Mystic - The Switch (S1E7)
Issie rides Blaze in the Cross-Country Trials against rivals Dulmoth Park - but is Caroline really fit enough to compete? And who spooked Blaze right before Issie's ride?
| Runtime (min) | 28 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2020-09-01 |
| Genres | Family, Drama, Action & Adventure |
| Network(s) | CBBC |
Storyline
Issie prepares to compete in the Cross-Country Trials riding Blaze, representing her team against their rivals from Dulmoth Park. The competition carries high stakes for everyone involved, and tensions run high as the event approaches. Caroline, one of Issie's teammates, is determined to ride despite concerns about whether she has fully recovered from a recent injury, raising questions about her readiness to compete safely.
Just before Issie's crucial ride, Blaze becomes spooked by something or someone, threatening to derail her performance at a critical moment. The incident raises suspicions about whether the spooking was accidental or deliberate sabotage. As Issie works to calm Blaze and refocus for her ride, she must also navigate the mystery of who might have intentionally frightened her horse and why, all while maintaining her concentration for the demanding cross-country course ahead.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the importance of making responsible decisions when it comes to physical readiness and safety. Through Caroline's situation, young viewers see the tension between wanting to participate and honestly assessing whether one is truly prepared, a lesson that applies to sports, school activities, and everyday challenges. The episode demonstrates that sitting out when you're not ready isn't giving up—it's making a mature choice that protects both yourself and your teammates.
Children also learn about maintaining focus and composure when faced with unexpected setbacks. Issie's response to Blaze being spooked models how to handle disruptions without losing sight of your goals. The episode shows that preparation and a strong bond with those you depend on—whether teammates or animals—can help you recover from surprises and perform under pressure.
The mystery surrounding who spooked Blaze introduces lessons about trust, integrity, and fair competition. Young viewers learn to think critically about motives and actions, understanding that not everyone plays by the rules and that standing up for what's right sometimes means investigating when something feels wrong.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Should I be concerned about the sabotage element in this episode? | The sabotage is handled as a mystery rather than something frightening or violent. Blaze is spooked but not harmed, and the focus remains on Issie's problem-solving and determination to uncover the truth. The episode uses the incident to explore themes of fair play and integrity in competition, making it an opportunity to discuss sportsmanship and doing the right thing even when others don't. The tone stays age-appropriate throughout. |
| What does this episode teach about knowing when you're not ready to compete? | Caroline's storyline addresses the difficult choice between wanting to participate and recognizing physical limitations. The episode doesn't glorify pushing through injury but instead presents it as a genuine dilemma that requires honest self-assessment. This creates a valuable conversation starter about listening to your body, understanding that recovery takes time, and recognizing that protecting your long-term health is more important than any single competition. |
| Is the competitive atmosphere too intense for younger viewers? | The rivalry between the teams creates tension but remains within the bounds of typical youth sports competition. While characters take the trials seriously and emotions run high, the episode balances competitive drive with friendship and teamwork. The pressure Issie faces is realistic for young athletes without becoming overwhelming or modeling unhealthy attitudes toward winning. It's comparable to competition scenes in other family-friendly sports stories. |
| How does Issie handle the situation when Blaze is spooked? | Issie demonstrates emotional regulation and problem-solving skills when dealing with the unexpected disruption. Rather than panicking or giving up, she focuses on calming Blaze and regaining their connection before her ride. Her response models resilience and the importance of the bond between rider and horse. She also takes the mystery seriously, showing that it's appropriate to question suspicious circumstances rather than simply accepting them. |
| Does this episode show realistic consequences for riding when not fully recovered? | The episode treats Caroline's fitness concerns seriously rather than dismissing them for the sake of drama. Whether through dialogue, visible struggle, or the reactions of coaches and teammates, the story acknowledges that competing before you're ready carries real risks. This provides an opportunity to discuss with children why adults sometimes say no to activities they want to do, and why those boundaries exist to keep them safe. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Londoner Issie’s boring new life in New Zealand suddenly gets exciting when she encounters a frightened horse running through the wilderness. |
| 1 | 2 | Issie discovers that rescue horse Blaze has life-threatening injuries. When Tom insists that Blaze is impossible to tame and can't be saved, Issie refuses to give up on her. |
| 1 | 3 | At the stables' Family Fun Day, the kids compete with rivals Dulmoth Park. Issie's visions become hard to ignore and her reckless behaviour endangers her future at the stables. |
| 1 | 4 | Issie looks for Mystic on a remote beach and finds buried treasure, which could be connected to her visions. And secrets are revealed when she and Caleb get trapped together on the beach. |
| 1 | 5 | Issie attends a party at the local marae and humiliates herself by taking her revenge against Natasha too far. Meanwhile, Dan's grandmother may hold the key to Issie's shipwreck vision. |
| 1 | 6 | Issie gets a new vision of Mystic running through the forest along an old railway track and wonders if this might be the clue that will lead her to Blaze's herd. After some encouragement, Issie decides to ride out on Blaze to find the tracks, and Caroline, Caleb, Dan and Natasha join her on the mission. As they journey deeper into the forest, past their favourite swimming hole, the kids make a series of bewildering discoveries and eventually realise they're completely and utterly lost. With one of the gang's future ambitions at stake, they face a race against time to ... |
| 1 | 7 | Issie rides Blaze in the Cross-Country Trials against rivals Dulmoth Park - but is Caroline really fit enough to compete? And who spooked Blaze right before Issie's ride? |
| 1 | 8 | A storm sees the kids staying over at the stables, Natasha takes a chance in her friendship with Dan, Issie discovers the truth about Hexronn and the gang launch a campaign. |
| 1 | 9 | Hexron tries to get Kauri Point's support at the council meeting. Izzie is publicly shamed when her hard past is revealed. Kauri Point relationships are all strained. |
| 1 | 10 | |
| 1 | 11 | |
| 1 | 12 | |
| 1 | 13 |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | |
| 2 | 3 | |
| 2 | 4 | |
| 2 | 5 | |
| 2 | 6 | |
| 2 | 7 | |
| 2 | 8 |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | |
| 3 | 2 | |
| 3 | 3 | |
| 3 | 4 | |
| 3 | 5 | |
| 3 | 6 | |
| 3 | 7 | |
| 3 | 8 |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.