Series 3

This scene would have been many watchers' introduction to Mogdred. How menacing to come straight out of temporal disruption into this, with a looming face delivering a barrage of insults (pathetic, pitiful, ordinary, intruder) and Treguard getting so alarmed. I find this line from Mogdred, directed at Treguard, very intriguing: "Silence, you cleaner of cells! If you send your charges this deep then you cannot expect my mercy." In one sentence, Mogdred demeans Treguard; in the next, he acknowledges Treguard's role as the instigator of quests. More than that, he portrays Treguard less neutrally than Treguard portrays himself. You could speculate that Mogdred is showing a grudging respect for the Dungeonmaster, and that that is why he doesn't try to constrain Treguard as he did in Series 2 Quest 7. Then again, Treguard was able to defy that constraint ("Le..tter O!"). Mogdred tempted the dungeoneer to take of the Helmut Best left to Oktoberfest perhaps. Question: Wouldnt the GLORY spell, given to them by mogdred have helped? Oasis might have asked: (What's the Story) Mogdred GLORY?

There's a short video online called 'If Knightmare's wall monsters had tension music' which uses the clue room scene from this episode. This episode had a rare example of an actor playing a dungeoneer: in this case, Bryan McNerney (presumed to be the actor who played the Behemoth) playing Kelly as the Behemoth after the casting of TRANSFORM. In Series 5 we had an unknown performer playing Christopher as a goblin; in Series 8 we had Mark Knight playing Daniel as Lord Fear after Daniel drank the Fearsome potion. This episode also had an example of an actor playing two different characters in consecutive scenes. Bryan McNerney (unconfirmed) played Kelly as Behemoth, then played Grimwold the ogre. Sound-wise, there's a lot going on when Kelly meets her end. The floating skull; music; Grimwold roaring; heartbeat; bell. I like how Treguard heralds the calm after the storm with a drawn-out "Ooh nasty" fading to a whisper. I remember watching this post-mortem speech of Treguard's for the first time and trying to take it all in. The reference to Kelly being gone but somehow present elsewhere; the detailed description of what Kelly should have done to survive, presenting a clear scenario of what might have been; the phrase "alive and kicking", which I'd never heard before, evoking an image of Kelly suspended in some kind of limbo, kicking to show she was still alive and ready to be reunited with her advisors. Treguard's delivery of "D-I-S-M-I-S-S" is unusual, with "D-I-S" so close together without the usual pauses in between. It reminds me of seeing a production of Hamlet where Hamlet delivered the most famous line with unexpected emphasis: "To be or not to be."

I was re-listening to an interview with Jason Karl and he mentioned that his huge collection of Knightmare memorabilia includes scripts. I'd love to know if he has any Series 3 ones featuring Velda's incomprehensible lines! This reminds of how generous Billy Hicks was in scanning the first Knightmare pilot script for Knightmare.com, sharing his good fortune and resourcefulness in acquiring a copy from the late Richard Bonehill who had performed in the pilot. I for one would gladly make a donation to charity on Knightmare fans' behalf for the answers that Jason Karl's Knightmare script collection may hold. And what a wonderful addition that new information would make to Knightmare.com in this, its 25th anniversary year. Agreed!

Hello!! First post in I dread to think how long. Series three is often seen as the series and there is a great case to be made for it as it has everything quintessentially "Knightmare" about it. As for the team in question, they were indeed the only full team from "Up The Road" and while it does seem that they were were helped (As several teams obviously were) I often found that the first team of a new season often had the worst of it, especially if there had been drastic changes to the Dungeon from one season to the next. Here is series 3 I loved the mixture of old character and locations with a few new onces. So while Gavin and his men came up short in their quest it was a fantastic start to a fantastic series.

After getting through the Corridor of Catacombs (moving wall), they met Mellisandre again in the wellway room. There was an axe above the wellway If only Mellisandre while there had referred to that halberd, warning Leo that it had not only an axe head but also a sharp spike, he could have replied: "A good point, well maid."

I agree it was a great series. I only wish one team had managed to go all the way. The two teams who failed at the stained glass window room can't have been more than three rooms from the end.

That leap of faith was so close to perfection. If only the dungeoneer hadn't taken a forward step after landing. Before the leap, one of the advisors was questioning if he was level. It would have been optimal at that point to move the dungeoneer half a side step to the right (I think he started left of centre of the path before jumping), which would have given him more margin for error on landing, and he would have likely survived. That team seemed to be given a decent chance of success. Only one question correct in the clue room but a dagger with the clue objects, so obvious what to leave behind. In the beam room, I'm convinced he did sidestep too far to the right over a gap in the floor, but was let off. Too coincidental it cut for several seconds to the advisors at the point they were panic directing. One obvious flaw with this team was lack of advisor coordination. All shouting at the dungeoneer when guiding in a tight situation is going to be confusing for them. What they should have done is allocate one advisor only to be responsible for the directing once they have agreed where their dungeoneer needs to go. I've yet to see (or at least don't remember) a team who can turn the dungeoneer in directions other than right angles. There are situations where turning the dungeoneer 45 degrees is optimal, and given the dungeoneer can see the ground around their feet, they should be capable of half turns.

Why couldn't Douglas have just shut up and done what he was told? Because then we would all have to endure watching a very poor team blunder their way along for even longer.

Just watched this episode again and noticed that Treguard doesn't bid farewell to Ross, Gavin, Fu & Shahzad using their individual names, but simply calls them "team". I don't recall him doing this for any other team in these earlier series.

Did anyone else notice that the Oracle only appeared in the Chalice quests?

Noticeable that the shield quest symbol over the door in the die-room had been made larger and more prominent since team 7 failed to notice it.... First time that's actually come to my attention after all these years... well observed! Having now seen both clips, the shield in Chris's quest also makes a slightly different noise upon its appearance too... [image: Shields.jpg]

A good-paced episode. Team 11 encountered Lady Velda, who had been taken prisoner again. She had only just been freed from the goblins by Jewelie (sorry, i meant Julie) and now she's captured again. Martin used the key to release her. She gave them some info, which seemed rather unhelpful at the time (advisor Jamie slammed his pen down onto his pad in annoyance ) and then told them the 2nd step. Into the corridor of the catacombs and they quickly worked out what Velda's clue meant and cast their "GHOST" spell to pass thru the wall. Then the well-room (still under the effects of the spell) where they scared off the behemoth. Ironically, after being given such a generous clue by Golgarach, they didn't even need the 2nd clue item, which they left on the well. Martin clearly didn't like the spindizzy. He moved across it less steadily than most dungeoneers and when he was told there were several doors, he snapped, "Right, let's get off this thing!" Given the hurry-up by a haunted skull in the catacombite's room and narrowly avoided life-force damage. Collected food anyway in the clue room and received the 3rd step from the oracle. 2/2 answers to Merlin and received the "CURE" spell. Used this spell to reverse Motley's voice loss in the next room. Martin had clearly forgotten who Motley was. At least the advisors recognised him. Collected a piece of the chalice in the caverns, but the goblins were gaining on Martin when the bell sounded.... After their shaky start in the pool room, team 11 got better and better. Martin really interacted well with his team-mates and the other characters.

Team 10 used the three steps to reach Merlin, but his 2nd question was a tricky one and they gave the wrong answer. So no magic for them, but he told them that they could still succeed. (yeah right, as-if!) In the caverns they encountered Lady Velda, who had been captured by goblins. She gave them a beryl as thanks for releasing her. As the goblins returned, the team fled and entered the corridor of the catacombs. Unfortunately there was a goblin ambush waiting there and without Merlin's magic they were defenceless. With no other options, one advisor suggested that Julie offer the goblins the beryl. The goblins weren't interested in gemstones off course.... Ooooh naaaasty! I feel rather sorry for team 10. They were another competent team who failed due to one wrong answer. The idea of trying to bribe the goblins was not brilliant, but they had nothing else. Some people have rubbished them, ignoring the fact that they had done well until that moment. Team 11 had a shaky start. In the pool room Martin was given the hurry-up by a shark. (Seriously? A haunting might have been more suitable.) They had major confusion before finally getting him to climb out to safety. When i originally watched this episode my initial reaction to this was that they wouldn't survive to the end of level 1. Nice detail that Martin pretends to shake the water from his feet after he gets out. This was the first of several amusing moments in his quest. Were they his improvisations or were they scripted? After this room however, the team quickly settled down and made good progress. Nice scene with Motley in the kitchen. Martin's joke for Motley was better than Leo's team managed. 2/3 against Golgarach, but massive inconsistency: They were told which item not to take, so didn't have to guess. Team 10 received no further knowledge for 2/3 answers....

This was a slightly strange episode. Team 10 made good progress, but there were a few unusual moments. They were lead thru Kaa's chamber by Mellisandre and then instructed where to exit from the serpents-mouth cavern, which they managed easily. 2/3 against Brangwen Shee, yet only received their quest name, all other knowledge denied! Why? Teams should receive some clue object info for 2/3. They guessed and chose the scarf & lantern. Returned the scarf to Melly in the kitchen and received the 1st step & "FLARE" spell. Pursued by the ogre in a dwarf tunnel, but then he just vanished, which seemed like there was something missing. It would have been unfair to chase Julie into the beam-room, but i expected him to return to the chase sometime later in the level.... They negotiated the beam-room slowly, but competently. Gave Olaf the lantern for his lootings and were told the 2nd step. Used their spell to illuminate the well room. Got hit by a haunting for life-force damage before escaping down the well. In level 2 they encountered Hordriss and on this occasion he was showing the benevolent side of his nature. They took an excessively long time to interpret his directional puzzle and, with life-force running low, received a great warning from Treguard: "If you don't hurry, it won't matter!" Strange that they entered the level 2 clue room from the "wrong" direction, so they had to go up the stairs to exit. Usually teams have to go onward & downward. Reached Merlin's chamber as time ran-out.

Yes finally we will get to the arrival of the dark queen of level 3....

A very memorable episode. Team 4 followed the instructions of the Oracle ok, but then almost turned comedy into disaster when Leo was dangerously close to stepping over the ledge whilst doing his first-step dance. 2/2 answers for Merlin, with no prompting. Strange attention to detail when they moved around, not under, the stalactites and then tried to communicate with the giant toad. Collected a piece of the chalice and evaded the goblins comfortably. First proper appearance of Hordriss at the vale bridge. I liked the way they initially showed defiance before finally using the "SWORD" spell to disuade him. (Interesting how the character of Hordriss changed and mellowed over the next few series....) Encountered Motley at the end of level 2. To gain his help they had to tell him a new joke. Leo messed-up the question part and then stumbled on the punchline. Motley's reaction was priceless, a roll of the eyes and a yawn. Great reply as well, "Not so much what i'd call a joke, but i've certainly heard nothing like it!" The mine-cart ride down to level 3 was a great new idea, more imaginative than another well and it really looked good. They easily evaded the cavernwights to collect another chalice piece and some energy. Reached Merlin's chamber, but were attacked by a haunted sword before they could summon him. Advisor Matthew quickly dispelled it. ** Brilliant reactions!** Provided with two new spells by Merlin. Next up was the medusa, but they got their retaliation in first and cast the spell "GRIP" to freeze it. Then disaster. They were asked a really (excessively?) tough question by the gargoyle and were unable to answer it, so had to move on without any more magic. Reached the level 3 clue room and Mogdred appeared just as the bell sounded. "Stand by for the big freeze gentlemen!"

Episode 2 was fairly low key. Team 2 made good progress, altho they were quite slow at times, receiving a scathing, "I should consider your life force team!" from Treguard at one point. Plenty of familiar rooms again, but often with new occupants. Brangwen Shee was a great new manifestation, with a menacing tone, located in Igneous's old room. 2/3 correct answers, so they had to guess between the hourglass & the gauntlet. Cliff was thinking far more quickly than his advisors in the serpent's-head chamber. Mrs. Grimwold was quite funny, not a bad substitute for Mildread. That level 2 spindizzy looked precarious. I wonder how many dungeoneers actually fell off and were given a 2nd chance.... Reached Merlin in his new lair as time ran out.

I think that the winning teams from other years would still have struggled to win in the formidable series 3. They would have had to be exceptional. The bar was set so high that year that even some very good teams did not succeed: Ross & Martin both began to look like real contenders, only to fall in level 3. Leo's team were certainly the best team not to actually win Knightmare and were arguably the most competent team ever to take part on the program. In any other series they would surely have triumphed.

Thanks for your take on this my good man the one thing about "Jewelies Jewel" (as I like to call it) that gave me a good theory is that the may well have either met McGrew and used it as a bargaining tool to get a minecart ride to level three, the other idea is pretty much the same but in this case they meet Olaf again. This doesn't seem likely since Olaf has never appeared in level two in this series. But he has in the previous one so who knows The spell that I believe Merlin would've given them is something like REPEL. So they can't get close to her, or make them run away. Summoning McGrew might have happened, except as we learned in Ross' quest he is terrified of them Something that makes me raise my eyebrow.

Pooka and Drassil, I've no doubt you are correct about the teams who died in level one after series three (I still have a long way to go on my quest to re-watch every episode on Challenge and youtube). I guess my point is that post series 3, level one just seems a bit too breezy. Lots of eyeshield scenes, so no need to actually guide the dungeoneer. Information given out for free. Questions answered incorrectly. Wrong clue items picked up. Never mind, we'll take you into level two anyway.