Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight season 1, episode 1 recap

The Dragon Master Po is back! The Netflix DreamWorks series Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight season 1 episode 1 titled “A Cause for the Paws” has our beloved hero fail in retrieving a stolen ancient gauntlet.

The two mischievous and rather silly weasels escape but all hope might not be lost when Wandering Blade arrives from England. Who is she and will she team up with Po?

Let’s find out!

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight Season 1 Episode 1 recap – The Gauntlet

The beginning of the series starts with a quick refresher, telling the tale of how Po the panda, was able to channel his love of Kung Fu and become The Dragon Warrior. He defeated deadly foes, made new friends, and became China’s hero!

Now that the country is saved what will he do next? Why travel the country for a food tour, of course!

Po passes village after village, eating great food and meeting devoted fans until he arrives at one village that is home to the powerful ancient gauntlet. At this village in particular he is extremely popular and thus must eat his food inside the closet of the restaurant.

While he is waiting to eat, two weasels Klaus and Veruca, arrive to steal the gauntlet. The two are apprehended when Po is finally able to intervene and accidentally becomes the reason they escape.

With just the thumb of the gauntlet in his possession a long but very entertaining and visually stunning fight scene ensues which includes another mysterious figure getting involved. Po sees firsthand the true power of the gauntlet and barely escapes with his life.

The village is angered by his failure and so Po makes the long journey back home. As he does, he passes through other villages who seem to share the same angered sentiment.

When he finally arrives home his father had already heard what happened. China is angered and wants to revoke Po of his title.

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight Season 1 Episode 1 recap – Wandering Blade

Just when Po thinks all is lost the mysterious warrior reappears whom he mistakes as a friend of the weasels. The two battle it out before Po concedes and Wandering Blade reveals herself.

She is seeking The Dragon Master, not expecting it to be Po. Angered that he is the reason Klaus and Veruca escaped she decides to retrieve the gauntlet alone.

Hoping to restore his honor and title, Po asks to go with her, revealing he possesses the thumb of the gauntlet. She agrees and asks that he meet her at dawn.

Even though he’s excited to go, Po somehow oversleeps, and she’s gone. However, he makes it his personal mission to find her as the episode comes to a close.

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight Season 1 Episode 1 review

I was both excited and weary for this new series, continuing the story of my favorite DreamWorks character to date. But the first episode of Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight thankfully did not disappoint.

The episode made fantastic use of exposition, didn’t waste time on showing audiences (especially for those who are unfamiliar) who Po is, managed to channel the same yet creative humor from the films, and (my favorite part) placed perfect emphasis on the slow-motion scenes.

Those slow-motion scenes gave me the same chills and goosebumps as the ones from the films and it’s glorious! Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight doesn’t miss a beat as it reminds me of everything I really enjoyed from the films.

I look forward to how Po’s journey continues in the following episodes!

What did you think of Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight season 1, episode 1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

You can watch Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight season 1 on Netflix.