01x06 - The Mysterious Seaweed

[bunniefuu]

♪ On the Isle of Mako ♪

♪ Under the moon's

silver glow ♪

♪ The night is calm ♪

♪ But suddenly ♪

♪ There's a change

in the sea ♪

♪ Three mermaids,

magic and brave ♪

♪ True beauties

under the waves ♪

♪ Their secret will always be

mystery ♪

♪ In the depths of the sea ♪

[gasps]

[music plays]

[Emma] It's the synchronized

swimming club.

They're putting on a show

for the summer solstice.

I'm so excited

about that festival.

I've been waiting forever

for it.

A bonfire, a party, fireworks.

Everything Lewis needs

to spend quality time with Cleo.

Give it a rest.

For the tenth time,

he's just a friend.

- Emma, you OK?

- Huh? What?

Yes, I'm fine.

It's just that it reminds me

of back when I was in the club.

It isn't the swimming

that I miss

since I swim with you guys,

and much faster than before.

- Then what is it?

- Everything about the club.

The team spirit, giggling

together in the dressing room,

songs we sang on the bus

before the meets.

It's fantastic being a mermaid,

but I still miss

those other things.

It makes me a little sad.

I think I know what you need

to boost your spirits.

A good little race!

Last one to the barrier reef

is an old mollusk!

[Rikki laughs]

I win! You're nothing

but an old mollusk.

Hey! Not fair.

You had a head start.

[all laugh]

Hey, look at that!

I've never seen

such beautiful seaweed.

- Hey! It's caught me.

- Hang on, I'll help you.

Cleo, wait, don't touch it!

We've got to find something

to help get her free.

[Cleo] Over there, look!

I can't break free!

Let me try.

Keep going, it's working.

Finally! Let's get out of here!

- What the heck was that thing?

- No idea.

But if you want to know,

you're welcome to go back.

We've got to be more careful.

How were we supposed to know

we were suddenly starring in

The Return of

the k*ller Seaweed?

Hey, that's strange.

You've changed back

but we haven't.

And we've only been out of

the water for two minutes.

[laughter]

Hey, there's your brother.

Watch out,

they've got water pistols.

- Run for it!

- [boys laugh]

Charge!

Charge!

Elliot, no!

I already told you, no water!

[yells] Stop!

No!

[cheers] Yes!

Quick.

That was a close call.

It's more than ten seconds.

That's weird.

You should have transformed.

Oh, my gosh. Unbelievable.

- Fascinating.

- This is scary.

It's weird.

This morning you were normal

- and now...

- Rikki,

being a mermaid

isn't my idea of normal.

- This is normal.

- Something had to trigger it.

What did you do this morning

after you went swimming?

Nothing special.

We dried ourselves by the creek

and then walked along the pier

and Elliot drenched me.

Right. And before?

Something must have happened

when you were out in the water.

Emma was touched by

this weird seaweed,

glowing blue with filaments

that were long and fine.

That must be it. We've got to

learn more about that seaweed.

This means you could go back

to being like you were before.

[sighs] I can't find anything.

How about you?

Nothing on the Internet

that matches the description

We've got no clues.

It's like searching for

a needle in a sewing bag.

Needle in a haystack.

It's crucial that we

identify that seaweed.

But why do you want

to know that?

No reason. Biology homework.

What species of seaweed

do you think it is?

No seaweed can move around

by itself.

Therefore I believe

it must be something else.

What exactly

is this biology assignment?

Where could it possibly be?

[sea creatures laugh]

Well, it's our old friend Rikki.

What have you got there?

It looks intriguing.

Hey, give that back! It's mine!

[chomps]

Ugh! You're just

a bunch of delinquents.

Open your mouth, idiot.

[octopus] I think I got it.

Oh! Berny, I'm looking for

this glowing blue seaweed.

It was here this morning

and now it's disappeared.

Seaweed? Seaweed can't move.

You sure it wasn't

something else?

If it isn't seaweed,

then what is it?

In my opinion,

it has to be an anemone.

- An anemone?

- Absolutely.

And I should know. They move

around by riding on shells.

Right now your anemone

could be pretty much anywhere.

[Byron] You're not part of

this year's show?

- I quit the team.

- Didn't you hear?

Cynthia broke her arm yesterday.

They're short one.

I'm not making this up.

Take a look for yourself.

- You could replace her.

- Me? That's crazy.

I'd never have time

to learn the choreography.

- I'd mess everything up.

- You could always try.

It was an anemone

and you didn't know?

I thought you knew

the undersea world by heart.

Being a mermaid

doesn't mean memorizing

the entire underwater

encyclopedia.

Hey, guys! [laughs]

You're in good spirits.

I've been rehearsing with

the girls from the swim club.

They asked me

to be part of the show.

I can't tell you how happy I am.

It's so cool to be able to swim

like everybody else without...

Worrying about

becoming a mermaid?

Sorry, that's not what I meant.

Come on,

hurry up or we'll be late.

Cleo is giving a presentation.

The sonar of sea mammals

is a highly perfected system.

It allows them to effectively

navigate and seek out prey...

[Emma gibbers]

Uh, Emma, what are you doing?

- Are you OK?

- Mm-hmm.

[gibbers]

Then stop disturbing the class,

would you?

- What are you doing?

- I don't know.

I can't control myself.

[yells]

[laughter]

That's enough, Emma. Please go.

You can come back

when you've calmed down.

And in conclusion, the study

of the echo localization

among sea mammals will doubtless

find numerous applications

in the field of

human endeavors.

So, that's it. [chuckles]

Good. Thanks, Cleo.

Your presentation was very

interesting and well documented.

Next class, we'll have Zane

present his study on plankton.

- [school bell rings]

- That's it, dismissed.

Cleo, hey. I'm still waiting

for my presentation.

I know. It'll be ready in time.

Don't flip out.

It had better be.

What was that?

You're doing his homework?

- Well, it's no big deal.

- Are you kidding?

Cleo, he's using you. Say no.

You want to be his sl*ve?

If I refuse,

he'll never leave me alone.

And anyway, it doesn't take

that much time.

Don't worry, I'll make sure

Zane doesn't bother you anymore.

Oh, you're the best!

- What's happening to me?

- [teacher] Emma!

Your behavior in class today

was unacceptable.

What's going on?

I don't know what you mean, sir.

Everything is fine, honest.

[holds back vocal tic]

Emma!

I assure you, it's nothing.

Maybe just a little stress.

[sneezes]

I understand. [yells]

[all gasp]

[seethes]

[Emma] How embarrassing.

In front of the whole class!

And the way the teacher looked

when I drenched him with water.

Maybe you're a little stressed

right now.

Hey, girls, was it this one?

That's it! That's the anemone

that stung me.

The species is super rare,

appearing in coastal waters

only during the summer solstice.

Meaning right now.

It's ultra-dangerous.

Its venom attacks

its victims' nervous systems,

so you're reacting to its venom.

So it's because of this anemone?

Are you sure?

I have to look into it

a little deeper.

- I'll need to do a blood test.

- [gulps]

My dear Zane,

you're going to love this.

Hey. What's up? You look like

you've seen a ghost.

- [chuckles]

- What's up? Come on, tell me.

Well, I believe it's safe to say

that this will be the last time

Zane asks you to do

work for him.

What do you mean?

What did you do?

Zane's presentation

will be very interesting.

Oh, no!

[teacher] All set, Zane?

My presentation is on plankton.

Plankton is a living organism

created by combining a seahorse

with a giant squid.

- [laughter]

- Huh?

[groans]

Very funny, Zane. I'd say

that amusing little farce

deserves an equally amusing

little zero.

- Cleo, think you're funny?

- Typical of pathetic girls.

They'd do anything to be

the center of attention.

That has nothing to do with it.

It was a misunderstanding.

- I'm sorry, OK?

- Next time,

try doing your homework

yourself.

You're not getting off the hook

that easily. Mark my words.

- Zane, what's going on here?

- Nothing. Just chatting.

Then move along, before you're

late for your next class.

Training to be

a miniature baton twirler?

Stop worrying about Zane.

Now he won't bother you anymore.

Maybe. Or maybe he's imagining

how to even the score.

- So, any news?

- Actually, yes.

I've analyzed a drop of Emma's

blood under the microscope

- and it's not reassuring.

- Explain.

The pink area is Emma's blood.

The shadowy areas are the

neurotoxins from the venom.

This image was taken

four hours ago,

and here's the same blood

right now.

Normally the venom

is progressively reabsorbed,

but here the neurotoxins are

in the process of multiplying

- like living cells.

- What does that mean?

That Emma's side-effects

will continue to get worse.

And apart from that

I really don't know.

We need to take her to hospital.

She's got to see a doctor.

Are you crazy? Do you want to

find her in a public aquarium?

"Ladies and gentlemen, come see

the little mermaid girl."

- You got a better idea?

- We're running out of time.

Get me an extract

from that anemone

- so I can find an antidote.

- What do we tell Emma?

Nothing for now.

There's no point worrying her.

Let's go find us

a little blue anemone.

"Bring me a sample

of that anemone."

Easier said than done, Lewis.

OK, smile!

Cheese!

[all laugh]

[both gasp]

It's become enormous.

[both yell]

Cleo!

Let's get out of here.

Carlotta, no!

[Carlotta struggles]

- Are you OK?

- Of course.

It was just an anemone.

I often get stung by them.

It doesn't do anything

to us jellyfish.

There must be something in your

system that stops the venom.

If we can discover what it is,

we can save Emma.

What are you talking about?

I'm warning you,

don't count on me

to be a guinea pig.

We need you to spit into this

tube so Lewis can analyze it.

- It could really help us.

- Me? Spit?

You aren't serious.

I am a lady of breeding.

Please, Carlotta.

We won't tell anyone.

You want me to create an

antidote from jellyfish saliva?

Do you think I'm Einstein?

Scientists like challenges, no?

I hope Lewis is as smart

as you think.

Because this is

Emma's last chance.

What...?

[blows whistle]

[stops music]

Emma!

What in the world are you doing?

You look like

an octopus on a bicycle.

It's synchronized swimming,

not a clown show.

I was a little off my game, but

that could happen to anybody.

A little off your game?

You didn't stop kicking me.

We didn't work this hard for

you to blow the whole thing.

If you don't feel up to

following the choreography,

maybe it would be better

if you...

Percentage of venom

less than 0.1%.

Antidote viral at 99.9%.

Yes!

Emma isn't with you?

No. Why?

You found an antivenom?

I analyzed Carlotta's saliva. It

contained some immunoglobulins.

Which is what allows her

to neutralize the venom.

So I extracted it

and synthesized it through...

- Lewis.

- In short,

I've concocted an antidote

for Emma.

Why didn't you say so? We've got

to find her right away!

"Congrats, Lewis,

you're so intelligent."

"Thanks, Lewis,

what would we do without you?"

Well, come on!

She's already gone. She took off

before practice was finished.

- Where to?

- No idea.

She isn't here or at home

or at the Juicy bar.

- I can't believe this.

- Time is running out.

We better split up. Cleo's with

me, we'll head to school.

Rikki, check out the shoreline.

We'll call each other

with any news.

Emma! Emma.

Emma!

What do we do

if we don't find her?

Well, well,

it's my good friend Cleo.

Take a hike, Zane,

this really isn't the time.

What's the problem? Worried

someone'll steal your bag?

What's in it

that's so important?

What's this, is it fragile?

If I do this, what'll happen?

Zane, stop! Let go!

That's enough, Zane. Who do you

think you are, a tough guy?

I'm fed up with you

ruining our lives. Hey!

- Give it to me, Miriam.

- No, no, no!

[Zane] Throw it to me!

[Miriam laughs]

[both laugh]

[Zane] Almost dropped it there.

[screams]

Hey! This isn't over, you know.

We've got to find her fast

before the venom's effects

become irreversible.

Zane, I'm looking for Emma.

Have you seen her?

Why not ask your buddies

Lewis and Cleo?

I don't believe it,

you're still angry with them?

Oh, Zane, grow up. You're acting

like a sulky little boy.

All this to attract attention,

it's pathetic.

Thanks for your great wisdom

and the life lesson.

You know what,

I always thought your behavior

was just a facade

to protect yourself.

But maybe I was wrong. Maybe

you really are just a big bully.

Rikki!

If you're looking for Emma,

try the far side

of the old dock.

Thanks.

Hello, Cleo. OK, I've found her.

Come join us.

We're on the old dock.

I was dropped from the show.

I messed up again

at the last rehearsal.

Lewis has found an antidote.

You can go back to how you were.

Back to being a mermaid?

I'm not sure I'm up to it.

That means I'll never be

like I used to be.

I know it's hard,

but if you don't take it,

the venom's side-effects

could get worse.

You don't know how great it felt

to swim with the others again,

to be like everybody else.

Is that really what you want?

To be like everybody else?

How dull! You want to be like

your so-called friends

- who dropped you from the show?

- [Cleo] Emma!

Emma, here, drink this. Quick.

Wait. She doesn't want

to be a mermaid.

I don't believe it.

Think about the side-effects.

You want to stay like that

your whole life?

And if it gets worse,

it's dangerous.

We were all so worried

about you.

We've been looking everywhere

for you for hours.

Cleo had to take on Zane

to get the venom back.

- You did?

- I had to.

He was blocking the way.

We had to find you.

What do you think?

You're our friend.

We weren't about to abandon you.

I'm so sorry.

I got so caught up

in having my old life back

I forgot about you.

I'm so lucky to have you.

- Friends forever?

- [both] Friends forever!

[all laugh]

Are you

gonna drink the antivenom?

Or would you rather spend your

life tossing glasses of water

on the biology teacher?

There. Though it's strange,

the idea of becoming a mermaid

again.

- You regret it?

- No.

I've just got to accept

that's what I am now.

I'd forgotten what it's like

to swim so fast

and not have to resurface

to breathe.

It's way better than

synchronized swimming.

That gives me an idea.

And let the show begin!

[groans] Hey! Murray!

It's broken! Murray!