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"Platypus Cafe" is the 6th episode of the first season of Wild Kratts, originally airing on PBS Kids on January 10, 2011. Overall, it is the 6th episode of the series. The episode was written and directed by Chris Kratt. On April 5, 2011, "Platypus Cafe" was first released on DVD as part of Wild Kratts: Creature Adventures.
In the episode, the Kratt brothers find a platypus while kayaking down an Australian river. They follow it to its den by the riverbank, where they find out that she is an expecting mother. However, Gourmand floods the platypus' den and scoops up the platypus' eggs (along with Chris) to make platypus egg omelets. The Wild Kratts then get to work on a Platypus Creature Power Suit to stop Gourmand by finding out the platypus' "sixth sense."
Plot[]
The episode begins with a live action segment. The Kratt brothers mention the platypus while kayaking down a river. They then humorously try to catch crayfish in the water like platypuses. Afterwards, they ask their "What if?" question, and the show transitions into the animated segment.
The Kratt brothers kayak down an Australian river. While showing off his kayaking skills to Martin, Chris lowers his head underwater and sees a platypus. He rises to tell Martin, and while they comment on how unusual the platypus is compared to other mammals, Gourmand, who overhears their conversation, plots to make platypus egg omelets. The Kratt brothers then dive down into the water and watch in surprise as the platypus, which Martin nicknames Plato, catches a crayfish without the use of its eyes, ears, or nose. Thinking that the platypus depends on some other sense to help it navigate through the water, they call Aviva and ask her if she could find out how the platypus can navigate underwater with Plato by her side; however, Aviva says she can figure it out on her own. The Kratt brothers then miniaturize and follow Plato to her den by the riverbank, where they find two platypus eggs. Martin names the to-be-platypuses Platty and Platter.
Gourmand, realizing that a flood could pose a risk to the platypus den, decides to flood the river to flush any eggs out. He heads to a dam upriver, opens the floodgates, and floods the river, successfully flushing out Plato, her eggs, and the Kratt brothers. He scoops up Chris and the eggs and runs off to his camper and unfolds his restaurant. However, Gourmand loses Chris after Chris tricks him into sniffing pepper. Martin, on the other hand, returns to normal size and finds an injured Plato on the ground. He picks her up and brings her to the Tortuga to tend to her wounds. After he finishes bandaging Plato, he notices dots on her bill, which Aviva realizes are the secret to the platypus' "sixth sense." Chris calls his teammates to tell them he is setting a trap for Gourmand at his restaurant. Martin reassures his little brother that he will be there to help him, and he activates Platypus Power. Aviva says she plans to send the suit's bill attachment when it is done.
Fellow villains Zach Varmitech, who somehow got a hold of miniturized Chris, and Donita Donata arrive at Gourmand's restaurant. Gourmand assigns them a table before preparing the omelet and stove. At night, Zach and Donita are still waiting for their meal at their assigned table with Chris' hands tied up. Gourmand is about to pour the eggs and other ingredients onto the stove, when Martin arrives and shuts off the entire restaurant's power. Gourmand improvises by lighting a candle, but before he could pour the omelet ingredients again, Martin takes the eggs. Gourmand notices and attacks him with a spatula. Chris breaks free of his bounds and picks up the candle, and is subsequently picked up by Martin. Jimmy quickly teleports the suit's bill attachment in front of Martin. When cornered by Gourmand, Martin turns on the bill, and Chris blows out the candle, extinguishing Gourmand's visibility. Martin finishes setting off Chris' trap before turning on the lights. All the villains corner the Kratt brothers, but Zach trips a wire, triggering the trap. Three stock pots drop onto all the villains and they roll into the river and they admit defeat. Later, the Wild Kratts meet at Plato's den, where they watch Platty and Platter hatch. They then give the newborn platypuses to a fully-healed Plato. At the end, the Kratt brothers kayak into the dark horizon with their new platypus bills.
The show transitions into the concluding live action segment. The Kratt brothers find an eastern diamondback rattlesnake on a rock. Martin then runs off and hides from Chris. To find his brother, Chris puts on a pair of infrared goggles to sense the heat given off by Martin's body. He eventually finds Martin and "strikes" him. Afterwards, they conclude the episode by saying "Keep on creature adventuring; we'll see you on the creature trail!"
Characters[]
- Chris Kratt
- Martin Kratt
- Aviva Corcovado
- Koki
- Jimmy Z
- Gourmand
- Zach Varmitech
- Zachbots
- Donita Donata
Animals[]
Animation[]
Note: Featured animals are in bold.
- Platypus: Plato, Platter, Platty
- Blue Yabby (called Crayfish)
Mentioned[]
Note: Mentioned animals are linked to Wikipedia.
Live-action Images[]
Note: Live action animals are linked to Wikipedia.
- Emu (called Bird)
- Common snapping turtle (called Reptile)
Live Action[]
Note: Live action animals are linked to Wikipedia.
- Capybara
- Caiman (called Crocodile)
- South American tapir (called Tapir)
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
- Northern bobwhite (called Bobwhite)
Trivia[]
- Gourmand was revealed to have lost his gourmet chef's license sometime before the events of this episode.
- This is the first episode to have Zach, Donita, and Gourmand appearing altogether.
- "Platypus Cafe" is Gourmand's debut episode.
- "Platypus Cafe" is the first episode in which only Martin uses a Creature Power Suit.
- Gourmand took interest in the platypus because most mammals do not lay eggs.
- The images of hatching emus and snapping turtles were reused from Zoboomafoo episodes.
- It is revealed that Gourmand is allergic to pepper because he sneezed when he smelled it.
- Gourmand meets Zach Varmitech for the first time.
- Gourmand meets Donita for the first time.
- This is the first time one of the Wild Kratts members corrects Zach Varmitech for pronouncing their name wrong. In this case, Martin did that.
- One of the female platypuses is named, "Plato," despite Plato generally being a male name.
- The Kratt brothers also named one of the babies, "Platter," which is extremely ironic, since they had just rescued them from being cooked.
Key Facts and Creature Moments[]
- On a platypus bill, there are receptors called electroreceptors that can sense electrical fields produced by nearby objects and animals.
- Platypuses swim with their eyes, ears and noses shut, relying heavily on electroreception to navigate their surroundings and locate prey.
- Platypuses are monotremes, which are egg-laying mammals.
- Female platypuses dig burrows along river banks to lay eggs and raise their babies.