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matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the latest episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Teen Titans Go!, The Great North, and Night Court.
X-Men '97 "To Me, My X-Men"
I thought it was pretty good. But I also want you to keep in mind I found the original series deeply flawed. So I like that the tone felt similar. But I was a bit underwhelmed by the story. But I often was on the old show too so I won't raise too big a fuss.
The ending was a good hook, but I suspect Magneto is twisting the knife because he's a jerk, not because he's evil. That was never really his deal on the old show. Calling Charles a fool is more likely a term of endearment than an actual disparagement.
I love that the main title is a tribute to the original series with Morph and Bishop added to the roster. End credits recalling Season 1 are pretty cool too.
Promising opener. ****.
X-Men '97 "Mutant Liberation Begins"
If they take Storm out of the main title next week I'm gonna be pissed. Loved seeing Magneto there this week though.
They REALLY leaned into the January 6 parallels but X-Men has always been a very political story. The Saturday Morning nature of the old show muted that a bit but it makes sense with fewer restrictions the allegories will feel more current and real-world credible.
And I love that Cooper actually is freaked out by what happened to Storm and insists to Magneto she didn't want it to happen. Bet that bit of real regret is the actual thing that tells Magneto to honor his promise to Charles, despite every fiber of his being crying out for vengeance instead.
First time this incarnation of the franchise has acknowledge Magneto is a Holocaust survivor.
One of the strengths of the old show was that it discussed philosophy and the debates of forward thinking and hatred. I like that this show is very much leaning into that.
Cautiously optimistic. There were a couple of good debut episodes. ****1/2.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch "Bad Territory"
And the moral of the story is to never trust Fennec.
My favorite part of the episode is when Hunter tells Omega she has to stay behind and she protests, he does something really cool. He suggests that while they're gone she needs to convince Crosshairs to look into what's bothering his hand. What I love about him doing that is Omega knows it's both an equally important mission, and something only she alone can do. She's not missing out or being benched because Hunter believes her incapable. She being used where her strengths actually lie.
I liked it. ****.
Teen Titans Go! "50% Crew"
Zero stars of course, but that's not even the main takeaway. I don't think the series has ever been worse. This miniseries is a series low point. I can't even picture kids tolerating it. If the show is canceled after this season, I'll pinpoint this going on for weeks as being the reason why. 0.
The Great North "The Mighty Pucks Adventure"
I love that Judy ends the "Yes and..." round with "Dumb" herself.
I really am not happy with Aunt Dirt being made a series regular.
Great resolution and ending.
It was only pretty good, but the season has been awful so far, so I'll take it. ***1/2.
Night Court "The Duke's A Hazard"
Saw Quiet On Set this week. And I knew watching this week's Night Court would suck. The broad unfunny humor, painful dialogue, and gross innuendo is the exact same humor as the trashy Nickelodeon kidcoms. While we as a society are taking the week to look down at that genre in disgust, I can hardly give a free pass for modern shows designed for "adults" engaging in those exact same embarrassing tropes.
THIS close to dropping the show. It might be my last season. *.
X-Men '97 "To Me, My X-Men"
I thought it was pretty good. But I also want you to keep in mind I found the original series deeply flawed. So I like that the tone felt similar. But I was a bit underwhelmed by the story. But I often was on the old show too so I won't raise too big a fuss.
The ending was a good hook, but I suspect Magneto is twisting the knife because he's a jerk, not because he's evil. That was never really his deal on the old show. Calling Charles a fool is more likely a term of endearment than an actual disparagement.
I love that the main title is a tribute to the original series with Morph and Bishop added to the roster. End credits recalling Season 1 are pretty cool too.
Promising opener. ****.
X-Men '97 "Mutant Liberation Begins"
If they take Storm out of the main title next week I'm gonna be pissed. Loved seeing Magneto there this week though.
They REALLY leaned into the January 6 parallels but X-Men has always been a very political story. The Saturday Morning nature of the old show muted that a bit but it makes sense with fewer restrictions the allegories will feel more current and real-world credible.
And I love that Cooper actually is freaked out by what happened to Storm and insists to Magneto she didn't want it to happen. Bet that bit of real regret is the actual thing that tells Magneto to honor his promise to Charles, despite every fiber of his being crying out for vengeance instead.
First time this incarnation of the franchise has acknowledge Magneto is a Holocaust survivor.
One of the strengths of the old show was that it discussed philosophy and the debates of forward thinking and hatred. I like that this show is very much leaning into that.
Cautiously optimistic. There were a couple of good debut episodes. ****1/2.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch "Bad Territory"
And the moral of the story is to never trust Fennec.
My favorite part of the episode is when Hunter tells Omega she has to stay behind and she protests, he does something really cool. He suggests that while they're gone she needs to convince Crosshairs to look into what's bothering his hand. What I love about him doing that is Omega knows it's both an equally important mission, and something only she alone can do. She's not missing out or being benched because Hunter believes her incapable. She being used where her strengths actually lie.
I liked it. ****.
Teen Titans Go! "50% Crew"
Zero stars of course, but that's not even the main takeaway. I don't think the series has ever been worse. This miniseries is a series low point. I can't even picture kids tolerating it. If the show is canceled after this season, I'll pinpoint this going on for weeks as being the reason why. 0.
The Great North "The Mighty Pucks Adventure"
I love that Judy ends the "Yes and..." round with "Dumb" herself.
I really am not happy with Aunt Dirt being made a series regular.
Great resolution and ending.
It was only pretty good, but the season has been awful so far, so I'll take it. ***1/2.
Night Court "The Duke's A Hazard"
Saw Quiet On Set this week. And I knew watching this week's Night Court would suck. The broad unfunny humor, painful dialogue, and gross innuendo is the exact same humor as the trashy Nickelodeon kidcoms. While we as a society are taking the week to look down at that genre in disgust, I can hardly give a free pass for modern shows designed for "adults" engaging in those exact same embarrassing tropes.
THIS close to dropping the show. It might be my last season. *.
