This is one of those episodes I don’t go back to much - it’s an interesting premise that’s different, and the dreams each character has are a fun insight into them. Darkdream is a good new character but since I was a kid his design has always reminded me of that CareBear villain.

I do have one major beef with this story, and that’s the insistence that it would be better for Eternia to destroyed rather than anyone figure out that Zoar is the Sorceress. Adam’s secret I get - his family and friends would be in danger but that really doesn’t apply here. Plus the Adam we know would announce his secret in a heartbeat if it saved lives, so I’ve always found this sequence to be bizarre and frustrating.

Pretty good episode though something Cringer says at the beginning like "Battle Cat, where are you?" made me question are him and Battle Cat the same Tiger at least personality wise? Like best example I can give is Moon Knight. Basically unlike Adam and He-Man that's just a normal hero dual identity, Is Battle Cat still mentally Cringer as in with memories and everything except bravery, because it sure as hell doesn't seem that way?

If that's the case, I have a bit more understanding as to why Cringer is always hesitant about becoming Battle Cat: An entirely different more courageous heroic cat taking his body.

Am I getting this right to an extent?

If so, then it's honestly a bit unsettling because then I'd assume Adam isn't aware of this fact and just assumes Cringer and Battle Cat are one in the same mind, like him and He-Man and so unknowingly transforms his pet into someone entirely different and whenever Cringer tries to tell him, Adam just shrugs it off as him being cowardly as usual.

Hell no I ain't painting Adam as a bad guy in this scenario, just ignorant. 

Yeah I may be looking a little too deep into this, but I at least wanna know for sure if Cringer and Battle Cat share a brain basically.

only other thing I can say is that the beginning of this episode randomly reminded me of that one early Spongebob episode where he hijacks dreams.

@slycooperastroboy51 Good observation man.

I looked to see what came first, A Nightmare on Elm Street or Dark Dream and it was Dark Dream. Think of it as you will.

I've always thought that Cringer and Battlecat are the same mind, much like Adam and He-Man are. In my head space at least I like to think that the power of Grayskull brings out the full potential of those receiving the power. Adam was chosen because he's such a good person - Cringer has the heart but everything scares him, so the power of Grayskull removes that fear and he becomes the best version of himself. When push comes to shove, Cringer has definitely demonstrated courage and bravery (even when he REALLY doesn't like it).

@slycooperastroboy51 I like this topic. In a way you are comparing Cringer and Battle Cat to Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk. Bruce and Hulk were split personalities brought on by childhood trauma. Later the rage personality was repressed until the radiation brought it out of him. You are thinking Cringer could also have a split personality disorder that the power brings out.

@battlecat327 Playing the devil's advocate, unless the transformation is painful why would Cringer fear it? If transforming is pain free wouldn't Cringer welcome the confidence boost like a performance enhancing drug?

That’s a fair point- in my mind it’s more like a kid getting a shot - he’ll know it will ultimately make him better/stronger but is still afraid of the initial shot. Plus he’s afraid of his own shadow so I can see where he would still be scared of having a sword pointed at him and shot with energy, even if he’s ok with the outcome.

@battlecat327 I would say this is a good observation, but what I'm asking is that is there any official piece of MOTU media over the decades that even alludes to something at least similar to this double minded, one body idea/theory have?

Teela is rockin some lingerie here 

@slycooperastroboy51 @battlecat327 @asterstar

The character guide makes it sound like they are separate. I'll see if I can find anything in the series bible.

Battle Cat

He often voiced his pleasure at being released from his cowardly alter ego 

Cringer

He wasn’t fond of his alter ego or the process which transformed him into the mighty steed, but he was grateful for Battle Cat’s existence and understood why he was needed.

@battlecat327 I don't know which is right but I see Cringer and Battle Cat the same way you do. Battle Cat is the same character as Cringer but with confidence.

4 stars. Thought about giving it 3 as the episode has interesting premise but doesn't develop them fully. The dream stuff goes no where really when it should be central to the plot. And the sorceresses secret makes no sense. But it's unique enough I left it at 4.