Jack and the Flying Prince and Princess
Episode numeral: XLVII
Original air date: 11/19/03
On the distant planet of Chrystallis, the moth-like Lebidopterins are attacked by an armada of Squoomians, their arch-enemies. Outnumbered and on the verge of losing the battle, the King and Queen try to recall the Lebidopterin Royal Navy, but their Robot Buddy Chitron 6 informs them that their long-range communications have been destroyed. With no other options left, they decide to send their son and daughter, Prince Astor and Princess Verbina, to find and lead the Royal Navy back to Chrystallis. With Chitron to aid them, the two siblings set out but their ship is damaged by a Squoomian attack, forcing them to land on Earth.
Samurai Jack spots the craft as it crashes, drawing near to see what's going on. Astor and Verbina find Earth's high gravity makes them incapable of flight, and before Chitron can get to work fixing the ship they are captured by Aku's minions and taken to his throne room. Jack follows, killing one of Aku's guards and stealing his uniform in order to infiltrate Aku's fortress. When they are brought to Aku, Verbina makes an impassioned plea for Aku's assistance in defending their home from the Squoomians, and while Aku feigns sympathy he decides to confiscate the ship and send Astor and Verbina to his mines instead. Chitron tries to appeal, but Aku crushes the robot and orders Astor and Verbina taken away. During all this Jack closes to within striking distance of Aku, but his conscious gets the better of him and he leaves to save the prince and princess.
Jack attacks and easily dispatches the guards, saying he's a friend who will help Astor and Verbina get back and fix their ship. While Jack can't fly any of the transport craft they can use, he does remember where the sibling's ship went down, so Verbina flies the ship while Jack navigates. The two set to work fixing their ship while Jack keeps watch for Aku's armies, which show up just as the siblings are finishing their repairs. Jack holds them off and yells at Astor and Verbina to flee while they still can, but the siblings refuse to let Jack fight alone and so extend their ship's artificial gravity so they can assist him. When the drones are defeated, they thank Jack and ask why he, a complete stranger, would go out of their way to help them. Jack explains that they are quite a lot alike, that he too is a prince trying to save his people from a great evil, and encourages Astor and Verbina to head out and complete their quest with them in turn encouraging Jack to never lose hope. Astor and Verbina find the Royal Navy, and the Lebidopterins are successful in defeating the Squoomians. As thanks for his assistance, the siblings have a statue honoring Jack erected in their capital.
This episode provides examples of:
- Commonality Connection: Jack bonds with the siblings over their mutual struggles, being the children of royalty trying to save their home from a great evil (Aku and the Squoomians, respectively).
- Complaining About Rescues They Don't Like: Granted, they are fairly polite about it, but Astor and Verbina are rather miffed when Jack almost gets them killed trying to drive a getaway vehicle, since he still doesn't know how. Verbina takes charge of the driving while Jack takes over navigation.
- Dressing as the Enemy: Jack gets to go in disguise as one of Aku’s demon henchmen.
- Kick the Dog: Aku is in fine form, first yanking the rug out from under Astor and Verbina by ordering their enslavement and then crushing their Robot Buddy out of spite.
- Lightworlder: Astor and Verbina are from a planet with lighter gravity than Earth, and so cannot fly when they crash land. They have to extend their ship's anti-gravity field to assist Jack in his fight against the Beetle Drones.
- Shout-Out: Several to Star Wars. Astor, Verbina, and Chitron's designs are reminiscent of Luke, Leia, and C-3PO, respectively, and several lines get quoted.Verbina: Don't get cocky!Astor: I've got a bad feeling about this.Verbina: Aren't you a little short for a demonic minion?
