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Episode Summary
Written
by J. Cole Weston
Leningrad
becomes the key to a new struggle, with a scientist who knows
more about Zone Generators than he lets on - or does he?
Episode
Notes
Written
by J. Cole Weston
In
depth: In a snowy forest, Max Jones plants a bomb while Hiro
equips the zone grappler with a canister. They stun the Zoner
guards and a discussion between Kat and Ben reveals they are
after Dr. Ivan Kozlov, a prominent Soviet scientist. The Zoners
head out to the edge of the Zone in formation, but are attacked
by a small force of Zoners in a truck. Tank uses his cycle's
cannon to cause an avalanche, trapping their enemies. The
force escapes from the zone safely and rolls into a Soviet
city, which has been under siege for a long time. Courage
meets with Kozlov to evacuate him from Leningrad. It's been
under siege for a long time and there is not enough to eat
Kozlov will not leave till the Zone is lifted. The Zone Riders
cannot accomplish this and he orders them to take by force
the Doctor and his notes. However, though Kozlov has discovered
how the Zone Generators operate, he has hidden his notes and
work. He will not give up the secret until the siege is ended.
Nearby, Intruder arrives with Crook, Overlord and Bandit.
They are waiting for the Zone Riders to try to attack the
generators. Faced with blackmail, the Zone Riders must try
to do what he wants. As they ride in toward Generator 3, Reaper
spots them and reports them to Overlord. They reach it easily
and Courage fires on it in Rimfire - but it's a decoy and
a trap! Black Widow tanks attack with Bull Whip and ambush
the Zone Riders. Ned takes to the air via helicopter pack
and attacks. Max rides in on Zone Runner but is knocked out
of commission. Reaper's shoulder mounted missile takes out
another cycle and Tank is tripped up. The Black Widows force
is well prepared and overwhelming, as each Rider is defeated.
Ned attacks from the air and sidelines Duchess. Tank is rescued
as Courage rides in on Rimfire, but is knocked out of action
by a lucky blast. Hiro and Kat come to his aid however. Overlord
arrives and blasts at them, but after a fierce combat in which
much is destroyed, they limp out of the zone, having barely
escaped.
Kozlov is crushed at the news. He reveals there is no new
research about the generators, he has lied to M.C.C. for aid.
He reveals the city was under siege when he was born in World
War II also. Kat comforts him, but suddenly has an idea regarding
the ice. The Zone Riders have a plan and consult with a Soviet
General. They plan to get the people out across the ice, it
seems.
In a garage, Tank repairs a cycle and Ben checks his equipment.
They load civilians onto busses and move them out. Max and
Ben disable a tank nearby while Kat tests the ice. Without
the guns covering the lake, the civilians can move out across
it. The caravan begins it slow, careful ride across the ice.
Dirk sends the others into positions on shore so that Overlord
doesn't pass them. Rawmeat suddenly attacks Ned, blowing him
off his cycle. A Zone Rider truck races into position and
Rawmeat takes command. Tucker escapes in his helicopter pack.
The last of the civilians cross onto the ice as a Black Widow
tank followed by the Widows and Bull Whip arrive. All attack
mercilessly, including Razorback with Spin Shot. Tank discovers
the force is coming in behind them, so Courage commands them
to fall back onto the lake. Overlord orders them to follow
onto the ice. Courage grabs the backpacks and sets them to
overload as they are surrounded. Overlord sits watching as
the packs explode, cracking the ice, sinking the vehicles.
Unfortunately, the Zone Riders sink as well, but pull themselves
out. Just then, Ned arrives with Eagle, evacuating the Zone
Riders. Overlord and his Black Widows watch as the team escapes
once more, to Bandit's chagrin.
Items
Noticed: At 1:44, you can spot a new Zone Rider backpack used
by Tucker. It's a remote stun pad with a plunger.
At
9:11, we see for the first time the needler capabilities of
Ned's backpack.
At
9:26, we see a shoulder mounted disc launcher on Franklin,
yet another piece of new equipment for the second year.
At
17:34, Max provides a perfect illustration of how his shoulder
mounted/emplacement rocket launcher transforms.
Notes:
Overlord is genuinely stupid in this episode, which he is
rarely guilty of. As he surrounds the Zone Riders, he lets
them detonate the backpacks, doesn't shoot as they flee and
sits passively by in Bull Whip while they run. What's he thinking?
What
do we learn? Dr. Kozlov is the senior physicist at the Soviet
Institute of Science. His nickname was "Ivan the Terrible".
He told Kat she would never be a scientist.
Leningrad
cannot get shipments of food, as the zone turns back shipments
of food and supplies and cuts them off. Many have entered
the zone due to lack of food.
If
Kozlov was born during the siege of Leningrad in 1941 (the
first year), then he is currently 66 years old in 2007.
Kozlov
reveals that Kat was his best student, but work came so easily
to her that she had no drive or ambition which he provided
by telling her she would never be a scientist.
Goof
ups: When getting up from an attack, Crook momentarily disappears.
Quotable
Quotes: " Have a candy, baby!" -Hiro, throwing a
grenade into a cannon.
"Look at the birdie!" - Ben Franklin (pointing at
Eagle. And he wonders why no one likes him).
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