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Though my database already includes a list of "landmark" episodes for both MOTU and POP accessible via the "connected episodes" drop-down on the Search page, those categories are broad and don't necessarily comprise my "favorite" episodes of the respective series. For that, I've created this page, which lists Guy-Dor's choices for the best of the best in Filmation's MOTU and POP cartoons. Also included, because I couldn't just leave it at 10 each, are many other great episodes I felt deserved a mention, and also my picks for "worst" episodes. As is true throughout the site, clicking on any of the listed production codes will take you to my database entry for that episode. Enjoy!

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe - Top 10 Episodes



1. The Dragon's Gift (MU034)
Written by that most prolific of MOTU/POP animated scriptwriters, Larry DiTillio, this one introduces us to one of the most interesting - and physically largest - side characters of the series, in the great dragon Granamyr. This wise, mysterious, very threatening but ultimately supportive entity will send He-Man and Teela on a fantastical adventure for the purpose of getting him a gift, so that he will save Man-at-Arms, turned to stone by a wicked spell of Skeletor's. In the process, our heroes' moral purity will be put to the sorest of tests. This one was so memorable that it was also adapted for one of the minicomics packaged with the figures! For me, there was never a cleverer, more human and moving tale told in the history of the show.

2. The Problem with Power (MU110)
Most people would instantly mention this episode (by Bob Forward and Leslie Wilson) as the best in the series. A more-than-usually complex plan from Skeletor tricks He-Man into thinking he has inadvertantly taken an innocent life. Certain he has betrayed his hero's vow, He-Man gives up his power, determined to stay as Prince Adam forever more - and leaving Skeletor free to perpetrate even more wicked schemes. What extreme sacrifices will our heroes be driven to without their great protector to save them? This dreadfully serious story will have us examining along with Adam just what it means to be a hero - deeper and more powerful subject matter than you'd expect from this usually naive and silly little cartoon.

3. Teela's Quest (MU006)
One of the most important early episodes, this one gives us the explanation for Adam's half-Earthling, half-Eternian heritage. It also provides crucial back story for Captain Teela. The question of her own parentage sends Teela on a dangerous journey into the Crystal Sea, where a vengeance-hungry Mer-Man will attempt to sacrifice her to a Teela-hungry giant sea monster. In the end we'll learn a surprising truth about Teela's mother... This flashback-filled story was written by Paul Dini, who will prove the go-to MOTU writer in Season 1 for developing characters in this way.

4. Origin of the Sorceress (MU073)
The first script from She-Ra co-creator and famous sci-fi television writer J. Michael Straczynski gives us some amazing lore about the early days of the Sorceress and the beginnings of her tenure as caretaker of Castle Grayskull. Also He-Man gets his one chance to team up with mechanical horse Stridor. An excellent fantasy tale that not only develops our characters and their earliest history, but also plants some seeds that would blossom into the She-Ra spin-off series.

5. To Save Skeletor (MU075)
You read that title right; but why would He-Man ever agree to save his archenemy? Well, because the bony villain has summoned an evil even more terrible than himself! Written in part by the great Paul Dini, this one features one of the most exciting openings of any MOTU episode! It also has our heroic and evil warriors joining forces and exploring some of the more interesting rooms of Grayskull in their desperate attempt to foil the hideous Sh'Gora.

6. Evilseed (MU025)
Including another good/bad team-up episode on this list might seem redundant, but it's hard to overlook this thrilling tale and its unique villain, whose botanical machinations quickly bring all Eternia to its knees, requiring He-Man and Skeletor to join forces. Some classic dialogue for Skeletor in this one, and some great animation to boot.

7. The Witch and the Warrior (MU059)
Paul Dini returns to the list with another great character development tale. When Teela and Evil-Lyn are stranded in the desert - the latter villainess having been stripped of her magic powers - the unlikely pair must forge an uneasy truce in order to survive. Along the way, they'll learn some interesting things about each other - and themselves. Also features a couple of recurring side characters in Mallek (an unrequited old flame of Teela's) and the evil sorcerer Kothos.

8. The Search (MU036)
One of only three episodes to feature that mysterious cosmic enforcer, Zodac, this David Wise-penned tale puts He-Man in the unusual position of being tempted to evil. Most of the adventure is a thrilling race between the heroes and Skeletor and crew, as they vie to reach the center of Eternia first and capture the all-powerful Starseed.

9. Creatures from the Tar Swamp (MU018)
Perhaps not the most obvious choice for a top-ten spot, but I felt this early episode (another with script contributions from Paul Dini) features some important character development. For one, it gives us a look at a young Prince Adam and kitten Cringer. It also relates the story of how Orko arrived in Eternia, while introducing us to one of Adam's several disappointing cousins (in this case the shallow and vain Lady Edwina). Edwina and family get embroiled in a wacky plot from Skeletor that involves plenty of fun prehistoric beasties!

10. Diamond Ray of Disappearance (MU004)
No top-ten list would be complete without the episode that started it all - the pilot. This story gives us an excellent introduction to a huge chunk of the cast of characters, and establishes the winning formula of magic and muscles that would carry through all 130 episodes. He-Man must save the Sorceress and Castle Grayskull from Skeletor and his cronies, armed with a gem that makes anyone who looks at it vanish.



MOTU - Honorable Mentions, Other fun episodes



Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)

She-Demon of Phantos (MU005) - A great early tale with some rarely-seen but fun side characters (Lizard Man, Strongarm)

The Dragon Invasion (MU009) - Arguably the most successful Skeletor plot, leaving him (temporarily) in control of Grayskull with the Sorceress imprisoned

Song of Celice (MU022) - People rarely talk about this one but it's a great adventure with a creepy (if only briefly-seen) Lovecraftian monster, in Yog

Prince Adam No More (MU029) - Featuring some great character development and interactions between Adam and his dad - and Beast Man

Teela's Trial (MU052) - Some really emotional material for all our main heroes, when Teela believes she's accidentally killed her father

The Cat and the Spider (MU066) - Another rollicking adventure tale, great in particular because it features Eternia's royal archaeologist, Melaktha!

Into the Abyss (MU083) - Teela and Adam bounce off one another, the Sorceress shows some feelings, and we see the power of Grayskull from a new angle

The Rainbow Warrior (MU085) - A rare chance for us to see Eternia's queen save the day - along with some great flashbacks and lore

Here, There, Skeletors Everywhere (MU116) - What's better than one cackling, bone-headed villain? A million of them! A hilariously absurd episode.

Other fun episodes

The Time Corridor (MU008) gives us a cool glimpse of Ancient Eternia and the only animated appearance of the ill-fated Fang Man; Reign of the Monster (MU016) is a particularly excellent example of the "Skeletor summons a monster" trope, and has plenty of great Stratos content; Dawn of Dragoon (MU020) features our first trip to Orko's home of Trolla, and introduces his girlfriend Dree Elle; Search for the Past (MU098) introduces Adam's grandfather, the long-lost King Miro; Teela's Triumph (MU108) has an unprepared Teela being temporarily put on the throne of Grayskull while the Sorceress is indisposed. There are plenty of other fun episodes as well, and I'm sure that even with all of the ones mentioned I've overlooked someone's personal favorite; these are just the ones that showed up on my "landmark" list.



MOTU - Dishonorable Mentions



There are two episodes of He-Man that I think are the best candidates for "worst" episode - one because it's so immature and childishly silly, the other because it's just downright boring. Those would be, respectively, The Greatest Show on Eternia (MU100) (the circus comes to town, and Skeletor wants his own private screening) and Attack from Below (MU082) (mole people are stealing corn, and He-Man goes underground to stop them). The other one I've heard people throw around in this category is Monster on the Mountain (MU120), but I didn't have that negative of a reaction to this story of ignorant townspeople panicking over what turns out to be a very nice giant. (Interestingly, the same writer - Rowby Goren - brought us both "Monster" and "Greatest Show." Oof.)



She-Ra: Princess of Power - Top 10 Episodes



1. The Price of Power (67047)
For me, this J. Michael Straczynski-penned tale of a young magical apprentice who learns the hard way about the perils of taking the easy way is the best-plotted and strongest story in She-Ra's stable. It has it all: a clear moral that isn't shoved didactically down the viewer's throat, a magic-filled adventure, a satisfying concluding come-uppance, and some really juicy back story about Etheria and particularly Shadow Weaver and Castaspella.

2. The Sword of She-Ra (67001-67005)
Is it cheating to combine five episodes into one episode slot? Not if the person making the list also makes the rules about the list! The first five episodes of the series, almost entirely written by show co-creator Larry DiTillio and originally edited into the "Secret of the Sword" movie, tell the origin of She-Ra and introduce us to all the characters and situations we'll be encountering through the rest of the seasons. It's a great, single story that deserves a high spot on this ranking.

3. Into the Dark Dimension (67039)
Another fantastic J. Michael Straczynski script brings us some targeted character development, when a mishap during a major Horde-rebellion clash sends She-Ra and Hordak spinning away to a strange dimension. The frightening entity in charge there forces them to work together to earn their way home. As the pair of archenemies tackle various challenges, they'll learn more about each other and teach their viewing audience about the nature of good and evil.

4. The Price of Freedom (67029)
Bob Forward brings us this dramatic, grim crossover tale, where He-Man must give his all to help a harried, tattered band of rebelling villagers survive a Horde bombardment in a crumbling mine, while She-Ra flies off in desperate search of rebel reinforcements. This story of freedom's cost and sacrificial acts of heroism strongly recalls Forward's MOTU script dealing with those subjects, the momentous "The Problem with Power."

5. Huntara (67045)
Larry DiTillio brings us this thrilling one-on-one battle for the ages. When Hordak looks abroad for a challenger strong and wily enough to defeat the pesky She-Ra, he settles on the Silaxian warrior Huntara. Huntara is an honorable woman who doesn't realize she's been tricked into believing her opponent is evil. Can She-Ra convince the fighter that they should be friends before their awesome duel results in tragic consequences?

6. Flowers for Hordak (67063)
In addition to being one of the only series appearances of plant-powered princess Perfuma, this script by Bob Forward is my candidate for the funniest story in the series. Hordak captures Perfuma to keep her from spoiling his latest plot; but Perfuma's penchant for sprouting pretty flowers makes her a much more perfidious prisoner than Hordak bargained for.

7. The Sea Hawk (67007)
This story by Michael Chase Walker and Larry DiTillio shows us Princess Adora taking a stance early in the series as the Great Rebellion's most convincing recruitment officer. It includes some effective and powerful scenes, as the pirate Sea Hawk is won over by his perky blonde passenger to take up arms against his former employer, the Horde. Not only that, this episode introduces a recurring character - and love interest for Adora - in the swashbuckling ship captain!

8. Sweet Bee's Home (67085)
Another comedic gem from funny man Bob Forward, this tale introduces us to the dainty Sweet Bee. When the rebels rescue this crashed space traveller, a ton of wacky drama is stirred up among their ranks: for hunky He-Man's instant attraction to the apian female makes ice empress Frosta plenty jealous! The over-the-top character animation and silly by-play of the rebels is a treat to watch.

9. Swifty's Baby (67093)
This final episode of the series, brought to us by late-in-the-game scriptwriter J. Larry Carroll, presents a landmark change in the life of main character Swift Wind - because She-Ra's beloved steed is going to have a baby! The impending bundle of joy becomes a bone of contention between the rebellion and the Horde when Hordak kidnaps Swift Wind's pregnant mate. An exciting way to conclude the POP animated series.

10. The Crystal Castle (67022)
Leave it to the great Larry DiTillio to provide us an origin story for the secret Crystal Castle and the mysterious Light Hope (though, at 22 episodes into the first season, it was a little late in coming!). She-Ra is forced to track down the castle and its light-based occupant in order to save Castle Bright Moon from a deadly attack devised by the devious Shadow Weaver.



POP - Honorable Mentions, Other memorable episodes



Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)

Of Shadows and Skulls (67056) - I loved this exciting tale of betrayal, with Shadow Weaver colluding with none other than Skeletor to get back at her boss Hordak. Featuring what is almost definitely the best one-on-one battle between the Horde commander and old Bonehead.

Loo-Kee Lends a Hand (67055) - Today that lovable (or irritating, depending on your personal taste) sprite, Loo-Kee, takes center stage. He's the only rebel available to save the Whispering Woods from a nasty Horde time-stopping device.

The Peril of Whispering Woods (67011) - This important early episode introduces us to Horde Prime - and his unlikely son, Prince Zed. The haughty Zed gets himself into trouble - and gets lectures from She-Ra - when he's kidnapped during a Horde attack that involves poisoning the protective plants of the Whispering Woods.

Enchanted Castle (67019) - Adora relates a fairytale-style adventure with an evil sorceress and Etherian magic maven Castaspella. It's fun!

Gateway to Trouble (67035) - This great crossover adventure includes some important changes in the status of our characters. Modulok jumps ship from Snake Mountain and takes his gatemaking invention over to the Fright Zone. Skeletor joins forces with He-Man and She-Ra to avenge his ex-employee's defection and disappoint his own former boss, Hordak.

The Stone in the Sword (67021) - Adora accidentally cracks the gem in her sword of protection, leading to our princess's first (based on air dates) meeting with Light Hope and a dangerous trek through Etheria's underworld to meet the mystical First Ones. A groundbreaking story!

The Inspector (67087) - One of the more amusing She-Ra adventures, this time brought to us by J. Larry Carroll. We get to see Prince Adam going undercover as a Horde inspector, joining up with his sister to rescue some prisoners and cause Hordak all kinds of grief.

Assault on the Hive (67091) - This return of Sweet Bee also brings us some late product placements, with the only animated appearances of shiny horse Crystal Sun Dancer and the rotund and embarrassing Meteorbs. It also happens to be the last She-Ra episode with a MOTU crossover, bringing us the final Filmation roles for He-Man and Skeletor (among others).

For Want of a Horse (67049) - Horde Prime's birthday is coming up, and with Shadow Weaver's help Hordak conceives the idea of stealing She-Ra's winged horse as a gift for the most feared dictator. The result, to Hordak's great despair, is pure wacky hijinks.

Darksmoke and Fire (67061) - I can't let this opportunity go by without giving a shout-out to my boy Granamyr. The ancient and wise dragon (one of my favorite Filmation characters) makes his last animated appearance in this time-travelling tale, which has She-Ra meeting Granamyr in the distant past of Eternia, before he's ever encountered He-Man. Before she finds her way home, She-Ra wades into a near-disastrous clash between human and dragon forces, engineered by a sneaky wizard.

Other memorable episodes (most of which focus on a cool side character)

King Miro's Journey (67013) gives Adora a chance to meet her grandfather, King Miro; The Rock People (67044) has Larry DiTillio managing to tell a compelling story about rocks that turn into people; Enemy With My Face (67042) has She-Ra facing off against a shape-changing Melog that acquires the same powers as herself - and, as it turns out, the same hero's heart; The Eldritch Mist (67027) features a fantastic magical battle between Shadow Weaver and Castaspella; Black Snow (67058) gives Frosta an impressive chance to take center stage; Unexpected Ally (67053) introduces us to one of my favorite side characters in the strategic genius Horde General Sunder, who gets a lesson in freedom from She-Ra; The Pearl (67072) is a fun Mermista-themed aquatic adventure.



POP - Overrated Episodes, Dishonorable Mention



Episodes which I think are overrated

Three Courageous Hearts (67020) - This story of Broom, Razz, and Kowl joining forces in an unlikely bid to rescue the rest of the rebellion while She-Ra is banished to the sixth dimension seems to end up on everyone's list of best episodes; but I didn't think it was quite good enough to make these lists. It's cool when the show writers highlight secondary characters in this way, but I didn't see anything particularly outstanding in this tale, which features a rather annoying trip to the Valley of the Lost, a location which no one has trouble finding and where no one ever seems to get lost. I DID like She-Ra's skeevy, video-game-loving enemy, Salistica.

Horde Prime Takes a Holiday (67018) - This episode has a lot going for it, since it features Hordak and Skeletor as well as She-Ra and He-Man. But on my DVD set, this episode took such a long time coming (showing up as the 58th episode in Season 1) that by the time I got there, most of the plot elements in this story had already shown up in the series at least once. If you want to see Hordak and Skeletor have a cool fight, you're better off watching "Of Shadows and Skulls" or "Reunions." The story also features several inconsistencies of plotting, with She-Ra suddenly needing a helmet to breathe in space (something she hasn't needed in previous episodes) and Skeletor suddenly able to easily travel to Etheria (something that required magical portals or machines before).

My Friend, My Enemy (67051) - Though the tale of Hordak being brought back from oblivion by She-Ra's compassionate and healing tears is a great concept at its core, and I did include this on my list of honorable mention episodes in the database, I still felt the execution on this story was lacking. In particular I was incredibly irritated by the clumsy writing which required She-Ra to bring her healed worst enemy back to his house and gently sit him in a chair and then leave, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she could have ended the Horde occupation of Etheria single-handedly by just throwing Hordak in a prison cell instead. There's also a clear hiccup about halfway through the episode which seems to indicate a scene has been rather gracelessly deleted.

Dishonorable Mention

Jungle Fever (67057) - This episode written by Don Heckman I found so actively reprehensible that I just have to call it out for no other reason than to shame it. First there's the title's tone deaf derogatory slang, be it intentional or unintentional (and it's hard to see how the writer could have failed to realize the implications there). Then there's its depiction of what are clearly stereotypical Native Americans in a jingoistic, overly simplified, and frankly racist light, with Adora's enlightened first-world knowledge bringing salvation to the "savages." The senseless plot further involves Adora randomly losing her memory for no particularly good reason, and before that somehow being imprisoned by the Horde without having been disarmed of her sword of protection, yet still choosing not to change into She-Ra - again for no good reason. There were other episodes of POP I thought were so-so, and even some I kind of disliked - and the same can be said of MOTU. But there are no other episodes in either series that I hated quite so thoroughly as this one.