"Natural Selection" Discussion Thread

[stillanerd]

Having finally watching the episode on YouTube after missing it last week, I got to say that we got a pretty decent 30 minute "monster movie." While I would've liked a bit more characterization and exploration of Curt Connors, it definitely was closer to the Curt Connors of the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko comics, not like the selfish egotistical mad scientist we got in the MTV series. And the fact that the Lizard appeared to have cannabilistic instincts, while not actually showing the act itself, was a pretty good move on Wiesman's part. I also liked how this reiterated WHY Peter Parker takes photos of himself as Spidey in action to sell for profit: it's because he's trying to take care of Aunt May, due to the fact that her husband--who was the breadwinner of the family--is dead and now Peter has to be the man of the house. Then it's taken a step further and used to make Peter's friends distrust him and cost him his internship, believing he was being selfish when it wasn't the case. Add the talk between himself and Billy and Peter wins sympathy points. Also, it looks like we've got an interesting take on why Eddie Brock becomes Peter's nemesis when he becomes Venom: in his eyes, Peter is a selfish, cowardly, opportunist who doesn't apply himself while HE is the real hero and the one who really works hard. And yet, Peter gets all the attention and sympathy from the Connors. What's more, Gwen loves Peter more than she does him and only sees Eddie as a friend. In a way, it makes the awful "lethal protector" angle Marvel gave to the character in the comics make much more sense.

 

[SLYspyder]

Yeah, that show really was dissapointing and stupid.

Wow, that's the first time I've heard you say something negative about Spider-Man, looks like you're growing up

 

[MattXG]

Yep can't wait for Venom and Spidey to collide. Few more weeks!t:

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Wow, that's the first time I've heard you say something negative about Spider-Man, looks like you're growing up

I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not. I never was somebody who would accept anything that has happened in the Spidey universe. Did you hear my complaints back over the summer and all the way until now about Peter & MJ's marriage ending?

 

[SLYspyder]

Cool, look forward to reading more complaints about SM from you, don't hold back, let it all out

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Cool, look forward to reading more complaints about SM from you, don't hold back, let it all out

Well, I don't have that many. I still love Spider-Man 3 with all of my heart, but that doesn't meant I won't complain about other things happening in the Spider-Man Universe that aren't good.

 

[IamProdigy]

I'm gonna say Spider-Man 3 blowed.

But...I saw an error already.

When Spidey is ontop that wall at the Zoo talking to Eddie, his web bandage is gone and then before he swings away to find Lizard, his web bandage is shown again, lol.

 

[The Joker_1000]

I loved this episode, it's by far my favorite episode & the main reason why I believe this episode tops "Night of the Lizard" is because this version of the Lizard was much more vicious.

 

[TheSlag]

Wow... Simply... "Wow".

THAT... is the Spider-Man I grew up reading and loving. Wow.

This episode had it all:

Peter playing the nerd to hide identify. Check. -)

Peter playing the coward so he could exit to be Spider-Man. Check Check. -)

Aunt May money problems.

Gwen loving Peter, but having to wait in the shadows, until Peter realizes, similar to Connors, what he has RIGHT in front of him. Wow.

Spidey saving the day, and Peter coming off bad. Frickin Brilliant. Classic Spider-Man.

Lizard. Vicious... lethal... powerful... AWESOME.

Billy. Dr. Connors love of his son. Connors... losing it all.

Wow. Pure Greatness. Check... Check... Check...Mate.

Awesome. Wow.

And a step by step instruction on HOW GOOD Spider-Man can be, and SHOULD have and SHOULD BE.

*wow*

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Wow... Simply... "Wow".

THAT... is the Spider-Man I grew up reading and loving. Wow.

This episode had it all:

Peter playing the nerd to hide identify. Check. -)

Peter playing the coward so he could exit to be Spider-Man. Check Check. -)

Aunt May money problems.

Gwen loving Peter, but having to wait in the shadows, until Peter realizes, similar to Connors, what he has RIGHT in front of him. Wow.

Spidey saving the day, and Peter coming off bad. Frickin Brilliant. Classic Spider-Man.

Lizard. Vicious... lethal... powerful... AWESOME.

Billy. Dr. Connors love of his son. Connors... losing it all.

Wow. Pure Greatness. Check... Check... Check...Mate.

Awesome. Wow.

And a step by step instruction on HOW GOOD Spider-Man can be, and SHOULD have and SHOULD BE.

*wow*

You, my friend, just made a brilliant post.

 

[The Joker_1000]

He sure did, the episode was just awesome and it's still my favorite thus far. I look forward to seeing the Lizard even more in the future. I think that in this series he will be used much more, it's too bad we didn't even see him much in TAS but all of that can be corrected with this series.

 

[DACrowe]

I just got caught up and watched all six episodes online. I'll give a more detailed response to the show in a broad thread, but this was hands down my favorite episode. What can I say Lizard is my favorite villain? I think overall I preferred the plot of "Night of the Lizard," but hte action was much better and it was nice to see Spidey use punches and Lizard try and eat people and use his claws. Albeit, I prefer it if Lizard has some human sense and could carry on small conversations. That and I preferred TAS's Dr. Conners.

Still a great episode and ending. Also, I really like this iteration of Eddie Brock. I mean TAS and SM3 pretty much gave Brock very similar motives to the original comic version which sucked and tried to make excuses for it. This one is the first to actually make Eddie Brock a real character (besides Ultimate, but I hated Ultimate Venom). He really is a likable guy and seeing him being buddies with Peter Parker and their friendship slowly dissolving because he thinks Peter is selfish is going to be an AWESOME character arc and make Venom a much better villain (even if it is a little bit in the vein of Harry becoming the Green Goblin). On a side note, I am curious what will make him still hate Peter once he discovers Peter is actually Spider-Man who has been helping them out all along.

 

[ReggieWhiteJr]

This is actually my least favorite ep, but its still good. Connor's transformation into the Lizard was excellent and Spidey's fight with him was good. I think Spidey injuring his hand was some homage to Amazing Spider-Man #44. In that issue, he ended up with a broken arm while fighting the Lizard.

 

[Web-Head408]

This is actually my least favorite ep, but its still good. Connor's transformation into the Lizard was excellent and Spidey's fight with him was good. I think Spidey injuring his hand was some homage to Amazing Spider-Man #44. In that issue, he ended up with a broken arm while fighting the Lizard.

Yeah, and it was the same arm, too.

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Yeah, and it was the same arm, too.

Yeah, He had to fight with his arm like that, just like in the comics.

 

[ReggieWhiteJr]

Yeah, He had to fight with his arm like that, just like in the comics.

Ha ha ha, good eyes, guys! I'm 26 going on 27 but I feel kinda old whenever I make references to something from the comics and point out the exact issue it took place.

 

[Silver Spider]

Watching the rerun today, I noticed something. During Kurt's transformation, when his head first starts to change, it kind of looks like the lizard's head in his original appearance in the comics.

 

[SpideyTheBest]

My review of this episode:

So, this is the last episode of a Lizard arc. Here, we finally see Doctor Connors becoming The Lizard.

And man, this was just done so incredible. The Lizard is a pretty uninteresting villain to me actually. He was very goofy in the 60s, pretty odd in the 70s and in the 80s and the 90s he was turned into a mindless beast. There's just not so much characterization there. I understand why they did this to him in this episode, I mean, it has always looked dumb when the Lizard talks. It worked in the 60s, but it certainly doesn't now. However, the Lizard worked wonderfully in this episode. Very scary transformation for Connors, and fantastic fight sequence between Spidey and The Lizard. It was a fantastic episode, however, it was only this fantastic this one time. I mean, The Lizard is just a mindless monster, it will get old very fast.

Still, wonderful episode. 10/10

Best line:
Randy Robertson: Want some aloe vera for that burn?