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matt_zimmerReviews for the latest two episodes of Smallville, the latest The Batman, the first episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Lost Season, and the last five issues of Buffy Season Six and the First Three issues of Angel: After the Fall. Warning: the reviews for the Buffyverse Comics are spoiler filled up to the issues reviewed so don't read ANY reviews past the issues you've already read. You have been warned.
The Batman "The End of The Batman"
This was terrible.
A pair of unlikable villains whose motivations don't make a lick of sense along with a predictable plot. The ONLY good thing about the episode was Wrath learning Batman's identity and they retconned that with Joker gas in a plot twist that was SO deus ex machina it was unforgivable. I'm sorry, but this season is a serious drop down in quality from last year cool Justice League appearances aside. I'm disappointed. *1/2.
Smallville "Persona"
I love James Marsters returning as Brainiac and I loved the twist of Lex having Julian killed. But the Clark/ Lana/ Bizarro triangle was VERY disturbing. It was like a punch in the gut that Lana loved Bizarro more especially because she is such a tool that I completely believed her. I liked this episode but something about it made me uncomfortable. ***1/2.
Smallville "Siren"
Smallville is officially approaching Buffy Season Six levels of darkness here with Clark and Lana. This emo stuff isn't the reason I watch this show. Spider-Man 3 was filled with stuff like this and that was the worst part of it.
Green Arrow and Lois was fun but I couldn't STAND Black Canary (who is a right-wing shill here). I liked Lois finding out Ollie was the Arrow though.
Lex is REALLY evil. Now I'm REALLY upset I missed the latter part of last season. Watching the early episodes and seeing Lex now is kind of jarring. At the same time it's rewarding watching the early episodes to see a new one and realize what a self-possessed young woman Chloe has become.
Still, Mixed feelings about the episode. ***.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Ninja Tribunal"
Nice to see the season finale of season four again especially knowing that we're finally going to see the dang cliffhanger resolved. Beats Fast Forward, that's for sure. I liked the fight with the wooden tree guys and the Shredder Tribunal. But I'm not feeling the new characters and I think the Turtles got way too attached to them too quickly. We'll see where this all leads (finally). ***1/2.
Thundercats Season One: Volume Two
The second half of season one is pretty bad but for nostalgia camp it can't be beat for the fun experience. I don't care how bad the show is; Cheetara is still hot, Snarf dancing around is STILL cute and Mumm-Ra is STILL a great and scary villain. I was such an idiot for liking this show and coming to terms with that is that best part. It's cathardic and a real lesson in humility. But in my defense the concept is so COOL and nifty. And the toys were awesome. Mommy, I want that! ***.
Queen of Eight Legs: I think the series is overdoing mind-control at this point. It seems to be in every other episode. This episode was only okay. **.
Sword in a Hole: Captain Shiner! I LOVE this episode even if it's entirely junk science. Very exciting and cool to see the 'Cats stranded in a black hole. One of my favorites as a sprog. *****.
The Evil Harp of Charr-Nin: I was kind of hoping that the Thundercats would free the genie at the end. It seems like SUCH a waste for Charr-Nin to ally himself with Mumm-Ra. I bet if he had asked the Thundercats they would have set him free. Kind of a stupid episode but the closing scene with Mumm-Ra is still boss. **.
The Demolisher: Okay, I guess, but the Demolisher is the poor man's Safari Joe. And Dirge is annoying. **1/2.
Monkian's Bargain: This was good. I love the idea of Mumm-Ra's deal with Monkian being so faustian. Good eppy. ***1/2.
Tight Squeeze: I liked this. It's kind of annoying that they are just going to ignore the the fact that the Mutants lost their weapons in future episodes but I really liked the idea of Mumm-Ra leveling the playing field. And good ol' Snarf is the one to actually retrieve the Sword of Omens. Him chasing and zapping Jackalman was funny. ***1/2.
The Micrits: Good episode. Very "Wizards" with the tiny people. Best part was Snarf playing Chess with the Micrits. A BIG laugh. ***1/2.
The Rock Giant: EXTREMELY boring episode. I couldn't believe what a snooze this was. Yawn. *.
Jackalman's Rebellion: This was cool but it would have been better had Jackalman rounded up some cooler villains than the Driller and the Molemaster. They also never really addressed WHY Jackalman who is such a coward betrayed the Mutants. Decent. ***.
Turmagar the Tuska: Turmagar! I love Turmagar. They should have made an action figure of him instead of the non-descript Tuska Warriors. And dare I say the animation was beautiful this episode? But for someone with supposedly as much "mind power" as Tygra, he sure gets enchanted waaaay too easily. ****.
The Mumm-Ra Berbil: A perfect episode. This episode SCARED the wits out of me as a kid. Just hearing Snarf humming contently to himself to reveal he's under Mumm-Ra's power is creepy. But this was probably Mumm-Ra's best plot ever. He would have pulled it off if the Sword of Omens hadn't pulled a Deus Ex Machina at the end. I can't blame the writers for doing that though because Mumm-Ra was SO effective throughout there wasn't really any other way he could have been defeated. Excellent by any standard. *****.
The Mechanical Plague: Rematch! I forgot I was watching an eighties cartoon because when I saw the title I was afraid they were going to pull some nano-tech nonsense which has been done to death on other cartoons. So I was pleasantly surprised that the "plague" was just a giant robot slugfest. The episode however had a VERY serious flaw: Mumm-Ra was waaaaaayyy too punny at the end. There's a difference between a bad guy having a sense of humor and an evil Gene Shalit. This was the latter and defanged Mumm-Ra in my estimation quite a bit. Interesting epilogue though: it appears Shakespeare exists in Thundercats continuity. But I'm REALLY confused how Panthro of all people has ever heard of Hamlet. Does the Berbil village have a community theater? ***.
Trapped: This was okay but I've seen better. They should have used the extra time capsule to explain the new Thundercats in season two. ***.
Excalibur: SERIOUSLY cool episode. Lots of great mythology with King Arthur and Merlin and I love how Excalibur beat the Sword of Omens but refused to work for Mumm-Ra after that. The Lady of the Lake was awesome too. I loved the joust and the still drawings used a couple of times during the episode. Outstanding. *****.
Secret of the Ice King: This episode suffers from some truly awful off-model animation and Larry Kenney (Lion-O) sounds like he's nursing a head cold. Good to see the Snowknight again though. **1/2.
Good and Ugly: Sigh. ALMOST a good episode. The moral of the episode (Don't judge a book by it's cover) was ham-fisted and obvious but considering the target audience of the show (little kids from the eighties) it almost needed to be. Lion-O (to his credit) owns up to the fact that he was being a total tool this episode even when Snarf repeatdly tries to let him off the hook. But the episode bungles the moral BADLY at the end by having the rest of the Thundercats (especially an unusually jerkish Snarf) badmouth the alien after he leaves. I guess prejudice is okay as long as you do it behind someone's back. **1/2.
The Transfer: I liked this. I think the coolest thing about it is that Mumm-Ra is in his Everliving form through almost all of the episode so you KNOW it's gonna be action packed. I love it when Mumm-Ra gets his hands dirty. The Mutants, as always, are amusing (often unintentionally so) and I enjoyed Slithe and Vultureman's old married couple bickering in Vultureman's plane (imaginitively called his "flying machine") over whether to go for the sphere or the Thundercats first. I liked Slithe and Mumm-Ra discussing Jackalman's strengths (cunning) and weaknesses (cowardice) too and I loved Jackalman's double-cross. Panthro saves the day here but it begs the question why Mumm-Ra didn't see his reflection when HE was holding the sphere himself. The show is famous for plotholes and stupidity such as this. ***1/2.
Divide and Conquer: Cool episode for running around Third Earth but not for much else. I like Vultureman's inventions but the voice changer is something the Thundercats should have never fallen for. **1/2.
The Dream Master: The Sword of Omens is this show's Deux Ex Machina. I didn't quite understand the concept of dream selves and other nonsense. What were the writers smoking when they came up with that idea? **1/2.
Out of Sight: No, this is NOT the Thundercats version of Elmore Leonard. I liked Tygra and Nayda playing tricks on Jackalman and thought that while it was a bummer they made Willa another damsel in distress that it was a good thing they at least allowed Nayda to be one of the people to rescue her. ***.
The Mountain: It kind of rubs me the wrong way that all of the Mutants are totally evil with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I can get why Mumm-Ra is that way but there's absolutely no reason why the Mutants all have to be such buttholes. It's annoying. *.
The Superpower Potion: Who'd have guessed of all people to almost do in the Thundercats it would be the lamest of the Mutants, Vultureman? He made the classic mistake of not actually killing the 'Cats when he had the chance. I DID however REALLY like seeing Mumm-Ra so freaked out and trying to negotiate his way out of the spider-hole. **1/2.
Eye of the Beholder: I loved Snarf getting his own sword but the trick Lion-O played on the Mutants was stupid beyond belief. The decoy Sword of Omens could have been REALLY useful in a tight spot and they completely wasted it by using it as a prank. Lion-O is too stupid to live. I also have a REAL hard time believing Tygra and the Thunderkittens could RUN all the way to Mumm-Ra's pyramid and be there within minutes. It's like Jack Bauer in L.A. There's absolutely NO traffic on Third Earth. *1/2.
The Trouble With Thunderkittens: A fun, lightweight fluff episode. Kind of crummy but enjoyable nonetheless. ****.
Mumm-Rana: This episode suuuuucked. And the thing is it's such a GREAT idea that Mumm-Ra has a good counterpoint on Third Earth but the episode bungles a potentially awesome concept BADLY. I know Thundercats doesn't really have a steady mythology like say, Gargoyles or Gummi Bears but it would have REALLY helped if the writers had sat down and put all of the characters' backstories in a series Bible at some point. What is Mumm-Rana's connection to Mumm-Ra? If we take the episode at face value, there isn't one and the idea of a good Mummy Queen is just as completely random as a Star Trek episode that finds a whole planet full of cowboys. The problem with this idea is that she mirrors Mumm-Ra in every conceivable way. Same pyramid set-up, same transformation process, same crypt, so the idea that she doesn't even know who Mumm-Ra is (while he knows who she is) is unsatisfying beyond belief. Also annoying is the fact that Mumm-Ra beats her so easily and the supposedly good reflection of Mumm-Ra spends the rest of the episode as a damsel in distress. I know it was the eighties (Batrman The Animated Series was a decade later and STILL suffered from sexism too) but Cheetara never has to have the men help her fight so it's not like this would be a radical concept on the show. And for all the show tells us that good is more powerful than evil it sucks that the embodiment of good on Third Earth is such a weak character. I was also disappointed that they missed a great rhyming opportunity during Mumm-Rana's transformation. Instead of saying "Ever-Good" instead of "Ever-Living" wouldn't it have been neat if the goodness persona was "Ever-Giving"? *.
The Shifter: Or the most unlikely body swap cartoon ever. Usually when a show pulls a body switch episode they have two characters who while are completely different at least are the tops in their own lives. Having a seasoned professional like Panthro swap places with always-getting-in-the-way Snarf was a good idea. But dang, is there ANYTHING the Sword of Omens can't put right? The sad fact is that they didn't even need it but they insisted on racheting up "tension" by saying the body swap was permanent instead of just having the logical answer be to use the Shifter Machine again. They really didn't NEED a MacGuffin here but they used one anyways. ***
Fond Memories: Or the title that SOUNDS like a clip show, but isn't. Safari Joe! Ratar-O! Spidera! Evil Red Lion-O! Thundercats continuity often sucks but this episode was so great because they followed the show to the letter. I don't think those were the actual villains in the paintings so logic didn't even need to enter into the equation. The concept of villains jumping out of the painting and the 'Cats going into them was a really fun one and Lion-O facing Mumm-Ra as his evil Red-Suited doppelganger was neat too. Add in a Dr. Dometone shout-out and you have a fun show. ****1/2.
Lion-O's Annointment: First Day-- The Trial of Strength: Excellent first part to the epic five parter. Lion-O has always struck me as a bit whiny so it's good that he's getting his lumps in now. I like the way it sets up part two. I just wish the parts were in order on the DVD set! ****1/2.
Lion-O's Annointment: Second Day-- The Trial of Speed: I loved it. I loved Willa being mad at Lion-O for thinking he was going all sexist caveman on her and I ESPECIALLY loved Cheetara's righteous fury at him for accusing her of throwing the race. This episode did the impossible: it made Lion-O winning a race with Cheetara plausible and believable. *****
Lion-O's Annointment: Third Day-- The Trial of Cunning: To be fair, there was NO way Lion-O could possibly lose a contest of cunning between himself and the Thunderkittens just because they are the go-to pair for plot related stupidity. So knowing that it wouldn't even be close is something I knew from the outset. However I really liked the creepy underground people and their obsession with books they can no longer read. Very Twilight Zone. ****.
Lion-O's Annointment: Fourth Day-- The Trial of Mind Power: This is probably the weak link in the Annointment five-parter. I like Tygra using his illusions on the Mutants (Never mind that we had never heard of them before) but I really dislike the idea that Lion-O doesn't really fear anything. There are definitely people who aren't afraid of anything. They're called idiots. ***1/2.
Lion-O's Annointment: Final Day-- The Trial of Evil: Awesome! I loved everything about it. It was exciting, creepy, campy and enjoyably lame at the same time. I loved seeing the Inflamer again (and Lion-O killing him) as well as a crowd scene at the end featuring minor characters that rivals JLU's Inititation (I freeze-framed and saw Willa, Nayda, Snarfer, Snowmeow, Ro-Ber Bill and Belle, The Unicorn Caretakers, the Wallows, the Brute Men, Hachiman, Mandora, Quickpik, the Molemen, and for some strange reason the Evil Ninja (he must REALLY just enjoy annointment ceremonies)). One beef and the fact of the matter is that it's an unavoidable one: WHY did Lion-O have to go through all that trouble to find Mumm-Ra's pyramind when the 'Cats have REPEATEDLY just walked right up to it with no problem in every single other episode? Don't get me wrong, the journey was fun, but if they HADN'T cooked up all of those traps for Lion-O the episode would have ended in ten minutes. Still Mumm-Ra cackling evilly while he rose from the dead at the very end is worth the price of admission. *****. Five Part Average: ****.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 6:
"No Future for You: Part 1"
I liked parts of this story but some of it I wasn't too crazy about. I liked seeing Xander work out. Good to see Faith in action and I love the idea of her being recruited to kill an evil Slayer (who seems like a cross between a Duchess and one of those spoiled "My Super Sweet Sixteen" Girls). Faith is still nuts and I love how cautious Giles is being with her. Good but not great Cool Robin Wood cameo though. ***1/2.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 7
"No Future for You: Part 2"
I REALLY hope they pay off Dawn being enormous but so far it's a wash even if it led to a cute Willow scene. The main plot of Faith infiltrating the evil Slayer's palace is only passable at this point. We've seen her really like the evil person done before (and better) with the Mayor. ***.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 8
"No Future for You: Part 3"
GREAT Buffy and Faith smackdown which was unexpected. Buffy brings out the worst in Faith and vice versa. I liked Willow bringing the funny too. ****.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 9
"No Future for You: Part 4"
ANOTHER Buffy and Giles estrangment? Hasn't this been done to death? Sigh. A passable issue all things considered. I liked the cliffhanger with Twilight. I also loved the way Giles dispatched that annoying guy. VERY creative. It looks like Giles and Faith will be a team now. I look forward to seeing what happens next. ***1/2.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 10
"Anywhere But Here"
I think Joss has made a HUGE mistake by making 2 of his solo one-shot outings be so non-linear. That kind of storytelling works on TV but in a comic book it is really confusing. I didn't understand this story. Was it real or not or a "holodeck" type adventure? I DID like the insight the issue gave to Willow and how guilty she felt because bringing Buffy back indirectly led to Tara's death. But I can't see HOW she and Kennedy can possibly be a couple long-term. Keeping your work and private life seperate would be a heck of a lot easier if Kennedy wasn't a Slayer too. ***1/2.
Angel: After the Fall #1
Oh my God, Angel: After the Fall is kicking the SNOT out of Buffy: Season Eight. I did not expect that. I was drowning in pleasure to see Wesley now as a ghost with questionable loyalties to Angel and the big reveal at the end of Gunn being a vampire both made sense and was neat. I love that Angel is now working with the Dragon from The Gift and Not Fade Away. REALLY good. ****1/2.
Angel: After the Fall #2
REALLY cool to see Connor and Gwen working together although I'm not too sure about Nina or where her ultimate loyalties are (she is TICKED at Angel). I loved seeing Hef Spike and the Illyria reveal at the end was great too. Connor not being all Emo at Angel for what happened to L.A. was a nice and pleasant surprise too. ****1/2.
Angel: After the Fall #3
Best. Cliffhanger. Surprise Ending. EVER! Angel Shanshued? Seriously? I have to say the fact that he's a human now makes all of his battling in the first two issues all the more impressive. But I'm worried that he'll be tied to Wolfram and Hart when he dies just like Wesley was. I KNEW Spike was good (Illyria was a surprise) but I love that the fact that he was working with Connor annoyed Angel so much. Angel wants him to be evil because he hates working with him so much. Gunn is seriously creeping me out with his belief that he's a GOOD vampire even though he has no soul and is looking to kill Angel. That mindset is fascinating to me and I want to see where they take it. Man, Angel should have got a sixth season if this is what would have happened. My canon rules may have to be adjusted because of this title. But I STILL want more live-action Buffyverse projects. *****.
The Batman "The End of The Batman"
This was terrible.
A pair of unlikable villains whose motivations don't make a lick of sense along with a predictable plot. The ONLY good thing about the episode was Wrath learning Batman's identity and they retconned that with Joker gas in a plot twist that was SO deus ex machina it was unforgivable. I'm sorry, but this season is a serious drop down in quality from last year cool Justice League appearances aside. I'm disappointed. *1/2.
Smallville "Persona"
I love James Marsters returning as Brainiac and I loved the twist of Lex having Julian killed. But the Clark/ Lana/ Bizarro triangle was VERY disturbing. It was like a punch in the gut that Lana loved Bizarro more especially because she is such a tool that I completely believed her. I liked this episode but something about it made me uncomfortable. ***1/2.
Smallville "Siren"
Smallville is officially approaching Buffy Season Six levels of darkness here with Clark and Lana. This emo stuff isn't the reason I watch this show. Spider-Man 3 was filled with stuff like this and that was the worst part of it.
Green Arrow and Lois was fun but I couldn't STAND Black Canary (who is a right-wing shill here). I liked Lois finding out Ollie was the Arrow though.
Lex is REALLY evil. Now I'm REALLY upset I missed the latter part of last season. Watching the early episodes and seeing Lex now is kind of jarring. At the same time it's rewarding watching the early episodes to see a new one and realize what a self-possessed young woman Chloe has become.
Still, Mixed feelings about the episode. ***.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Ninja Tribunal"
Nice to see the season finale of season four again especially knowing that we're finally going to see the dang cliffhanger resolved. Beats Fast Forward, that's for sure. I liked the fight with the wooden tree guys and the Shredder Tribunal. But I'm not feeling the new characters and I think the Turtles got way too attached to them too quickly. We'll see where this all leads (finally). ***1/2.
Thundercats Season One: Volume Two
The second half of season one is pretty bad but for nostalgia camp it can't be beat for the fun experience. I don't care how bad the show is; Cheetara is still hot, Snarf dancing around is STILL cute and Mumm-Ra is STILL a great and scary villain. I was such an idiot for liking this show and coming to terms with that is that best part. It's cathardic and a real lesson in humility. But in my defense the concept is so COOL and nifty. And the toys were awesome. Mommy, I want that! ***.
Queen of Eight Legs: I think the series is overdoing mind-control at this point. It seems to be in every other episode. This episode was only okay. **.
Sword in a Hole: Captain Shiner! I LOVE this episode even if it's entirely junk science. Very exciting and cool to see the 'Cats stranded in a black hole. One of my favorites as a sprog. *****.
The Evil Harp of Charr-Nin: I was kind of hoping that the Thundercats would free the genie at the end. It seems like SUCH a waste for Charr-Nin to ally himself with Mumm-Ra. I bet if he had asked the Thundercats they would have set him free. Kind of a stupid episode but the closing scene with Mumm-Ra is still boss. **.
The Demolisher: Okay, I guess, but the Demolisher is the poor man's Safari Joe. And Dirge is annoying. **1/2.
Monkian's Bargain: This was good. I love the idea of Mumm-Ra's deal with Monkian being so faustian. Good eppy. ***1/2.
Tight Squeeze: I liked this. It's kind of annoying that they are just going to ignore the the fact that the Mutants lost their weapons in future episodes but I really liked the idea of Mumm-Ra leveling the playing field. And good ol' Snarf is the one to actually retrieve the Sword of Omens. Him chasing and zapping Jackalman was funny. ***1/2.
The Micrits: Good episode. Very "Wizards" with the tiny people. Best part was Snarf playing Chess with the Micrits. A BIG laugh. ***1/2.
The Rock Giant: EXTREMELY boring episode. I couldn't believe what a snooze this was. Yawn. *.
Jackalman's Rebellion: This was cool but it would have been better had Jackalman rounded up some cooler villains than the Driller and the Molemaster. They also never really addressed WHY Jackalman who is such a coward betrayed the Mutants. Decent. ***.
Turmagar the Tuska: Turmagar! I love Turmagar. They should have made an action figure of him instead of the non-descript Tuska Warriors. And dare I say the animation was beautiful this episode? But for someone with supposedly as much "mind power" as Tygra, he sure gets enchanted waaaay too easily. ****.
The Mumm-Ra Berbil: A perfect episode. This episode SCARED the wits out of me as a kid. Just hearing Snarf humming contently to himself to reveal he's under Mumm-Ra's power is creepy. But this was probably Mumm-Ra's best plot ever. He would have pulled it off if the Sword of Omens hadn't pulled a Deus Ex Machina at the end. I can't blame the writers for doing that though because Mumm-Ra was SO effective throughout there wasn't really any other way he could have been defeated. Excellent by any standard. *****.
The Mechanical Plague: Rematch! I forgot I was watching an eighties cartoon because when I saw the title I was afraid they were going to pull some nano-tech nonsense which has been done to death on other cartoons. So I was pleasantly surprised that the "plague" was just a giant robot slugfest. The episode however had a VERY serious flaw: Mumm-Ra was waaaaaayyy too punny at the end. There's a difference between a bad guy having a sense of humor and an evil Gene Shalit. This was the latter and defanged Mumm-Ra in my estimation quite a bit. Interesting epilogue though: it appears Shakespeare exists in Thundercats continuity. But I'm REALLY confused how Panthro of all people has ever heard of Hamlet. Does the Berbil village have a community theater? ***.
Trapped: This was okay but I've seen better. They should have used the extra time capsule to explain the new Thundercats in season two. ***.
Excalibur: SERIOUSLY cool episode. Lots of great mythology with King Arthur and Merlin and I love how Excalibur beat the Sword of Omens but refused to work for Mumm-Ra after that. The Lady of the Lake was awesome too. I loved the joust and the still drawings used a couple of times during the episode. Outstanding. *****.
Secret of the Ice King: This episode suffers from some truly awful off-model animation and Larry Kenney (Lion-O) sounds like he's nursing a head cold. Good to see the Snowknight again though. **1/2.
Good and Ugly: Sigh. ALMOST a good episode. The moral of the episode (Don't judge a book by it's cover) was ham-fisted and obvious but considering the target audience of the show (little kids from the eighties) it almost needed to be. Lion-O (to his credit) owns up to the fact that he was being a total tool this episode even when Snarf repeatdly tries to let him off the hook. But the episode bungles the moral BADLY at the end by having the rest of the Thundercats (especially an unusually jerkish Snarf) badmouth the alien after he leaves. I guess prejudice is okay as long as you do it behind someone's back. **1/2.
The Transfer: I liked this. I think the coolest thing about it is that Mumm-Ra is in his Everliving form through almost all of the episode so you KNOW it's gonna be action packed. I love it when Mumm-Ra gets his hands dirty. The Mutants, as always, are amusing (often unintentionally so) and I enjoyed Slithe and Vultureman's old married couple bickering in Vultureman's plane (imaginitively called his "flying machine") over whether to go for the sphere or the Thundercats first. I liked Slithe and Mumm-Ra discussing Jackalman's strengths (cunning) and weaknesses (cowardice) too and I loved Jackalman's double-cross. Panthro saves the day here but it begs the question why Mumm-Ra didn't see his reflection when HE was holding the sphere himself. The show is famous for plotholes and stupidity such as this. ***1/2.
Divide and Conquer: Cool episode for running around Third Earth but not for much else. I like Vultureman's inventions but the voice changer is something the Thundercats should have never fallen for. **1/2.
The Dream Master: The Sword of Omens is this show's Deux Ex Machina. I didn't quite understand the concept of dream selves and other nonsense. What were the writers smoking when they came up with that idea? **1/2.
Out of Sight: No, this is NOT the Thundercats version of Elmore Leonard. I liked Tygra and Nayda playing tricks on Jackalman and thought that while it was a bummer they made Willa another damsel in distress that it was a good thing they at least allowed Nayda to be one of the people to rescue her. ***.
The Mountain: It kind of rubs me the wrong way that all of the Mutants are totally evil with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I can get why Mumm-Ra is that way but there's absolutely no reason why the Mutants all have to be such buttholes. It's annoying. *.
The Superpower Potion: Who'd have guessed of all people to almost do in the Thundercats it would be the lamest of the Mutants, Vultureman? He made the classic mistake of not actually killing the 'Cats when he had the chance. I DID however REALLY like seeing Mumm-Ra so freaked out and trying to negotiate his way out of the spider-hole. **1/2.
Eye of the Beholder: I loved Snarf getting his own sword but the trick Lion-O played on the Mutants was stupid beyond belief. The decoy Sword of Omens could have been REALLY useful in a tight spot and they completely wasted it by using it as a prank. Lion-O is too stupid to live. I also have a REAL hard time believing Tygra and the Thunderkittens could RUN all the way to Mumm-Ra's pyramid and be there within minutes. It's like Jack Bauer in L.A. There's absolutely NO traffic on Third Earth. *1/2.
The Trouble With Thunderkittens: A fun, lightweight fluff episode. Kind of crummy but enjoyable nonetheless. ****.
Mumm-Rana: This episode suuuuucked. And the thing is it's such a GREAT idea that Mumm-Ra has a good counterpoint on Third Earth but the episode bungles a potentially awesome concept BADLY. I know Thundercats doesn't really have a steady mythology like say, Gargoyles or Gummi Bears but it would have REALLY helped if the writers had sat down and put all of the characters' backstories in a series Bible at some point. What is Mumm-Rana's connection to Mumm-Ra? If we take the episode at face value, there isn't one and the idea of a good Mummy Queen is just as completely random as a Star Trek episode that finds a whole planet full of cowboys. The problem with this idea is that she mirrors Mumm-Ra in every conceivable way. Same pyramid set-up, same transformation process, same crypt, so the idea that she doesn't even know who Mumm-Ra is (while he knows who she is) is unsatisfying beyond belief. Also annoying is the fact that Mumm-Ra beats her so easily and the supposedly good reflection of Mumm-Ra spends the rest of the episode as a damsel in distress. I know it was the eighties (Batrman The Animated Series was a decade later and STILL suffered from sexism too) but Cheetara never has to have the men help her fight so it's not like this would be a radical concept on the show. And for all the show tells us that good is more powerful than evil it sucks that the embodiment of good on Third Earth is such a weak character. I was also disappointed that they missed a great rhyming opportunity during Mumm-Rana's transformation. Instead of saying "Ever-Good" instead of "Ever-Living" wouldn't it have been neat if the goodness persona was "Ever-Giving"? *.
The Shifter: Or the most unlikely body swap cartoon ever. Usually when a show pulls a body switch episode they have two characters who while are completely different at least are the tops in their own lives. Having a seasoned professional like Panthro swap places with always-getting-in-the-way Snarf was a good idea. But dang, is there ANYTHING the Sword of Omens can't put right? The sad fact is that they didn't even need it but they insisted on racheting up "tension" by saying the body swap was permanent instead of just having the logical answer be to use the Shifter Machine again. They really didn't NEED a MacGuffin here but they used one anyways. ***
Fond Memories: Or the title that SOUNDS like a clip show, but isn't. Safari Joe! Ratar-O! Spidera! Evil Red Lion-O! Thundercats continuity often sucks but this episode was so great because they followed the show to the letter. I don't think those were the actual villains in the paintings so logic didn't even need to enter into the equation. The concept of villains jumping out of the painting and the 'Cats going into them was a really fun one and Lion-O facing Mumm-Ra as his evil Red-Suited doppelganger was neat too. Add in a Dr. Dometone shout-out and you have a fun show. ****1/2.
Lion-O's Annointment: First Day-- The Trial of Strength: Excellent first part to the epic five parter. Lion-O has always struck me as a bit whiny so it's good that he's getting his lumps in now. I like the way it sets up part two. I just wish the parts were in order on the DVD set! ****1/2.
Lion-O's Annointment: Second Day-- The Trial of Speed: I loved it. I loved Willa being mad at Lion-O for thinking he was going all sexist caveman on her and I ESPECIALLY loved Cheetara's righteous fury at him for accusing her of throwing the race. This episode did the impossible: it made Lion-O winning a race with Cheetara plausible and believable. *****
Lion-O's Annointment: Third Day-- The Trial of Cunning: To be fair, there was NO way Lion-O could possibly lose a contest of cunning between himself and the Thunderkittens just because they are the go-to pair for plot related stupidity. So knowing that it wouldn't even be close is something I knew from the outset. However I really liked the creepy underground people and their obsession with books they can no longer read. Very Twilight Zone. ****.
Lion-O's Annointment: Fourth Day-- The Trial of Mind Power: This is probably the weak link in the Annointment five-parter. I like Tygra using his illusions on the Mutants (Never mind that we had never heard of them before) but I really dislike the idea that Lion-O doesn't really fear anything. There are definitely people who aren't afraid of anything. They're called idiots. ***1/2.
Lion-O's Annointment: Final Day-- The Trial of Evil: Awesome! I loved everything about it. It was exciting, creepy, campy and enjoyably lame at the same time. I loved seeing the Inflamer again (and Lion-O killing him) as well as a crowd scene at the end featuring minor characters that rivals JLU's Inititation (I freeze-framed and saw Willa, Nayda, Snarfer, Snowmeow, Ro-Ber Bill and Belle, The Unicorn Caretakers, the Wallows, the Brute Men, Hachiman, Mandora, Quickpik, the Molemen, and for some strange reason the Evil Ninja (he must REALLY just enjoy annointment ceremonies)). One beef and the fact of the matter is that it's an unavoidable one: WHY did Lion-O have to go through all that trouble to find Mumm-Ra's pyramind when the 'Cats have REPEATEDLY just walked right up to it with no problem in every single other episode? Don't get me wrong, the journey was fun, but if they HADN'T cooked up all of those traps for Lion-O the episode would have ended in ten minutes. Still Mumm-Ra cackling evilly while he rose from the dead at the very end is worth the price of admission. *****. Five Part Average: ****.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 6:
"No Future for You: Part 1"
I liked parts of this story but some of it I wasn't too crazy about. I liked seeing Xander work out. Good to see Faith in action and I love the idea of her being recruited to kill an evil Slayer (who seems like a cross between a Duchess and one of those spoiled "My Super Sweet Sixteen" Girls). Faith is still nuts and I love how cautious Giles is being with her. Good but not great Cool Robin Wood cameo though. ***1/2.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 7
"No Future for You: Part 2"
I REALLY hope they pay off Dawn being enormous but so far it's a wash even if it led to a cute Willow scene. The main plot of Faith infiltrating the evil Slayer's palace is only passable at this point. We've seen her really like the evil person done before (and better) with the Mayor. ***.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 8
"No Future for You: Part 3"
GREAT Buffy and Faith smackdown which was unexpected. Buffy brings out the worst in Faith and vice versa. I liked Willow bringing the funny too. ****.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 9
"No Future for You: Part 4"
ANOTHER Buffy and Giles estrangment? Hasn't this been done to death? Sigh. A passable issue all things considered. I liked the cliffhanger with Twilight. I also loved the way Giles dispatched that annoying guy. VERY creative. It looks like Giles and Faith will be a team now. I look forward to seeing what happens next. ***1/2.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight, Number 10
"Anywhere But Here"
I think Joss has made a HUGE mistake by making 2 of his solo one-shot outings be so non-linear. That kind of storytelling works on TV but in a comic book it is really confusing. I didn't understand this story. Was it real or not or a "holodeck" type adventure? I DID like the insight the issue gave to Willow and how guilty she felt because bringing Buffy back indirectly led to Tara's death. But I can't see HOW she and Kennedy can possibly be a couple long-term. Keeping your work and private life seperate would be a heck of a lot easier if Kennedy wasn't a Slayer too. ***1/2.
Angel: After the Fall #1
Oh my God, Angel: After the Fall is kicking the SNOT out of Buffy: Season Eight. I did not expect that. I was drowning in pleasure to see Wesley now as a ghost with questionable loyalties to Angel and the big reveal at the end of Gunn being a vampire both made sense and was neat. I love that Angel is now working with the Dragon from The Gift and Not Fade Away. REALLY good. ****1/2.
Angel: After the Fall #2
REALLY cool to see Connor and Gwen working together although I'm not too sure about Nina or where her ultimate loyalties are (she is TICKED at Angel). I loved seeing Hef Spike and the Illyria reveal at the end was great too. Connor not being all Emo at Angel for what happened to L.A. was a nice and pleasant surprise too. ****1/2.
Angel: After the Fall #3
Best. Cliffhanger. Surprise Ending. EVER! Angel Shanshued? Seriously? I have to say the fact that he's a human now makes all of his battling in the first two issues all the more impressive. But I'm worried that he'll be tied to Wolfram and Hart when he dies just like Wesley was. I KNEW Spike was good (Illyria was a surprise) but I love that the fact that he was working with Connor annoyed Angel so much. Angel wants him to be evil because he hates working with him so much. Gunn is seriously creeping me out with his belief that he's a GOOD vampire even though he has no soul and is looking to kill Angel. That mindset is fascinating to me and I want to see where they take it. Man, Angel should have got a sixth season if this is what would have happened. My canon rules may have to be adjusted because of this title. But I STILL want more live-action Buffyverse projects. *****.
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Date: 2008-02-25 03:13 am (UTC)Smallville - It's getting dark and disturbing for Clark and Lana, but I like the fact that this season is proving that Clark has grown past his high school crush on her and he has a greater destiny that he'll have to give up being with Lana for. Lex is one of the best developed characters on the show, his decent into villainy is great to watch from the beginning (I think "Lexmas" is a great portrayal of that transition)
No Future - Pretty strong Faith arc. I liked it, and you're right, Buffy and Faith are a lousy team because they bring out the worst in each other. The Buffy/Giles separation could've worked better if it didn't feel so familiar.
Anywhere - I actually really liked this issue. A little hard to follow because of the glimpses we got, but it's interesting to see Buffy and Willow's secret shames. Plus it actually made me feel bad for Kennedy.
After the Fall - I'm with you, this is one kickass follow up to the end of the series! I really had my doubts on how they'd continue after that finale, but dropping LA into Hell works (it keeps Wesley around). I even like Gunn as a vampire, although that was an idea I was strongly against when I first heard about it. I wonder if there's a way to get us Fred, Lorne, and Cordelia back.
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Date: 2008-02-25 03:02 pm (UTC)Smallville: I missed a good chunk of last season and I'm really bummed about that. But I WILL agree that Lexmas was the turning point. The ironic thing is that in that episode he believed that he was doing the right thing instead of the wrong thing. Excellent twist.
No Future: I wasn't that crazy about it especially comparing it to After the Fall which is pales next to.
Anywhere: Somebody needs to tell Joss that writing a comic book is different than writing a TV script. Didn't you have a post on your journal where a famous comic book writer said that? Who was it?
After the Fall: The cool thing about Gunn as a vampire is that he actually HATES being a vampire and still considers himself a good guy. That's twisted and I love that they are still able to surprise us after all this time.
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Date: 2008-03-03 12:04 am (UTC)I think, for the most part, Lex Luthor doesn't see himself as a bad guy. He's a man with big goals, and he's willing to bend the rules a bit and manipulate people to get what he wants, but he's not a villain.
I think it was John Byrne who said that about Hollywood writers who come to comics. This is something Joss needs to work on, his Astonishing X-Men is somewhat like this too.
I'm glad Gunn, for the most part, retained a lot of who he is, despite his vampirism. It'll be great to see them take that idea further.