Ep 19. The Dragon and the Professor

The Wild Thornberrys, a popular animated television series follows the adventures of the Thornberry family as they travel the world filming their nature documentary show. In season 1, episode 19 titled The Dragon and the Professor, the Thornberry family finds themselves in China's remote Gobi Desert where they meet a young girl named Mei-Mei. Mei-Mei is being pursued by poachers who want to sell her pet dragon for profit.

The episode opens with Eliza and her father Nigel Thornberry capturing footage of the Gobi Desert's unique landscape. As they explore the terrain, they stumble upon a Chinese temple and meet Mei-Mei, who tells them about her beloved dragon. Nigel, being a passionate naturalist, is eager to learn more about the creature. Meanwhile, Eliza notices some suspicious activity by a gang of poachers, who are determined to capture the dragon to sell it.

Mei-Mei tells the Thornberrys that the dragon is the last of its kind and is being sought after by a wealthy businessman who will pay any price to get his hands on it. The Thornberry family and Mei-Mei set out to protect the dragon and foil the poachers' plans. In their quest to save the dragon, the Thornberry family learns the importance of looking after endangered species and the perils of wildlife trafficking.

As the adventure unfolds, the family encounters a wise professor who shares his knowledge about the history and myths surrounding dragons in Chinese culture. The professor helps the Thornberrys understand the dragon's vulnerability and significance in Chinese heritage. He becomes a source of inspiration for Mei-Mei who sees him as a role model for a career in academia.

The Dragon and the Professor episode of The Wild Thornberrys is packed with action, adventure, and animal conservation messages. The story is beautifully crafted with a mix of humor and drama that will keep the viewers engaged from start to finish. The animation is top-notch, and the attention to detail in the landscapes and CGI-rendered dragon help bring the story to life.

Overall, The Wild Thornberrys season 1 episode 19, The Dragon and the Professor is a must-watch for any lover of adventure and wildlife. The show handles delicate themes such as wildlife trafficking and conservation with ease and manages to educate viewers without being preachy. The mix of cultural exploration and animal conservation makes it a perfect show for young audiences, and the show helps to incite curiosity and wonder towards the natural world.