3x03 The Sins of the Fathers: Attack of the Octobot (2)

[3.4/10] Ouch. This one has three elements that instantly increase the degree of difficulty of making a good episode: the fact that it stars a plucky little kid, the fact that it features a racist caricature of a secondary character, and the fact that it’s centered on an amnesia plot. Throw them altogether and you have a recipe for a god awful episode of Spider-Man TAS, or really any show.

I absolutely did not mind Tiana when she was just the trite but heartwarming enough little girl who proved to be Spider-Man’s biggest fan and helped him rekindle his love for the heroing biz through her enthusiasm. But making her this plucky hero of her own who rolls around trying to convince people to save Spider-Man and save the day is silly wish fulfillment nonsense. And hey, maybe you can say that about most superhero stories, but this one was just cheesy to no end.

And my god, Mousey. I haven’t heard such a terrible Carribean accent since Kendra from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Lord knows we didn’t need the stereotype of a streetwise ethnic cabbie to pop up in this show. Almost every line she says is terrible, and mildly offensive. The writers using that kind of character in that manner really drags the episode down.

Last but not least, good lord do we not need anymore amnesia stories. Spider-man thinking he’s a villain isn’t the worst plot, but it’s super rushed so that the story can focus on Tiana, and the raft of people telling him to just remember is corny as hell. The fact that it’s the “enthusiasm of a child” that reminds him who he is becomes absolutely saccarhine, particularly with the reveal that she’s terminally ill. I did like Peter revealing his secret identity to her, as it makes it feel like he’s cementing their bond and makes their connection seem bigger, but it’s not enough to save this dumpster fire.

Overall, definitely the nadir of the series so far, and it’s had some stinkers. Should have stopped at Part 1.