The Promised Land

"It's called Watership Down!"

"Watership Down, home!"

- Hannah and Fiver at Watership Down

The Promised Land is the first episode of the first series of the TV series. It aired in 1999.

Plot synopsis[]

S e v e n r abbits from Sandleford Warren set out on a search for the 'High Lonely Hills' which Fiver has seen in a vision as being a place of safety. Along the way, they encounter many dangers, such as a river and a dog. They finally reach the hill called Watership Down.

Plot[]

S e v e n r abbits from Sandleford Warren set out on a search for a new warren after Sandleford Warren was destroyed by man. Pipkin began to wander off chasing a butterfly, making Bigwig tell him to stay close. Fiver started to have a vision about 'High Lonely Hills', telling Hazel that it's their new home. The rabbits are frightened by Kehaar but Blackberry dismisses it as not all birds are elil.

Hawkbit and Bigwig get into a argument. Fiver has another vision, Hawkbit mocks him. A dog begins to come near the rabbits. The dog then gets on the rabbits scent, running towards the rabbits. Hazel gets a plan to draw off the dog with Bigwig, using a log to distract it. After getting chased in, Bigwig and Hazel push the log off a ledge, the dog survives. Hawkbit, Dandelion, Fiver, Pipkin and Blackberry look for a way around a river.

Blackberry and the log — Blackberry's way across.

The dog has chased them to a river, Hazel and Bigwig return to the lot quickly. Bigwig says they'll swim but Pipkin denies, saying he can't. Blackberry uses a log to get Fiver and Pipkin across as the others swim. The log accidentally goes backwards into the dog, Hawkbit notices this and informs Bigwig. Pipkin tells Fiver how glad he is that he got to see the world despite being near death, Fiver says that he's glad too and apologizes for it ending like this.

Fiver and Hawkbit in the forest — Fiver and Hawkbit look around.

The dog began to swim to the two bucks but Bigwig manages to push the log to the shore where Hazel and the others are waiting in time and saves the two bucks. The dog retreats, Fiver thanks Bigwig and Hazel tells Blackberry she's clever. Hawkbit complains and Bigwig yells at him to keep going. Later, Hazel finds a place to rest for a while. Pipkin began wander off, Hazel tells him to not go too far. Pipkin follows a frog.

Pipkin meets a gull named Kehaar, Kehaar explains what Big Water is to Pipkin, the two talk until Hawkbit starts to call for Pipkin. After a while, Hawkbit and Dandelion complain, Hazel says they can't stop and Hawkbit continues complaining. Hawkbit calls the area they're in "the end of the world" and tries to go back but Bigwig stops him and yells at him. Fiver tries to stop their arguing. Bigwig tells Hazel he's doubting Fiver but Hazel tells him that dreams are all they have now. Fiver starts doubting himself too, believing Hawkbit.

Bigwig tells Hazel and Fiver to come and see what he saw. They see the high hills! Bigwig tells Fiver he was right. They all smell flay-rah from a nearby farm. Bigwig says he wants to go to the farm but Hazel quickly denies, saying there could be dogs or cats there, not to mention man and says everyone's exhausted. Hawkbit and Dandelion agree with Bigwig and Hazel says to at least wait. Hazel tells Dandelion to tell a story. Dandelion tells a story about El-ahrairah to the group as they waited for the dark.

After the story, it turns dark. Hannah and Kehaar meet at the farm, Hannah tells Kehaar that after helping him get fish this time, she won't do it again. Meanwhile, Hazel, Fiver and the others are eating flay-rah. Kehaar gets ambushed by the farmers cat, Bigwig hears it, Hazel says to not overstay their welcome. Pipkin bumps into Hannah, Pipkin wants to save Kehaar despite Hazel, Bigwig and Hawkbits protests. Pots are then knocked onto the cat by Hazel, Bigwig and Hawkbit. Pipkin asks Kehaar if he's okay, Hannah says that Kehaar won't last with a hurt wing and Pipkin says that Kehaar should stay with the group.

Bigwig protests but Hazel agrees to helping Kehaar. Bigwig tells everyone to get going... After a long journey, they finally reached the hill called Watership Down.

Characters[]

Locations[]

Trivia[]

Blackberry has changed from a buck to doe.
Silver, Speedwell, Acorn, Buckthorn and Violet (from the movie) do not appear.
This episode marks the return of Hawkbit who appeared in the book, but not the film.
In the novel, the boat used to cross the River Enborne is a plank. In this episode, it is a log.
Bob is replaced by another dog called Duster, also the same with Tab who gets replaced by another cat called Tabitha.
There is no Hannah in the novel, and Kehaar is found after they reach Watership Down.

Goof[]

When looking around at the safe place to rest, Fiver's nose marking is missing momentarily.