Captain Planet and the Planeteers SE01 EP01 - "A Hero for Earth"

While some people may complain that this cartoon, a staple of the 1990's, is heavy-handed in it's pro-environmental message, I never minded much, because it's an extremely important message. It was back in the 1990's, and it still is today, if we want to put the proper measures to combat climate change before we're too far gone. I watched this show growing up, but I don't remember too much about it - it faded with time. With that all said, it's a good time as ever to walk down memory lane.

Episode Name: A Hero for Earth
Original Airdate: September 15, 1990

Villain: Hoggish Greedly

The show opens with a giant mechanical robot decimating a wildlife reserve, and, when it reaches water, begins drilling for oil. This fiend of the environment is none other than Hoggish Greedly and his assistant Rigger.

Hoggish Greedly

Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, awakens to find far more environmental disaster than ever she dreamed, and as such, determines it necessary to send out five magic rings to five special people from the corners of the globe.

Those people are:

Kwame: From Ghana, Africa, he has the power of Earth.
Wheeler: From Brooklyn, New York, he has the power of Fire.
Linka: From the Soviet Union, she has the power of Wind.
Gi: From Thailand, she has the power of Water.
Ma-Ti: From the Amazon of Brazil, he has the power of Heart.

From left to right: Ma-Ti, Linka, Wheeler, Gi, and Kwame

Gaia instructs them on their new-found abilities, and lets them know they must stop Hoggish Greedly before he pollutes the whole of the coast, destroying both the ecosystem and the environment. Wheeler seems not to have great control over the fire abilities the ring gives him, and flirts a bit with Linka, but for the most part everything goes smoothly.

Gi flies the jet to the site of the incident, and immediately Greedly sprays them with oil, causing them to have to work together to land safely. When Greedly threatens to spray the oil at the animals if they approach, they combine their powers and bring forth Captain Planet, at the expense of their rings not being operational when Captain Planet is summoned.

Captain Planet easily takes care of Rigger, but gets blindsided by Greedly when he sprays him with toxic waste, depleting his energy. With the help of the Planeteers, though, he is revived, and destroys the environment-decimating machine. Greedly, however, escapes, and vows revenge on the Planeteers.

Ending the episode, the Planeteers are working on cleaning the mess left behind, mainly the animals effected, such as sea turtles, seals, and walruses. Following that, Captain Planet gives the audience some tips on how we, as normal people, can work together to help the environment, such as carpooling and walking or riding a bike when possible. Remember people, the power is yours.


This was a solid origin story, though I felt the five chosen Planeteers accepted their new roles too quickly and without too much question. Wheeler, at least, seems to have the most realistic reaction to the situation.

The members are overall a decent people, Linka and Kwame perhaps being my favorite. Linka because while snarky, is rather compassionate and understanding, and Kwame because he strikes me as a very intelligent, focus-oriented individual. More so, he makes for a good leader, along with Linka, as no one else really fits the role. Gi, we didn't really see much of, but I hope to learn more about her as the series progresses.

Wheeler's a bit of a hothead, which is troublesome, and doesn't seem nearly as committed as the others do, but that will likely change as time moves forward. Lastly, I'm indifferent on Ma-Ti - he seems a nice enough guy, but he doesn't seem to possess anything Linka or Gi already don't. Still, if heart and compassion are his strong point, he'll be a great member of the team.

Like I said, I understand how this show to some people could be a bit pushy, but it's for a good cause, and no one can really fault them for trying to teach children about how best to treat the environment, as how one of us treat it can affect us all.


Rating: Above Average


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