[7.4/10] Here’s the thing about this episode -- 80% of it is just the usual superheroic fisticuffs. Sure, things are slightly more epic given that this is the culmination of The Jackal’s evil plan, and that he’s plotting to rule the city. But in actuality, even with the “we have to dispense the cure” stuff and the use of the spider slayers, this is just a big heap of spider-human vs. spider monster pugilism. Some of it’s reasonably fun (Miles not being able to come up with a quip, for one), but little of it stands out.
The one thing that does in this episode though, is the character work between Peter and Harry. I really like the conversation between the two of them where Harry challenges Peter over why he never shared the secret identity before. Pete initially tells his friend that it would have put Harry in an awkward position, having to divide loyalties between his best friend and his father. Harry rightly calls that out as a little self-serving.
But Peter rightly retorts that it’s also so as not to put Peter’s friends and loved ones at risk, something that might happen if (as is implied) word of Spider-Man’s true identity got back to Norman Osborn. Harry responds that without knowing the secret, his life and family have already been messed up, with or without this forbidden knowledge, so the whole “risk of collaterla damage” argument doesn't really play with him.
It’s some damn good writing and performances. Both Harry and Peter have legitimate reasons for feeling the way they do, and the fact that they set it aside to save the city, but aren’t ignoring these bubbling issues elevates this one considerably.
The catch is that it’s followed by more static combat with spider monsters and generic villain boasts from The Jackal. Still, all of that eventually comes down to a choice of whether to defuse a bomb so save Osborn Academy or let it go off to disperse the cure (and save Harry himself). Harry is trying to do the former while Peter is trying to do the latter, with Peter eventually making an executive decision to lift his friend outta there.
It, naturally, leads to more angst between them. Again, everyone has good motivations here. Peter thinks saving the city this way right now is for the greater good, and his worry about whether Harry will be able to defuse it in time. Harry is worried about preserving his father's work and legacy, especially with the boost he got from Norman saying he’s proud of his son, and he’s frustrated at Peter/Spidey hogging the hero spotlight and substituting his judgment for everyone else’s.
That’s the rub. This episode is pretty generic and forgettable for most of its runtime, but it does the Peter-Harry relationship, the fall out, and the reason for their anger and sadness for one another, really well. That alone is worth the price of admission, even if you have to stick it out through a clump of fine but not really memorable action to get there.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2019-06-02T19:10:02Z
[7.4/10] Here’s the thing about this episode -- 80% of it is just the usual superheroic fisticuffs. Sure, things are slightly more epic given that this is the culmination of The Jackal’s evil plan, and that he’s plotting to rule the city. But in actuality, even with the “we have to dispense the cure” stuff and the use of the spider slayers, this is just a big heap of spider-human vs. spider monster pugilism. Some of it’s reasonably fun (Miles not being able to come up with a quip, for one), but little of it stands out.
The one thing that does in this episode though, is the character work between Peter and Harry. I really like the conversation between the two of them where Harry challenges Peter over why he never shared the secret identity before. Pete initially tells his friend that it would have put Harry in an awkward position, having to divide loyalties between his best friend and his father. Harry rightly calls that out as a little self-serving.
But Peter rightly retorts that it’s also so as not to put Peter’s friends and loved ones at risk, something that might happen if (as is implied) word of Spider-Man’s true identity got back to Norman Osborn. Harry responds that without knowing the secret, his life and family have already been messed up, with or without this forbidden knowledge, so the whole “risk of collaterla damage” argument doesn't really play with him.
It’s some damn good writing and performances. Both Harry and Peter have legitimate reasons for feeling the way they do, and the fact that they set it aside to save the city, but aren’t ignoring these bubbling issues elevates this one considerably.
The catch is that it’s followed by more static combat with spider monsters and generic villain boasts from The Jackal. Still, all of that eventually comes down to a choice of whether to defuse a bomb so save Osborn Academy or let it go off to disperse the cure (and save Harry himself). Harry is trying to do the former while Peter is trying to do the latter, with Peter eventually making an executive decision to lift his friend outta there.
It, naturally, leads to more angst between them. Again, everyone has good motivations here. Peter thinks saving the city this way right now is for the greater good, and his worry about whether Harry will be able to defuse it in time. Harry is worried about preserving his father's work and legacy, especially with the boost he got from Norman saying he’s proud of his son, and he’s frustrated at Peter/Spidey hogging the hero spotlight and substituting his judgment for everyone else’s.
That’s the rub. This episode is pretty generic and forgettable for most of its runtime, but it does the Peter-Harry relationship, the fall out, and the reason for their anger and sadness for one another, really well. That alone is worth the price of admission, even if you have to stick it out through a clump of fine but not really memorable action to get there.