So sad to hear about Rocket Dog! Life is incredibly tough in the Kalahari. Will we ever have another long-lived meerkat like Flower?

[sophie]

You go rd!!

[tina]

i was a wet noodle at the end of 'darkest day'...my goodness what drama. loved the happy ending - now i'm bummed out to hear that RD got hit by a truck. don't know how much more my heart can take! thank you for sharing the meerkats lives with us...what adorable, courageous little cats. God Bless Them All!

[Kim]

LOVED the last espisodes! I hope it's not the end of Meerkat Manor! I didn't know RD had been killed by a car!

[Lori]

I love the meerkats, but hate Stockard Channing as the narrator. I would so much rather have the original person back. She has such a monotone that it almost puts me to sleep - but I can't turn off the voice or I won't know what's going on. Is she being replaced next season, I hope?

[susumom]

Does anyone know...what is the effect of the tracking collar on a snakebite to the face? Does it impede the spread of venom, or was there danger in RD's choking from its presence?

[Joy]

Liz, here is a link about RD's death...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06072008/tv/death_in_the_desert_114338.htm

[Joy]

You're very welcome Skeeter! Actually, Flower's sister...Vivian I believe her name was, was indeed run over and killed by a car while she was still DF of the Whiskers. It was after this that Flower took over as DF. I found out about this by watching the Flower movie...aka "Meerkat Manor; The Beginning". Liz, I'll find the link for you about Rocket Dog.

[liz]

where is this article about rocket dog getting hit by a car?

[Skeeter]

Thank you soo much Joy! I was getting into an argument with this dude on you tube saying I was wrong about Rocketdog getting hit by a car. He keept saying it was someone else, and it was way before Rocketdog was born. It was getting me heated. But thanks for clearing it up for me!

[Joy]

I had heard somewhere that Houdini was dead, does anyone know? I just loved him...I know that the Commandos had chased the Zappa off their territory but I was just wondering...

[Joy]

Skeeter - Zorro was killed by a hawk...also Rocket Dog did get bitten by a puff adder but did survive..she was run over by a truck April 28...I think the main reason Rocket Dog survived the snake bite was that she was bitten by a puff adder rather than the cape cobra that got Flower. And yes she did have youth on her side...that plus grit and determination.

[Skeeter]

I am in a way confused by all this. I saw the snake bite on Rocketdog. But she survived? But the last I heard of her was that she was hit by a car? Can someone shine a little light on the subject on this please? And how did Zoro die? They actually never said anything on his death. They just said he died. Any details on how he died.

[Anna]

Yeah rocket dog!!!!

[rachel]

Please tell me that my cable tv. header is wrong and this was not the series finale?

[Gary G]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE....stop these wonderful creatures from being killed by these snakes ! I know it's natures course , but these little guys don't have much of a chance against them ! Would LOVE to see them gang up on and kill one cobra or puff adder! REVENGE IS SWEET!!!!

[Angie aka Meerkata]

I absolutely loved that they did 3 episodes back to back I just wish it would not have been the final 3.

I couldn't help but cry when R.D. came out of the burrow after the bite. I knew previously she had been bitten but it was still heartbreaking to see just how bad she actually looked.
I also felt that it was incredible that they showed her family sticking by her as if they were working in shifts, unlike what was portrayed about Flower that she was just left there by her family. I always had a hard time believing that since these meerkats always show such affection towards each other, and this episode proved it as they stayed by R.D. side.
I absolutely loved all the footage of the pups and could watch them for hours. It was so precious to see Juno hugging his much younger cousins, talk about a kodak moment.

I also loved seeing Zaphod and how much he appears to be enjoying his grandpups. Although he did appear to look alot older in last nights episode, I guess running off rovers has taken a toll on him. Loved the comment about Maybelline being a daddy's girl it was very cute.

The rovers episode had me laughing more than once especially when Mitch toppled out of the tree. I too thought that Wilson(HR) and Sophie made a very cute couple and the fact that Philipe had his own lady kat aka Wiley Cat I was hoping they'd all stay together.

Not to upset anyone but I just wanted to put this out there. Wilson is not the same Wilson from the Mozart storyline, he passed away from TB 4 months after Mozart died.
The Wilson in this storyline is most likely Homestar Runner who's the brother of Philipe. I believe he also passed away from TB and if you rewatch the episode you will notice that there's a big lump on the right side of his face (signs of TB). It's very heartbreaking that Baker too had to be euthanized because of TB after the filming of the season.

Regarding the snake bite, we must remember that Flower was older, pregnant and not in the best of health which is why she probably died from the bite where R.D. was able to survive it. It breaks my heart to think that she suffered something so devastating and horrific only to survive the bite and shortly there after she's killed by someone driving a car. I guess in the Kalahari the meerkats are equivalent to squirrels here in the U.S.

Also R.D. gave birth above ground during season 3 the pup didn't survive, then she had Nugget and Beaker I believe in December 2007. Then in March 2008 she aborted again so the storyline with Rita was let's say artistic licensing on the Producers part.

I'm so hoping that there will be a season 5 even though so many of our favorites from this season have also died since filming ended including Wiley Cat whom so many worried about her fate since it was left unanswered last night.
Like I've written so many times before I would love if they followed even more families in a season 5 especially since so many original Whiskers are now members of other groups or have started groups of their own. Maybe in season 5 they should just make up all new names and anyone that wants to get the real info on the meerkats can go on the FKMP site and look it up themelves.

I know that the Whiskers were originally chosen due to the size of the group, with so many members there would always be something interesting going on. Now with the groups being so much smaller the Producers may feel that they wont be able to get enough footage to make a season.

I also feel like Janelle and I spoke about earlier that they may feel the magic is gone with the deaths of so many of the fans favorites especially the number #1 in all the Kalahari and that would be Flower.

Angie aka Meerkata

[Queenflower]

Season 4 was truly wonderful despite my reservations when I had first seen the "Don't Judge..." advertisements. These last 3 episodes were nothing short of amazing and provided us with a truly special evening to end the season (and hopefully not the end of the series).
I have cherished every moment of Meerkat Manor from the very first episode until now. Even though Flower will always be my true love, I hold a special place in my heart for every meerkat. I have watched Flower's progeny grow and spread throughout the manor leaving their own individual legacy in the sands of the Kalahari. What a blessing to be able to be a part of this.
I found the last episode the hardest to watch this season. Seeing Rocket Dog's beautiful face all puffed up brought me to tears immediately. Since I knew she would survive I was better able to watch what seemed like an unimaginably long segment of her in agony. But I couldn't help but think of my Flower and all the pain and agony she must have endured only to die. I only pray she could sense the presence of some of her loved ones around her during her last moments.
On a happier note, I am absolutely in love with Juneau. What a doll. While I was truly saddened that Rita killed RD's pups I was overjoyed that Juneau was kept safe and that our Sophie has shown herself to be a DF in the making. What a superstar she is.
The chaos over at the Commandos was something to behold and I was amazed at this incredible footage of Miles and Baker duking it out - not to mention Nikita joining in as well. She is one tough kat. I'm crazy about her.
I'll miss Zorro. I hope his pain ended quickly. He's with his mama now and so is our sweet, courageous Rocket Dog. Bless her soul. She was a wonderful DF and did her mother proud.
I can only hope that we will get a Season 5 but if we don't I am grateful for every episode we have seen and completely indebted to Animal Planet and everyone behind the making of Meerkat Manor for bringing that special Desert Rose into my heart forever.

Queenflower

[flower forever]

I loved the last episode. It was so touching when, as Rocket Dog emerged, a pup embraced her.

[flower forever]

I loved the last episode. It was so touching when, as Rocket Dog emerged, a pup embraced her.

[Susan Harrison]

I have to say that it was a close call where I shed a few tears thinking that Rocket Dog was going to go the way of Flower! Thank God she survived the puff adder's bite! I really hate sad endings....I thought Sophie was an exceptional meerkat/leader. These girls are truly Flower's prodigies! God bless all the Whiskers and Aztecs, and all their relatives!

[Debbra]

What happened to Wiley Cat? Sophie made it back to Whiskers, but I wonder if Wiley Cat did as well...