02x14 - Attack of the Tree Eating Aliens

[bunniefuu]

CHRIS:
We're here in North America.

MARTIN:
In a habitat called the
north-eastern temperate forest.

It's us,
the Kratt brothers.

I'm Chris.
I'm Martin.

You might not see
everybody all the time,

but this temperate
forest is teeming with life.

It's healthy and in balance,

with a whole community
of creatures

that have evolved
to live here together.

MARTIN:
Squirrels!

Squirrels depend on trees
for their home and food.

Red squirrels love pine cones.

Grey squirrels love acorns.

And the squirrels
also help the trees.

A squirrel buries
a pine cone or acorn,

forgets about it,
a new tree grows!

And lynx help balance out
the amount of squirrels

in the forest
by eating them.

With lynx
and other predators around,

there won't be
too many squirrels

eating all the pine seeds.

Everything's balanced--
big and small.

There are ants
who eat the wooded trees.

CHRIS:
Frogs and toads who help
keep the ants and insects

under control,
which helps those trees.

Trees provide homes
for raccoons!

CHRIS:
And the raccoons keep the frogs
and toads in check

so they don't down too many
of those insects...

As long as they look out
for coyotes!

Sound confusing?

That's because it is!

And that's why nature's
a big a balancing act.

But if something happens
to mess up that balance...

CHRIS:
No! Whoa!

Ho-ho, yeah!

Everything can get thrown
out of whack.

And the whole forest and all
the creatures living in it

can be in trouble.

Imagine if we had
the creature powers

to help a forest
in trouble!

BOTH:
What if?

♪ On adventure with
the coolest creatures ♪

♪ From the oceans
to the trees ♪

♪ The Brothers Kratt are going
places you never get to see ♪

♪ Hanging with
their creature friends ♪

♪ Get ready, it's the hour ♪

♪ We're gonna save
some animals today with ♪

♪ Creature Power ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild,
Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild, wild ♪

♪ Cheetah speed
and lizard glide ♪

♪ Falcon flight
and lion pride ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild,
Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Gonna go wild, wild,
Wild Kratts ♪

♪ Go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪

CHRIS:
Wahoo!

Now this is the way
to see North America.

You know it, bro!
Ha-ha!

Wahoo!
Yeah.

Cut some sharper turns,
Jimmy!

Come on, faster!

Wahoo!
Give it all you got!

You got it.

BOTH:
Whoa!

Wahoo!
All right!

BOTH:
Whoa!

This is not the way
to see North America.

You can say that again.

Smooth it out, JZ.
Slower!

A few more turns...

I'll give them
the old JZ jig-zag.

(Alarm beeping)

A creature alert!

Coming in from some
Wild Kratts kids, um...

in Eastern North America.

Wild Kratts Tortuga HQ.

Mystery, discovery,
or rescue?

Mystery, I guess...

Wait no, rescue...

Wait, maybe all three.

Wow, what's going on?

We've got a big problem.

Our clubhouse tree is dying.

Even worse,
the whole forest here is dying!

What?
All the trees are dying? Why?

We don't know.

We're worried about all the
creatures that live here, too.

They can't live
without their forest.

See?

It's a mystery and a rescue
all rolled into one.

We need help.

You're not kidding.

Hang tight,
we're on our way!

Jimmy, take her down.
Double speed.

What's going on?
Whoa!

Did you tell him
to give it all he's got?

I didn't know
he had this much!

BOTH:
Whoa!

Oof!

Oh.

Yup, that hurt.

(Blubbering)

Oh, hi, guys.

Um, the door is over there.

That's okay--
window will do.

Boy, are we happy
to see you guys.

Oh, yeah?
What's up?

See, it's the trees.

They're losing their leaves
in the middle of spring.

They're sick
and we don't know why.

Wow, not good.

Thanks for the alert, Aidan.

We're on the case.

We'll figure it out.

Okay, first we've got
to inspect these trees.

I'll do a check up top--

with a little help
from this guy.

(Sniffing)

Activate squirrel power!

Ready to climb.

Hmm, nothing unusual here
on the trunk.

Nothing strange here...

or here...

or here...

AVIVA:
So if I zoom in on the
live satellite image feed,

I can see what's going on
with the whole forest.

Wow, that's a lot
of sick trees.

(Knocking)

Got it.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hmm, no one there.

This place
is getting pretty weird.

I guess it was just the wind
or something.

The wind knocking
at the door?

Yeah, right.

Anyway, let's get back
to the tree mystery.

So, where were we?

Yup, everything normal here.

And here...

Whoa, back up!

You found something?

Seeds!

Mmm...

What?
That doesn't help.

Believe me, I know that
with squirrel power,

it's easy to get
distracted by seeds and acorns,

but stay focused, bro.

Oh, right.

AIDAN:
Hey, look at this.

Is this normal?

Hmm...
no, definitely not.

Good spot.

Small holes in the tree...

We just may be
onto something here.

Holes in the tree?

But where could they
have come from?

Do I look like an expert
on tree holes?

(Knocking)

There's that
somebody again.

I'll get it this time.

Hello?

(Knocking)

Listen here, you...

(Sighing)

(Knocking)
Wait. Over here.

(Knocking)

Shh...

Huh?

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!

Ah-ha!

A woodpecker!

You're the one making
all those holes in the tree.

He's making holes
in my forehead, too.

Hey, come back here!

Guys, come quick!

We've found
the mystery tree-driller.

We've got to stop him
before he gets away!

Hurry!

See, there he is.

Oh, a pileated woodpecker.

(Woodpecker knocking)

Hmm...

and you think he made all
the weird holes in the trees?

Yep.

He's the culprit.

Are you sure?

I mean,
did you see him do it?

Well, he made one
at the door of the Tortuga.

And almost made another one
right here in my forehead.

And he's been pecking
on the trees.

Yeah,
he's definitely the one.

Well, to be sure,

we've got to see those holes
he's making up close

and make sure they match.

Yes, we've got
to follow the suspect

and catch him in the act.

Well, go ahead then,

but I'm telling you,
he did it.

Follow that woodpecker!

Spy gear ready?

(Beeping)

Surveillance monitor, ready.

All are ready.

Ready.
Ready.

Let's go.

Let the spy mission begin.

Hey, where'd Chris go?

CHRIS:
Activate raccoon power!

Thanks, buddy,

for the ninja spy
power of the raccoon--

clever, crafty creatures
of the forest.

(Knocking)

Sounds like...
he's that way!

CHRIS:
Okay, I'm in close.

Suspect climbing tree.

Uh-huh, he uses
those special toes--

two in the front,
two in the back--

to help with climbing.

And the stiff tail feathers

brace against the trunk
for support.

Thanks, Chris.
Keep the data coming!

So, is he drilling yet?

Not yet, but those features
are keys to drilling.

Martin, you in position?
He's heading your way.

The woodpecker has landed.

(Knocking)

MARTIN:
Oh, yes, he's doing it!

He's drilling!

Wow, that's fast.

His head's a blur!

Wow!

That's woodpecker pecks
a second!

Impressive.

Ha-ha!

I'm going to call him
Headbanger.

Look at the woodchips fly!

(Knocking)

AVIVA:
I knew it!

I told you, how much evidence
do you need?

This woodpecker must be
drill happy or something.

He's just drilling holes
everywhere.

CHRIS:
Hang on, Aviva.
Not so fast.

Something's not right...

The holes look different.

Yeah,
this hole looks different.

Hmm...

It's bigger,
more rectangular.

Not like those smaller
round holes in the dying trees.

Well, if you guys
need more evidence, go ahead.

But to me,
it's case closed.

When you're ready to admit

that I was right
about this guy,

you can find me back
at the Tortuga.

With an analysis
of this feather,

maybe I'll even
have another suit

by the time you guys
are done.

Hey, wait for me!

Okay, Chris, Headbanger
stopped off at a dead tree--

maybe his hideout.

I'm going in.

Nice digs.

So this is one of the things
you can build

with that drilling power.

A cozy, safe nest
in a dead tree--

to hide out from bad weather
and predators.

Oh, and I can see why
so many animals use your nest

when you're done with it--

wood ducks, bats, lots of birds,
raccoons, even squirrels,

especially in winter.

(Creaking)

What?

Uh-oh.
A pine marten!

Oh, no.

Up here the nest is safe
from most predators,

but not from
that tree loving weasel.

Gah!

(Chittering)

(Gasping)
Oh, go, go!

Oh, no!

Guh... yes!

Ha-ha!
An exit hole!

Oh, pileated woodpeckers build
multiple entrances and escapes.

Brilliant!

Uh-oh.

(Gulping)

Uh, pine martens
are squirrel hunters, too.

Bye!
(Panting)

Whoa... oof!

Hoof!

Whoa!

Koki, do you read me?

I'm here, Martin.
Over.

Mayday, mayday.

I'm being chased.

Pick me up
in the getaway bike! Hurry!

Being chased?

By who, Martin?

A marten!

Martin?

Wait,
you're Martin?!

You're chasing yourself?

No, this marten is!

KOKI:
What? Where?

Oh, he wants to eat me!

Ah, hurry!

Martin wants to eat you?

(Laughing)

Hello, you are Martin.

Stop messing around.

You know, we've got
a serious mission here

and all you guys
want to do is fool around

and play spy.

That's it.
I'm with Aviva.

We're heading back.

I'm going to stay
and help Chris.

Okay.
Catch you later, Aidan.

A "Martin,"
now I've heard everything.

(Panting)

Ahhh!

Whoa!

Gaaaaahhh... oof!

Okay, Martin,
done playing around?

No, it really
was a marten.

A pine marten,
and he almost ate me.

Oh, forget it.

Now I'll go catch up
with Chris.

CHRIS:
Aviva!
Yeah, Chris?

Okay, Headbanger's back
on a tree.

And this one
has those mystery holes,

so let's see if we can
catch him making more.

(Knocking)

He's listening
for hollow places

where tasty insects
might be hiding.

When he hears
a hollow echo...

he drills.

Ha! The bill's drill
is a specialized food finder!

Speaking of bill drill,

I've got a woodpecker suit
prototype ready, Chris.

Great!

I can use it to open up these
mystery holes a little bit

and look for more clues.

Maybe then you'll finally find
the evidence you're looking for.

Disc on its way.

JIMMY Z:
Energize!

All right!

Activate Woodpecker Powers!

♪

Sweet.

Not too shabby, bro.

You know it.

All right, Headbanger,

let's drill into those holes
and have a look.

Two toes forward,
two toes back-- clamped on.

Tail feathers anchored.

Sharp, hammer-beak ready.

And... da-da-da-da...

Whow-wow-wa-wa-wa-waaaooo!

I can't control this beak!

Waaahhh!

Gaaaaahhh!

Stop this thing!

Chris,
hit the deactivation button.

I can't even think straight!

Ahhhhh!

Got you!

Ah!

BOTH:
Waaaahhh... oof!

(Gasping)

(Both moaning)

Are you okay, bro?

No, Aviva.

Not at all.

Aviva?

I mean Jimmy.

Uh, try again.

Oh... my brain's
still rattling.

Who are all of you?

ALL:
You okay, Chris?

It's me, Martin!

Oh, this suit's
got to be missing something.

A brain just can't take
all that drilling.

Uhhh... oof!

(Knocking)

Aviva, check out
this woodpecker body scan.

Wow!
Shock absorbers.

That's what keeps the woodpecker
from getting headaches

and damaging his brain
from drilling so hard!

See, the spongy bone
between the beak and skull--

and a flexible lower beak--

absorbs a lot of
the incredible drill force,

protecting the brain from
getting bounced around too much.

KOKI:
And those special feathers
block the nostrils

so woodchips don't fly
up the woodpecker's nose!

This creature's loaded
with special features!

Sorry, Chris, I forgot
to add a few important things.

It's all good.

Hey, guys, look.

Some bark flaked off
where Chris was drilling.

Clues.

It worked!

Hmm... that's not
what it's supposed to look like.

Hey, what're all
those tunnels?

It's almost like something was
scraping around under the bark

and then...

look, they dug deeper
into the tree.

Someone's got to go in there
and see.

Oh, I'll go.

No way.
I'm going.

Okay, brother, how many fingers
am I holding up?

Brain's still fuzzy.

Um... four.

It's two, right?

Okay, you go.

Miniaturize!

Pick a hole, any hole.

I'll pick... that one!

Okay, ready?

Yep, ready.

I'm going in!

Whoa, this is pretty weird.

I'm walking inside a tunnel,
inside a tree.

Oof!

Oh, hi, there.

Sorry, didn't mean
to interrupt your lunch.

Wait a second... it's you!

You're the one making
those strange holes in the tree.

You're a tree eater,
and I caught you in the act!

But, who are you?

Koki, you getting this?

Yeah, Martin.

I'm getting an ID
on that little creature.

What?!

It says there's no match

in the entire database
of North American animals.

There's no way it's
from North America.

It's not?

It's a UFB?!

Not a UFB!

Oh, yes, a UFB.

We've got ourselves an
Unidentified Feeding Beetle.

BOTH:
Chris!
Martin!

We've got an alien beetle
invasion on our hands!

What?!
An alien beetle?

You mean
it's not from here?

That's right, it's not.

Koki, send out an alert

to the Wild Kratts kids
around the world.

See if anyone anywhere
knows this beetle.

I'm on it.

Hmm.

But the beetle
and the woodpecker,

they're both digging holes,
right?

Yeah, why are the beetle holes
so much worse

than the woodpecker holes?

The beetles are eating the layer
right under the bark--

the layer that sends water
and nutrients

to the rest of the tree.

That kills the tree,

but woodpeckers only
make holes in the tree,

and sometimes even
help the trees by eating pests,

like ants
and other bugs inside.

So woodpeckers
don't hurt the trees?

That's right.

(Bell ringing)

Uh, guys, can you give
Headbanger a message for us?

Sure, he's right here.

BOTH:
Sorry!

We thought it was you k*lling
the trees, but it wasn't.

CHRIS:
He forgives you.

Hey, Martin,
you okay in there?

Are you coming out?

I'm trying, Chris,

but there's not much elbowroom
in here.

Excuse me, pal,

just trying to
get... through... here...

Whoa, those're some
serious jaws.

It's like Attack
of the Tree-Eating Aliens.

(Bell ringing)

Message coming in.

It's... it's from the other side
of the Earth--

in China!

Tortuga HQ--
anything on the alien beetle?

Hi, Koki.
Yi, here.

These beetle are aliens
for you in North America,

but not for me
here in China.

They're from here.

They're
Asian longhorn beetles.

Hmm...

Well, then how did they get here
from China?

Scientists think they
got to North America on ships

that were bringing firewood
and building timber.

Here in China,
their natural predators

are Asian woodpeckers
and wasps.

Thanks, Yi.

You're welcome,
and good luck.

But now what?

Now that they're here,

we've got to stop them
from k*lling all the trees!

Maybe Headbanger
can help save the trees.

Since he likes
to eat insects,

maybe he'll eat
these beetles, too.

Exactly!

In China, the longhorn beetles
have natural predators

that help control them,
but here they don't yet.

So now that the beetles
are here,

if these woodpeckers
and maybe some wasps

figure out
how to catch them,

they'll help
restore the balance.

(Knocking)

Look!
Headbanger's doing it!

He's going after
the beetle!

BOTH:
Yes!

Uh-oh.
Martin!

He's in there, too!
(Gasping)

MARTIN:
Earthquake!

Whoa!

Longhorn, excuse me.

I think I know
who's doing this

and trust me,
you don't want to know.

What are we going to do?

Woodpecker power?!

Not again...

(Beeping)

It's new and improved,
with that shock absorber.

Quick, you have to get
to Martin

before Headbanger does.

Okay.

Activate Woodpecker Power--
take two!

Woo-hoo!
To the creature rescue!

Ha!

The woodpecker shock absorbers
are working!

My brain's
not getting rattled!

Wahoo!
This is awesome!

Hurry, Chris!

Aviva, did you put
in the tongue feature?

The tongue feature?

It's in there!

See, the woodpecker's tongue
is inches long.

It starts here

and wraps all the way around
the woodpecker's skull,

so when the woodpecker
sticks his tongue out,

he can reach far
into the tree.

The insects stick to these
brushy bristles on the end.

Left paw button on your suit
to activate tongue, Chris.

Will do!

Ooo, I hope he
gets there soon...

JIMMY Z:
Me, too.

Ohhh... he's close.

Ohhh...

Who gets here first?

Ohhhhh...

Oh, no, this is going
to be close.

I'm through!

Yay!
Wahoo!

Tongue power!

Whoa!

Nice one, bro.

And Headbanger got a beetle.

Uh-oh, but he's not
the only beetle!

The forest
is still in trouble

as long as all these beetles
are around.

Don't worry.

Now that we have
woodpecker power...

And the woodpeckers
have discovered the beetles...

BOTH:
We've got a plan.

It's alien beetle
round-up time!

(Knocking)

Ready to collect
those beetles, guys.

Got one!

As soon as we have the rest,

you get a nice comfy
ride home to China.

Incoming... woo!

This is working great!

Headbanger
and other woodpeckers

have learned
how to catch them, too.

(Knocking)

Great work, Headbanger.

And important, because with most
alien invasions in nature,

whether it's alien insects
or alien plants,

it's difficult
to remove every single one.

So while people
do the best they can,

nature also adapts--

finding a new balance.

I'd say this is
mission accomplished.

We solved the mystery
of the dying trees.

We're bringing as many
lost beetles home as we can.

And best of all...

BOTH:
Our forest is saved!

(Cheering)

Huh?
Ow! Ah! Ow!

I told you,
I'm not a tree trunk!

(Laughing)

So alien invasions
can really shock a habitat.

Like this forest
right here.

See these sick and dying trees
behind me?

They're ash trees,

and all the
ash trees in this forest

are being att*cked.

By who?

The ash borer beetle.

When you peel back the bark,

you can see the damage.

See these tracks?

That's beetles and beetle larvae
eating this inner layer.

And that can devastate
the entire tree, k*lling it.

If left unchecked,

alien invasions like this
can k*ll off entire forests.

Now, we just have
to find some special creature

that just might be able
to help us help this forest.

Chris, there!

A hairy woodpecker!

What incredible peck speed!

Woodpeckers can peck
times per second!

Try that!

CHRIS:
Eating insects!

Man, such amazing insect
finding creature powers!

And their holes
don't even hurt the tree.

(Bird chirping)

A pileated!
Let's go!

Oh, there he is!

Way up high--
a pileated woodpecker!

One of the largest woodpeckers
in North America.

Wow, a few easy hits
from that chisel-like beak,

and you can see chunks of wood
fly right off.

MARTIN:
These woodpeckers
just might be able to help

with that alien
beetle invasion.

All right,
let's save these trees.

BOTH:
Wild Kratts kids!

Over here!

To the creature rescue!

BOTH:
All right!

Good to see you, guys!

We've got the woodpecker's
nest boxes.

This is for
pileated woodpeckers.

And for hairy ones, too.

So now let's hang up
these nests boxes

in and around
the sick forest.

Because if we can attract
lots of woodpeckers

and get them living here,

then they might eat
some of those alien beetles

and help restore the forest.

Let's go!

♪

CHRIS:
Scientists are working hard
to figure out different ways

to help trees deal
with alien invaders.

But remember,
we can all do something.

You can all find ways
to keep forests healthy.

Keep on
creature adventuring.

ALL:
See you
on the creature trail!

♪

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