Ewoks (1985) 14

Plot summary

To properly honor the spirit tree, both Chief Chirpa and Logray must absent themselves from the village for a full day. Chirpa decides to select a temporary leader by drawing a name at random. The chosen name causes him concern, leading to hesitation in his announcement. After persistent inquiries, he reveals that Teebo is the one. The announcement is met with laughter. Teebo, occupied with chasing a butterfly, hears his name being called. Rushing to find out what's happening, he trips over his butterfly net. The Ewoks' laughter intensifies, with one remarking that Teebo couldn't guide them out of a simple berry patch, even with a map. Teebo expresses his surprise, stating he always saw himself as a follower, but Chirpa stands by his decision.

With the tribal leaders gone, Teebo seeks guidance from Princess Kneesaa. She advises him to ensure the village operates smoothly, suggesting he earn the villagers' trust to establish his authority. He then witnesses Brador struggling with his unruly bordok and impulsively strikes the animal's rear. The startled bordok bolts, tearing through laundry, crashing through a hut just as an Ewok is showing it to their partner, and shattering pottery. The Ewoks give chase, while Wicket and Kneesaa attempt to intervene, pleading with the mob not to harm their friend. The others declare they only intend to lock him up before he causes further destruction. Teebo escapes on his hang-glider, contemplating whether to simply fly around until Chirpa and Logray return. Suddenly, an unfamiliar probe droid collides with his glider, causing it to crash into some bushes. Teebo remains hidden, waiting for the danger to pass.

The probe droid pinpoints the location of the Ewok village. Aboard Zornak's spaceship, captain Zornak reveals to his subordinate a scheme to enslave Ewoks using obedience stones. He teleports to the village, where he encounters Wicket and Kneesaa, posing as a traveler seeking hospitality and offering them necklaces adorned with the stones. While Kneesaa is welcoming, she declines his gift, but Wicket insists they shouldn't offend the stranger. Once they put on the stones, they blindly follow Zornak's commands, and soon, everyone in the village is wearing the stones, allowing him to capture them.

Teebo returns to the village to warn everyone of potential danger. Finding it deserted, he fears they've all fled due to his leadership. The probe droid reappears, and the young Ewok, realizing its connection to the disappearances, takes off on another glider to pursue it.

The droid halts in the Crystal Valley. Teebo observes Zornak's henchmen directing the hypnotized Ewoks, who are carrying loads of gems to the spaceship. He is angered by the enslavement of his friends. The probe droid approaches him again, and Zornak's people notice a remaining uncaptured Ewok. Rather than searching the area, they send Wicket after him. Compelled to obey, Wicket chases his best friend through the woods with a stun weapon. Teebo is uncertain what to do until his hood snags on a branch. He devises a plan, climbing a fruit-bearing tree and leaving his hood on a bush as a decoy. He calls out to Wicket, who fires at the bush, and Teebo drops a fruit on his head.

When Wicket regains consciousness, Teebo assures him he's not angry and then comes up with another idea. He reattaches the stone around Wicket's neck, gaining control over him. They return to Zornak's spaceship, where Wicket places an obedience stone around Zornak's neck, following Teebo's instructions. Teebo commands the alien slavedriver to release the captured Ewoks and depart Endor immediately. The villagers express their gratitude to Teebo for saving them, which surprises Chief Chirpa and Logray upon their return. Observing Teebo being carried by the cheering villagers, Logray remarks to Chirpa that he would have lost his position if they had stayed away for another day.