Zorro the Chronicles episode 1 The return

We present Zorro the Chronicles episode 1 Return – plot summary, our subjective review, the episode itself and the list of creators. Don’t forget about the next episode! You’ll find a link to it at the bottom of the page.

Zorro the Chronicles episode 1 plot summary

Zorro the Chronicles Episode 1 “The Return” begins as Diego and Bernardo return from Barcelona to their native California. Worried by a letter from the family, they decide to oppose the tyranny of Captain Monasterio. In order to achieve this aim, the young de la Vega will pretend to be a harmless philosopher who abhors violence, and Bernardo will pretend to be deaf. In the port, they have the opportunity to meet the enemy who is clearly smitten with Diego’s sister, Ines. The military man beats not only people who work unpaid taxes off, but also his subordinate, Sergeant Garcia.

Crisis in the pueblo

During the carriage journey don Alejandro, the father of the siblings, and Ines discover how much the young man has changed. Now he is not interested in politics nor the situation in the pueblo, but only in literature and philosophy. The gloomy mood is lightened by the delicacies of dona Maria, who warmly welcomes both boys. In the afternoon, Ines plans to bring food to the wrongly imprisoned people in the garrison and wants her brother to accompany her, but Diego excuses himself with exhaustion, which irritates Ines a lot. Ultimately, she takes Bernardo with her.

In the evening, after dark, Ines and Bernardo arrive in the pueblo. However, Monasterio prohibits giving food or water to the inmates. Such behaviour meets with the protest of a mysterious stranger in a mask, who introduces himself as Zorro. The soldiers unsuccessfully try to catch him, but the stranger is flexible and uses a whip, sword and improvised weapons very well. He throws Bernardo the keys to the cells. At this point, the only soldier who is not engaged in the fight is Garcia, who Ines theatrically faints on to give his friend a chance to free the prisoners. Garcia and Corporal Gonzalez engage in a duel with Zorro, who disarms them efficiently and drives off in an unknown direction.

It isn’t the end yet

At home, an excited Ines tries to tell her brother about the adventure, but she is unable to wake him up. No wonder, since the pillow mimics the shape of the body. In the library she thinks aloud, even though she knows Bernardo can’t hear her. Suddenly, a secret passage behind the bookshelf opens and Zorro enters the room, taking off his mask. The youths admit to the masquerade, and Ines repays them for keeping her in the dark.

Zorro the Chronicles episode 1 The return — review

This version of Zorro adventures is clearly directed to younger viewers. However, it doesn’t mean that the adults cannot have fun while watching it. On the visual side, the cartoon is beautiful. The characters are pleasant to the eye and look realistic. The creators have taken care of such details as patterns on tiles or house wall decorations. Thanks to it, the interiors and the entire setting look great. Watching them is a pleasure.

Characters

The viewers like them from the very beginning. Diego and Bernardo are cheerful rascals that are impossible not to love. Even when they throw swords around the ship or scare the cook. Temperamental Ines is a fantastic addition to this usually two-person team. Despite the limitations imposed by the time period on her gender, the girl actively supports Zorro’s actions. Captain Monasterio has a wonderful introduction as an impatient, authoritative and somewhat pompous commander. At the same time, he can be perfectly charming and gallant towards women.

Falling spectacularly into the water, Sergeant Garcia ensures us who is going to be a comic relief in the series. The only character that can disappoint is don Alejandro. A humble and calm plea for the release of the peons does not suit the proud owner of great fortune. The demand would have been more credible, especially since we can see that he is quite hostile towards Monasterio. Too hostile for humble pleas.

Winking at Disney fans

“Return” clearly winks at Walt Disney Zorro fans. The very beginning with a letter calling Diego home, to California, brings to mind the first episode of Disney series. Let’s also take a look at other characters. Sergeant Garcia is the most obvious reference, as is the blue-eyed captain Monasterio. If the substitution of one letter in his surname has mislead anyone, the facepalm followed by a resigned groan “Garcia!” should indicate who the officer is based on. Another example of winking at Disney fans are Bernardo’s magic tricks.

Zorro and realism

It’s hard to expect realism from a cartoon for children, and maybe from Zorro’s adventures in general. However, in this version we can completely forget about any competence coming from the soldiers. It might even make us sympathize with Monasterio, who is complaining about his people, if the captain himself did something more than shouting and watching his subordinates fail again. Zorro, on the other hand, is more skillful than all his opponents put together. He fights with both hands with two enemies at once and moves with a whip around the whole garrison. The soldiers ineptly try to climb the ladders and let the masked man knock their blades off their hands. Are there really no firearms in this garrison?

The very appearance of Zorro in the garrison is well thought-out because we observe the events from the perspective of Ines. It’s a nice change from following Diego’s dressing up, even though we can quickly figure out who is behind the mask. Yet I wonder how the people from the pueblo knew to shout “El Zorro” when the Fox escaped from the garrison? After all, Diego introduced himself only to Ines, Bernardo and the soldiers.

Zorro the Chronicles episode 1 The return — Youtube

World premiere: 18.10.2015

Production: Cyber Group Studios
Directed by Olivier Lelardoux, Pierre Sissman
Animation: Nicolas Davoust, Yann Martinat

Voices:
Don Diego/Zorro: Johnny Yong Bosch, Valéry Schatz
Ines: Dorothy Elias-Fahn, Sandra Lou
Monasterio: Jamieson Price, Paul Borne
Demetrio Garcia: Kirk Thornton
Ignacio Gonzalez: Fabrice Fara
Other voices: R. Martin Klein, Kyle McCarley, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Joe Ochman, Alan Shearman, Keith Silverstein, Anne Yatco. Michel Bedetti, Martin Billany, Bernard Bollet, Lucien Dodge, Richard Epcar, Pascal Casanova. Melora Harte, Vincent de Bouard, Marie-Christine Darah, Jean-Christophe Dollé, Bubba Kuchow, Patrice Dozier. Joey Latsko, Dave Mallow, Karine Foviau, Stéphanie Hédin, Tony Joudrier, Juan Llorca, Patrick Messe, Michel Voletti,