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In the pantheon of post-apocalyptic cinema, few films have achieved the iconic status of George Miller's Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Released in 1981, this Australian action masterpiece solidified Mel Gibson's status as a global star and redefined the genre with its raw, kinetic energy and visionary storytelling. For this week's episode of Born to Watch, we delve deep into why The Road Warrior remains a timeless classic, resonating with audiences over four decades later.Cinematic Brilliance and World-BuildingFrom the opening frames, The Road Warrior immerses viewers in a desolate, dystopian future where civilisation has collapsed and survival is a brutal battle. The film's cinematography, spearheaded by Dean Semler, captures the stark beauty and harshness of the Australian outback, transforming it into a hauntingly plausible post-apocalyptic wasteland. The wide, sweeping shots of barren landscapes contrast with the intense, close-up action sequences, creating a visually compelling narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.George Miller's direction is nothing short of visionary. He crafts a world that is both alien and eerily familiar, where the collapse of society has led to a regression into primitive tribalism. The attention to detail in the set design, costumes, and vehicles helps build a universe that feels lived-in and believable. The modified cars and motorbikes, adorned with spikes and armour, have become iconic symbols of the film, representing the resourcefulness and desperation of the world's inhabitants.Storytelling and ThemesAt its core, The Road Warrior is a story about survival and redemption. Max Rockatansky, portrayed with stoic intensity by Mel Gibson, is a lone wanderer haunted by the loss of his family and former life. Max's journey is one of reluctant heroism; he is initially driven solely by self-preservation but gradually finds a purpose in helping a group of settlers defend their precious fuel supply from a marauding band of savages.The narrative is straightforward yet profound, exploring isolation, community, and the enduring human spirit. The settlers, led by the charismatic Pappagallo (Michael Preston), represent a glimmer of hope and civilisation amidst the chaos. Their struggle to protect their oil refinery from the barbaric Humungus (Kjell Nilsson) and his gang is a microcosm of the fight to preserve humanity's better nature in the face of annihilation.Character Development and PerformancesMel Gibson's portrayal of Max is a masterclass in understated performance. With minimal dialogue, Gibson conveys a depth of emotion through his physicality and expressions. Max is a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes, making him an enigmatic and compelling protagonist. His evolution from a hardened survivor to a reluctant saviour is subtly yet powerfully executed.The film's antagonists are equally memorable. The Humungus, with his menacing presence and grotesque mask, is a formidable villain whose very appearance strikes fear. Vernon Wells, as Wez, the psychotic henchman, delivers a terrifying and mesmerising performance. His raw, unhinged energy epitomises the savage brutality of the film's antagonistic forces.The supporting cast adds depth and variety to the narrative, including the feisty and resourceful Feral Kid (Emil Minty) and the determined Warrior Woman (Virginia Hey). No matter how minor, each character contributes to the film's rich tapestry, making the world feel populated and real.Action and ChoreographyOne of the most celebrated aspects of The Road Warrior is its groundbreaking action sequences. The film is renowned for its spectacular car chases and stunts, which remain some of the most thrilling ever captured on film. The climactic chase scene, in which Max drives a heavily armoured tanker while pursued by Humungus's gang, is a masterclass in action filmmaking. The sequence is meticulously choreographed, combining practical effects, real stunts, and dynamic camera work to create a visceral and exhilarating experience.Miller's decision to use practical effects and real vehicles lends authenticity to the action that CGI-heavy modern films often lack. The stunts are dangerous and daring, performed by skilled stuntmen who risked life and limb to achieve the film's breathtaking sequences. This commitment to practical effects enhances the film's gritty realism and keeps viewers engaged in the high-stakes drama.Cultural Impact and LegacyThe Road Warrior has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Its influence can be seen in countless films, TV shows, and video games that draw inspiration from its post-apocalyptic aesthetic and action-packed narrative. The film's success helped to popularise the genre, paving the way for future dystopian classics.Moreover, The Road Warrior established many tropes synonymous with post-apocalyptic storytelling. The lone antihero, the savage wasteland, the resource wars—these elements have been echoed and reinterpreted in various media, a testament to the film's enduring legacy.The character of Max Rockatansky himself has become a cultural icon, embodying the archetype of the reluctant hero who rises to the occasion. Mel Gibson's portrayal has left a lasting impression, making Max one of cinema's most memorable characters.Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior is a towering achievement in action cinema. Its blend of stunning visuals, relentless action, and poignant storytelling creates a film that is as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling. George Miller's visionary direction, outstanding performances, and groundbreaking stunts have cemented the film's place in cinematic history.For the Born to Watch podcast team, The Road Warrior is not just a movie but a benchmark of filmmaking excellence. Its impact on the genre and popular culture is undeniable, and its themes of survival, community, and redemption continue to resonate with audiences today. As we revisit this classic, we're reminded of the power of cinema to transport, inspire, and entertain. So, buckle up and join us on this high-octane journey through the wastelands – because in the world of Mad Max, the road is as unforgiving as it is exhilarating.
Send us a Text Message.On our 83rd episode of Fabulous Film & Friends we're driving headfirst into the maelstrom as we discuss ALL of director George Miller's post-apocalyptic Mad Max movies including the newly released Furiosa. What's that you say? Didn't you just review The Road Warrior on your recent Australian Apocalypse podcast? True enough! But! We glossed over an important ingredient in the film's success and we're going to make amends as we break down all the Mad Maxes. I'm joined this week by my kid sister, the renowned English lit snob and biker movie enthusiast Roseanne Caputi and returning to the program after a year-long spell are both author and hypnotherapist Joe Field and erstwhile photographer, musician, podcaster and now website owner Kendrick WrightThe synopses: Mad Max is set “a few years” into the future where society is breaking down and car and motorcycle gangs rule the road striking fear into the hearts of ordinary schmoes just trying to survive. Main Force Patrol officer Max Rockatansky has everything ] taken from him, when his wife and kid are killed by the evil Toecutter and a soul-crushed Max becomes a one-man killing force, The Road Warrior/Mad Max 2 raises the stakes of its predecessor, and calls out the societal issue as a great war between two tribes and picks up the story with Max travelling the barren, hellish, post-apocalyptic highways and stumbling upon an evil road gang led by a brute named Lord Humungus. Humungus is hellbent on invading a compound belonging to a group of civilized and intelligent settlers who have built an oasis around the last of the oil wells and have running lights and supplies. Losing numbers and their morale under the constant attacks of Humungus, the settlers hatch a plan to escape the vermin on wheels and flee to the coast with their oil in tow. With the help of Max and a pilot called the Gyro Captain, the settlers are given a chance to survive and a little notion called hope. “ In Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome Max, now a full-fledged nomadic warrior, has all his possessions stolen and in trying to track them down, finds a sleazy desert trading post called Bartertown. Max strikes a bargain with the town's ruler Aunty Entity in order to regain his possessions. When Max refuses to kill a simple man, he is sent out into the desert to die but is saved by a tribe of kids looking for a hero. Mad Max: Fury Road finds Max imprisoned in a rock fortress called the Citadel and forced into being a blood supplier for the sickly War Boys of the cult warlord leader Immortan Joe. When Joe's chief transportation lieutenant Imperator Furiosa betrays Joe and smuggles his wives from Joe's harem to bring them to the safety of the Green Place, Joe's Army and the armies of the neighboring Bullet Town and Gas Town give a desperate chase to get Joe's wives back. During the chaos, Max escapes captivity and forms an uneasy alliance with Furiosa as the two hurtle down Fury Road in an epic chase for their lives and the future of civilization. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – a franchise first prequel and continuity driven story of Young Furiosa, how she lost her mother, her true love and her arm at the hands of the demagogue Dr. Dementus, a cruel rabble rouser who starts a wasteland war with Immortatan Joe and the leaders of the of Bulletown and Gas Town.
This week on Fabulous Film and Friends we are pointing our compasses southward to the land of doom and gloom:Australia! Don't be fooled by the likes of Paul Hogan, Yahoo Serious and Thor, underneath that loopy, whimsical Australian charm, lies an unparalleled grim and sober yet prophetic outlook about life on Earth as evidenced by 1971's Walkabout directed by Nicholas Roeg, though full disclosure: he's an Englishman who shepherded Jenny Agutter, Luc Roeg, David Gulpilil and John Meillion to cinematic prominence, then 1982's The Road Warrior aka Mad Max 2 directed by George Miller and starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Kjell Nillson, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, Mike Preston, Arkie Whitely, Viginia Hey and Emil Minty then topped off with The Road directed by Australian native John Hillcoat and starring Viggo Mortenson, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Garrett Dillahunt, the late Michael Kenneth Williams, Guy Pearce and Robert Duvall. My guests today are once again the series regulars who have both the stomach and gloomy disposition to take solace in rewatching these films back-to-back-to-back, Roseanne Caputi and Alex Robertson.Okay before we go on a walkabout of our own, the synopses: In Walkabout, a perfectly ordinary pair of upper-class English siblings get lost in the Australian outback after their father takes them for a picnic then tries to murder them. They look to be perfect candidates for either heat stroke and/or vulture food until they are rescued by a young Aboriginal teen out on his Walkabout. The Road Warrior/Mad Max 2 raises the stakes of the original Mad Max and picks up the story with ex cop Max Rockatansky travelling the barren, hellish, post-apocalyptic highways and stumbling upon an evil road gang led by a brute named Lord Humungus. Humungus is hellbent on invading a compound belonging to a group of civilized and intelligent settlers who have built an oasis around the last of the oil wells and have running lights and supplies. Losing numbers and their morale under the constant attacks of Humungus, the settlers hatch a plan to escape the vermin on wheels and flee to the coast with their oil in tow. With the help of Max and a pilot called the Gyro Captain, the settlers are given a slim chance to survive. In The Road a Man risks all to protect his Boy and teach him survival skills in another bleak and nightmarish future where all plant and animal life is gone and the dominant humans subsist through murder and cannibalism. Which film is king of the outback/queen of the end times?Find out!
THIS BONUS EPISODE ORIGINALLY AIRED ON 12/9/2021Millie and Danielle light up the synapses in this bonus episode where they discuss Paul Newman, LSD, and, as always, read listener-submitted questions and stories.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Another episode with the Gyro Captain and they are laying it all out there. They talk movies, music, politics, and more.
Ok, I'll admit, Hot Dave's Fun Summer Film Fest hasn't exactly gone as planned. We've had to suffer the douchey pontifications of Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach and the bafflingly bad box office bomb that was Cutthroat Island. Not to mention the disappearance of our friend Ryan and a hurricane outside that threatens to destroy the store. But we've got one movie left, and I'm not about to give up on what could be the best store promotion we've ever had -- Nature be damned!!! I'm your host, Dave, and joining me as we say goodbye to Summer are fellow cinephiles and Tiger Beat subscribers Mike and Jackie. Listen as we discuss Aquamarine, a film that rewrites the rules of mermaid lore, which now includes mood-nails and wish granting; we pitch a sequel that involves Poseidon fighting Leonard (aka, the Gyro Captain from The Road Warrior); and finally, we try to answer the question that has plagued marine biologists for years: Do mermaids poop? Be sure to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also Follow Us on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, or shoot us an email at apocalypsevideopod@gmail.com This is Dave from Sector 2...signing off. And don't forget, we've still got plenty of containers of Hot Dave's Piping Hot Spicy Chili, now 75% off! Get it while it lasts!!!
We're joined this time by special guest host Chris, to take on a truly Iconic member of the Mad Max world, the Gyro Captain.
We're joined this time by special guest host Chris, to take on a truly Iconic member of the Mad Max world, the Gyro Captain.
In the penultimate episode of our series on THE ROAD WARRIOR (aka MAD MAX 2) Kevin and John talk macrame vests, Dog's backstory, Swedish Fairytales, John's favorite beer, and Kevin's RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK connection. This episode covers 53:35 - 1:13:35; elation in the refiners' camp, a marauder montage, Max refuses Pappagallo's offer, an escape gone wrong, the death of Dog, Gyro Captain retrieves Max, and Mad Max steps into the moment.
In the penultimate episode of our series on THE ROAD WARRIOR (aka MAD MAX 2) Kevin and John talk macrame vests, Dog's backstory, Swedish Fairytales, John's favorite beer, and Kevin's RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK connection. This episode covers 53:35 - 1:13:35; elation in the refiners' camp, a marauder montage, Max refuses Pappagallo's offer, an escape gone wrong, the death of Dog, Gyro Captain retrieves Max, and Mad Max steps into the moment.
In the 3rd chapter of our retrospective on THE ROAD WARRIOR (aka MAD MAX 2) John and Kevin talk dingo howls, Max's heroic humanity, Gyro Captain's horndog status, Humungus's lineage, Mel the movie star, and debate the background of the Curmudgeon. This episode covers 35:55 - 53:35; refinery deliberations, Max strikes a deal, a nighttime escape, Max reunites with the Gyro Captain, Max runs the gauntlet, and the stalemate continues.
In the 3rd chapter of our retrospective on THE ROAD WARRIOR (aka MAD MAX 2) John and Kevin talk dingo howls, Max's heroic humanity, Gyro Captain's horndog status, Humungus's lineage, Mel the movie star, and debate the background of the Curmudgeon. This episode covers 35:55 - 53:35; refinery deliberations, Max strikes a deal, a nighttime escape, Max reunites with the Gyro Captain, Max runs the gauntlet, and the stalemate continues.
We're going down under with a brand new series on the groundbreaking 1981 film THE ROAD WARRIOR (aka MAD MAX 2). In our first episode on this dinky-di classic, John and Kevin discuss Ford Falcons, gyrocopters, Yoda energy, Beastmaster dynamics, and explore the relationship between Wez and The Golden Youth. This episode covers 00:00 - 19:06; Opening pursuit, Max runs afoul of Wez, Max meets the Gyro Captain, Dog saves the day, and surveying the refinery.
We're going down under with a brand new series on the groundbreaking 1981 film THE ROAD WARRIOR (aka MAD MAX 2). In our first episode on this dinky-di classic, John and Kevin discuss Ford Falcons, gyrocopters, Yoda energy, Beastmaster dynamics, and explore the relationship between Wez and The Golden Youth. This episode covers 00:00 - 19:06; Opening pursuit, Max runs afoul of Wez, Max meets the Gyro Captain, Dog saves the day, and surveying the refinery.
On the fourth installment of the origin story, V has assistance by one of his accomplices (the Gyro Captain). Together they discussed the movies that they love and loved as children.
Find out in this episode if Ian and Eric think Jedediah is the Gyro Captain. And, if not, what they reckon on him.
Find out in this episode if Ian and Eric think Jedediah is the Gyro Captain. And, if not, what they reckon on him.
The Gyro Captain finds Max and the two share a moment before they bring the Feral Child to the rendezvous point to meet up with the other compound dwellers. While the Gyro Captain and the Feral Child choose to travel with the convoy to the coast, Max refuses and chooses to stay behind in the wasteland, drifting into legend. The narrator’s voice returns to share the success of the convoy and how they found new leadership in their new home.
The tanker is losing tires, the rig is losing speed, and Max is almost out of defenders. Humungus grabs another trident and speeds towards Max, but before he can throw his terrifying weapon, the Gyro Captain swoops low to deliver a molotov onto the warlord. Suddenly covered in smoke and flames, Humungus back off from the tanker, but the victory is short-lived as the Snake Truck disables the gyrocopter sending it hurtling towards the ground.
Having disappeared over a week ago, Pappagallo returns to the chase trailing all of the raiders that he led away initially, proving his efforts largely fruitless. Also returning to the chase is the Gyro Captain, flying high over the speeding vehicles giving us a clear view of the raiders that have begun to infest the tanker. Among these raiders is Wez, helped along by Bearclaw Mohawk, who has his sights set on ruining Max’s already terrible day.
At the beginning of week 16, it’s up to max to use the raw power of the rig to smash his way through the assembled raiders. Aiding him in this task is the Gyro Captain who lays down a healthy smattering of molotovs to scatter the marauders. Humungus answers this defiance with gunfire as he tries to disable the rig once again. Finding thick armor blocking his efforts, Humungus turns his weapon on the Gyro Captain and drives off the aviator as Max leads the horde away from the compound.
Pappagallo capitulates to Max’s request and hands him not only his shotgun but a handful of shells to go with it. With all matters settled, the compound dwellers make their final preparations to leave. Zetta and the other tanker defenders get into their fortified positions, Pappagallo and Max share a respectful nod, and Arkie and the Gyro Captain share a meaningful look across the compound before they make their grand escape.
High above the wasteland, Max drifts in and out of consciousness following his ordeal out on the road. Whisked along by the Gyro Captain, Max allows himself to fall asleep only to wake up inside the infirmary of the compound with his wounds dressed. Noises above him are revealed to be the Feral Child who has been holding on to Max’s gear. As Max sits up he discovers that he’s not alone, and Max comes face to face with what remains of the Quiet Man.
As the Black-on-black burns below, Wez is joined by his reinforcements, but seeing as his prize has gone up in smoke He orders an immediate withdrawal. Far away, one of the compound dwellers sees the smoke rising in the distance, which prompts the Gyro Captain to take a closer look with his spyglass. By instincts alone, He can tell that Max is in trouble and after considering his options makes no hesitation to leap into action.
Max opens the bus gate and begins walking back to his car, but the Gyro Captain is quick to intercept him and let Max know that he’s making a mistake by leaving like this. Max says goodbye and drives away, leaving the compound dwellers behind to watch him disappear into the darkness. Max doesn’t get too far before the sound of his engine reaches Wez, and a new chase begins. This week’s guest is our good friend, teacher and fabricator, Nathan Porter.
Arkie Whiteley’s character makes the final decision to stay with the other compound dwellers. The Gyro Captain respects her decision and ultimately decides to stay with them as well. Elsewhere in the compound, Max is approached by Pappagallo and the Curmudgeon who would like Max to stay and drive the rig, but the Road Warrior is not keen on sticking around. We are joined this week by Tom Taylor from the Indiana Jones Minute podcast.
As the mechanic and his assistants work on preparing the rig, the Gyro Captain and Arkie Whiteley’s character appear to be sneaking away. Before they get too far Arkie has a change of heart and stops to look back at the other dwellers frantically preparing for the morning. Noticing her hesitation the Gyro Captain tries to assuage her concerns, but she simply cannot bring herself to sneak out on the people who have become her family.
The Curmudgeon is taken with the Gyro Captain’s flying machine and wonders if it can be used to ferry people away from harm. Up on the wall, Zetta checks on Pappagallo whose main concern is the condition of the rig. Using the tried and true strategy of shouting across open spaces, the Mechanic, and his assistant relay the extent of the damages to the rig. We’re joined this week by Brad Mendenhall from The Cosmic Geppetto Podcast.
Suddenly alone against the entire compound, Wez beats a hasty retreat, vaulting over the compound’s moat to scurry away. The Gyro Captain takes this opportunity to land in the compound. Things begin to settle as the horde retreats into the distance and the clean up begins. In the middle of it all is the Gyro Captain who finds himself divided between greeting the compound dwellers and trying to keep the Feral Child from touching his gyrocopter.
The compound is in sight as Max makes the last push through the raiders. Suddenly, Max is blindsided by Wez, who punches through the side window nearly trying to pull Max out of the rig. As Max fights off the raider in his window, more marauders close in on the rig, shooting at the tires. Not content to be an observer, the Gyro Captain drops one of his snakes onto a raider, causing them to panic and crash, giving Max the time to make it inside the compound.
Raiders scramble to their vehicles and give chase as Max begins to speed his way through the camps. One marauder tries to sideswipe the rig, but Max is too skilled and deflects the car away, to the delight of the Gyro Captain, watching from high above the action. Despite this victory, Wez is quick to strike, shooting at the rig’s tires before moving into position and leaping from his motorcycle onto the rig in order to meet Max in closer proximity.
It’s just Max and Dog, as the two prepare to make the run through the raider camps between them and the compound. Max steels himself and takes off down the packed dirt road, but He’s not alone, as it’s quickly revealed that the Gyro Captain has freed himself from his restraints and is following Max in the gyrocopter. Wez is the first to hear Max approaching and whips the other raiders into a frenzy in order to stop the rig before it reaches the compound.
With some coaxing from Max, the rig sputters and rumbles to life, billowing clouds of dirt and dust into the air. An excited Gyro Captain cheers but quickly realizes that Max intends to abandon him, which he prevents by calling out and inquiring about his fate. Reluctant to dwell too long on the subject, Max tosses a set of keys to the Gyro Captain allowing the chained man to free himself. With that settled Max takes off in the rig, leaving the Gyro Captain behind.
Max’s efforts in searching the dead wastelander are rewarded with an intact shotgun shell which He promptly loads into his shotgun revealing that the firearm was empty the entire time. The Gyro Captain tries to shame Max for his deception, but the road warrior is only interested in using the gyrocopter to make the rest of the journey fast and easy. After a relatively short flight, Max and the Gyro Captain reach the rig and they set about getting it started.
Week 9 draws to a close as Max, the Gyro Captain, and Dog return to the dried riverbed where lies the Gyrocopter. Alongside the flying machine is a new vehicle, the buggy of an unfortunate wastelander who fell victim to one of the Gyro Captain’s snakes. Max sets about searching the body for supplies as his two companions argue over who’ll get to eat the snake. This week’s fresh eyes are provided by Ethan McKinley from Two-Minute Terminator.
On the white sandy bed of a dried out river, the Gyro Captain drags the dead wood that serves as the ball on his chain. He trudges along, making his way back to his beloved Gyrocopter, but the familiar sound of a dog barking makes him stop dead in his tracks. Turning, the Gyro Captain sees the Road Warrior and his Dog. Dog is quick to catch up to the Gyro Captain and Max exchanges the dead wood for cans of gasoline, and the three continue on together.
With the coast clear, Max picks up his gas cans once again and continues onward, following the pointed directions provided by the Feral Child. As Max disappears once again into the night, the Feral Child watches him go. By dawn’s light, Max has reached his camp atop the ridge to find the Gyro Captain has absconded with the tree he was chained to, and with a weary look, Max begins the long trek back to the Rig he saw two days earlier.
Content Warning: Sexual Assault/Rape. Left alone atop the ridge, the Gyro Captain looks back towards the scouts in time to see the Grinning Mohawker murder the female scout. After a fade to black, Max approaches the lone raider and after a quick look between them, Max kills the raider with his bolt cutters. Turning his focus to the scout pinned by arrows, Max approaches the man and begins tending to his injuries as the man thanks him.
Content Warning: Sexual Assault/Rape. Max and the Gyro Captain continue to watch from their vantage point on the ridge as Wez begins to round up his marauders to move on. Most of the raiders comply with the call to move, but one stays behind as Wez and the others ride away. With the raiding party mostly gone, Max looks back at the compound and realizes his opportunity to leap into action has arrived and fires up the black-on-black.
Content Warning: Sexual Assault/Rape. With their vehicle disabled, one of the compound scouts makes a bold move and tries to make a run for it. From their place on the ridge, Max and the Gyro Captain watch as that scout is quickly captured and disrobed. The other scout is pulled from the vehicle and held down as arrows are fired into him. The Gyro Captain is especially disturbed by what he is witnessing.
At first light, the compound’s gate opens to release scouting parties intent on slipping past the horde and making it out into the wasteland. Unfortunately for them, The Lord Humungus lies in wait, ready to give chase. Max, Dog, and the Gyro Captain watch from the ridge as one by one the scout vehicles are swarmed by raiders. This week we are joined by Scott Carelli from Spider-man Minute.
With the sun going down the horde calls a retreat, their vehicles kicking up long columns of dust and dirt as they go. Max, Dog, and the Gyro Captain watch from atop the ridge as the compound, its lights shining brightly, is finally left alone after a long day of violence. With the sound of engines fading in the distance, the Gyro Captain cleans his mouth after his meager meal, and we fade to black before rejoining our heroes in the morning.
Still nestled in the relative safety of his ridge top camp, Max continues to monitor the attack on the compound while enjoying his midday meal. Below, a gutsy marauder jumps his motorcycle over the compound fence and quickly disappears. Max leans back from the binoculars and having had his fill, passes the can off to Dog who would be able to enjoy his meal if not for the Gyro Captain trying to steal it away.
Max, Dog, and the Gyro Captain are settled in to watch the assault on the compound from the relative safety of the hill top. Max pulls out a can of dog food, opens it, and begins eating. Meanwhile, Dog and the Gyro Captain wait eagerly for their chance as Max’s leftovers. Be prepared for tangents in this episode, we go off on our fair share.
As Max continues to survey the compound, the Gyro Captain is at his ear assuring Max that he has the best potential of getting inside and petitioning for his release. Lowering his binoculars, Max seems annoyed by this request and instead chains the Gyro Captain to a nearby log. Rising in protest, the Gyro Captain is quickly put in his place by Max who reckons that the Captain is rather well off, all things considered.
Perched on a ridge high above the compound, Max scouts the layout of the fortified camp below. As he scans with his binoculars the Gyro Captain fills him in on his estimations of the camp population, weapon stores, and sundry amenities. Though there is much to see, it doesn’t take long for Max to get his first look at the fearsome leader of this horde: The Lord Humungus. Our special guests are Crystal Beth and John Robert Wilson from The Fifth Eleminute.
With his navigator chained up in the back scene, Max is back on the road, heading towards this rumored source of fuel. While Max is behind the wheel, Dog keeps an eye, and a shotgun, on the Gyro Captain. The pilot is wary of his four-legged captor’s temperament, but all three of them eventually arrive at the top of a ridge overlooking a compound beset on all sides by marauders.
Having been forced to disarm the booby trap on his Interceptor, Max raises his hands and walks calmly towards the passenger-side of the car. Not one to be fooled with, the Gyro Captain cuts in front of Max and tries to open the car door, only to be greeted by Dog who wrestles him to the ground. At an overwhelming disadvantage, the Gyro Captain promises to bring max to an endless source of fuel.
The Gyro Captain is keen to drain Max’s gas tanks of fuel, but the Black-on-black’s tanks harbor an explosive booby-trap. Under threat of violence, Max is led over to the car and reaches up under the body to flip off the arming switch. Not one to give up without a fight, Max tries to pull a knife on the Gyro Captain, but the squirrelly sky-pirate is quick to spy Max’s scheme.
Max has found a gyrocopter in a clearing, but before he can check for fuel He needs to use his speed and reflexes to deal with the snake wrapped around the mast. With lightning precision, He grabs the snake but quickly discovers the real danger was behind him as The Gyro Captain bursts up from the ground with a crossbow leveled right at Max.