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The Legend of Tarzan (TV series)

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The Legend of Tarzan
Also known asDisney's The Legend of Tarzan
GenreAction
Adventure
Comedy
Based onTarzan
Developed byBill Motz
Bob Roth
Directed byNicholas Filippi
Don MacKinnon
Steve Loter
Sean Bishop
Victor Cook
Voices ofMichael T. Weiss
Olivia d'Abo
Jeff Bennett
Jim Cummings
April Winchell
Susanne Blakeslee
Nicollette Sheridan
Opening theme"Two Worlds" by Phil Collins
ComposerDon Harper
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39
Production
Executive producersBill Motz
Bob Roth
ProducerSteve Loter
Running time22 minutes
Production companyWalt Disney Television Animation[a]
Original release
NetworkUPN (Disney's One Too)
ReleaseSeptember 3, 2001 (2001-09-03) –
February 5, 2003 (2003-02-05)
Related

The Legend of Tarzan is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, based on Tarzan from the novels written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the character's original creator who appears in one episode of the series. The series is also based on Disney's 1999 animated feature film Tarzan by Walt Disney Pictures and aired initially on the Disney's One Too block on UPN. However, reruns were broadcast shortly after on Toon Disney.[1][2]

The series picks up where Disney's 1999 animated feature film left off, with the title character adjusting to his new role as leader of the gorilla family following Kerchak's death, along with Jane (whom he has since married) and her father, Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, adjusting to life in the jungle. The three now reside in the treehouse built by Tarzan's original human parents.[3]

Characters

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Main

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  • Tarzan (voiced by Michael T. Weiss) has assumed his role as leader of the gorillas. He married Jane, and they live in the jungle, residing in the treehouse that Tarzan's parents had built before their deaths. Although Tarzan doesn't live with Kala and the other gorillas, Tarzan will still take action to protect them and often seeks Kala's advice in dealing with situations. While Tarzan helps Jane get over her romantic ideas about jungle life, she acts as his guide to the duplicity of human nature — and insists he eats his food from a plate. It is a never-ending growth process for both, with insights into what "being civilized" means. Michael T. Weiss replaces Tony Goldwyn.
  • Jane (voiced by Olivia d'Abo) is married to Tarzan. She has settled into her new jungle life with Tarzan. When she begins to miss her old life in England, she tries to get Tarzan to act more "civilized," which sometimes poses problems to Tarzan's character. Her appearance and human actions often cause some members of Tarzan's gorilla tribe to have doubts about her and question Tarzan's leadership. Olivia d'Abo replaces Minnie Driver.
  • Terk (voiced by April Winchell) is a fun-loving gorilla and Tarzan's closest friend and older adoptive cousin. She has a soft-spot for Tarzan and is convinced that he cannot survive without her, despite Tarzan having proven repeatedly to be quicker, stronger, and more powerful at just about everything in the jungle than Terk. April Winchell replaces Rosie O'Donnell.
  • Tantor (voiced by Jim Cummings) is a paranoid and nervous elephant, but will always protect Tarzan and his friends. He shares a close bond with Terk and has grown close to Professor Porter. Jim Cummings replaces Wayne Knight.
  • Kala (voiced by Susanne Blakeslee) acts as the voice of the apes, reminding Tarzan of his particular obligations to the family. She is also Jane's closest friend. The two share a warm, strong bond, and Jane regards her mother-in-law as her only kindred spirit in the jungle. From Kala's point of view, Jane is the human daughter she never had. Her open mind is a well of great wisdom, and she is almost always right. Even though Kerchak is gone, she is still highly respected. Although kind and motherly to Tarzan, Jane, and all the gorillas, Kala is almost undoubtedly the bravest gorilla in the family. Susanne Blakeslee replaces Glenn Close.
  • Professor Porter (voiced by Jeff Bennett) is a noted scientist with years of expertise studying gorillas, though before arriving in Africa in the first film, he had never seen one in the wild. Sometimes the well-meaning professor gets absorbed in his thinking but often forgets what he's doing. Jeff Bennett replaces the late Nigel Hawthorne (who died after the show's premiere).
  • Kerchak (voiced by Lance Henriksen) was the mate of Kala and the adoptive father of Tarzan. Kerchak is mentioned posthumously and appears in several flashbacks in the series. Tarzan made a statue of him to commemorate his adoptive father and predecessor as leader of the gorilla troop. Henriksen is one of only three actors to reprise their roles from the film.

Allies

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  • Flynt (voiced by Erik von Detten) and Mungo (voiced by Jason Marsden) are clueless ape brothers. Flynt and Mungo have grown up along Tarzan, but they're still as dopey as ever. Most likely due to results of self-inflicted head trauma from playing their childhood game "stop hitting yourself." While the brothers mean no harm, their dumb behavior may cause conflict for Tarzan. Since they spend all their time together, being separated will cause them to freak out. They are two of only three characters to retain their voice actors from the film (the third being Lance Henriksen as Kerchak).
  • Booto is the leader of a rhinoceros herd.
  • Manu (voiced by Frank Welker) is a mischievous baby baboon who is fascinated with humans. He often rummages through their belongings by trying on their clothes. He may even run off with a shiny keepsake or two. Like any curious child, he leaves a mess behind, much to the frustration of Tarzan and other family matters. His mischief, however, sometimes ends up doing more good than first assumed.
  • Renard Dumont (voiced by René Auberjonois) is a slick, opportunistic French proprietor of "Dumont's Trading Post", whose lust for material gain is compromised only by his persistent attempts to lure Jane from her life with Tarzan. Though somewhat of a nemesis in his first appearance, he later becomes a reluctant ally of Tarzan. A good example is when he disguises himself as a high-ranking official to secure the release of Tarzan, Hugo, and Hooft. He even allows Tarzan and his friends to borrow one of his boats to find out the source of the poison that has flown into the river and endangered the jungle.
  • Hugo (voiced by Dave Thomas) and Hooft (voiced by Joe Flaherty) – As deserters of the French Foreign Legion, these Americans now work for Dumont but still have the occasional run-in with Lt. Colonel Staquait, who considers their insubordination a capital offense. They also seem to owe money to "Joey the Shark," a loan shark in Chicago. Although they are smooth-talking conmen who try to cheat people out of money, they are good-natured and willing to do anything for their friends. They are based on actors Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
  • Jabari (voiced by Taylor Dempsey) is the son of Baruti and Jamila, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the young Tantor. He and "Mr. Tantor" have bonded over their shared phobias and paranoia.
  • Chief Keewazi (voiced by James Avery) is the Leader of the Waziri tribe, a group of natives who live deep in the jungle.
  • Basuli (voiced by Phil LaMarr) is Chief Keewazi's headstrong son and future leader of the Waziri tribe. He becomes a good friend of Tarzan. Tarzan once aided Basuli in retrieving an eagle's feather, which he needed as part of a rite of passage in order to marry. Though he and Tarzan are friends, they compete in many ways.
  • Dr. Robin Doyle (voiced by Sheena Easton) is a female Irish anthropologist, who began her studies in the jungle, and has the Professor smitten. The first time she came to Africa was to study the Waziri people with Professor Porter, he was afraid he was too old for her and sought out a fountain that he thought would make the drinker young again. In the episode "Tarzan and the Protege", she brought her nephew Ian.
  • Ian (voiced by Jake Dinwiddie) is Dr. Doyle's shy young nephew. He is a lonely and intelligent boy who feels displaced and misunderstood by his classmates due to his passion for both science and butterflies. Tarzan takes him under his wing and encourages him to experience the beauty and excitement of his jungle life so he can leave his fears behind and also provides him with greater self-confidence.
  • Moyo (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris) is another gorilla in Tarzan's family. He once believed Tarzan cared more about Jane than the family. When Hista, an enormous red python, attacked while Tarzan was with Jane, Moyo managed to chase Hista away for the time being. When Tarzan returned, he boasted about this one-time accomplishment, claimed that Tarzan was too busy being with Jane to protect the family, and challenged Tarzan for the leadership of the gorillas. After some conflict, Moyo and Tarzan cooperated to rescue the family. Despite his arrogance and stubbornness, when the elephants and gorillas engage in jungle warfare, Moyo plays a big part in helping Tarzan lead the gorillas to victory. Just as the gorillas are about to triumph, a fire breaks out, and Moyo is the first gorilla to follow Tarzan's lead in putting out the fire.
  • Hazel, (voiced by Tara Strong) Greenly, (voiced by Grey DeLisle) and Eleanor (voiced by Nicollette Sheridan) are three upper-class women and Jane's friends from England, who came to the jungle to "save" her from Tarzan. They initially thought she was unhappy (and held against her will). Hazel is said to be a gossiper in the British Isles, which is how Robert knew where to find Jane. Hazel also happens to be the name of Jane's best friend in the books, sharing her last name with the voice actor, Tara Strong.
  • Mangani is a spirit ape who wanders around the jungle curing sick and wounded animals in need of healing with the help of the full moon's light which gives him his powers.

Villains

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  • William Cecil Clayton was mentioned and seen in one flashback Clayton was the antagonist from the film responsible for Kerchak's death until he met his own while fighting Tarzan; this caused Clayton's sister Lady Waltham to go mad for revenge for his death.
  • Tublat (voiced by Keith David) is a rogue ape and a former member of Tarzan's gorilla family. He challenged Kerchak for leadership, but he was defeated and cast out, the latter for trying to win treacherously. Kala's husband is the inspiration of Tublat in the original "Tarzan" novel. His personality is much like the original Kerchak or Terkoz. Noted by the bones in the cave he formerly resided in, he may be carnivorous. He often calls Tarzan a "hairless runt." He has four toes on his right foot, and this is one way to tell he is in the area.
  • Queen La (voiced by Diahann Carroll) – In the original novels, she was a high priestess of a blood cult who fell in love with Tarzan. In her adaptation for the series, she is a former member of the Waziri tribe and an utterly vicious sorceress ruler over the abandoned city of Opar, where she lords over the Leopard Men. She falls in love with Tarzan after he comes to rescue Jane's father from the Leopard Men, who were capturing males as potential husbands for La. Her attempts to seduce Tarzan fail every time, as his loyalty is firm with Jane.
  • Samuel T. Philander (voiced by Craig Ferguson) is Professor Archimedes' academic rival who frequently attempts to steal his ideas or garner fame by turning Tarzan in as the "missing link." On one occasion, he found Pellucidar, yet his photographic proof was ruined by Manu photographing himself. He even tried to capture the silver ape "Mangani," known for his healing powers. Samuel even tried to capture Tarzan, but his men mistook Archimedes for Tarzan. His humiliations reduced him to living in a ratty apartment in Chicago and constantly ducking the Landlord when he was visited by Edgar Rice Burroughs, wanting to know what he knew about Tarzan. Philander is modeled after the British comedy actor Terry-Thomas.
  • Count Nikolas Rokoff (voiced by Ron Perlman) is a greedy former Russian count stripped of his title who hears about a treasure in the valley of the leopards and plans to find it to regain his title. Tarzan refuses to help him until Rokoff threatens to kill Jane if he doesn't. His intellectual battle with Tarzan goes like a chess game until Tarzan finally releases the last few leopards from the boarded-up cave on him, but it is unclear if they kill Rokoff or not as baboons later steal the treasure.
  • Lt. Colonel Staquait (voiced by Cummings) is a vicious, scar-faced Colonel in the French Foreign Legion. He sees himself on the right side of the law, but his draconian means do not justify his actions, putting him at odds with Tarzan. He acts as judge and executioner and has made it his goal to hunt down Hugo and Hooft because they refused his order to burn down a village full of women and children. Tarzan helped fake their demise, but eventually, the Colonel learned the truth and imprisoned them.
  • Thaddeus Hunt (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is the leader of a band of kidnappers who try to kidnap Tarzan and former US President Theodore Roosevelt for ransom money. His two main minions are Jake, Sam, and Jones.
  • Nuru and Sheeta (both voiced by Welker) are two vicious panthers that frequently find and battle Tarzan. The two are often part of a group of leopards, which is a factual error, as leopards never live in groups.
  • Mabaya (voiced by Welker) is a rogue bull elephant who originally belonged to the same herd as Jabari and his parents. Mabaya, like all rogues, is almost constantly angry and attacks or tramples anything in his path. A recognizing feature is his broken right tusk and bloodshot red eyes. Episodes featuring Mabaya usually require Tantor to overcome his fears and face down the renegade in a match.
  • Hista (voiced by Welker) is a giant crimson red python that threatens the gorilla family until Tarzan and Moyo lured him into a tar pit, where the snake dies after sinking into it. His weakness is that he, like other snakes, has poor vision and senses body heat to hunt, a weakness Tarzan uses to his advantage.
  • Johannes Niels (voiced by John O'Hurley) and Merkus (voiced by Cummings) are two miners who first came to the jungle to mine diamonds. Niels is the tall, blonde-haired and calmer of the two, and Merkus is shorter, muscular and more violent. Tarzan agreed to guide them to a volcano to dig for diamonds, on the condition that he gets one to give to Jane. After a mishap, they lose their diamonds and leave in chains. They later return to retrieve the diamonds, which may not have survived the lava. They are attacked by Tublat, whom they capture, and are about to take him around the world as a showpiece until Tarzan, along with a protesting Terk, rescue him. Once again, Niels and Merkus leave the jungle empty-handed.
  • Zutho (voiced by Jason Alexander) is a shady mandrill that Tarzan, Terk, and Tantor first encountered as kids at the forbidden side of the river. While Tarzan teaches Zutho and his friends Gozan and Hugo, how to make spears, a fire broke out and nearly destroyed the jungle, but the rain had put it down. Tarzan blamed himself and ended up in Zutho's debt. Years later, Zutho resurfaces to get Tarzan to fulfill his favor into dealing with some annoying monkeys that were keeping him up at night. With help from Jane, Terk, and Tantor, Tarzan did the right thing and admitted what happened the day of the fire to Kala, who then dealt with Zutho.
  • Ian McTeague (voiced by Charles Napier) is a corrupt and greedy businessman. He started up an illegal mining operation near the mountain, where he and his men believe that there is gold for them to dig. As they do so, they use the water from the river to irrigate their operation, where they separate the dirt from ore with chemicals, which are then later spilled out into the rest of the river heading towards the jungle. Because of this, it has caused a plague among the animals drinking it. Even the Waziri tribe fell victim to the plague, as they used the river for their crops and drinking.
  • Lady Waltham (voiced by Amanda Donohoe) is an aristocrat and sister of the deceased Clayton who wants revenge on Tarzan for killing her brother. She had her valet Hobson capture those close to him and then poison Tarzan. Tarzan was then given a challenge by Lady Waltham which was either save those he is close to from danger or head to a mountain she dubbed "Clayton's Peak" where the antidote is. Though Tarzan saves his friends and family, he ends up saving Lady Waltham from leopards. Afterward, she gave Tarzan the antidote realizing that Tarzan would never have killed her brother on purpose. She is implied to have made peace with Tarzan and his family and has returned to her original life.
  • Muviro (voiced by Richardson) is a treacherous Waziri warrior and one of Basuli's subordinates. Despite serving for Basuli, Muviro holds a personal hatred and jealousy against the chief's son and is hostile towards outsiders. Upon learning that Basuli is planning to get an eagle's feather with Tarzan's help as part of the customs for Basuli to marry and be a future chief, Muviro secretly plotted to dispose of Basuli so that he can be the new chief.
  • Robert Canler (voiced by Bennett) is Jane's old childhood friend and next-door neighbor, nicknamed Bobby, who known her since she was five. He is an ace pilot who carries a sword-cane with a silver eagle head and a Webley pistol and flies in a plane with floats. He once worked for British Intelligence but switched to the "other side" as a double agent when he realized how profitable it would be by bringing them a code machine that he gave Jane. Despite his betrayal of Jane, he rescues her from certain death before being arrested by Captain Nigel Taylor of the RAF.
  • Sabor the Leopard (mentioned; responsible for the deaths of Tarzan's original human parents as well as Kala's child in the first film; killed in battle against Tarzan).

Supporting

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  • Dania (voiced by Kathy Najimy) is a beautiful female elephant who wants to be with Tantor for her love. Terk gets the two elephants together, and they hit it off. Dania meets Tantor's friends except for Tarzan, whose tracking poachers. Dania strongly dislikes Terk, regarding her as obnoxious and loud.
  • Bob Markham (voiced by Mark Harmon) is a logger, widower, and single father to his daughter Abby. However, the way he was logging tore up so much soil that a long-dormant plague was released and threatened to kill his men and daughter.
  • Abigail "Abby" Markham (voiced by Nicolette Little) is the daughter of Bob Markham. She appears to be around 5–9 years old. Markham loves his daughter and will do anything for her. When she falls ill with the same plague that threatens his men, he asks for Tarzan's help to cure her.
  • Gobu (voiced by Tate Donovan) is a gorilla from another family. Tarzan and Terk saved him from being attacked by hyenas, only ending with a broken leg. Terk felt she wasn't girly enough for him. He managed to trick Tarzan into coming with him to his family so he could meet his leader. Tarzan then finds out Tublat is his leader. He showed up a few months ago and killed Gobu's original leader. Tublat and Tarzan prepare for battle, but Gobu stands up to him and reminds everyone that there is strength in numbers, and the gorillas gang up on Tublat, driving him off. Gobu then steps in to take place as a new leader. Terk tries her lady charms, but Gubo tells her that he always liked Terk the way she is. They both end up leaving to throw mud at warthogs.
  • Edgar Rice Burroughs (voiced by Steven Weber) is a fictionalized version of Tarzan's creator, he is an American book author who needed inspiration for his next novel. He eventually finds it when discovering about Tarzan. After meeting some of Tarzan's acquaintances, he finally meets Tarzan when Tarzan saves him. After speaking with Tarzan and Jane, he creates a novel, and his boss says everyone will remember him by it.
  • Theodore Roosevelt (voiced by Stephen Root) is the Former President of the United States. Roosevelt appeared in the show based on the Smithsonian–Roosevelt African Expedition, a real-life trip Roosevelt took to Africa after his presidency to collect wildlife for the American Museum of Natural History of New York City.

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
136September 3, 2001 (2001-09-03)October 14, 2001 (2001-10-14)
23February 3, 2003 (2003-02-03)February 5, 2003 (2003-02-05)

Season 1 (2001/2002–2003)

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateABC airdateProd.
code
1"Tarzan and the Race Against Time"Nicholas FilippiGary SperlingSeptember 3, 2001 (2001-09-03)July 13, 20021C21-002
Terk begins to feel jealous when Tarzan begins spending more time with Jane than with her and Tantor. After Tarzan is bitten by a venomous spider, Jane and the others learn that the only cure is the Mububu flower, found on the top of a waterfall. Terk thinks that Jane is not suited for jungle life, so she makes a bet that Jane cannot make it. But as Tarzan's condition worsens, the two realize that they must put aside their differences if they are to obtain the flower necessary for Professor Porter's antidote.
2"Tarzan and the Trading Post"Nicholas FilippiEddie GuzelianSeptember 4, 2001 (2001-09-04)July 20, 20021C21-004
Renard Dumont, a French proprietor, builds a trading post along the coast of Africa, near where Tarzan and his family live. Tarzan allows the newcomers to stay but quickly realizes that with the trading post now present the rhinos have been driven from their feeding grounds into gorilla lands. Tarzan, Jane, and the others must find a way to move the rhinos, or Kala and her family will be forced to move away.
3"Tarzan and the Lost Cub"Don MacKinnon & Steve LoterMichael RyanSeptember 5, 2001 (2001-09-05)July 27, 20021C21-008
While out washing her clothes in the jungle, Jane comes across a baby leopard, who follows her. Seeing that it is alone, she convinces Terk and Tantor to watch it while she prepares Tarzan for the idea. He is at first repulsed at the idea and wants the cub to be left alone in the jungle (due to his hatred of leopards because of his parents' deaths caused by Sabor), but Kala and Jane remind him of Kala's own decision to give him a chance and Tarzan reluctantly agrees. The leopard cub is very playful and proves to be a handful for Terk and Tantor, who lose sight of it and the cub causes trouble with the baboons. Jane, seeing the hopelessness of the situation, goes with Kala (on her advice) to return it to the other leopards, but all goes wrong until Tarzan rescues them and the mother leopard arrives. Grateful for the return of her cub, the mother leopard allows Jane and the others safe passage, and later visits the group with her cub.
4"Tarzan and the Lost City of Opar"Nicholas FilippiBill Motz & Bob RothSeptember 6, 2001 (2001-09-06)August 3, 20021C21-017
After Professor Porter is taken captive by the Leopard Men, Tarzan and the others track him to the lost city of Opar, ruled by a strange woman La, who after seeing Tarzan fight to rescue the professor, falls in love with him. Unfortunately, Tarzan is Jane's devoted husband, so La plans to get rid of Jane and make Tarzan her husband and king of Opar.
5"Tarzan and the Fugitives"Don MacKinnonLiz Friedman & Vanessa PlaceSeptember 7, 2001 (2001-09-07)August 10, 20021C21-007
Tarzan and Jane meet Hugo and Hooft, who are deserters of the French Legion led by the nefarious Lt. Col. Staquait, rescuing and taking them in. These smooth-talking, good-natured con-men teach Tarzan a thing or two about gambling and profit, and eat, swim and enjoy life in the jungle, somewhat at Jane's expense (to her annoyance), so when Staquait comes for the deserters (who are "criminals"), Jane turns them in only to realize that their crime was refusal to burn a village full of men, women, and children down. Despite feeling betrayed and used, Tarzan and Jane realize that the real criminal is Staquait and rescue Hugo and Hooft, giving them jobs working for Renard at the trading post.
6"Tarzan and the Rogue Elephant"Sean BishopMirith J. ColaoSeptember 9, 2001 (2001-09-09)August 17, 20021C21-005
After Mabaya, a rogue elephant, plows through an elephant herd, Jabari and many other elephants are forced to move to where Tarzan lives to escape its path. Jabari befriends Tantor and they bond over their mutual fear of things; however, when Jabari says that the African Violet causes an elephant to go rogue, Tantor (who has eaten these flowers for years) is convinced he is a rogue, and even more so after Mabaya stampedes through the jungle, causing him to run away. Jabari learns that the African violets don't make an elephant go rogue and Tarzan has gone after Mabaya, finding himself no match for the rogue elephant. Tantor must overcome his fears to help both his friend and the jungle.
7"Tarzan and the Poisoned River (Part 1)"Don MacKinnonPeter GaffneySeptember 10, 2001 (2001-09-10)August 24, 20021C21-010
Tantor returns from the nearby river suffering from some sort of poison. After analyzing it, Professor Porter concludes that it must have come from the river, and so Tarzan and his friends convince Dumont to allow them to borrow his boat, as the poison will affect trade and jungle life. Terk stays behind with Tantor, while the others travel upriver, only to have their boat blown up by pressure caused by hippos. Going ahead, Tarzan encounters Basuli, son of Chief Keewazi of the Waziri tribe, who say that men dressed like Jane and the Professor dug in the mountainside. Meanwhile, Tantor has somehow gotten better and with Terk goes after his friends; Basuli shows Tarzan a mysterious cave shaped like a skull head.
8"Tarzan and the Poisoned River (Part 2)"Don MacKinnonGary SperlingSeptember 11, 2001 (2001-09-11)August 31, 20021C21-016

Tarzan and Basuli, upon further exploration, discover that the cave leads to a mine under the direction of a greedy businessman named McTeague; Jane and Professor Porter meanwhile inform Keewazi that due to the chemical separation of dirt from ores, the chemicals are being dumped into the river. Tarzan and Basuli infiltrate the mine, but are captured by McTeague. With some help from latecomers Terk and Tantor, Jane and Professor Porter rescue the pair, who have become friends through their trials together. Jane then proposes they build a dam, to cut off the water flow. When McTeague sees this and demands to have the water back, Keewazi refuses and unleashes the river all at once, creating a flash flood that destroys the mine. McTeague and his men surrender and retreat, defeated. After this, Tarzan makes peace with the Waziri.

Note: This episode was coincidentally aired the same day as the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
9"Tarzan and the Enemy Within"Nicholas FilippiKen Koonce & David WeimersSeptember 12, 2001 (2001-09-12)September 7, 20021C21-019
Tarzan and Terk find an injured gorilla named Gobu, who was attacked by hyenas and unaware that he is under orders from his leader to lure Tarzan back to Gobu's family. Once the injured gorilla is better, he and Tarzan embark on the long journey to Gobu's home, only to find Tublat, the aggressive bull ape who was banished from Kerchak's family many years before and has killed the group's original leader, lies in wait. Meanwhile, Jane and Professor Porter attempt to teach Terk to be more lady-like to impress Gobu.
10"Tarzan and the Fountain"Nicholas FilippiStory by : Evelyn Gabai
Teleplay by : Eddie Guzelian
September 13, 2001 (2001-09-13)September 14, 20021C21-011
The Professor eagerly awaits the arrival of a colleague, Doctor Robin Doyle, who has come to Africa to study Keewazi's tribe with the Professor, but upon arrival all are surprised to find that Doctor Doyle is a woman. During their study, they find some of the older men to have quite startling ages (from 500 to 700) and learn about a great fountain that may be responsible for their apparent longevity. Professor Porter, who likes Robin but feels he's too old for her, secretly sets out to find this fountain.
11"Tarzan and the Hidden World"Victor CookMark PalmerSeptember 14, 2001 (2001-09-14)September 21, 20021C21-018
Samuel T. Philander, Professor Porter's academic rival who often takes credit for the Professor's findings and research, visits Africa believing that the Professor has found something spectacular there. The Professor does discover something, but only after Philander arrives- Tarzan shows Jane and him Pellucidar, a hidden land beneath Africa where Dinosaurs still live. Philander takes a camera (not knowing that a baby baboon had already used up all the film taking pictures of itself), but the Professor has none, so (unknown to the others) he tries to steal a Tyrannosaurus rex egg which hatches. This arouses the fury of the mother, who chases them until Porter returns the egg and they escape. Meanwhile, Philander returns to London to unveil his proof of living dinosaurs – only to discover the baboon's pictures instead.
12"Tarzan and the Rift"Don MacKinnonLeslie NordmanSeptember 16, 2001 (2001-09-16)September 28, 20021C21-024
Tantor's new girlfriend thinks Terk is loud and obnoxious and forces Tantor to choose between them. Meanwhile, poachers are operating in the jungle and capture Terk.
13"Tarzan and the Giant Beetles"Victor CookCarl EllsworthSeptember 17, 2001 (2001-09-17)October 5, 20021C21-012
Tantor and Terk accompany the Professor on an expedition to study giant flora and their clumsiness almost ends in disaster. Tantor wants to confess, but Terk prefers covering up the truth. Professor Porter does manage to collect some plant liquid from the giant flowers, which Terk promptly spills onto some beetles, making them grow to gigantic proportions. Terk still tries to hide her and Tantor's involvement, but it's not long before both the lies are piling up and the beetles are on a rampage of destruction.
14"Tarzan and the Jungle Madness"Victor CookMadellaine PaxsonSeptember 18, 2001 (2001-09-18)October 12, 20021C21-023
Tarzan and Jane are returning home from visiting the Waziri Village via a riverboat piloted by Hugo and Hooft. When they land, they notice that Dumont's trading post is really growing and modernizing. They also notice that the jungle is eerily quiet with no animal sounds to be heard. When they return home they find the tree house is in shambles as is the professor's camp and he has disappeared. Terk and Tantor burst into the camp complaining of a ringing in their heads and started acting violently. Soon Tarzan and Jane are on the run for their lives as all of the jungle animals have turned their backs on them in a psychotic rage. Later, while hiding from the animals, Tarzan discovers that the ringing the animals hear is due to a recent radio broadcasting tower built at Dumont's trading post. After Tarzan tricks them into destroying the tower, the animals went back to their normal selves again.
15"Tarzan and the Protege"Nicholas FilippiRandy RogelSeptember 19, 2001 (2001-09-19)October 19, 20021C21-015
When Professor Porter's colleague Doctor Doyle returns to the jungle, she brings her introverted nephew Ian with her, and Tarzan befriends him to the point where Ian is acting almost exactly like Tarzan (to Jane's chagrin). Meanwhile, Professor Porter attempts to rekindle an old romance with the boy's overprotective aunt.
16"Tarzan and the Leopard Men Rebellion"Victor CookKen Koonce & David WeimersSeptember 20, 2001 (2001-09-20)October 26, 20021C21-020
When the Leopard Men of Opar kidnap Jane, Tarzan must rely on Queen La's help to rescue her. But La has motives of her own... and so do the Leopard Men.
17"Tarzan and the Rough Rider"Don MacKinnonMarv WolfmanSeptember 21, 2001 (2001-09-21)November 2, 20021C21-013
Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt is on safari in Africa when he becomes the focus of a kidnapping plot. It's up to Tarzan and the others to save him and to show the former Rough Rider that there are other ways of learning about nature than by shooting it.
18"Tarzan and the Seeds of Destruction"Nicholas FilippiRobert AskinSeptember 23, 2001 (2001-09-23)November 9, 20021C21-040
When the elephant pond turns smelly because of decaying vegetation after heavy rains, Jane plants a sweet-smelling (albeit non-native) flowery vine, but the vine grows out of control, causing an ecological disaster that leads to all-out war between the elephants (whom the vine has driven out of their feeding territory) and the gorillas (whom Tarzan has persuaded to share their own territory with the elephants). Despite Jane and the Professor's best efforts, matters only turn worse, and it is up to Jane – with help from Tarzan – to undo her mistake.
19"Tarzan and the Silver Ape"Don MacKinnonJohn Behnke, Rob Humphrey & Jim PetersonSeptember 24, 2001 (2001-09-24)November 16, 20021C21-029
Samuel T. Philander is at it again and wants to scoop another one of Professor Porter's jungle discoveries to pay off his British creditors. This time, he finds out about the healing Silver Ape Mangani, which he captures in a cage. When Tarzan and Professor Porter attempt to rescue the ape from Philander's ship, Mangani proves his healing abilities in a miracle for Tarzan.
20"Tarzan and the Challenger"Nicholas FilippiMichael MertonSeptember 25, 2001 (2001-09-25)November 23, 20021C21-021
A giant python named Hista is terrorizing the gorillas and Tarzan's leadership of the family is challenged by Moyo. Tarzan and Moyo must fight together to defeat Hista and save the family.
21"Tarzan and the Outbreak"Victor CookMadellaine PaxsonSeptember 26, 2001 (2001-09-26)November 30, 20021C21-042
Tarzan must help a man named Markham when his workers and young daughter Abby fall ill with a deadly sickness caused when their irresponsible logging unleashes a dormant plague ... and the only cure may have been destroyed along with the cut-down trees!
22"Tarzan and the Silver Screen"Victor CookMadellaine PaxsonSeptember 27, 2001 (2001-09-27)December 7, 20021C21-038
A film crew comes to make an action movie and Tarzan becomes confused by the acting, with his actions resulting in him replacing the film's male lead as the star. Later, when the jealous actor tries to destroy the film footage containing Tarzan, a fire starts at the trading post and they must stop it!
23"Tarzan and the Beast From Below"Don MacKinnonKen Koonce & David WeimersSeptember 28, 2001 (2001-09-28)December 14, 20021C21-035
Terk gains an appreciation for Tantor's phobias when a Velociraptor (which has escaped from Pellucidar) scares her silly.
24"Tarzan and the All-Seeing Elephant"Nicholas FilippiMark PalmerSeptember 30, 2001 (2001-09-30)December 21, 20021C21-025
Tantor believes in an All-Seeing Elephant, but Terk doesn't. Tantor convinces Tarzan, Jane and the Professor to go with him to search of the All-Seeing Elephant, and Terk comes along. During their journey, a rock avalanche occurs; Tantor sees Terk in trouble and protects her. Terk is surprised she is alive and tells everyone, "If my buddy wants to see the All-seeing Elephant, then he's seeing the All-seeing Elephant." But the journey becomes more difficult and dangerous ...
25"Tarzan and the New Wave"Don MacKinnonJess WinfieldOctober 1, 2001 (2001-10-01)December 28, 20021C21-039
A schooner is sinking and on board are Jane's friends Greenley, Eleanor, Hazel and Greenley's fiancé Henry. Eleanor and Hazel do not think Henry is very 'well rounded' and hope exposing him to Tarzan can toughen him up. Henry's bravery, resourcefulness and manliness are put to the test when the four are swept away into the jungle by a tidal wave caused by an earthquake.
26"Tarzan and the Lost Treasure"Nicholas FilippiJohn Behnke, Rob Humphrey & Jim PetersonOctober 2, 2001 (2001-10-02)January 4, 20031C21-047
Count Nikolas Rokoff (Ron Perlman) hears about a treasure in the valley of the leopards and plans to find it. Tarzan doesn't want to help... until Nikolas threatens to hurt Jane if he doesn't.
27"Tarzan and the Return of La"Victor CookPeter GaffneyOctober 3, 2001 (2001-10-03)January 11, 20031C21-022
Jane is possessed by the spirit of Queen La. She dupes Dumont into escorting her to the City of Opar where she uses magic to rebuild it. Tarzan, with the help of elderly Usula, sets out to stop her evil plans.
28"Tarzan and One Punch Mulligan"Sean BishopGary SperlingOctober 4, 2001 (2001-10-04)January 18, 20031C21-030
The arrogant and aggressive Heavyweight Boxing Champion "One Punch" Mulligan, along with his manager and personal journalist, visit the jungle while on a safari. When Tarzan accidentally knocks "One Punch" out cold, the boxer demands a rematch. Tarzan refuses; however, "One Punch" is stubborn and looks for a way to provoke Tarzan into a fight.
29"Tarzan and the Missing Link"Victor CookDavid SlackOctober 5, 2001 (2001-10-05)January 25, 20031C21-044
Philander returns to Africa with two British thugs to capture "Tarzan: The Missing Link" in a last-ditch effort to pay off the thugs. While there, they meet up with Professor Porter and Philander attempts to convince the thugs that Porter is Tarzan.
30"Tarzan and the Prison Break"Troy AdomitisMadellaine PaxsonOctober 7, 2001 (2001-10-07)February 1, 20031C21-037
Hugo and Hooft use Tarzan to help them gather special ingredients for their hot sauce. The sauce, with the guys' names on the bottle, becomes popular with the French Foreign Legion and is brought to the attention of Lt. Col. Staquait. Staquait then vows to re-capture Hugo and Hooft for deserting. He hasn't left without a plan, though; trapping Hooft, Hugo, and Tarzan in two separate nets, he is able to take them in ... to "Cape of Doom" Prison. Upon attempting to free his friends, Tarzan is captured and locked up too. Only Jane can contact the Magistrate and settle this once and for all.
31"Tarzan and the Eagle’s Feather"Nicholas FilippiDavid SlackOctober 8, 2001 (2001-10-08)February 8, 20031C21-036
Tarzan and Jane are invited to the Waziri village for the wedding of Basuli and Naoh. As part of the ancient marriage ritual, Basuli must journey to a tall mountain and bring back an Eagle's feather. He is allowed to take one person with him and he chooses Tarzan, which angers Muviro. Their journey is fraught with hardships and Tarzan begins to wonder if someone else isn't interfering.
32"Tarzan and the Face From the Past"Victor CookGary SperlingOctober 9, 2001 (2001-10-09)February 15, 20031C21-043
Zutho, a shady mandrill from Tarzan's past, resurfaces, demanding a favor he claims is owed for keeping a 20-year-old secret. Much of this episode takes place in flashback as Terk relates to Jane the events that allowed Zutho to gain such a hold over the lord of the jungle.
33"Tarzan and the Caged Fury"Dave BullockKen Koonce & David WeimersOctober 10, 2001 (2001-10-10)February 22, 20031C21-034
Niels and Merkus return to the Jungle to mine diamonds. Tarzan agrees to this as long as they stay away from the gorillas. Niels and Merkus are threatened by Tublat, who they capture and plan to make money out of him. Tarzan sets out to free Tublat, despite Terk's protests and the past conflict between them.
34"Tarzan and the Gauntlet of Vengeance"Don MacKinnonJacob Motz, Madellaine Paxson & Michael RyanOctober 11, 2001 (2001-10-11)March 1, 20031C21-033
Seeking revenge on Tarzan, Clayton's sister (or rather her valet, Hobson) kidnaps Jane, Tantor, Terk and the Professor, placing each in a separate, deadly peril. She then injects Tarzan with a fatal poison (via blowdart) and informs him that the antidote lies far away on a distant mountain she's dubbed "Clayton's Peak". He, therefore, has a choice, she says – to suffer as she had (and lose those he loves) or as Clayton had (and lose his own life).
35"Tarzan and the Mysterious Visitor"Don MacKinnonMadellaine PaxsonOctober 12, 2001 (2001-10-12)March 8, 20031C21-041

A writer named Ed is in desperate need of some inspiration for his next novel. He finds it while walking down the street in the form of a newspaper article about Tarzan, "The Missing Link". Ed has the inspiration he needs and begins tracking down various leads to Tarzan's whereabouts ... including Samuel T. Philander, Hugo and Hooft and Renard Dumont. They all tell Ed of their first encounters with Tarzan. Ed heads out into the jungle to find Tarzan himself.

Note: This episode is most famous for the theme of a literary character meeting his own original creator (similar to The Little Mermaid episode "Metal Fish"), as well as the fact that it is almost completely composed of flashbacks from previous Tarzan episodes.
36"Tarzan and Tublat’s Revenge"Victor CookRandy RogelOctober 14, 2001 (2001-10-14)March 15, 20031C21-001

A violent thunderstorm has Tarzan, Jane, and the rest of the gorilla family seeking shelter in nearby caves. When they reach the cave, they believe that they are safe but they have chosen the same cave that the banished gorilla named Tublat lives in. Tarzan is no physical match for Tublat, but using his superior cunning and ingenuity he manages to defeat him.

Note: Given that this episode depicts the family's first encounter with Tublat since his banishment, it likely belongs chronologically among the first few episodes in the series.

Season 2 (2003)

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Note: All episodes of Season 2 were used in the plot of the direct to video sequel to the first film, Tarzan & Jane which came out on July 23, 2002, though some parts have been cut to make them look more like flashbacks. These episodes are believed to have happened sometime during or before Season 1, since some characters first appearances occurred in these episodes, the overall true specific order is unknown.

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateABC airdateProd.
code
37"Tarzan and the British Invasion"Don MacKinnonMirith J. ColaoFebruary 3, 2003 (2003-02-03)March 22, 20031C21-003
Jane's three friends Greenley, Hazel and Eleanor arrive and assume Jane is in need of rescue from the great white shark. To their surprise they learn that Jane intended to stay with Tarzan instead of return with them. To prove that she hasn't changed, Jane takes her friends on a British-style picnic (Tarzan not wanting to pretend to be civilized and join in), but when Nuru and Sheeta ambush them and pursue the four girls into the jungle, Tarzan comes to their rescue.
38"Tarzan and the Volcanic Diamond Mine"Victor CookJohn Behnke
Rob Humphrey & Jim Peterson
February 4, 2003 (2003-02-04)March 29, 20031C21-006
Two men named Johannes Niels and Merkus arrive in search of diamonds in a volcano. Tarzan guides them on condition that he can take one for Jane. Worried about Tarzan, Jane and her friends follow his trail. As Johannes and Merkus turn on Tarzan and trap him with Jane and Archimedes, they struggle out of the erupting volcano and escape the flowing lava.
39"Tarzan and the Flying Ace"Victor CookStory by : David Bullock
Adam Van Wyk & Jess Winfield
Teleplay by : Jess Winfield
February 5, 2003 (2003-02-05)April 5, 20031C21-009
A pilot and a close friend of Jane's named Robert Canler visits Jane while Tarzan senses something bad about him, which he soon dismisses as jealousy. Robert is looking for a music box he gave to Jane, which is revealed to be a code machine, and when Jane discovers the truth he turns on her. Meanwhile, Tarzan saves an RAF pilot (who was after Robert in the first place) from Nuru and Sheeta. As Tarzan tries to stop Robert, the plane comes to the edge of a waterfall and Robert prevents Jane from certain death, but is arrested by the RAF pilot. Final episode

Broadcast

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In late 2001, Disney Channel added The Legend of Tarzan to their lineup. Reruns continued until September 2, 2003, when the series (along with Fillmore! and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command) was pre-empted in favor of a 90-minute showing of Recess.[2] Reruns aired on Toon Disney until 2009 (and at some point, aired on the Jetix block) and when it converted to Disney XD, it ran from 2009 to 2012. As of now, it is not available on Disney+, with the exception of Tarzan & Jane.

Critical reception

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CommonSenseMedia gave the show a rating of 3 stars out of 5, writing "Despite the show's charms, it doesn't quite live up to the original film. But it does teach viewers about the responsibilities of growing up — the good, the bad, and, of course, the funny — and it's definitely something that families can watch together, especially as it spends a lot of time focusing on family dynamics."[4] The Hour praised the show for having Disney-quality animation, for being faithful to the film's storyline, and for giving viewers a chance to discover what happens after the movie ends. However, it noted the voice actors are not the same and said the voice of Terk is "really annoying".[5]

In 2002, the show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and two Golden Reel Awards.[6]

Notes

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  1. ^ Animation outsourced to Walt Disney Animation Australia, Wang Film Productions, Hong Guang Animation (Suzhou), Toon City Animation, Rough Draft Korea, The Hana Animation Company and Jade Animation.

References

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  1. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 624–627. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  2. ^ a b "Disney Channel September Info Now Up". 2014-12-19. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  3. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 828–829. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  4. ^ "The Legend of Tarzan". Common Sense Media.
  5. ^ Rogers, Amanda (September 28, 2001). "The best of the new season in children's television". The Hour. Hearst Media. Knight Ridder. p. B3. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Google News Archive Search.
  6. ^ "The Legend of Tarzan". Internet Movie Database. 3 September 2001. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
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