Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai - Never Give Up (S1E9)
Devastated by failure, Sam and Elle must look inward to find the strength to protect Shanghai from being overrun with violent Gremlins.
| Runtime (min) | 23 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 7.0 (2 votes) |
| Air Date | 2023-06-22 |
| Genres | Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Family |
| TV Rating | TV-PG |
| Network(s) | Max |
Storyline
In this pivotal episode, Sam and Elle face the consequences of their earlier mistakes as Shanghai teeters on the brink of a full-scale Gremlins invasion. After a devastating failure that has left them questioning their abilities, both characters must confront their own self-doubt and find the inner resolve to continue fighting. The episode explores their emotional journey as they grapple with feelings of inadequacy while the city they're trying to protect faces imminent danger from the multiplying, violent Gremlins.
The narrative emphasizes the importance of resilience and self-belief as Sam and Elle work through their despair. Rather than giving up in the face of overwhelming odds, they must rediscover what makes them capable heroes and draw on their unique strengths to devise a plan to save Shanghai. The episode balances character-driven emotional beats with the escalating threat of the Gremlins, setting up a critical turning point in the season as the young protagonists learn that failure is not the end but an opportunity to grow stronger.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children valuable lessons about resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks. Sam and Elle's journey demonstrates that failure is a natural part of growth and that even when things go wrong, giving up is not the answer. Young viewers learn that self-doubt is normal but can be overcome by looking inward, recognizing one's strengths, and choosing to keep trying despite fear or discouragement.
The episode also explores the importance of emotional processing and self-reflection. Rather than rushing into action or wallowing in defeat, the characters take time to understand their feelings and work through their disappointment. This models healthy emotional coping strategies for children, showing that it's okay to feel devastated by failure but essential to move forward constructively.
Additionally, the story reinforces themes of responsibility and courage. Sam and Elle must find the strength to protect others even when they don't feel confident in themselves, teaching children that heroism often means acting despite fear and that caring for one's community requires personal sacrifice and determination.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode too emotionally intense for younger children? | The episode deals with themes of failure and self-doubt that may resonate differently depending on your child's age and sensitivity. The characters experience genuine devastation and despair, which creates emotional weight but also provides opportunities for meaningful conversations. If your child struggles with perfectionism or fear of failure, watching together allows you to pause and discuss these feelings. The episode ultimately resolves with a positive message about perseverance, making it appropriate for most elementary-aged children when viewed with context. |
| How violent are the Gremlins in this episode? | The episode depicts Gremlins as violent threats to Shanghai, consistent with the series' action-adventure tone. While the show is animated and maintains a family-friendly approach, the Gremlins are portrayed as dangerous creatures creating chaos and menace. The violence is stylized rather than graphic, but the stakes feel real as the city faces being overrun. Children familiar with action cartoons will likely handle the content well, though very sensitive younger viewers might find the threat level concerning. |
| What can I say to my child if they relate to Sam and Elle's feelings of failure? | Use the episode as a springboard for conversation about times your child has felt disappointed in themselves. Emphasize that everyone experiences failure and that these moments help us learn and grow stronger. Point out how Sam and Elle don't let one setback define them, and discuss specific strategies for bouncing back from disappointment. Share your own age-appropriate examples of overcoming failure, and help your child identify their personal strengths they can draw on when facing challenges. |
| Does the episode show the characters actually saving Shanghai, or does it end on a cliffhanger? | The episode focuses on Sam and Elle's emotional journey from despair to renewed determination, setting up their plan to protect the city. As the ninth episode in a serialized season, it builds toward the season's climax rather than providing complete resolution. The emphasis is on the characters finding their inner strength and deciding to keep fighting, which serves the larger story arc. Expect some narrative threads to continue into subsequent episodes. |
| What age is most appropriate for the themes in this episode? | The episode's exploration of failure, self-doubt, and resilience works well for children roughly seven and older who can understand emotional complexity and delayed gratification in storytelling. Younger children may struggle with the characters' despair or the lack of immediate resolution, while older elementary and middle-school viewers will appreciate the character development and realistic emotional stakes. The twenty-three-minute runtime keeps the pacing manageable, and the animated format maintains accessibility for family viewing. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | As Gizmo is torn from his home and captured by a miserable circus, sheltered ten-year-old Sam Wing’s retired treasure-hunting grandpa introduces him to a whole new world of magic. |
| 1 | 2 | With Gizmo's newest batch on the loose, Sam is torn between his promise of keeping the Mogwai safe or returning to his normal life a choice that is complicated further by an alliance with street thief Elle. |
| 1 | 3 | All aboard! The trust between Sam, Elle, and Gizmo is tested by a hungry supernatural stranger on a train. |
| 1 | 4 | When a raging storm forces her, Sam, and Gizmo to seek shelter, Elle struggles to hide her past from her friends and a too-friendly innkeeper. |
| 1 | 5 | Sam, Elle, and Gizmo's nerves are tested as they follow Grandpa's map through the scariest woods they've ever encountered where more than soul-sucking, undead bureaucrats lurk in the darkness. |
| 1 | 6 | Upon arriving at the vibrant and bizarre Spirit Market, Sam and Elle must convince Gizmo's maker that not all humans are bad an argument complicated by Riley Greene's hot pursuit. |
| 1 | 7 | It's a race against the clock as Sam, Elle, and Gizmo battle fearsome yet adorable monsters on their way to the Valley of Jade as long as Greene and the Gremlins don't catch up with them first! |
| 1 | 8 | The friends celebrate their arrival at the Valley of Jade, but will Sam finally gain the confidence he desperately needs? |
| 1 | 9 | Devastated by failure, Sam and Elle must look inward to find the strength to protect Shanghai from being overrun with violent Gremlins. |
| 1 | 10 | With our heroes reunited, their bond is put to a final test as enemies from all sides converge. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | The Wing family is back in adventure mode after Sam discovers new evidence of Mogwai related problems, and Gizmo starts to act ... different. |
| 2 | 2 | Magic has dropped our heroes short of their San Francisco destination, so now they must escape a notorious prison and its unusual guards. |
| 2 | 3 | Upon reaching San Francisco's Chinatown, our heroes discover its criminal underworld has been taken over by an old acquaintance. |
| 2 | 4 | Sam and Chang recruit help to rescue Gizmo from Noggin's Evil Mogwai gang. Elle discovers that her mother is alive but facing her own magical problem. |
| 2 | 5 | It's the battle for Chinatown! But will Chang and Chinatown's residents ultimately choose to side with our heroes? |
| 2 | 6 | Our heroes journey west to free Elle's mother, but first must free themselves from a haunted old mansion. |
| 2 | 7 | Still on their western quest, our heroes are recruited to help a town with their own supernatural problem: nightly hauntings by a legendary ghost! |
| 2 | 8 | To reach their destination, our heroes pass through the resting place for all of the west's wildest tall tales and legends. |
| 2 | 9 | As they make a treacherous journey into a mysterious desert tomb, Sam and Elle must choose between saving Elle's mother or heeding Grandpa's warning. |
| 2 | 10 | Our heroes must find a way to reunite if they want any hope of defeating a massive, monstrous force before it destroys America. |
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