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The Escape

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“
They may have not wanted a war, but that is what they will get.
―Hazel about Efrafa
”

The Escape is the third episode of the miniseries. It aired on December 23, 2018.

Official synopsis[]

The rabbits plan a daring rescue from Efrafa that requires crafty infiltration by Bigwig. Questions arise about loyalty amongst the female captives.

Plot[]

Entering a vision in his dreams, Fiver realizes that Hazel is still alive and tells the discouraged rabbits of Hazel's survival. As all the rabbits bicker over how and when to go back for Hazel, Clover uses the opportunity to sneak off and search for Hazel in the dense fog outside the warren. Bigwig notices she went after Hazel and stops everyone from arguing.

Bigwig finds Hazel.

Bigwig finds Hazel.

Clover manages to find Hazel in a pipe in a drainage ditch. Hearing Bigwig nearby, Clover leaves Hazel to seek Bigwig's help, but this results in her being captured by Efrafan soldiers and taken to Efrafa after she accidentally finds Sainfoin's patrol. Bigwig finds Hazel while looking for Clover, who was yelling for help, and helps him return to Watership Down, where Kehaar plucks out the bullets in Hazel's hind leg.

Hazel weakly limps out of Kehaar's run after Kehaar finishes. Fiver tells Hazel everyone is waiting for him. Hazel says they're going to Efrafa to get Clover and everyone else who wants to escape out.

A plan is created to infiltrate Efrafa to save Clover and take the does from Efrafa, with Bigwig chosen to infiltrate the warren while Kehaar provides air support for the rabbits to cover for the escape. Before the plan can be fully realized, however, a fox ambushes the group and Bigwig leads it away, but he unintentionally leads it to an Efrafan scouting party, resulting in the deaths of two of its members.

Woundwort attempts to seduce Clover

Meanwhile, at Efrafa, Clover is inducted into the ranks of the rebellious does, most of whom have grown defeated or disillusioned. Hyzenthlay hostilely responds to Clover's friendly greeting. Clover is soon called to General Woundwort’s quarters, where she is offered the role of queen, Woundwort tells her he doesn't like to be disappointed before entering his burrow.

Bigwig arrives at Efrafa pretending to be a wandering rabbit, he also lies about being a storyteller which is tested by Sainfoin, Bigwig is quickly inducted into their ranks as a soldier due to the recent losses amongst the Efrafans caused by Holly leading the Efrafan's who were chasing them to a train, killing Vervain, and Bigwig accidentally leading a fox to Campion's wide patrol, killing two members.

Bigwig talks to Clover.

Bigwig talks to Clover.

Bigwig quickly finds Clover and tells her of their plans to escape while Hazel and the others wait at the edge of the warren for them. Clover tells Bigwig that if he can convince Hyzenthlay that they can escape and that he's safe to trust, the other does will follow. Bigwig tells Clover to leave Hyzenthlay to himself before returning to Sainfoin, telling him he wants to meet with Hyzenthlay.

After meeting and earning the trust of Hyzenthlay, the leader of the Efrafan does, Bigwig attempts an escape from the warren alongside them, but they are caught while leaving, they don't manage to escape because of Kehaar, who never shows up. Campion threatens Bigwig, telling Bigwig that Frith better help him when Orchis finds out.

The failed escape causes the group to start losing hope, with many considering to stop trying to escape in defeat. Clover tells Hyzenthlay that Bigwig believes there is a spy among the does, Hyzenthlay denies that and says all the does are her sisters and family. While most of the does start arguing about escaping, Clover tells them to not give up yet and there's still hope, but after Hyzenthlay is asked to Orchis's burrow, Hyzenthlay tells Clover hope is an enemy in Efrafa.

Hyzenthlay is blamed for the escape plan and sentenced to death. Clover tries to reason with Woundwort, offering to join him as queen if he spares Hyzenthlay's life. However, Woundwort rejects Clover's offer, declaring that he doesn't bargain with anyone and she has only two choices; become his queen or languish in the depths of Efrafa.

Dandelion saves Fiver.

Dandelion saves Fiver.

By the river, Fiver sees the same hrududu he saw in his vision, he goes to investigate but feels something wrong was about to happen as the lights switch, and nearly gets hit by multiple cars, with Dandelion saving him. After managing to escape the active road, Hawkbit tells Fiver to stop exploring things he sees in his visions.

Hazel starts feeling weak over the heat of being in the sun and not eating/drinking much due to worry for Clover. Fiver convinces Hazel they need to leave because everyone is exhausted. Hazel and everyone else goes to the iron road to wait.

Meanwhile, at the execution, Bigwig is ordered to provide the role of executioner for Hyzenthlay in order to prove his loyalty to Efrafa. Orchis asks if Hyzenthlay has any last requests, which she requests to see Nettle. Hyzenthlay lies to Nettle about an escape at the west side of the warren, which Nettle tells Orchis. Orchis goes to tell Woundwort, who is demanding his guards to stop Thethuthinnang's singing.

Back at the execution, Bigwig pins Hyzenthlay down, but after a few moments of hesitating, he declines, fighting the soldiers and helping the does, and Blackavar, escape from Efrafa. They reunite with Hazel's group under the iron road as a storm brews, but before they can head back to the Down, they are surrounded by Efrafan soldiers. Woundwort marches forward, challenging Bigwig to a battle to the death.

Woundwort tells Bigwig he'll take great pleasure in killing the latter.

Woundwort tells Bigwig he'll take great pleasure in killing the latter.

Characters[]

Cast[]

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