33: Chapter 33. The Great River

This episode is scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher.

The pre-chapter quote, from 'The Wind in the Willows', is all about a river as a living, moving thing, almost talking about it as if it's a living animal.

Pipkin sees Hazel and states that his leg is dragging. We now see that what Hazel said earlier about his permanently wounded leg is holding true. It will never be what it once was.

The WD rabbits find the river in a few paragraphs every bit as descriptive as something written by JRR Tolkien. References are made to arriving in an alien place, where you, the stranger, are of no importance.

If Hazel earlier paid for not listening to Fiver, we see that this will never happen again. He confers with Fiver who gets him to settle down a bit. At this point, Hazel truly needs Fiver. They all also need Kehaar who is trying to get them to recognise a bridge. However, neither Hazel nor Fiver knows what a "pridge" is.

Fiver has a great idea to get the rabbits moving along the bridge by acting in a way that will make them curious.

A fish is seen and Fiver's description of this as a "water hawk" is fascinating.

It's tough for the rabbits to move. They are very unfamiliar with these surroundings and even Bigwig moves hesitantly.

Kehaar is putting a bit of pressure on Hazel to get this operation going. Hazel seems to agree with Kehaar's point though.

The river becomes a major topic as Hazel discusses how they can all get away.

Reconnaissance saves the day at Blackberry's suggestion. They find a wooden footbridge and then, the real discovery, a boat!

Hazel is completely out of this. While the solution to their getaway is being solved in front of him, he's asking Kehaar if he can delay going by another day.

Hazel is the leader but he's not the smartest or toughest etc. One of his talents is recognising the skills he does not have in others, and putting those to best use.

In any case, Blackberry reacts to Bluebell's "water rabbit" comment with the phrases "Great golden Frith on a hill!" and "Great jumping Rabscuttle!" and gives Fiver a friendly cuff. This is his eureka moment.

Blackberry is truly excited! Intelligence-wise, Blackberry and Fiver are in their own category.

Once explained, the idea comes to light in the minds of the other rabbits. Hazel quickly identifies that their plan will now fulfill all three of the criteria that he spelled out to Blackberry back in Chapter 28. His words to the small group are really inspiring. There's no reason to wait and he verbally identifies Bigwig as "the leader now." Bigwig's reaction is him at his very best and bravest.

In this chapter, Adams' has again shown us readers that Blackberry and Fiver are the smartest. He also shows us that Hazel and Bigwig are the bravest and possess the most leadership qualities. Hazel gives instructions to Bigwig and he accepts them. The tension of the Lost Paragraph is gone for now. The touching of Hazel's and Bigwig's noses reads like it has special significance. This is two leaders, one in charge and the other a subordinate, sharing their last moment together for the time being. Bigwig touching Hazel's nose is military in nature and is the equivalent of a salute, something certainly not lost on Richard Adams and his war service.

Bigwig, without further delay, heads towards Efrafa...

Next Episode:

Many thanks, again, to John Ruths for basically saving this episode, as well as the next few.

Next time, we meet General Woundwort in person...and a stranger arrives at Efrafa.