The Traveler's Tree is the twenty-first episode of the eleventh season of Ninjago and the 119th episode overall. It aired in Malaysia on September 14, 2019, on September 30, 2019 in Australia, and on October 18, 2019 in Canada. It also aired in the United States on December 28, 2019, paired up with "The Message." However, in most other countries, this episode was paired up with "Krag's Lament."
Guilt-ridden over having lost the Traveler's Tea, Cole embarks on a dangerous quest to the top of a nearby mountain in hopes of finding the legendary Traveler's Tree, a tree which is supposedly guarded by a fearsome beast.[1]
Extended: Cole relives, in a nightmare, the moments in which the ninja arrived in the Never-Realm. Cole awakens from this nightmare feeling guilt-wracked over having lost the Traveller's Tea. He storms off, and runs into some children, from whom he learns of the possible existence of a Traveler's Tree. Unfortunately, the tree is on the highest, coldest peak, and is supposedly guarded by a fierce beast named Krag. Cole strikes off on his own to try and find the tree and quickly runs into Uthaug and Boma, two Ice Fishers whom he rescues from a near-catastrophic fall. They reiterate the story of Krag and warn Cole to turn back but Cole is adamant. Despite their warnings, he continues and finds an icy ravine crossed by a thin bridge of snow. As he makes his way over the snow-bridge, he hears a frightening roar and finds himself seemingly attacked by Krag! Back in the village, Uthaug and Boma tell Nya, Kai and Jay that Cole is in trouble... just as a frightening bestial roar echoes down the mountain![2]
Plot[]
Cole angry with Kai and Jay.
Cole has a brief nightmare about when the ninja made it into the Never-Realm. Before he could exit the Land Bounty in his dream, the ninja harshly berate him for losing the Traveler's Tea and force him to retrieve it. As Cole is walking across, the Land Bounty plunges down the cliff, along with Cole. Suddenly, Cole wakes up to the sound of Jay, who was brushing his teeth. Cole, believing his dream to be a reality, blames Jay and Kai for being so hard on him before walking away. Jay asks if they should talk to him. Kai, who had just woken up, shrugs this off and goes back to sleep.
Meanwhile, Sorla is teaching Nya to control frozen water. At first, Nya is unsuccessful when the water turns into ice. She tries again, only to be interrupted by Cole. After seeing the mess Nya made and believing he was at fault, Cole storms out due to being upset with himself.
When Cole trods outside, he sees a boy crying about having lost a ball. Cole comforts him by giving him advice before the boy left, the child questions why Cole is sad himself. Fortunately, the boy tells him about the Traveler's Tree, and Cole decides to venture out.
Uthaug and Boma saved by Cole.
During dusk, Uthaug and Boma are arguing whether there would be fish up in the mountains. While they are joking, Uthaug slips and slides down a pool of ice. Uthaug is able to save him, but the ice breaks causing both of them to fall before Cole saves both of them twice.
After they are saved, Cole tells Boma that he is searching for the Traveler's Tree, and Boma warns him of Krag. He describes the monster and fierce and vicious before getting into another argument with Uthaug. Cole questions the theory of Krag existing and Boma tells Cole to listen to the fearsome sound of the Krag, although it's a sound created by Uthaug. After hearing such nonsense, Cole continues his pursuit.
Cole "attacked" by Krag.
Cole continues his quest for the Traveler's Tree before being pounced by Krag. Nya, Kai, and Jay discuss the whereabouts of Cole before Uthaug and Boma rush down the mountain to tell that Cole is in danger.
In most countries, it was paired with "Krag's Lament."
This, along with "The Message" were the last episodes to air in 2019 in the US.
Continuity[]
As of this episode, Sorla has begun training Nya to control frozen Water. It is unknown how Sorla attained her knowledge on Elemental Powers.
The episode reveals Cole has immense guilt over losing the Traveler's Tea in "The Never-Realm," seemingly leaving the ninja stranded in the Realm, unable to get home.
Cole's dream sequence is an altered version of the opening scene from that episode, which highlights Cole's loss of the tea, as well as the reaction he fears he'll get from his friends.
In the original scene, Cole is the one who says "This is how my socks must feel in the dryer", but in the altered scene, Jay says the line.
When Cole began to leave the cabin, he put on his shoulder armor, which seems not to be attached to anything at first. This is the first time anything like this is shown on-screen. The second time is in "Into the Dark," with Cole too.
