The Three Smurfketeers (The Smurfs, 1981)

The Three Smurfketeers is an episode of The Smurfs. It aired on October 2, 1982 on NBC.

Why It’s Less Than Three

 * 1) This episode does not include Gargamel, Azrael or any of the other regular villain characters. The Smurfs are the only starring characters of the story.
 * 2) The plot is nothing more than a watered down adaptation of both The Three Musketeers and Romeo and Juliet combined, without anything interesting added to the plot other than predictable jokes and one-liners.
 * 3) While miscast as the antagonist, Scaredy isn't a fit role for a menacing villain, does absolutely nothing throughout the episode and is defeated easily.
 * 4) * It would have been better if some other Smurf played the villain for the role.
 * 5) Compared to contemporary Smurfs episodes adapted from comic stories and original ones, the plot is far from original and focuses on Smurfs doing a play.
 * 6) This episode could've worked better as part of the Fractured Fairy Tales segments than a Smurfs episode.
 * 7) The names "Smurfingham" and "Smurfington" can be painfully punny to some.
 * 8) Except for the beginning, Grouchy Smurf is absent throughout the entire episode, making his appearance feel pointless.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) Good animation and voice acting, as usual.
 * 2) Most of the Smurfs are tolerable.