Ep 15. Mxyzptlk Strikes Again
- October 11, 1980
Super Friends is an American animated television series about a group of superheroes from the DC Comics universe who band together to fight evil. The show originally aired from 1973 to 1986, with multiple iterations and spin-offs. Season 5 episode 15 is titled "Mxyzptlk Strikes Again."
The episode opens with the Super Friends -- Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Robin -- gathered at the Hall of Justice, discussing recent reports of strange occurrences in Metropolis. Suddenly, the mischievous imp Mxyzptlk appears, cackling and declaring his intention to wreak havoc on the city once again.
Mxyzptlk is a recurring villain in the Super Friends universe, known for his reality-warping powers and penchant for causing chaos just for the fun of it. Despite his diminutive size and childlike appearance, the Super Friends know not to underestimate him -- they've faced him before, and they know how dangerous he can be.
Sure enough, Mxyzptlk begins to use his powers to wreak havoc on Metropolis. He makes buildings disappear, turns people into animals, and generally causes chaos wherever he goes. The Super Friends try to stop him, but his powers are too strong for them to handle alone.
Just when it seems like all hope is lost, the Super Friends receive assistance from an unexpected source -- a young boy named Tommy. Tommy is a fan of the Super Friends, and he's always dreamed of joining them on their adventures. When he sees Mxyzptlk causing trouble in his hometown, he knows he has to do something to help.
Tommy may be young, but he's brave and resourceful. He comes up with a plan to defeat Mxyzptlk by tricking him into saying his own name backwards. This is a weakness that Mxyzptlk has in the comics, and Tommy has read all about it. The Super Friends are skeptical at first, but they're willing to give Tommy a chance.
Together, the Super Friends and Tommy put their plan into action. They distract Mxyzptlk with a parade of animals and make him say his name backwards. Sure enough, the trick works -- Mxyzptlk is banished back to his own dimension, and Metropolis is restored to its former state.
In the end, the Super Friends thank Tommy for his bravery and ingenuity. They offer him a place on the team, but Tommy declines -- he says that he's just happy to have helped out in his own small way. The Super Friends bid him farewell, and Tommy returns to his normal life, knowing that he made a difference.
"Mxyzptlk Strikes Again" is a classic episode of Super Friends, featuring all the elements that made the show so beloved by fans. There's action, adventure, humor, and heart -- all wrapped up in a timeless story of good versus evil. And while the animation may be dated by modern standards, the show's enduring popularity proves that its message of heroism and teamwork is as relevant today as it was back in the 1970s.