The Calm Before the Storm

The Calm Before the Storm is the eighth episode of the animated television series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. It was released on September 16, 2021.

Synopsis
Kronis and Evelyn hire hunter R’Qazz as they plot to overthrow Skeletor. He-Man and King Randor fight side-by-side as a Havoc storm consumes Eternos.

Plot
Kronis is weary about the introduction of R'Qazz into the plan with Evelyn to usurp Skeletor, and questions if they can trust him. Evelyn reassures Kronis that they can, but for the meantime, they will have to assimilate him into the group. They introduce R'Qazz to Skeletor as someone who can control animals, and Skeletor seems somewhat impressed by the notion and welcomes R'Qazz into his inner circle. He begins forging the stolen Kirbinite with one of each of the Evil Warrior's weapons: R'Qazz's whip, Evelyn's whip and, to his surprise, Kronis' jaw brace.

Meanwhile, Duncan trains with Adam at Castle Grayskull, having replaced Krass whilst she protects the Tiger Tribe. The training is futile, however, and Duncan is no match for Adam. Cringer warns Adam that he cannot go on training with Duncan given his lack of abilities. The two talk about Krass and it becomes clear that Adam misses her.

Adam heads back to King Randor's palace to investigate, but finds himself caught up in the middle of a Havoc-induced storm. He becomes distracted when he witnesses a thief running away from a stall owner, and transforms into He-Man to aid the man. King Randor approaches soon after and believes He-Man to be the creator of the storm, but He-Man is quickly able to convince him otherwise by helping Randor rescue some of the remaining citizens and help them to safety.

Back at Castle Grayskull, Duncan interrupts Teela, who is attempting once more to locate Skeletor; her efforts, however, are futile. Teela suddenly gets the idea that she should reintroduce Havoc into the castle and use the power of the castle to find Skeletor. She enters deep within the castle's power and once more witnesses the encounter between Adam and Keldor a decade prior. Inside the memory, she finds and talks with Eldress about the possibility of her plan. Eldress tells her that sometimes to save people they must do extreme things — a sign that Eldress agrees with Teela's plan.

Meanwhile at King Randor's palace, Randor and He-Man team up to evacuate those left behind by the storm. The two talk, and He-Man admits to being the one who left the note about Keldor's survival on the statue. Randor becomes angry, connecting the magic Keldor tried to use to the one currently being used by He-Man, but He-Man assures him that he is different. Moments later, He-Man reveals that he is Randor's son and, when the storm passes, he transforms back into Adam. Nonetheless, tensions arise when Adam refuses to hand over the Sword of Power. Randor tries to have the sword taken from him at any cost, but Adam flees with the sword.

Eventually, Teela is able to locate Skeletor with Eldress' help and by channeling Havoc. Unbeknownst to the Masters of the Universe, however, Skeletor has allowed their location to be found and is planning a trap. Each of his minions has been gifted an upgraded weapon to use.

Characters

 * Masters of the Universe
 * Adam/He-Man
 * Cringer
 * Teela
 * Duncan/Man-At-Arms


 * Allies
 * Eldress


 * Royal Palace
 * King Randor
 * General Dolos (mentioned only)
 * Tuvar
 * Baddrah
 * Red Legion (mentioned)


 * Dark Masters
 * Skeletor
 * Evelyn
 * Kronis
 * R'Qazz


 * Others
 * Mer-Folk (mentioned only)

Locations

 * Castle Grayskull
 * Eternos
 * Fright Zone
 * Snake Mountain

Objects

 * Vehicles
 * Sky-Sleds


 * Artifacts
 * Sword of Grayskull
 * Havoc Staff


 * Technology


 * Metals
 * Kirbinite

Other

 * Creatures
 * Battle Bones
 * Toothfish (mentioned only)

Cast

 * Kimberly Brooks - Teela/Sorceress, Eldress, Mother
 * Antony Del Rio - Duncan/Man-At-Arms, Scared Citizen
 * Trevor Devall - R'Qazz, Furious Citizen
 * Ben Diskin - Keldor/Skeletor, ND Royal Guard
 * Grey Griffin - Evelyn/Evil-Lyn
 * David Kaye - Cringer/Battle Cat
 * Yuri Lowenthal - Adam/He-Man, Tuvar
 * Roger Craig Smith - Kronis/Trap Jaw, Thief
 * Fred Tatasciore - King Randor, Baddrah, Bag Citizen
 * Several of the character's alter ego's are listed during the end credits, such as Evil-Lyn and Trap Jaw, even though they will not be named as such until later in the series.

Trivia

 * "Kirbinite" is named after comic book creator Jack Kirby. When Skeletor reforges the villain's weapons using the stolen Kirbinite, colored dots known as "Kirby Krackle" appear in the air.
 * King Randor acquires a spear to defend himself with during the storm. The 1987 action figure of King Randor came with a golden spear as his only weapon.
 * This version of Snake Mountain is revealed to be located in a region called the Fright Zone, which is usually connected to the Evil Horde's base of operations on Etheria instead of on Eternia.