Mighty Max - Episode 27

MAX vs MAX

This is the 27th episode in the entire series of Mighty Max, being the 14th program of series 2. Skull Master has travelled the world to find the lost Arcana of Atlantis, the most powerful spell book there is. With it's power he can reform the shattered crystal of souls, and rule the world. However, Max will stop him. But which Max?

Episode Captures (Click to enlarge)

Max and Felix are relaxing during a break from the tedious lessons at school. The weather is dry and warm and nothing it seems can spoil the moment, that is until Felix reminds Max that he has yet to read a book that had been set as homework. Max realises that he is in deep trouble and frantically opens the book to try and read the whole thing before the next lesson commences in just a few minutes. Max opens the book and is relieved to see a message from Virgil. Another mission, and this one has come at just the right time.

At the other end of the portal Max meets Virgil and Norman. Virgil introduces Max to an English boy who is not only the same age as Max, but also shares a very similar name; Maximillian. Virgil then explains to a startled Max that due to a mix up when he summoned the capbearer, this English boy could be the real Mighty One, the rightful owner of the cap. Max smiles and removes his cap, handing it to Maximillian, and tells Virgil that he is happy with that as he just wants to be an ordinary boy again. Virgil tells Max that it is not that simple, there needs to be a series of tests to prove who is the real Mighty One. Maximillian tries the cap on for size and says in a posh schoolboy voice that it looks better on him than it ever did on Max. Max dislikes this boy straight away. Who is he to challenge Max's position as the Mighty One?

Virgil is deciding how to find a test for them both when they hear screams coming from outside the hut they are standing in. They look outside to see humanoid reptiles attacking the village. Virgil smiles and tells Max that this will do nicely. Both Max and Maximillian race outside to be the first to defeat the raiders. Maximillian manages to find a horse and saves a girl from being killed, but all Max can do (with subtle help from Norman - even though he is not supposed to do so) is save a monkey from a collapsing house.

The second test comes when the 4 of them enter a huge cavern and are confronted with a towering Yeti. Virgil tells Norman to put away his sword, reminding him that this is a test that Max and Maximillian need to do on their own. Norman is frustrated, he wants to help Max, who he knows is the real Mighty One. The two boys run to confront the Yeti but again Maximillian gets one up on Max when he manages to fight off the Yeti, but the Yeti is not yet beaten and it soon gets the upper hand against Maximillian. Although he doesn't like this English kid Max knows he cannot let him be killed by the Yeti, and so he leaps into help, drawing the Yeti away with a well aimed snowball. Now Max runs for his life as the enraged Yeti runs at him. Maximillian, still wearing the cap, gets to his feet and finds Normal and Virgil, and at the same time activating a nearby portal. He tells them both to jump into the portal which they both do, quickly followed by Maximillian. Max has managed to evade the Yeti and is running as hard as he can toward the open portal, knowing his time is short before it closes on him. The Yeti is gaining.

On the other side of the portal Norman, Virgil, and Maximillian get to their feet, the portal still open at their end. A flash and something comes out of the portal. Max? No. Virgil and Norman are saddened when the object turns out to be Max's warm coat, with no Max in it. Has the Yeti killed him. The portal closes but just as it slams shut there is another flash. This time the Yeti comes roaring through the portal. It would appear that Max has indeed been killed by the Yeti, and now it is here to finish them off too. But a familiar voice is heard and the Yeti spins round revealing Max clinging to the fur on its back. After a brief struggle, during which Norman again subtly helps Max by tripping up the Yeti, the enraged monster is locked up behind large stones gates.

Later, whilst Max sleeps, Norman and Virgil watch over him as they discuss the dialema before them over Skullmaster's attempts to gain control of the Arcana, and of the problem of the identity of the true Cap Bearer. Unnoticed by them Maximillian has sneaked off somewhere private and using a mysterious crystal calls up Skullmaster, telling him that it is time to attack the nearby city where the Aracana is believed to be located.

When Skullmaster and his minions attack the city Virgil, Norman, Max, and Maximillian rush to where Skullmaster is directing his forces. Max looks down on Skullmaster from the safety of a high balcony knowing that this time he must prove that he is the real Mighty One, after all, the cap may be a constant problem for him, but at the same time he has worn it long enough not to allow some other kid to take it from him. Max feels afraid and alone, but then he feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up and sees Norman crouching next to him, a warm, friendly smile on his face. Norman knows he is the real Max. This gives Max the boost he needs, and grabbing a chain he swings toward Skullmaster, doing his best impression of Tarzan as he descends. Unfortunately things do not go according to plan and he soon finds himself captured by Skullmaster who holds a huge sword to his throat. Skullmaster turns to Virgil and tells him that if he does not show him the location of the Arcana, Max will die slowly and painfully, and furthermore explains that Maximillian is in fact under his power due to a crystal he is wearing round his neck. Reluctantly Virgil hands Skullmaster the Arcana and all seems lost, but Max has a plan. He notices that he is right next to the stone gate behind which the Yeti is trapped. Leaning forward in Skullmaster's grasp he reaches out and presses the button to open the gates. The Yeti, now extremely angry, lunges for the first person it sees; Skullmaster. The Arcana is dropped as the Yeti and Skullmaster fight. Warmonger rushes forward to help his master, allowing Virgil, Norman and the two boys to escape, but even now things still go wrong. Maximillian is still wearing the cap and activates a portal through which Warmonger and Skullmaster leap through with the Arcana. Maximillian runs toward the portal, still under the power of Skullmaster. Max sees his last chance to redeem himself, and just as Maximillian reaches the portal, Max leaps up and pushes him to one side. The portal closes behind Skullmaster, leaving Norman, Virgil and the two boys behind. Enraged Maximillian attacks Max, pushing him into a nearby fountain. He holds him under the water in an attempt to drown him, but Max is too strong for this imposter and soon he has the better of him. Max reaches forward and rips the crystal from Maximillian's neck. Immediately Maximillian comes to his senses and asks where on earth he is, and why is he wearing this ridiculous cap, which he hands back to Max.

Virgil bemoans the loss of the Aracana, but Max, with a sly smile on his face, brings out of his pocket a handful of pages that he had torn from the Arcana whilst Skullmaster and the Yeti were fighting. Virgil is horrified that Max has torn up an ancient artifact. Yes. He is the really Mighty One alright!