"Dusters" is the second episode of the Disney+ Original series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, and the second episode of the series overall. It was released on Disney+ on April 2, 2021.
Synopsis[]
Evan is skeptical of Alex's unique approach to coaching, as the team gets ready for its first game.
Plot[]
Nick narrates another episode of his podcast as the Don't Bothers meet for their first training session of the season. Alex runs the training session, but explains that it will be more talkative as opposed to hands-on training. Alex gives the team a puck and tells them that they are going to grow closer by being truthful to one another, and even suggests the "trust fall", albeit the team are reluctant to get on board with the radically different training regime.
Feeling as though the training session isn't working, Evan visits Coach Bombay's office in an attempt to convince him to help with the training session. Bombay immediately turns Evan away, citing that he is interrupting his nap, but things become more tense when Alex also turns for Bombay for advice but is turned away in the same fashion.
As the Don't Bothers begin their first real training session, things become difficult when Alex begins handing out beach balls instead of pucks, and Evan becomes convinced that his new team is going to fail. Evan tries once again to convince Coach Bombay to help them, but he is reluctant and tells Evan that he doesn't care about the team or their success.
At the diner after training, Alex holds a ceremony for the Don't Bothers, despite concerns from Evan that they haven't played their first game. Nonetheless, Alex cites that she doesn't want the outcome of their first game to influence the team too much, remarking that it doesn't matter if they win or lose. Evan takes her to one side and tells her that this is not helping, but Alex tells him that she is trying to form a family, not just a team. Evan is annoyed by the situation and tells her that they will never be a real team if she keeps acting like this.
That night, Alex sits at the Ice Palace contemplating the team and its first game. She is shocked when moments later, Coach Bombay takes to the ice and begins practicing hockey. She watches for a moment, and the two enter into conversation moments after about coaching the team. Bombay refuses, citing that he doesn't know why he is practicing and will not help the team. Nonetheless, he tells Alex about a lost and found wherein she can attain some equipment for the training sessions. Shortly after, Alex rallies the Don't Bothers and they plan how they will steal the equipment previously mentioned by Gordon. When they arrive, they find that their path is blocked by a receptionist but are able to bypass her easily through teamwork and distractions.
Moments before their first game the next day, Alex gives her team a talk. She remarks that they have grown closer over the last couple of days, but remarks that the outcome of the game is not the be all, end all. Nonetheless, she encourages the team to do their best and hands out jerseys with the teams logo on. As the game begins, the Don't Bothers find themselves losing terribly to the opponent. Communication lacks between the teammates and fear of physical harm looms over them. In the end, the Don't Bothers lose the match with no goals.
After the match, Alex congratulates the team but cites that they never thought they would win. Evan rebukes his mother, explaining that it isn't fun to lose as badly as they did. The team gather on the ice to practice shortly after, and Alex realizes truly the extent of the team's issues.
Cast[]
Main cast[]
- Lauren Graham as Alex Morrow
- Brady Noon as Evan Morrow
- Maxwell Simkins as Nick Ganz
- Swayam Bhatia as Sofi Hanson-Bhatt
- Julee Cerda as Stephanie
- Luke Islam as Jaden Koobler
- Bella Higginbotham as Lauren Gibby
- Taegen Burns as Maya Kasper
- Kiefer O'Reilly as Logan LaRue
- De'Jon Watts as Sam
- Emilio Estevez as Gordon Bombay
Guest starring[]
- Lia Frankland as Mary Joe
Co-starring[]
- Antonio Cayonne as Brian Hanson
- Camillia Mahal as Amara Bhatt
- Mark Chavez as Terry
- Dolores Drake as Roberta
- Bradley Turner as Referee
Trivia[]
- The Don't Bothers play, and subsequently lose, their first official game.
- Alex realizes the true extent of the teams inability to play hockey.
- Evan is made captain of the team; the other members receive jerseys with the team logo printer on the chest.
Gallery[]
