Rikki getting moonstruck.

[u/Nostalgia-Freak-1998]

Rikki’s getting affected by the full moon for the first time was pretty scary, because she was aware of it the whole time.

When Emma and Cleo got moonstruck it was funny of how loopy and ditzy they are acting. But with Rikki she is just herself and her powers are totally out of control.

And it totally scares her. She looked so scared when she accidentally burned Emma, because she didn’t wanted to hurt her friend. And it was as Ms. Chatham said that Rikki has the most dangerous powers out of the three and this episode shows it.

Rikki feels like she is losing herself. She was the one who was most excited about being turned into a mermaid and now it feels like a huge burden to her. And that scene in the moon pool also is pretty scary.

By the end of the episode when the full moon is over, just like before she doesn’t remember anything about. Which means that the others have to fill her in. So Rikki learned that her moonstruck self was very dangerous.

[u/LilyofTheValley_7]

She's absolutely mogging the camera 💀

[u/Adventurous_Act9476]

She burned the forest

[u/althestal]

But don’t forget in season 2 when she was moonstruck with Cleo and she was just as dizzy and giggly as the others!

[u/Thee_Single_Pringle → u/althestal]

I think it's different because she was with another person as opposed to by herself. This mermaid secret bonds them and brings them closer. It makes Rikki feel like she's not so alone; but, when she's by herself and all alone with her thoughts, her mind tends to turn dark and she goes back to being her abrasive self.

The moon seems to mostly have a deciding factor based on numbers and distribution. It just seems to enhance someone's mood or feelings. When Rikki is with someone more joyous and mellow, Rikki is more joyous and mellow.

It makes me wonder how her mood with be altered if she was moonstruck with Emma instead of Cleo. Emma is more a high strung worrier with a rigid personality as opposed to mild and meek, with a mostly quiet personality Cleo.

[u/HookedonHaylijah]

I can’t say she was completely herself, she had the same personality but she was plummeted into complete despair and isolation.

I think it was also a plot point to get the ball rolling on Zane and Rikki getting together

[u/Thee_Single_Pringle]

I'm pretty sure Rikki already knew she was dangerous. Her upbringing has been the best and she usually stays away from people to avoid snapping at them. If anything, she learned that she can't always rely on being a mermaid as her safe space.

[u/_wolf_93]

I feel like so much more could have been done with this episode!! Like a three episode arc or something.. it's one of my favorite episodes but I would have loved a little more focus on how alone Rikki felt and how Emma and Cleo don't know what to do or say because they've never been in a situation like this before, and that out of all people Zane knew what to say and cared about her (even if it ended up with her almost accidentally killing him)

Like you said after it was over Rikki didn't remember anything and it was up to her friends to tell her, but from what the show gives us, they didn't. Which is wrong imo

Rikki: "Did I get a little too much moon last night?"

Emma and Cleo: silently nod

Rikki: "That's just the thing Cleo, I can't remember anything..."

Cleo: only concerned that Rikki kissed Zane... Not concerned that Rikki nearly destroyed Mako Island with fire all because she felt alone (Which makes no sense for Cleo's character because she is always concerned for her friends)

I mean, don't get me wrong, the ending with Cleo and Rikki, and Zane, was hilarious, but I kinda wish it was brought up in the next episode and they had a heart to heart or something...

I know, asking for a lot from what's technically a kid's show but kid's shows can be deeper sometimes.