In
the Valley
of the Dinosaurs (1972) episode “Sabertooth Kids,” the cave man family’s
pet, Glump -- a baby stegosaurus -- falls into a cave at approximately the same
time that a carnivorous dinosaur, Zonda, attacks.
While
the children go in search of the missing pet, the adults in both families must
contend with the predator nearby.
But
the kids settle on using a saber-tooth tiger pelt to help Glump, who is now
endangered by a pack of wolves…
“Sabertooth
Kids” is all about the children -- prehistoric and modern -- accepting responsibility
for the care of a family pet.
Greg and
Tana must prove not only resourceful, but effective in handling the crisis of
the week while their parents are tending to our science lesson of the week: using
geothermal energy (and steam), and pumping it through bamboo pipes.
Pets
are a key element of many Saturday morning series of the 1970s, and for good
reason. Children and pets develop a
strong emotional bond. Episodes like “Dopey” on
Land of the Lost (1974 – 1977) and “Yesteryear” on Star Trek: The Animated
Series (1973-1974) contend with his relationship.
This episode of Valley of the Dinosaurs is
not as affecting as either of those examples, but by contrast, this is the only
one of the three series in which the pets are regular players. The Butlers have Digger, their dog, and the
prehistoric family has the imperiled Glump.
Unlike
either Star Trek or Land of the Lost, the focus in Valley of the Dinosaurs is
clearly action.
The episodes move at a
fast clip, this one included, and feature peril-after-peril in a bid to
maintain attention and excitement.
Next
week: “After Shock.”
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