Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts - Mulholland (S1E7)
The friends stumble upon tardigrade dream-maker Tad Mulholland, who allows the gang to realize their bliss. But let's get real: It comes at a price.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 9.0 (3 votes) |
| Air Date | 2020-01-14 |
| Genres | Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Kids |
| TV Rating | TV-Y7 |
| Network(s) | Netflix |
Storyline
Kipo and her friends encounter Tad Mulholland, a tardigrade with the extraordinary ability to create dream worlds where people can experience their deepest desires and perfect happiness. Each member of the group is drawn into their own personalized bliss: Wolf sees a world where her past traumas never happened, Benson reconnects with lost loved ones, Mandu experiences simple joys, and Kipo imagines a reality where her family is whole and the surface world is safe. The dreams feel so real and so perfect that leaving them becomes nearly impossible.
As the gang becomes increasingly absorbed in their individual fantasies, they begin to realize that Tad's gift comes with a significant cost. The dream worlds are designed to trap them, keeping them sedated and separated from reality indefinitely. Kipo must find the strength to reject the comforting illusion of her perfect life and convince her friends to do the same. The episode explores the tension between escapism and facing difficult truths, as the group ultimately chooses the harsh reality of their dangerous journey over the seductive safety of beautiful lies.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the dangers of escapism and the importance of confronting reality, even when it's painful or difficult. Kipo and her friends learn that while it's natural to want to escape from problems or imagine better circumstances, staying trapped in fantasy prevents growth, connection, and the possibility of making real change. The episode demonstrates that true happiness cannot be found by hiding from challenges but by facing them with courage and the support of friends.
Children also learn about the value of resilience and accepting imperfection. Each character's dream world represents something they've lost or never had, and choosing to leave those dreams requires acknowledging that life includes hardship and disappointment. The episode shows that strength comes not from pretending problems don't exist but from accepting reality and working to improve it. Wolf's choice to leave behind a world without her trauma demonstrates that our difficult experiences, while painful, are part of who we are.
The story reinforces the importance of genuine relationships over comfortable illusions. The friends realize that their bond with each other in the real world, with all its dangers and uncertainties, is more valuable than perfect but isolated dream lives. This teaches children that authentic connection requires vulnerability and shared struggle, not just shared happiness.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode too emotionally intense for younger viewers? | The episode deals with each character's deepest desires and losses, which can be emotionally resonant. Wolf's dream involves her traumatic past, and Kipo imagines her separated family reunited. While the show handles these moments with care and doesn't dwell graphically on trauma, sensitive children might find the emotional stakes affecting. The resolution emphasizes hope and friendship, which provides emotional balance. Parents know their children best and can gauge whether these themes feel appropriate for their family. |
| What is the message about dreams and fantasy in this episode? | The episode distinguishes between healthy imagination and harmful escapism. Tad's dreams aren't just pleasant fantasies—they're traps that prevent the characters from living their real lives and pursuing their actual goals. The message is that while it's natural to dream about better circumstances, we can't hide from reality indefinitely. The characters learn that facing difficult truths and working toward real solutions, even when it's hard, is more valuable than retreating into comfortable illusions that keep them from growing. |
| How does Kipo convince her friends to leave their perfect dreams? | Kipo recognizes that the dreams, while beautiful, aren't real and can't replace their actual mission and relationships. She appeals to what truly matters to each friend: their shared bond, their real goals, and the genuine connections they've built together. The episode shows that Kipo's leadership comes not from forcing her friends but from reminding them of their authentic values and the real world they're fighting for, demonstrating that true friendship means helping each other face reality rather than enabling escape. |
| What does this episode teach about dealing with loss and trauma? | Through Wolf's storyline particularly, the episode acknowledges that everyone carries painful experiences and wishes things had been different. However, it teaches that healing doesn't come from pretending those experiences never happened or retreating into fantasy versions of the past. Instead, growth comes from accepting what has happened, learning from it, and moving forward with the support of people who care about you. The episode validates children's feelings about difficult experiences while encouraging resilience and forward momentum. |
| Is there anything frightening about Tad Mulholland or the dream sequences? | Tad Mulholland himself is not presented as a traditional villain or monster—he's a tardigrade who offers dreams without fully explaining the consequences. The tension comes from the realization that the dreams are traps rather than from scary imagery. The dream sequences themselves are generally pleasant and tailored to each character's desires. The unsettling element is the psychological trap rather than visual scares, making this more emotionally complex than frightening. Most children who have been following the series will handle this episode comfortably. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Swept from her safe burrow, Kipo emerges in a wild surface world full of weird mutant animals. Will her new friends Wolf and Mandu help her get home? |
| 1 | 2 | Benson gets a jump on the Mod Frogs to save Kipo, Wolf and his little buddy Dave. But it'll take a hopping mad Mega Bunny to get them out of another jam. |
| 1 | 3 | Held captive by the brawling Timbercats, Kipo and pals must find the tough kitties’ leader, Yumyan Hammerpaw, if they want to avoid becoming cat food. |
| 1 | 4 | Leading an army of new allies, Kipo argues with Wolf about the best way to avoid a hissy fit on Umlaut Snäke turf. Can she talk it out with a Mega Mute? |
| 1 | 5 | Kipo and the gang act like a pack to cozy up to the nerdy Newton Wolves and use their telescope to find the burrow people. The hunt is on. |
| 1 | 6 | The wolves break the news to Scarlemagne as Kipo tries to crack her father’s code. Then Benson gives the burrow girl a 13th birthday surprise -- or two. |
| 1 | 7 | The friends stumble upon tardigrade dream-maker Tad Mulholland, who allows the gang to realize their bliss. But let's get real: It comes at a price. |
| 1 | 8 | Scarlemagne rallies his troops as Kipo searches for her next clue, which sends her into a trash canyon -- and into a hideaway for Fitness Raccoons. |
| 1 | 9 | A big secret’s out, and Wolf can’t deal. Meanwhile, Kipo must resist the urge to pet Mega Bunny babies before escaping from sticky Mod Frog Jamack. |
| 1 | 10 | It’s a high-jumping, thirsty Mega Flea vs. the Mega Dogs as Kipo closes in on the burrow. But has she also brought home disaster? |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Kipo flies off to find Scarlemagne and save her father. But first, she’ll have to go through an old friend. Time to learn Timbercat survival skills. |
| 2 | 2 | Hoping to tap her inner strength, Kipo hitches a ride in search of the wise Chevre Sisters. Scarlemagne turns to Lio for help. The cheese sees all. |
| 2 | 3 | Kipo and the gang embark on a risky mission to Cappuccino’s Mute brunch spot and reconnect with an old frenemy. But will they all end up on the menu? |
| 2 | 4 | The chase continues for the old burrow, but first, Kipo and Wolf must keep their cool among the Deathstalkers. Scarlemagne makes a whopping discovery. |
| 2 | 5 | Kipo and company look for answers — and an anchor — in her parents’ old quarters. But are they alone? Above, mysterious forces gather against a ruler. |
| 2 | 6 | Fun Gus is among us. The chums frolic with the pushy player till a slippery helper arrives. Time to throw Kipo an anchor as the Mega Monkey moves on. |
| 2 | 7 | The Mega Jaguar rages out of control, but Benson has a knack for handling rowdy Mutes. Can the gang rely on Dr. Emilia — and Kipo herself? |
| 2 | 8 | From Hugo to Scarlemagne, from victim to villain, a tyrant tells his tale. Wolf, Benson and Dave hatch a plan that could blow up in their faces. |
| 2 | 9 | Game on. Kipo just won't give up hope when it comes to finding the good beneath the savagery. Can the Brunch Bunch flip the odds with flapjacks? |
| 2 | 10 | With a little help from friends, Kipo breaks the chains of mind control as chaos comes to the coronation. Will she sacrifice it all to save everyone? |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | The hunt is on for Dr. Emilia, and friends start to vanish. It'll take teamwork to make Kipo's dream of a Human Mute Ultimate Friendship Alliance work. |
| 3 | 2 | Emilia's kidnapping her way to a cure. Kipo and her pals must keep their cool as they stake out the doc's unexpected hideout. Does K-pop hold the key? |
| 3 | 3 | Old frenemies are on the comeback. Kipo reaches out to alliance stopper Scarlemagne, and Margot asks Wolf for a favor. Are second chances possible? |
| 3 | 4 | With Wolf, Benson and Dave in danger, Kipo must use her brain — not her brawn — to outsmart Dr. Emilia. A Mega gets a helping hand from Scarlemagne. |
| 3 | 5 | A "cured" chum returns. Later, a dream family reunion becomes a reality. The race for a vaccine begins after a feverish frolic with the Dubstep Bees. |
| 3 | 6 | Dr. Emilia and her army work through the death ivy while the alliance creates cunning traps. But can Kipo fight an unstoppable force like destiny? |
| 3 | 7 | As everyone regroups, Kipo blames herself for the damage done and springs into action. Enter Dave with a tale about fanatics — and one awesome fan. |
| 3 | 8 | Kipo hopes that Prahm will end the war with killer banjo and dance ... but first she must convince the Mutes to forgive. Dr. Emilia smiles and schemes. |
| 3 | 9 | Dr. Emilia's determination runs deep — and gets dark. Scarlemagne and Wolf set out to end her, and Song reveals a secret. Let's get the party started! |
| 3 | 10 | Sabotaged! Everyone must work together to stop Dr. Emilia as an epic Mega Mute battle shuts down a successful bash. Now's the time for real heroes. |
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