Animation Source Forums

I just got done watching the episode, "The Old man and the Seaduck."

It was such a beautifully written episode that a guardian angel in the form of Joe McGee literally saved Baloo's life and gave him the ability to pilot again. It was also haunting to see Baloo train and learn in a functioning air-school and then when returns with the doctor for Joe, the whole place is deserted and all the equipment and buildings were old and decrepit.

I would also like to say that Joe McGee reminded me of a nice grandfatherly figure that would put the coolness of Yoda from Starwars to shame.

Any thoughts?

I'd say more fatherly figure, I'd say he was in his 50/60's and Baloo is in his 30's at least, but he came off as Yoda , I wish I had a guy in my life likw him!
I'd say that Baloo trained with him in his youth shortly afrter WW1 and when he 'crashed' he had a major flashback mixed with current events, I've read of such things happening.

Yes, very beautiful ending and most spirited episode I have seen in a animated series meant for kids (but was it really?)


It doesn't seem to me that Baloo knew him before. Then again Baloo lost his memory, and it could explain where the picture comes from. (if "it happened all in Baloo's head", then how could he take a picture? )

Exactly, I'd say they flew together in the past, I mean he could have forgotten certain parts and mixed it up with what happened. I'd have an exbert on the mind watch that episode and ask what they think, just for fun! I'd guess they'll say the same thing.

I remember that episode... I remember having a rather eerie feeling about it, but in a good way. In my opinion, something otherworldly happened, something that can't be explained.

...that, or, taking into account some of the ideas already in the thread... Perhaps Baloo had the exact same crash years ago, where the picture was taken? And during that second crash he relives everything he had already done long ago?

Hm... well, that's rather wonky, too... I think I'll stay with something otherworldly, unexplainable happening.

Well, considering some episodes had magic (ex : Her Chance To Dream), maybe no "concrete" explanation is required.
Still, it would be interesting to see what the writer of the episode had in mind...

EDIT : You know what? The writer for the episode is Libby Hinson, who wrote the best TaleSpin episodes because they are the most touching ones.
And by doing a simple search, I found her on Facebook!
I've contacted her to see if she'd be willing to do an interview!

That ep always makes me cry and it shows that you can always relearn anything

Great episode. Very atmospheric.

In my opinion it's one of the best episodes in the series. And I like the fact that for once in an animated series, they explored the amnesia stuff perfectly. I mean, in every cartoon when the hero gets hit on the head they usually tend to recover the memory again with another blow and that it's something predictable. But in this case it was perfect, because we discovered that Baloo had a post-traumatic stress caused by the accident and he was so frightened to fly again, the key here was overcoming the fear.
When I watched the episode for the first time on May last year, after watching the episode I couldn't help to cry. Mainly because I wanted to quit from college, due to many things among them were the fact that I didn't believe in my capabilities and that I had a foolish goal in my life just living from dreams.
To be honest, Joe's words echoing at the end of the episode help me to remember that I had a goal that gave me strength through four semesters, also that I had to enjoy what I did and to never forget why I came here, but most important to regain the enthusiasm and joy that I had when I began this journey, the same ones that Baloo has when he flies.

That's my experience guys, and my thoughts about the episode. Definitely, the episode has to be among Talespin's top 10 episodes.

It was a beautiful episode.