The essential episodes of Redwall
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Redwall — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Matthias the mouse is orphaned when the vile rat Cluny the Scourge destroys his town. Adopted by the generous creatures of Redwall Abbey he grows up to admire their legendary protector, Martin the Warrior. But his peaceful young life is shattered when the Abbey is attacked by rats and Matthias meets their warlord - none other than Cluny! Matthias resolves to fight the tyrant that once again threatens his life - and his new family.
- 02
While Redwall prepares for a long siege, Cluny steals the symbolic tapestry of Martin the Warrior from within the abbey, and Matthias learns that Martin's great sword still exists - but nobody knows where. As Cluny's next attack is repulsed Matthias meets a new ally, Basil Stag Hare, and learns that his own destiny is inextricably linked to his hero Martin. Matthias will become Redwall's next protector - but only if his quest for the sword is successful.
- 03
Conspiring with Matthias, Constance builds a huge crossbow and shoots Cluny - but Cluny uses a substitute and escapes her arrow. Unknown to Redwall, he plans an attack with a huge movable siege tower. The abbey is saved when courageous Cornflower single handedly burns it down. Only then does the abbey realize Cluny is still alive and only Cornflower stood between them and disaster. Matthias and Cornflower become even closer warrior friends.
- 04
As Matthias is lost in Asmodeus' caverns, Cluny digs his way under Redwall, taking advantage of the exhausted citizens of Redwall. After using the sword to escape the caverns, Matthias and the shrews go on a terrifying river adventure and he returns with the shrews to defend Redwall - but not before he is almost trapped by Cluny and only just saved by Cornflower. Cluny flees at the sight of Martin the Warrior's "ghost" while Matthias at last gets to wear his hero's armor.
- 05
Cluny seizes the family of a dormouse and threatens to kill them unless their father, Plumpen, betrays Redwall and opens the gate to the now huge army of rats. The plan works and Redwall is finally captured. But Matthias challenges Cluny and in a final confrontation, he kills him. Cornflower and Matthias are at last married and Redwall returns to its idyllic lifestyle. Matthias has become like a hero he admired in his childhood.
- 06
In the kitchens of Redwall Abbey, Mattimeo, son of Matthias and Cornflower, fights Vitch, a mean little rat. Mattimeo is punished by his father for discourtesy to a guest. But Mattimeo's instincts about Vitch are validated when it transpires that Vitch is a spy for Slagar the fox - a slaver for the terrible underground Kingdom of Malkariss. Slagar gains entry to Redwall disguised as the leader of a troupe of magicians. At the great feast he is able to drug the drinks and capture Mattimeo and his friends: Tess, Tim, Sam Squirrel, and Cynthia Bankvole. They join a group of slaves among whom is Auma, little daughter of Orlando the badger - who even now is hunting the fox. As the slaves are taken away, Slagar is revealed to be Chickenhound - the treacherous fox from season one - seeking revenge against Matthias the Warrior.
- 07
Redwall Abbey awakes to find their young ones are gone. As they piece the previous night together, they realized that Mattimeo was right that Vitch was the slaver's spy. Desperate that he ignored his son's warnings, Matthias vows to pursue Slagar the Fox accompanied by Basil and the others. He is unaware that Orlando is already in far away pursuit. Slagar takes his slaves on circuitous routes, laying false trails to confuse the pursuers. The frightened slaves look to Mattimeo for leadership but he is not ready and responds badly. As his father sets off in entirely the wrong direction Mattimeo learns the true story of Chickenhound - and that he is now a hostage to Chickenhounds who only thirst for revenge on Matthias for his mother's death.
- 08
In the kingdom of Malkariss, Matthias fights the slavemaster, Wearet, and falls into the abyss. There he grimly hangs on the rope that previously lowered a mysterious basket. But as Mattimeo and friends are released by the dying Log-a-Log, the Wearet cuts the rope and Matthias falls into the basket - and meets Malkariss himself! In Redwall, Stryk recovers slowly and becomes a close friend of Cornflower, but Ironbeak uncovers the 'hauntings' are a ruse and cunningly imprisons Constance as he prepares his final attack. The defenders are revealed and weakened - and Ironbeak is sure of victory. Matthias faces the evil, pale polecat Malkariss - whose slaves, seeing Matthias courage, turn on him and stone him to death. Matthias looks up to the high-above battle to see his son Mattimeo and fights to get to him. But he fails to see Slagar the Fox taking deadly aim at him with his bolas - and Slagar has never been known to miss.
- 09
In the pit of the kingdom of Malkariss, Matthias fights off Slagar who escapes to daylight as Matthias joins his battling friends - now reinforced by the released slaves. As Matthias joyfully embraces Mattimeo an earthquake shakes the ground. The terrible Polecat statue topples and with it the kingdom of Malkariss starts to collapse. At Redwall, Ironbeak penetrates the barricade which protects the citizens of Redwall and takes them hostage. He attacks Sister May which enrages huge Stryk who fights an aerial duel with Ironbeak, as Constance breaks free and attacks the birds from behind. Ironbeak's army swiftly surrenders and Redwall is saved! The kingdom of Malkariss is now doomed - but not before Matthias and Orlando are safely ejected from the earthquake, only to face Slagar, the cause of all their grief and loss. Fleeing from their ferocious attack he falls into the depths of the collapsing underground city.
- 10
As the Mirdrop threatens to destroy Martin and friends, Rose rushes the monster with a thick branch.
- 11
Martin and his friends are captured by Slo Worms and are dragged into the lizard's lair.
- 12
From Marsh to Mountain Heights
Martin tries to help the warden, who is under attack. He and his friends are then attacked by the Gawtrybe.
- 13
Brome and Felldoh attempt to get the slaves to safety when they learn Clogg and Badrang formed a truce.
- 14
Just as the Fur and Freedom Fighters arrive, Felldoh dies. The battle rages until Badrang offers a deal.
- 15
Martin and Rose confess their love for each other before tragedy strikes. Martin leads the troops to victory.
