"Opening Night" Season 2: Episode 25 Discussion Thread

[bryanss3]

with her hair up she looked just like Selina.

odds are anytime on a message board when someone says "must be a coincidence" they genuinely think it is a coincidence.

 

[venomfangs125]

Does this mean Cat-Spidey partnership ends here?! And they did well against Gobby. Hopefully Greg and the crew will come up with an idea to get her to forgive him.

 

[Ratcrawler]

Jessica Drew, eh? Be interesting if Felica came back as sPider-Woman next season.

 

[Webhead2006]

i said this before if cat is to return next season i would love if they go into her getting those bad luck powers she had for awhile in the comics, and maybe use it to tick off spider.

 

[SpaceWay2009]

^If she does appear next season, I hope she forgives Spider-Man.

 

[Spiderine]

I think eventually all this will lead to Peter revealing his identity to Black cat just to clear the air later on down the line. Then she will puke on him.

 

[venomfangs125]

She'll lose intrest but hopefully they'll still be friends and minus the puke.

 

[venomfangs125]

Not saying that out of disrespect or anything.

 

[Dread]

Stuck in a jail cell for a favor,
Is not what Spidey would savor.
But with Goblin seeking a fight
The danger is hardly slight!
Trapped among his greatest foes
With Black Cat's plans stepping on his toes
Spidey will have to put vengeance aside
If he wants to save his own hide!

Dread, much like Green Goblin, was "in a rhyming mood".

Much as Willy Wonka would say, it is a parlor trick.

Only two episodes left in the season, and SERIES if Sony & Disney XD don't get their acts together, and we have another of those episodes that is packed to the gills with a lot of action, a dash of comedy, plenty of details worth a rewatch, and even some tugs at the heart-strings. Tricia Helfer reprises her role as Black Cat and gets a lot more to do than her cameo earlier in the season; her motivations are revealed here, and in a tragic way, her life manages to intertwine in with that of Peter Parker.

Spoiler

There is a major reveal about Ben Parker's murderer; much as in SPIDER-MAN 3, the identity of his killer changes a bit from the comics to make things more dramatic later on. However, I think I can say that for myself that this show's little revision manages to work a bit better than having Sandman pull the trigger (even accidentally). In the backdrop of all this, of course, is Midtown High's theater production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, in which the main attraction is Hobie Brown finally getting to speak! Much as with some prior episodes, the verses of Shakespeare are not simply to provide some free education to the kiddies, but are deliberately paced with the rest of the story, giving it more texture and classic flair that you don't see often in superhero cartoons. Maybe a bit art house, but it works out wonderfully.

Norman Osborn is opening up a new prison designed especially for super-powered criminals called "The Vault", built right next to Rykers Island Prison, and has called upon Spider-Man to test it's cells and security. Along to watch the theatrics are Capt. George Stacy and the ever-eager J. Jonah Jameson, who is happy as a pig in mud at seeing Spider-Man seemingly arrested and locked up, even if it is for show. My only caveat with this sequence is that considering Spider-Man was concerned about making the play for Liz, and he knew it started in about an hour, he seems to wait an awfully long amount of time before engaging in his plan to escape. He did mention resisting the temptation to swallow his pride to try to stick it to J.J. by managing to escape, and of course giving the Vault a proper test of it's facilities like Osborn wanted. At any rate, just as Spidey is making his move, Norman is "called away" by other business.

Spider-Man manages to escape with a few dandy tricks with his web fluid and some good ol' fashioned guile, which was a nice sequence. But there are other factors at play here. Black Cat, arriving under the alias of "Selina Drew" (nods to Seline Kyle/Catwoman, of who Cat is often said to be an imitation to, and Jessica Drew, the original Spider-Woman) with a stolen "OsBerry" and truck, manages to break into Rykers. Her dialogue is a little playful to herself and I understand it is a bit of exposition since Wiesman, Cook & Co. decided it was about time the audience learned her real name as Felicia Hardy, but I thought it worked. Plus, well, sexy shots of a heroine's rear end are rare in cartoons that try to be as sexless as possible for fear of Soccer Moms (I can hear their wails: "Who cares if our cherubs see violence, but sex, gasp, that will destroy them!") and their Monday Morning Church-goer hypocrisy. The question of course is that what is worth stealing at a prison?

The Green Goblin has appeared outside the prison and hacked into Osborn's network, locking all of the guards inside and blocking their access to knock-out gas. Rhyming it up like Puck from the play, Goblin steers Spider-Man into Rykers where many of his enemies are being held, such as Montana, Ox, Fancy Dan, Quentin Beck, and of course Silvio "Silvermane" Manfredi, who obviously doesn't have Tombstone's lawyers. With all the glee of a kid in a candy store, Goblin opens the cells, leaving Spider-Man in the middle of a full-on riot (and of course causing some of his wisecracks to backfire).

Having a supervillain talk in rhyme for half an episode is a tricky thing to do; the last time I remember it in a Spider-Man cartoon is in the SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS episode, "SEVEN LITTLE SUPERHEROES", in which the Chameleon traps the Spider-Friends as well as other superheroes Namor, Shanna the She-Devil, Dr. Strange, and Captain America in a spooky castle and captures them one by one, saving Spider-Man (and, pathetically, the dumb dog mascot Ms. Lions) for last. Chameleon speaks in rhyme about his "Seven Little Superheroes" the entire episode, and it is entirely cheesy and sometimes painful to hear. Granted, of course, that was 1983. This time, there are much better lines of dialogue and a much better performance by Steven Jay Blum as the Green Goblin, which manages to capture that mix of cornball stuff as well as genuine menace and insanity to it. Is the Goblin reciting his lines as Puck from the play, assuming it is Harry after all? Or is he just THAT bat-**** insane? All in all, this is not a return to AMAZING FRIENDS fare and the team manages to pull off this bit quite nicely; it isn't easy.

With Harry Osborn missing and with not even Gwen or his parents seeming to know where he is or being able to find them, Hobie Brown has to full in his role as Puck the "goblin", and he is voiced by Charles Duckworth, an actor I guess you would call a background character actor in a slew of movies and TV shows since 2001 (such as CSI or WITHOUT A TRACE). It is nice finally having a voice to go with Hobie and it was of course interesting to hear his lines usually interspliced with Goblin's rhymes in a part that Harry was cast as, ironically. You can also sense the fact that Spider-Man was the obvious inspiration for Gloria Grant's Cobweb costume, and that Flash Thompson is easily not the best actor of the production (Mary Jane, Gloria and Liz are pretty good in their parts, natch). It was interesting hearing the cast of the show get to recite some Shakespeare for a cartoon, something I can't imagine many of them could imagine doing when they were first signed to perform for a SPIDER-MAN cartoon. Taking the cake for me was Kelly Hu's Sha-Shan in a moment where she basically gets to use genuine affection for Flash Thompson for her bit. No, these characters weren't cast in a school play to keep them busy, it was all for storyline purpose.

There's an homage to Montana's comic book roots at one point when he lasso's Spider-Man with a "bed-sheet" rope and naturally Beck turns out to be a robot in the cell again, thus adding Mysterio and his amusing/annoying mini-gargoyles into the fray. Black Cat, we learn, is here to save her father Walter Hardy, a.k.a. "The Cat Burglar". His face is cloaked in shadow for much of the episode and naturally she helps Spider-Man fend off some of the goons, including a short martial arts match between her and Fancy Dan/Ricochet. The situation becomes extra interesting when Walter doesn't seem thrilled to see Spider-Man there, but for reasons one can't suspect until the reveal about 2/3rd's through the episode; that he is "The Burglar", as in the man who killed Uncle Ben. Josh Keaton quickly pulls off a convincing change in tone for Spider-Man, having the hero of course sound very serious and angry with dealing with his uncle's killer.

Green Goblin decides to up the ante by releasing two of the "super-powered" criminals, the Rhino and recent creation Mark Allen, the Molten Man. While Rhino eagerly follows Goblin's orders for a shot at the web-slinger, Mark has to be coerced with powers that Goblin controls to be forced into the task. While he hesitates often during the later battles, he is also easily angered and goaded by Spider-Man into throwing lava-balls, which can be well timed to hit targets Spider-Man wants, such as the Mysterio robot. It was good to reuse the Molten Man quickly, to cement the idea that he was not a one shot, random villain, that he mattered to the tapestry of the show, as did Miguel Ferrer's Silvermane. The task is to lead the criminals into the main chamber for the knock-out gas and open the vents manually, which means staying behind and being gassed along with the crooks.

To Black Cat's chagrin, her father Walter is genuinely sorry for his murder of Ben Parker; originally priding himself on never using a gun, as he aged his reflexes were slower, and he got more desperate in his crimes. James Remar plays the elder Hardy and does a good job at showing a criminal who genuinely wants redemption and feels he is better off in prison paying for his crimes. Spider-Man's anger at the man is obvious in his voice, that he still doesn't forgive him despite the sacrifice today, which I thought was fair. He's not all trying to kill him like in the films, but Spider-Man won't easily forgive a criminal. This leaves Black Cat heartbroken, and while she helps Spider-Man fend off Green Goblin's later attack, she vows that she will never forgive him for, essentially, "giving her father a conscience" and making him want to spend his life in prison. It does add to the tragedy of the entire situation. Much as Spider-Man was motivated into doing what he does over loss of his "father" figure, Felicia was as well, just on the other side of the coin. Their lives intersected with Ben Parker's murder, and while Felicia admitted having a "crush" on Spider-Man (and not Peter Parker, which has always made her interesting to me; most of Spidey's girlfriends get to know Peter and Spidey is something they have to deal with, with Felicia it is the reverse), she now blames him for the loss of her father. Granted, considering his reaction and the murder of Ben Parker, it honestly wouldn't be hard for Felicia to guess who Spider-Man likely is, depending. That would be interesting.

As a confession, I have always liked Black Cat, and always felt she was mishandled in the comics for ages of time. I always thought it should be easier for a woman to get used to Peter Parker than Spider-Man, and therefore the idea of one that fell for the web-slinger first was a novel concept, one that went down the tubes too easily to just have her "be crazy" and thus unworthy of Peter's commitment. She gets a bit of a bad rap but I always would consider her as a worthy female lead to compete with the MJ's or Gwen's in Peter's life. If there is a third season, I would be very curious to see where Felicia ends up. But then again my liking of Felicia likely comes from two biased sources; me being an impressionable 11-12 year old when the 90's SPIDER-MAN cartoon was on FoxKids an hour before X-MEN and Felicia was a major character in that, and my own personal belief that civilian girlfriends for superheroes always are more trouble than they are worth, and it is usually more practical to date someone capable of holding their own in a villain fight. "Someone you'll fight with instead of just for," as paraphrased from, of all people, The Hunter from SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED. Spider-Man and his ladies are usually the exception, though, especially spunky gals like Gwen is here.

This show, much like the 90's show, had a plotline in which Felicia wants to free her burglar father from prison and it ends up being drama for both her and Spidey, although thankfully this show doesn't have any super-soldier involvement or "transformation" sequences for Felicia. This version is much better.

Another amusing aspect is Stacy and J.J. being in the control room watching the situation with Stacy trying to confront J.J.'s irrational hatred of Spider-Man with logic. Yes, he blames Spidey for "destroying" his son, but J.J. hated Spider-Man before and roots against him no matter the situation; George Stacy is a cop and has to use things like reason and motive for his work, so it was fun seeing their contrasting feelings. Daran Norris, as always, is great as J.J. It is all a conspiracy to "raise my blood pressure", indeed.

It isn't a season finale quite yet, but it was a very exciting and entertaining episode, leading to said finale and adding a bit of resolution to Spider-Man's subplot about Ben's killer, while opening a new one for Felica Hardy, and fleshing her background out more. As always, the usual terrific blend of good animation, some well storyboarded and exciting fight and chase sequences, and good acting & direction by the cast. Nothing happens in a vacuum in this show; there is always a reaction, a consequence, a subplot, and old and new threat and so forth. Jail-Break episodes always have a level of tension to them, and this one is no different. It also was great to see Silvermane and even Mysterio again.

Overall, though, I feel sorry for Liz Allen, too. She has a brother in jail and a boyfriend who's never around, even when he's not distracted by another woman. Sally Avril may be enough of a witch to deserve that, but not Liz. It also was good to see so many new character models for the play; animation is an expensive business and not every character model is allowed to change clothes or a look, like Gwen has. Heck, they even changed the opening credits to show off Gwen's makeover. How many shows change their title sequence, even a little, mid-season? Besides 2k3 TMNT, on our shores?

As usual, an exciting action packed A-quality episode. There is only one episode left in the season, and it will be hard to let go of a show that's given me probably the greatest enjoyment out of a cartoon since Season 4 of TMNT wrapped in 2007, before Fast Forward or Back to Sewer stuff tainted it. The only question is, will the finale be as good as Season 1's?

(And yes, I have seen it. Just am gathering time for the final review.)

 

[Webhead2006]

another wonderful review dread loved all your insights on the episode.

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Wow, another great review, Dread.

 

[Sarcastic Fan]

My mistress with a monster is in love.
Near to her close and consecrated bower,
While she was in her dull and sleeping hour,
A crew of patches, rude mechanicals,
That work for bread upon Athenian stalls,
Were met together to rehearse a play,
Intended for great Theseus' nuptial day.
The shallowest thickskin of that barren sort,
Who Pyramus presented in their sport,
Forsook his scene and entered in a brake.
When I did him at this advantage take,
An ass's nole I fixèd on his head.
Anon his Thisby must be answerèd,
And forth my mimic comes. When they him spy,
As wild geese that the creeping fowler eye,
Or russet-pated choughs, many in sort,
Rising and cawing at the gun's report,
Sever themselves and madly sweep the sky;
So at his sight away his fellows fly,
And at our stamp here o'er and o'er one falls;
He murder cries and help from Athens calls.
Their sense thus weak, lost with their fears thus strong,
Made senseless things begin to do them wrong,
For briers and thorns at their apparel snatch:
Some, sleeves -- some, hats; from yielders all things catch.
I led them on in this distracted fear
And left sweet Pyramus translated there,
When in that moment (so it came to pass)
Titania waked, and straightway loved an ass.

"Opening Night"

Okay... two of my great loves have been combined. Spider-Man and William Shakespeare. And, our first episode personally scripted by Greg Weisman since "Intervention" back in the first season. You know it's a Weisman episode because of all the Shakespeare dialogue? You also know it's a Weisman script because of the cast of thousands.

Okay, a new wing has been built at Ryker's Island called the Vault. Considering all the supervillains running around, it would make sense to finally give them their own wing. Not to mention Norman Osborn gets to make a profit from it. He cranks 'em out and he locks 'em up. The perfect racket.

So, Norman somehow contacts Spider-Man and wants him to break out of the Vault to test security. And then is conveniently called away by Donald Menken... curious.

Meanwhile, at Midtown High, the production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is about to start, and Peter hasn't shown up to watch Liz. More than that, Harry Osborn, who was cast as Puck is missing also.

So, Norman Osborn and Harry Osborn are both no where to be seen, and the Green Goblin shows up to destroy Spider-Man. And, with an Oscorp Osberry, he manages to take control of security and free all the criminals and supervillains locked up. bad news, Spidey, very bad news.

While this is happening, Black Cat breaks in to break out her father, Walter Hardy aka the Cat Burglar. And, as we find out, the murderer of Uncle Ben...

Okay, I may as well discuss this since I know this is going to probably provide a lot of controversy, but, this is very well done. It achieved what "Spider-Man 3" tried to do, and failed miserably at. Either way, Peter still didn't stop him, he looked the other way, and his Uncle Ben paid with his life. This isn't like the movie where the Burglar was not the real killer and the Sandman was. If they had made that Burglar Flint Marko from the get go, I doubt that would have been as controversial.

Sam Raimi, if you're reading, take notes. Watch this show. This is how you do Spidey.

Okay, back to the episode. Among the prisoners are Montana, Ox, Fancy Dan, Rhino, a Mysterio robot, and Silvermane takes charge. Turns out Quentin Beck is still free after all.

Speaking of Mysterio, his Homunculi have really grown on me. They amuse me. I particularly enjoyed Jameson shouting out "I love these guys! They should have their own show!" Hmmm... winged creatures having their own show. I believe Weisman would call this an exercise in self indulgence.

Well, Walter Hardy turns out to be a decent man, as he wants to pay for his crime, and stops the criminals from escaping, and remaining behind as a prisoner. Black Cat is not happy about this. Period. Sorry, Cat/Spidey 'shippers. I think the ship has sailed for that now.

This episode was just beautiful. The action. The drama. The Shakespeare? Oh god, the Shakespeare. We need more of it in animation. You can never have too much Shakespeare.

My favorite moment is hard to pick, but... I loved the Green Goblin reciting Puck's monologue. Hey, the Green Goblin is a trickster, and Puck is the original. Gotta love it. That was a geekgasm.

Speaking of Puck, Hobie Brown finally speaks. About damn time, too.

So, the Goblin loses his temper and attempts to kill Spidey, but is driven off my both him and the Black Cat. Somehow, I don't see Cat doing him any more favors.

One more episode to go. Spider-Man versus Green Goblin. I both eagerly anticipate it, and at the same time, I dread it. The show still hasn't been picked up for season three, and I don't want "Final Curtain" to be, well, the final curtain.

So, where was Harry? Who is the Green Goblin? What will happen to Peter and Gwen? If this is indeed the final curtain, then I am sure it will be a very memorable one.