The Test (Land of the Lost)

"The Test" is the fifth episode of the second season of the 1970s American television series Land of the Lost. Written by Tom Swale and directed by Bob Lally, it first aired in the United States on October 4, 1975 on NBC.

Plot

Ta and Sa prepare Cha-Ka for the Test, a rite of passage. Cha-Ka, dressed in ceremonial garb, must steal one of Big Alice's eggs. Will, worried about Cha-Ka, decides to oversee the rite, and Holly tags along. When Alice almost attacks Cha-Ka, Will uses his mirror to blind Alice long enough for Cha-Ka to escape. However, Cha-Ka soon returns to steal the egg. Alice gives chase, and Will and Holly run to help the Paku. Together they roll the egg into a ruin to which they have never been. Trapped inside, they judge by the layer of dust that it has been untouched for years. While unsure what to do next, the egg begins to hatch, and a newborn allosaur ("Junior") comes out. While Alice tends to junior, the three escape.

Cha-Ka tries to explain that his egg hatched, but Ta will not believe him. Junior arrives in search of Holly, and Ta runs in fright, but still refuses to grant Cha-Ka his manhood. Holly beckons Junior to come toward them, and in fear Ta gives Cha-Ka the ceremonial beads. In gratitude to Will, Cha-Ka paints the Mark of the Test on his forehead (effectively saying that he, too, has passed the Test).

References