~ Scuttle ~

Scuttle and Ariel in a tug-of-war. Ariel doesn't like birds (at first). Scuttle happily enjoying his treasure. Ariel orders Scuttle to give back the treasure. Sebastian, potential eagle chow. [ Ariel first meets Scuttle when she is fifteen years old. ] [ Until this episode, Ariel has had a fear of birds. ] [ This episode features a "cameo" by Beethoven, accompanied by a few bars of his Symphony No. 5 ]

This episode chronicles Ariel's first meeting with Scuttle the seagull, a character that we're already familiar with because of his presence in the film. Ariel and Scuttle cross paths purely by chance, and although they initially get off on the wrong foot, they forge a friendship that will last for years to come. In this episode, a ship of pirates are prowling the waters. After they attack and ravage a travelling ship, a gold cup accidentally falls into the sea. This glinting cup is spotted by Ariel, who is swimming underneath with Sebastian and Flounder, and by Scuttle, who is flying overhead. The two of them go for the cup at the exact same time, resulting in a tug of war. Scuttle wins, but Ariel doesn't give up easily and chases him so to regain her treasure. This results in Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian visiting Scuttle's little island. (Continuity note: Scuttle's island looks somewhat similar to how it is the movie, except that in the film it's practically in the middle of nowhere, while in this episode it's a stone's throw away from what looks like a swamp. Also, though it's a little surprising that Sebastian would get to know Scuttle so early on, in the film they do seem to know each other already, though they're not so much on good terms.) As Ariel is getting to know Scuttle and listening to his blabbering about how much he knows about humans, an eagle drops out of nowhere, grabs Sebastian, and flies off. Scuttle, eager to make friends, tries to rescue Sebastian but is too clumsy. Sebastian manages to pinch his captor's leg, but he ends up falling on the pirate ship, where he is trapped. Scuttle insists that he can be counted on and so Ariel decides to give him a chance, since flying would be an advantage in rescuing Sebastian. Sebastian gets into quite a few tight scrapes in the pirate's ship, but manages to escape at the last minute thanks to Scuttle, who comes through when it really counts. Ariel chips in, following Scuttle's instructions, and together they make a pretty good team. Just then, a second ship appears. It's the Royal Galleon, and the pirate ship is heading straight for it, intent on capturing the prince on board whom they intend to take hostage. With a new flying ally in her posse, Ariel sets into motion stopping the pirates. During the hullabaloo, she is accidentally seen by a dark-haired human prince who will have a prominent role in her future. Quotable quotes: Ariel: [ about Scuttle ] That bird stole my shimmermajigger! Ariel: I've always been afraid of birds. They're so weird. And I hear they eat fish. Sebastian: And crabs, too, when they're in the mood for gourmet food. Ariel: So you've actually met a human? Scuttle: Sweetie, I know more humans than most humans do. Ariel: Poor Sebastian. We've got to get him off that floatamajigger. Scuttle: I told you, it's called a ship. [ Discussing whether to trust Scuttle to help them. ] Flounder: I don't know about this. Ariel: Me either. Flounder: A coconut was smart enough to get the best of him. Ariel: I know. Twice. Eric: I'm telling you, Grimsby, I saw it. Grismby: Oh, Eric. [ laughs ] Eric: But Grim, it looked like... like... A beautiful mermaid. Grismby: Your imagination gets wilder and wilder, Prince Eric. Careful, or they'll be calling you Prince Air-head.

Ariel and Flounder follow Sebastian. Oh no, it's pirates! ARRR. Maybe birds aren't so bad after all. Why hello there, Prince Eric. [ This episode features cameo appearances by Eric and Grimsby. ] [ The main title theme of movie can be heard in the background of this episode twice: first when Ariel declares that she trusts Scruttle, and later when Eric appears on-screen. ]