Episode 8 of Time Bandits commences with Widgit cunningly navigating the intricate tapestry of time, using the ancient map to rewind mere moments before history's ink had dried. Kevin, fueled by a steadfast belief that the past is malleable, embarks on this odyssey, heedless of the cavepeople's testament to the contrary. Their destination: a soiree...materializing abruptly from the depths of a refrigerator, as if conjured by a whimsical trickster.
The household, far from startled by Saffron and Kevin's unconventional arrival, merely nods in acknowledgment, their casual demeanor masking the extraordinary nature of the scene. The inhabitants politely guide them on their way, just as a future Penelope breaches another rift in time, her voice urgent with warning for her past self, urging caution and an immediate departure. Widgit, in a moment of profound wisdom, imparts cryptic advice to his younger counterpart, urging him to let "time fold" in mysterious ways.
Kevin and Saffron find themselves transported back to Bingley, but not as they knew it – this is 1996, a bygone era nearly three decades before their birth. Kevin, driven by curiosity, seeks out his father's abode, where they bond over a Gameboy, the pixels of nostalgia illuminating a newfound understanding between them. Kevin realizes the weight of his grandfather's expectations on his father's shoulders, a revelation that softens their shared history.
Meanwhile, Saffron embarks on a solo journey to visit her mother, a meeting tinged with poignancy as she speaks of adventures yet to be remembered, apologizing for pranks yet to be played. Unbeknownst to them, Pure Evil, lurking in his lair, spies Kevin's presence and plots his downfall, summoning Fianna from the annals of time to hunt him.
The Bandits, converging upon the same party where Kevin and Saffron first appeared, glide through the revelry as if they belong, the fridge entrance a forgotten footnote. Their quest to locate Kevin takes them on a new trajectory, Bittelig receiving a cryptic tip from the locals that leads them towards a bustling shopping center. Fianna, her power unleashed upon the unsuspecting world, charges through the shattered front door, her intentions clear: to capture Kevin at all costs.
The gang initially manages to evade Fianna's grasp, yet Alto's fate intertwines with the demon in an unexpected encounter at the bustling shopping center. Meanwhile, Saffron stealthily slips away from the confines of home, her mind set on a daring plan—to rescue her mother. But her bold move is cut short as Fianna swiftly appears, igniting a flurry of action.
Gathering their wits, the group convenes within the cozy confines of the record store nestled within the shopping center's embrace. A peculiar revelation unfolds—there are more than one Fianna present, and amidst the chaos of subduing Bittelig, the rest of the group retraces their steps to the starting point. This time around, Widgit gains a firmer grasp on the intricacies of the map, yet their discussion merely echoes their previous discourse.
Returning to the Ice Age era, they discover to their dismay that the precious lumps of coal have vanished from their possession. Just as a menacing sabre-toothed tiger lunges forward, its movements abruptly halt in mid-air, as Pure Evil asserts his dominance. He, aware of the bandits' possession of the map, demands its surrender from their leader, Kevin (not Penelope), in exchange for the safe return of Kevin and Saffron's parents—parents whom they now learn are very much alive, a testament to the power of their actions in altering the past's course.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Mike and Lisa's interventions have rewritten history, compelling the group to swiftly acquiesce to Fianna's demands rather than risk further conflict. However, the path to reuniting with their beloved parents leads them to the ominous fortress of darkness, where a new obstacle arises—a crucial fragment of the map is missing.
Their quest now hinges on retrieving this elusive piece before embarking on their final mission. Will they triumph over this final hurdle, or will their journey be thwarted at the eleventh hour? Only time will tell as they brave the unknown, their determination undaunted.
