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matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the series finale of Swamp Thing, the latest episodes of Krypton, Young Justice, and DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts, the season finale of Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., the special LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Vexed By Venom, the season premiere of The Lion Guard, and the latest DuckTales Short.
iZombie "All's Well That Ends Well"
Wow, that was SUCH a disappointment. I still think this was a great last season, but that was an underwhelming last episode. I had the same reaction to the last episode of the otherwise amazing Twin Peaks relaunch. The interesting thing is that the things I didn't like were deliberate story choices. They could have ended the series well, and nothing really would have changed. But I think they left dangling things that could have and should have been resolved if the series did its job better.
First off, the ten years later flashforward was TOO far in the future. Six months later is standard for a series finale. The problem is because we didn't see the aftermath of the immediate cessation of hostilities, there are too many loose ends. I was appalled that after they went into the well, the series acted like that was a fitting end for Blaine and Donnie. It wasn't. Donnie deserved better, and Blaine deserved worse. And we as an audience deserved to learn what those fates were. Especially the fall-out to Donnie learning Blaine killed D'arcy. It's like the season gave Donnie nuance and an actual personality for the first time ever, and that ultimately doesn't even matter. That bothers me.
Similarly, I was looking forward to Dolly having to pay for her crimes all season, and instead she disappears and nobody knows what happened to her? I sort of see the logic of not tying everything up in a bow, but as I said, that's a deliberate choice. They could have made the finale more satisfying had they chosen to. And I don't agree with this being the show that lent itself to an ambiguous ending. That would be me giving the show more credit than it was due. As of now, I think we deserved a more clear-cut answer on what the fall-out was.
I'm also unclear on why Liv faked her death. It seemed solely to be done to trick the audience. And we already had fake-out deaths for Peyton and Major. This show was abusing our trust by the end of the episode.
The was a great ambiguous ending. But I don't think this show was leading to an ambiguous ending, so I'm disappointed. I will not dismiss the fact that the season was a return to form, and that the underlying plot of how Seattle was cured was strong, and played out as it should have. But we deserved more details about what happened to the characters. And honestly, we've been waiting all series to see Liv and Major cured, and that's a bit of a disappointment too. But the series spent the season going out on top, even if I don't agree with their choices in the last episode. ***.
Swamp Thing "Loose Ends"
On the plus side my heart remains unbroken. The series remains unfinished and left us off on an unsatisfying place, but not an unbearable one, which is what I feared. I'll accept that.
I have to say Lucilia's death was one of the most horrific I have ever seen put to film. What's amazing is how little gore there is. It's just that we see every inch of her terrified reaction, which is why the scene is so horrible. Even horror movies usually have the grace to cut away sooner on slow deaths. But that landed. Big time. It reminded me very much of David Lynch whenever he pointed a camera at Grace Zabriskie or Sheryl Lee. Their emotional pain is worse than the actual torture they are suffering.
Avery's problem is that he believes he has more clout and juice than he does. Sure the hicks in the town will do whatever he says, but he's dumb enough to think that extends to the rest of the world. Nuh uh, buddy. The rest of the world doesn't suck as much as the town you spent years ruining. It's weird he believes the government should be operating on his terms at all.
I really liked hearing Abby's disgusted reactions to Woodrue being said out-loud. Previously, whenever Woodrue did one of his horrorshows, his victims like his wife and Alec were totally out of it, and unable to call him on it, or were like Avery, and were encouraging the madness. Abby's reaction boiled down to "Wow, dude you suck. And you're stupid crazy." She's telling him things I've been yelling at my TV all season.
I mean seriously, the dude's eating Swamp Thing's innards. How messed up is he in the head?
I'll live with that ending. It's not what I wanted, but I didn't want the show canceled in the first place. I can accept that. ****.
Krypton "Mercy"
For some reason, the idea that Zod has kept Lyta in the Black Mercy for months strikes me as far more disturbing than her being dead. Just watching him strike her reminded me very clearly that the guy is an absolute irredeemable monster.
For the record, maybe Seg shouldn't be snogging Lyta so heavily in front of Nyssa. On the plus side, she at least knows where he stands, and he's stringing no-one along. But he should also be more sensitive, especially after claiming he would put her needs first. Not the right time to outright ignore her presence.
I have mixed feelings on Lyta's death being a clone fake-out. That seems to absolve her of the clone's horrible actions too. But neither of those things are objectionable enough to me to call foul on the show. Although I have to admit, seeing Lyta so heavily featured in the recap practically spoiled to me that she was really alive. This is why recaps suck and damage all serialized shows. I much would have preferred to be surprised.
It was a good episode all things considered. ***1/2.
Young Justice: Outsiders "Quiet Conversations"
I liked most of that. Which is good because I've been down on this show recently, and I don't like being That Guy. Lemme get my gripe off the table. The interesting thing about the gripe is that it didn't wind up all bad. Which is good.
My gripe is that the therapy session between Harper and Megan was excruciating. This is the worst part of this show, and Weisman's writing weak spot. He's always sucked at therapy scenes, which makes me wonder why he does them so often. What's interesting is that even if it's badly written, the subject matter is important enough to warrant a hotline message for domestic abuse at the end of the episode. I freaking love that. I ultimately don't care how badly written the scene is, as long as people who see it will be able to get the help they need from that hotline. It's the worst thing in the episode, and it's kind of good at the same time. I don't usually feel that way when this show disappoints me.
Liked the stuff with Violet. Gretchen's dad's a fundamentalist jerkward, but her mom's okay.
Interesting that Kaldur is bi. I also liked learning why Arthur wasn't Aquaman anymore.
I love Metron's design, and everybody realizing they just needed to get him out of the freaking chair. That kind of problem solving is amazing, and I'm really glad this show has the heroes using the stick when the carrot isn't sufficient.
For the record, Vic is completely unfair to Silas. He blames him for things that are clearly not his fault. It still tickles me that Cyborg's father is Khary Payton, but at least they don't have to pay him any extra.
Supes still can't get a read on Connor. I love it.
"Yes and no." Metron's answer about Granny seems unhelpful, but I'm going to take it at face value. Which really makes me wonder what it means. That is a verbal riddle worthy of David Lynch. Okay, maybe it's not as great as the Cowboy seeing the guy once more if he did good, and twice more if he did bad in Mulholland Dr., but for the show as is, it's pretty great. I do not demand David Lynch from all of my ambiguous scenes, especially because Weisman will probably get around to answering it if the show lasts another 20 seasons.
Solid week. I didn't love it, but I liked it, and will grade it accordingly. ****.
DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts "BabsGirl"
Does Babs really expect to see Starro, Darkseid, or Parallax in a dark alley? And isn't Parallax supposed to be Hal? ***.
Preacher "Masada"
The only reason I tuned in was because it's the last season. But last season completely lost me, and I'd have dropped the series entirely if it weren't ending. My criteria for the new season is simply for the show to be passable, and not an utter waste of my time. The first episode was passable, and didn't waste too much time. I'm far from thinking the series' problems are over, but it seems like the endgame means things are finally getting down to business.
I am less surprised God is the Big Bad of the series, and more surprised he's drinkin' buddies with Herr Starr. Jessie won't like that. Good.
The worst part about last season for me is that it made Jessie irredeemable, and a complete waste of a human being. This season isn't trying to rectify that perception. Not even being able to HEAR another man express affection for Tulip is psychopathic behavior. It is not normal, and shows Jessie has no respect for Tulip, and considers her his property. I'm really disgusted with the character, and I'm more disgusted with the idea that Tulip lied to him about sleeping with Cassidy because she was afraid he'd hurt her. That's the only reason she'd lie. The only one. And I'm pretty dang sick of following the adventures of an abusive lout like Jessie Custer.
I'll give him one thing: The hat carrot with Herr Starr almost worked. I don't think Starr was REALLY ever gonna agree to that, but he actually stopped for a second to think of a way he could possibly work that to his advantage. He wants a hat more than anything. And God willing, Jessie almost got him the raise the headphones.
Those two bullets hitting each other WAS cool. Tulip and Lara have more in common than they don't.
It's not the fact that Cassidy is circumcised which is why I think that torture sucks. It's the fact that the guy waits until it grows back, and does it over and over again. And Jessie expects thanks for this being Cassidy's life? And Cassidy isn't even allowed to TALK about how much loving Tulip is messing him up? Jessie sucks.
I feel like the series' biggest problem is that the hero is too bad of character. That might not be a huge problem if Tulip or Cassidy were utter monsters, but they're not. And they're taking their marching orders from a guy who isn't just crazy, he isn't just sinister, but he's kind of outright dumb too. I'd feel a lot better about the mission to hold God to account if the person wanting to do that wasn't an even bigger scumbag than God is.
For the record, that cold opening sucked. Just based on how dumb that was I expected to hate the episode and the season, but luckily that was the worst part of the episode. If it hadn't been, we would have had serious problems.
Decent premiere, but my reservations have not been lessened much. ***.
Preacher "Last Supper"
I love that it's the Heavenly drugs that screw Cassidy up. He is such an idiot.
For the record, Tulip is a MESS of trouble. I'm thinking after that car show they should have just centered the show around her.
I don't get the pig's ear thing. I don't get the ending either, but I like that I didn't get the ending. The pig's ear just makes no sense.
Decent episode. ***1/2.
Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. "The Sign"
Things not gettin' any easier for Flynn.
I love that Deek has people and I love that Fitz objects to that. "Don't be mad." I love Deek.
And I especially loved learning he built the tech company because nobody liked him. And Snowflake was not his crazy girlfriend.
Aw, Deek thinks he invented zombie videogames. That's almost cute. He also doesn't seem to know what West is.
Sarge has never been in a place with so many guns available before? Due to recent real-world events, that is actually humbling.
I also love that the overkill is the thing that says Sarge is part Coulson. That was Classic Coulson and it can't be read any other way. But he's NOT actually Coulson.
Those were some neat special effects with the monolith at the end.
The end of Sarge stabbing May was shocking. But maybe it shouldn't have been. We probably should have seen it coming.
Great Ennoch tag too. Great episode in general. ****1/2.
Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. "New Life"
The Chronicoms attacking when they did proves that when it rains, it pours.
Great surprise Ennoch appearance. It actually fooled me.
Yoyo getting shriked was alarming. I didn't see how she could get out of it.
Simmons "can never" know where Fitz is? Are they seriously going to spend another season with those two apart? Give it a rest already.
I don't love the Coulson ILM but he's definitely an improvement from Sarge. Next season should be fun.
I love the idea that Simmons and Ennoch saved the day because they literally had time. I don't even mind the show walking back May and Yoyo's tragic deaths. Because those were some good walkbacks. They made a lick of sense which is not true when this show usually pulls that.
I'm calling it. This is the show's first good and satisfying finale, and the first season that was enjoyable the entire way through. The producers of the show don't suck and actually have good pedigrees. It alarms me this is the first season I've actually enjoyed since the first. I reserve the right to complain that the show more or less sucked for five seasons. But I'll give it up for a season that didn't. ****1/2.
LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Vexed By Venom
Interesting that Roxxon is a thing.
I love the little Spidey doll. I'm also amused that Spidey finds a rotary phone impressive.
I thought Venom didn't make Spidey's Spider-Sense tingle.
Venom's turned into a legit action figure! Between that and Spidey's Spider-Crawler vehicle this short was one long "Mommy! Mommy! I want that!"
How do I put this? I found Gwen's outfit too revealing. She's a minifigure so it isn't sexy. But I've never seen another minifigure dressed that way either.
Spidey's bad with girls.
Venom's various transformations sort of broke the rules of the LEGO specials in my book. I probably wouldn't complain if everything else in this franchise weren't so dang careful to never do that.
Peter says he's gotten the hang of this superhero thing... As he walks down a hall... At school... In public... Out of costume... I wonder if current Marvel cartoon producers truly understand why nobody takes any of their current toons seriously or considers them legit interpretations. That. That.
One thing I liked: I noticed that wasn't Scott Menville squealing as Doc Ock at the end. Menville has quickly become a voice-over MVP for me for his absolutely fearless and deranged performance as Robin on Teen Titans Go!. The guy has serious acting talent. But he's still wrong for the specific role of Doctor Octopus. Which is why it's a bit of a relief that he hasn't been made the new "House Ock" for the other cartoons just because he voices a teenage version on the current underwhelming show. That's good.
This was a bit all over the map. Much like my review. ***.
The Lion Guard "Battle For The Pridelands"
When I heard about the time-jump I was a skeptic, but yeah, it'll work.
First things first: The time jump is essential because it is a good way to change the status quo. And I like that Janja and his crew are good guys now. It's a very important message to little kids that bullies can choose not to be bullies anymore, and join the right side. And Janja is a good candidate because since he's inept, the audience already sees him as harmless, so it's not a stretch at all. Add to the fact that Jasiri almost got through to him last season, and he was a good candidate for a redemption. And I like that it's Makuu's opinion that actually settles the matter. Because he's been there.
I love the way Scar was defeated, because you don't fire with fire, you fight it with water. And Kion forgiving Scar was one of the most pleasantly unexpected surprises of the series. You can tell Scar thought the notion was outright ghastly. But Kion says it's up for the rest of the other Lions of the Past to judge. And that when the waterworks start.
I also like the idea of a quest because it's clear that and the time-jump were done solely to line this show up with Simba's Pride. To be blunt, not everything will fit, especially the stuff with Scar. But it's good the show is thinking about this stuff as it's wrapping up.
Here is something that bothers me, and if the show is good, it'll sort itself out. But the idea that the scar was responsible for Scar turning evil and now Kion has that potential too, SHOULD be nonsense. I am hoping for a Wizard of Oz deal where whoever is in charge of the Tree Of Life points out that Scar got his scar while planning high treason, and was just stabbed in the back before he himself could go through with it. The Scar had nothing to do with it. He was already rotten. So I don't like seeing Rafiki indulging this foolishness. And if the series is smart (and I think it might be) it will go with the moral that people (or animals) are responsible for their own actions. Magical scars do not actually turn people evil. Kion's morality is entirely up to him, and I want the quest to be half pointless (for Kion's sake) and half-successful (for Ono's). We'll see how the rest of the season shakes down.
But I liked the first episode back, and am on-board the time skip, which I wasn't before the season. ****.
DuckTales "Louie's Favorite Treasures"
I am always amused when this show claims Louie's full name is Llewellyn. It's not, but it's funny.
The blackout moments make me feel like the YouTube version of this short is abridged, and as if there were supposed to be longer clips after each treasure.
This was still pretty funny though. ***1/2.
iZombie "All's Well That Ends Well"
Wow, that was SUCH a disappointment. I still think this was a great last season, but that was an underwhelming last episode. I had the same reaction to the last episode of the otherwise amazing Twin Peaks relaunch. The interesting thing is that the things I didn't like were deliberate story choices. They could have ended the series well, and nothing really would have changed. But I think they left dangling things that could have and should have been resolved if the series did its job better.
First off, the ten years later flashforward was TOO far in the future. Six months later is standard for a series finale. The problem is because we didn't see the aftermath of the immediate cessation of hostilities, there are too many loose ends. I was appalled that after they went into the well, the series acted like that was a fitting end for Blaine and Donnie. It wasn't. Donnie deserved better, and Blaine deserved worse. And we as an audience deserved to learn what those fates were. Especially the fall-out to Donnie learning Blaine killed D'arcy. It's like the season gave Donnie nuance and an actual personality for the first time ever, and that ultimately doesn't even matter. That bothers me.
Similarly, I was looking forward to Dolly having to pay for her crimes all season, and instead she disappears and nobody knows what happened to her? I sort of see the logic of not tying everything up in a bow, but as I said, that's a deliberate choice. They could have made the finale more satisfying had they chosen to. And I don't agree with this being the show that lent itself to an ambiguous ending. That would be me giving the show more credit than it was due. As of now, I think we deserved a more clear-cut answer on what the fall-out was.
I'm also unclear on why Liv faked her death. It seemed solely to be done to trick the audience. And we already had fake-out deaths for Peyton and Major. This show was abusing our trust by the end of the episode.
The was a great ambiguous ending. But I don't think this show was leading to an ambiguous ending, so I'm disappointed. I will not dismiss the fact that the season was a return to form, and that the underlying plot of how Seattle was cured was strong, and played out as it should have. But we deserved more details about what happened to the characters. And honestly, we've been waiting all series to see Liv and Major cured, and that's a bit of a disappointment too. But the series spent the season going out on top, even if I don't agree with their choices in the last episode. ***.
Swamp Thing "Loose Ends"
On the plus side my heart remains unbroken. The series remains unfinished and left us off on an unsatisfying place, but not an unbearable one, which is what I feared. I'll accept that.
I have to say Lucilia's death was one of the most horrific I have ever seen put to film. What's amazing is how little gore there is. It's just that we see every inch of her terrified reaction, which is why the scene is so horrible. Even horror movies usually have the grace to cut away sooner on slow deaths. But that landed. Big time. It reminded me very much of David Lynch whenever he pointed a camera at Grace Zabriskie or Sheryl Lee. Their emotional pain is worse than the actual torture they are suffering.
Avery's problem is that he believes he has more clout and juice than he does. Sure the hicks in the town will do whatever he says, but he's dumb enough to think that extends to the rest of the world. Nuh uh, buddy. The rest of the world doesn't suck as much as the town you spent years ruining. It's weird he believes the government should be operating on his terms at all.
I really liked hearing Abby's disgusted reactions to Woodrue being said out-loud. Previously, whenever Woodrue did one of his horrorshows, his victims like his wife and Alec were totally out of it, and unable to call him on it, or were like Avery, and were encouraging the madness. Abby's reaction boiled down to "Wow, dude you suck. And you're stupid crazy." She's telling him things I've been yelling at my TV all season.
I mean seriously, the dude's eating Swamp Thing's innards. How messed up is he in the head?
I'll live with that ending. It's not what I wanted, but I didn't want the show canceled in the first place. I can accept that. ****.
Krypton "Mercy"
For some reason, the idea that Zod has kept Lyta in the Black Mercy for months strikes me as far more disturbing than her being dead. Just watching him strike her reminded me very clearly that the guy is an absolute irredeemable monster.
For the record, maybe Seg shouldn't be snogging Lyta so heavily in front of Nyssa. On the plus side, she at least knows where he stands, and he's stringing no-one along. But he should also be more sensitive, especially after claiming he would put her needs first. Not the right time to outright ignore her presence.
I have mixed feelings on Lyta's death being a clone fake-out. That seems to absolve her of the clone's horrible actions too. But neither of those things are objectionable enough to me to call foul on the show. Although I have to admit, seeing Lyta so heavily featured in the recap practically spoiled to me that she was really alive. This is why recaps suck and damage all serialized shows. I much would have preferred to be surprised.
It was a good episode all things considered. ***1/2.
Young Justice: Outsiders "Quiet Conversations"
I liked most of that. Which is good because I've been down on this show recently, and I don't like being That Guy. Lemme get my gripe off the table. The interesting thing about the gripe is that it didn't wind up all bad. Which is good.
My gripe is that the therapy session between Harper and Megan was excruciating. This is the worst part of this show, and Weisman's writing weak spot. He's always sucked at therapy scenes, which makes me wonder why he does them so often. What's interesting is that even if it's badly written, the subject matter is important enough to warrant a hotline message for domestic abuse at the end of the episode. I freaking love that. I ultimately don't care how badly written the scene is, as long as people who see it will be able to get the help they need from that hotline. It's the worst thing in the episode, and it's kind of good at the same time. I don't usually feel that way when this show disappoints me.
Liked the stuff with Violet. Gretchen's dad's a fundamentalist jerkward, but her mom's okay.
Interesting that Kaldur is bi. I also liked learning why Arthur wasn't Aquaman anymore.
I love Metron's design, and everybody realizing they just needed to get him out of the freaking chair. That kind of problem solving is amazing, and I'm really glad this show has the heroes using the stick when the carrot isn't sufficient.
For the record, Vic is completely unfair to Silas. He blames him for things that are clearly not his fault. It still tickles me that Cyborg's father is Khary Payton, but at least they don't have to pay him any extra.
Supes still can't get a read on Connor. I love it.
"Yes and no." Metron's answer about Granny seems unhelpful, but I'm going to take it at face value. Which really makes me wonder what it means. That is a verbal riddle worthy of David Lynch. Okay, maybe it's not as great as the Cowboy seeing the guy once more if he did good, and twice more if he did bad in Mulholland Dr., but for the show as is, it's pretty great. I do not demand David Lynch from all of my ambiguous scenes, especially because Weisman will probably get around to answering it if the show lasts another 20 seasons.
Solid week. I didn't love it, but I liked it, and will grade it accordingly. ****.
DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts "BabsGirl"
Does Babs really expect to see Starro, Darkseid, or Parallax in a dark alley? And isn't Parallax supposed to be Hal? ***.
Preacher "Masada"
The only reason I tuned in was because it's the last season. But last season completely lost me, and I'd have dropped the series entirely if it weren't ending. My criteria for the new season is simply for the show to be passable, and not an utter waste of my time. The first episode was passable, and didn't waste too much time. I'm far from thinking the series' problems are over, but it seems like the endgame means things are finally getting down to business.
I am less surprised God is the Big Bad of the series, and more surprised he's drinkin' buddies with Herr Starr. Jessie won't like that. Good.
The worst part about last season for me is that it made Jessie irredeemable, and a complete waste of a human being. This season isn't trying to rectify that perception. Not even being able to HEAR another man express affection for Tulip is psychopathic behavior. It is not normal, and shows Jessie has no respect for Tulip, and considers her his property. I'm really disgusted with the character, and I'm more disgusted with the idea that Tulip lied to him about sleeping with Cassidy because she was afraid he'd hurt her. That's the only reason she'd lie. The only one. And I'm pretty dang sick of following the adventures of an abusive lout like Jessie Custer.
I'll give him one thing: The hat carrot with Herr Starr almost worked. I don't think Starr was REALLY ever gonna agree to that, but he actually stopped for a second to think of a way he could possibly work that to his advantage. He wants a hat more than anything. And God willing, Jessie almost got him the raise the headphones.
Those two bullets hitting each other WAS cool. Tulip and Lara have more in common than they don't.
It's not the fact that Cassidy is circumcised which is why I think that torture sucks. It's the fact that the guy waits until it grows back, and does it over and over again. And Jessie expects thanks for this being Cassidy's life? And Cassidy isn't even allowed to TALK about how much loving Tulip is messing him up? Jessie sucks.
I feel like the series' biggest problem is that the hero is too bad of character. That might not be a huge problem if Tulip or Cassidy were utter monsters, but they're not. And they're taking their marching orders from a guy who isn't just crazy, he isn't just sinister, but he's kind of outright dumb too. I'd feel a lot better about the mission to hold God to account if the person wanting to do that wasn't an even bigger scumbag than God is.
For the record, that cold opening sucked. Just based on how dumb that was I expected to hate the episode and the season, but luckily that was the worst part of the episode. If it hadn't been, we would have had serious problems.
Decent premiere, but my reservations have not been lessened much. ***.
Preacher "Last Supper"
I love that it's the Heavenly drugs that screw Cassidy up. He is such an idiot.
For the record, Tulip is a MESS of trouble. I'm thinking after that car show they should have just centered the show around her.
I don't get the pig's ear thing. I don't get the ending either, but I like that I didn't get the ending. The pig's ear just makes no sense.
Decent episode. ***1/2.
Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. "The Sign"
Things not gettin' any easier for Flynn.
I love that Deek has people and I love that Fitz objects to that. "Don't be mad." I love Deek.
And I especially loved learning he built the tech company because nobody liked him. And Snowflake was not his crazy girlfriend.
Aw, Deek thinks he invented zombie videogames. That's almost cute. He also doesn't seem to know what West is.
Sarge has never been in a place with so many guns available before? Due to recent real-world events, that is actually humbling.
I also love that the overkill is the thing that says Sarge is part Coulson. That was Classic Coulson and it can't be read any other way. But he's NOT actually Coulson.
Those were some neat special effects with the monolith at the end.
The end of Sarge stabbing May was shocking. But maybe it shouldn't have been. We probably should have seen it coming.
Great Ennoch tag too. Great episode in general. ****1/2.
Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. "New Life"
The Chronicoms attacking when they did proves that when it rains, it pours.
Great surprise Ennoch appearance. It actually fooled me.
Yoyo getting shriked was alarming. I didn't see how she could get out of it.
Simmons "can never" know where Fitz is? Are they seriously going to spend another season with those two apart? Give it a rest already.
I don't love the Coulson ILM but he's definitely an improvement from Sarge. Next season should be fun.
I love the idea that Simmons and Ennoch saved the day because they literally had time. I don't even mind the show walking back May and Yoyo's tragic deaths. Because those were some good walkbacks. They made a lick of sense which is not true when this show usually pulls that.
I'm calling it. This is the show's first good and satisfying finale, and the first season that was enjoyable the entire way through. The producers of the show don't suck and actually have good pedigrees. It alarms me this is the first season I've actually enjoyed since the first. I reserve the right to complain that the show more or less sucked for five seasons. But I'll give it up for a season that didn't. ****1/2.
LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Vexed By Venom
Interesting that Roxxon is a thing.
I love the little Spidey doll. I'm also amused that Spidey finds a rotary phone impressive.
I thought Venom didn't make Spidey's Spider-Sense tingle.
Venom's turned into a legit action figure! Between that and Spidey's Spider-Crawler vehicle this short was one long "Mommy! Mommy! I want that!"
How do I put this? I found Gwen's outfit too revealing. She's a minifigure so it isn't sexy. But I've never seen another minifigure dressed that way either.
Spidey's bad with girls.
Venom's various transformations sort of broke the rules of the LEGO specials in my book. I probably wouldn't complain if everything else in this franchise weren't so dang careful to never do that.
Peter says he's gotten the hang of this superhero thing... As he walks down a hall... At school... In public... Out of costume... I wonder if current Marvel cartoon producers truly understand why nobody takes any of their current toons seriously or considers them legit interpretations. That. That.
One thing I liked: I noticed that wasn't Scott Menville squealing as Doc Ock at the end. Menville has quickly become a voice-over MVP for me for his absolutely fearless and deranged performance as Robin on Teen Titans Go!. The guy has serious acting talent. But he's still wrong for the specific role of Doctor Octopus. Which is why it's a bit of a relief that he hasn't been made the new "House Ock" for the other cartoons just because he voices a teenage version on the current underwhelming show. That's good.
This was a bit all over the map. Much like my review. ***.
The Lion Guard "Battle For The Pridelands"
When I heard about the time-jump I was a skeptic, but yeah, it'll work.
First things first: The time jump is essential because it is a good way to change the status quo. And I like that Janja and his crew are good guys now. It's a very important message to little kids that bullies can choose not to be bullies anymore, and join the right side. And Janja is a good candidate because since he's inept, the audience already sees him as harmless, so it's not a stretch at all. Add to the fact that Jasiri almost got through to him last season, and he was a good candidate for a redemption. And I like that it's Makuu's opinion that actually settles the matter. Because he's been there.
I love the way Scar was defeated, because you don't fire with fire, you fight it with water. And Kion forgiving Scar was one of the most pleasantly unexpected surprises of the series. You can tell Scar thought the notion was outright ghastly. But Kion says it's up for the rest of the other Lions of the Past to judge. And that when the waterworks start.
I also like the idea of a quest because it's clear that and the time-jump were done solely to line this show up with Simba's Pride. To be blunt, not everything will fit, especially the stuff with Scar. But it's good the show is thinking about this stuff as it's wrapping up.
Here is something that bothers me, and if the show is good, it'll sort itself out. But the idea that the scar was responsible for Scar turning evil and now Kion has that potential too, SHOULD be nonsense. I am hoping for a Wizard of Oz deal where whoever is in charge of the Tree Of Life points out that Scar got his scar while planning high treason, and was just stabbed in the back before he himself could go through with it. The Scar had nothing to do with it. He was already rotten. So I don't like seeing Rafiki indulging this foolishness. And if the series is smart (and I think it might be) it will go with the moral that people (or animals) are responsible for their own actions. Magical scars do not actually turn people evil. Kion's morality is entirely up to him, and I want the quest to be half pointless (for Kion's sake) and half-successful (for Ono's). We'll see how the rest of the season shakes down.
But I liked the first episode back, and am on-board the time skip, which I wasn't before the season. ****.
DuckTales "Louie's Favorite Treasures"
I am always amused when this show claims Louie's full name is Llewellyn. It's not, but it's funny.
The blackout moments make me feel like the YouTube version of this short is abridged, and as if there were supposed to be longer clips after each treasure.
This was still pretty funny though. ***1/2.
