Blackout

Land of the Lost
Season 2, Episode 12

Air date	November 9, 1975
Episode Guide
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Blackout was the Twelfth Episode of the Second Season of the Land of the Lost.

Summary[]

The Sleestak tamper with the Pylons and create a darkness that might devastate the Land of the Lost.

Plot[]

Grumpy and Spike are once again engaged in a battle, but their contest apparently ends in a stalemate. Meanwhile, the Sleestak remove a crystal from one of the Clock Pylons, which causes Speedy (the sobriquet of the fastest and smallest of the three moons in the Land of the Lost) to freeze in place.

At the Marshall's cave at High Bluff, their homemade alarm clock goes off, awakening the Marshalls. Since the sun hasn't arisen, the Marshalls first believe that the clock went off too early, but according to Rick Marshall's watch, they had slept for nearly eight hours, despite the fact that the sun hasn't risen.

Deducing that only tampering with the Clock Pylon (as the Marshalls are aware of only one) could cause this temporal anomaly, Rick takes Holly with him to investigate. Will is instructed to stay behind at High Bluff to prevent any intrusion into their home from the Sleestak.

As Rick experiments with different crystals inserted into the Clock Pylon, Holly watches outside for Speedy to resume its normal movement. While Rick continues to place different colored crystals into the console to no avail, Holly is ambushed by three Sleestak and cries for help. Rick Marshall abandons his efforts and repels the Sleestak with the bright glare resulting from yellow and red crystal combination. He and Holly then flee to the cave.

Enik has approached the Sleestak Leader in the Library of Skulls. Through cajolery, Enik learns from the Sleestak Leader the reasons for keeping the land in perpetual night. It is both to improve hunting conditions for the Altrusian moths that the Sleestak feed on, which in turn would allow the Sleestak to produce more eggs, the increasing numbers would all them to once again establish themselves as rulers of the land. Enik further presses the Sleestak Leader as to how they were able to accomplish this. The Sleestak Leader, suspicious of Enik's motives, refuses to divulge the secret.

Enik then drops his flattering demeanor and warns that keeping the land in perpetual night will lead to their extinction. To prove his point, Enik attempts to ask the Skull of Wisdom what the future holds for the Sleestak, but the Sleestak Leader orders Enik removed before he can ask and further bans him from the Library of Skulls.

At High Bluff, Will notices the increasing number of Altrusian moths. Rick and Holly then appear on the run. And the three of them begin to build a fire to keep the Sleestak at bay and due to the increasing cold. Will then warns that the Sleestak are approaching. However, it is actually Enik being escorted by two more Sleestak.

Enik then discloses his plan to Rick Marshall. Rick will enter the Library of Skulls and ask the Skull of Wisdom what the future holds for the Sleestak. Rick, understandably reluctant, asks why Enik can't explain to them that the increasing cold is killing the Altrusian moths, to which Enik replies that they are distrustful of him, believing that Enik seeks to lead them, and that he is barred from the Library of Skulls.

When Rick asks what would prevent the Sleestak from simply killing him if he approaches, Enik explains the 1000-year-old tradition of Altrusian Grace: whoever aids the Sleestak is allowed safe passage to the Library of Skulls, where is he allowed to ask one question of the Skull of Wisdom. Since Rick had previously repaired a Clock Pylon, allowing night to return to the Land of the Lost and hence the Sleestak to resuming hunting, Rick has the right to invoke Altrusian Grace. Will then asks that since the custom of 1000 years old, which goes back to Enik's own time, how do they know that the Sleestak will honor the custom. Enik answers the question with an ominous question of his own. "How much wood do you have left?"

Meaning that once the Marshalls can no longer maintain a fire, they will no longer be able to keep the Sleestak at bay; there is no alternative but to attempt Enik's plan.

Enik and Rick then move to the Library of Skulls, and the Sleestak en route honor the custom of Altrusian Grace, allowing Rick and Enik to proceed in safety. Rick notes that he thought he was able to hear Enik in his mind. Enik explains that his previous exposure to the Sacred Smoke (apparently referring to the vaporous substance in the Library of Skulls from which the Skull of Wisdom presents visions to those who consult with it) has granted him limited telepathy. When Rick asks if the Sacred Smoke would allow the Sleestak to read Enik's mind, Enik responds that a Sleestak could never penetrate the mind of an Altrusian.

Will and Holly, huddled by the fire at High Bluff, hear the mournful cries of Dopey, vexed by the cold. Unfortunately, there is nothing the Marshalls can do for him.

Once at the Library of Skulls, Rick is allowed one question and Enik is allowed to serve as Rick's counselor. The Skull of Wisdom further agrees that Rick will be allowed to ask his question in two parts. First, he asks what the future of the Sleestak holds if it stays eternal night. But the Sacred Smoke produces no image. Enik explains that it is because there is no future. The Sleestak Leader dismisses the question as of no consequence and further avers that Rick Marshall has exhausted his boon of Altrusian Grace. Enik reminds the Sleestak Leader that they were given permission to ask the second part. At Enik's prompting, Rick asks where the second Clock Pylon is located. A vision of a pylon guarded by three Sleestak appears in the Sacred Smoke.

The Sleestak Leader claims that Enik has betrayed the Sleestak and the Sleestak advance on him. Enik reminds him that Altrusian Grace extends to allowing Enik and Rick safe departure, which the Skull of Wisdom upholds. The Sleestak Leader defers to the Skull of Wisdom, allowing Enik and Rick to depart unharmed, but with the caveat that they will die if they return.

Back at High Bluff, Will and Holly note that their fire is dying down and the Sleestak are drawing closer.

Outside of the Sleestak caves, Rick asks why Enik didn't trust him with his questions of the Skull of Wisdom. Enik explains that he feared the Sleestak would read his mind. But while they were able to ask their questions and leave in safety, Enik fears that their efforts were for nothing; the vision in the Sacred Smoke only showed a pylon guarded by three Sleetak, but gave no hint as to its location. But thanks to Rick's mapping of the pylons he has discovered thus far, they are able to locate the pylon guarded by three Sleestak. Enik lures the three Sleestak away, impersonating the Sleestak Leader. Rick enters the Clock Pylon and is finally able to effect repairs, and Speedy is able to resume its path.

Enik's ruse has been uncovered, however, and the three Sleestak move to capture him, dropping a net on him. Fortunately for him, the rising sun repels them, as well as the Sleestak that have begun to ascend High Bluff to the Marshall's cave.

When Enik and Rick return to High Bluff, Will questions whether the Sleestak will attempt this again. Rick then reveals that he has taken the keys to the Clock Pylons, ensuring that the Sleestak will not be able to enter them.

Message[]

Ambition untempered by foresight often results in disaster.

Cast[]

Dinosaurs[]

Spike
Grumpy
Dopey (final appearance)

Quotes[]

Coming Up

Trivia[]

This was the last episode for Spencer Milligan who was dismissed over asking for more money over the use of his likeness in the "Land of the Lost" merchandise. He was replaced by Ron Harper as Uncle Jack to Will and Holly Marshall.
This episode was the final appearance of Dopey. Whether he perished in the cold brought on by the Sleestak or was killed in the earthquakes set off by Rick Marshall in the episode "After Shock," was killed by a predator or simply wandered away is never revealed. He is never mentioned again and his fate remains unknown.
Rick's acquired telepathy is never explored, as this is his penultimate appearance in the series; his final appearance is only in cameo in the episode "After Shock."
A possible continuity error occurs in the episode. In the episode "After Shock," Will explains to Uncle Jack that the Sleestak Leader is the only Sleestak able to speak English. However, when Enik is discovered by the Sleestak guarding the Clock Pylon, one of the Sleestak is heard to say, "It is the Dwarf!" (referring to Enik), and "Capture the Dwarf!" Rather than assume that other Sleestak can speak English, it is possible that these shouts were expressed telepathically, not orally, which explains why they were overheard by Rick Marshall.
Enik's contempt of the Sleestak is apparent during this episode. When Rick suggests that Enik simply explain to the Sleestak that the cold brought on by the perpetual night is killing the moths, adding, "You're one of them," Enik recoils, as if insulted. Further, he maintains that a Sleestak's telepathy "cannot ever penetrate an Altrusian mind."
Subsequent episodes treat the Sleestak Leader as a singular entity. However, in explaining his plan to lure the Sleestak away from the Clock Pylon, Enik says that he will "pretend to be a Sleestak Leader," suggesting there is more than one.
Enik's authority among the Sleestak is a curiosity. He was banned from the Library of Skulls, forcibly removed by the Sleestak. Nonetheless he arrives at the Marshalls' home with a detachment of two Sleestak, despite his assertion that they are distrustful of him, fearful that Enik seeks to rule them. Perhaps he has a contingent of Sleestak that are loyal to him.
Rick's two-part question to the Skull of Wisdom was not a two-part question at all, but two separate questions. It seems odd that the Skull of Wisdom would allow two unrelated questions when Altrusian Grace dictates only one is allowed. Possibly, the Skull of Wisdom was able to discern Enik's intention and allowed this violation of the rules to preserve the Sleestak species from extinction.
The Skull of Wisdom apparently has some authority over the Sleestak rather than just being an oracle. When the Sleestak Leader orders the Sleestak to subdue Enik and Rick, the Skull maintains that Altrusian Grace demands they be allowed to leave safely. The Sleestak Leader defers to the Skull of Wisdom.