[7.6/10] Let’s get this out of the way -- Ogie Banks is no Donald Glover. (Though who is, really?) I find his performance as Miles pretty distracting. What’s funny is that I liked him as Luke Cage. Maybe the more adult character is just more in his vocal range. But here, he’s trying to go for squeaky moppet, and it just doesn't work for me. He also has some of that theater kid delivery that afflicted Drake Bell for much of the run of the show, so maybe it’s just how the vocal directors coach them to do Spider-Man. Whatever it is, it makes it harder to connect with a character who I had a lot of good will for after the show’s Spider-Verse introduction for him.
But that aside, I actually thought this was a really well-constructed episode. It’s still a show aimed at a younger audience, so most of the emotional trajectory is pretty heavily signposted. Still, I like the throughline here, that Peter feels responsible for stranding Miles in this universe, and so is particularly worried about him getting hurt in the field. It leads to him keeping Miles on too tight a leash, and not give him the freedom and trust to find his own way.
(I’m going to put my adult hat on here and say that it’s perfectly reasonable for Peter, or really any grown-up, to be concerned about a 13 year old kid going and fighting crime, but this feels like a “just go with it” sort of plot condition.)
What I like is that not only does the show set up the conflict well, but it gives Peter a goofus and gallant dichotomy. We see Peter holding Miles back with Batroc, and again when Vulture first attacks, which makes his change of heart at the end of the episode meaningful. At the same time, we see the right way to do things with Norman and Harry Osborn of all people. Norman made his Iron Patriot suits to protect his son, and is aghast when Harry dons the armor to return the favor. But eventually, Norman sees what Harry can do, and realizes he needs to slacken the rope and let his son realize his potential instead of just be an object of worry. Again, it’s a kids show, so they make sure the audience gets it, but it’s solid character work.
On the other side of the coin, you have Doc Ock and Vulture. I actually really like their dynamic and Vulture’s motivation here. I have to admit that I was initially thrown as to why Vulture would ever work for Octavius given their history. But the setup that Doc Ock is manipulating Vulture -- telling him that Norman has his memories and that he’ll help Vulture get them back if he does is bidding -- works well under the circumstances. Of course, they’re the bad example to the Osborn’s good example. Dr. Octopus regrets that he gave Vulture any freedom, and it’s enough for Peter to realize how wrongheaded that approach is. He gives Miles his trust to be a full-fledged ally rather than a ward, and Miles validates that trust.
Now at the end of the day, this is still one big multiman throwdown. But that theme adds some structure and meaning to what would otherwise be just one big mecha-mash-up. We even get to see things a little from Miles perspective, adding depth to his motivation by putting in the context of what happened to his universe’s Peter Parker.
I do enjoy the idea that Hydra is outfitting villains with tech upgrades that makes them more of a threat. And the return of the Iron Patriot with Norman’s recovery is a welcome one. Though the running gag about Miles’s new nickname, and its result, doesn't do much for me.
Overall, there’s nothing especially wowing here, but at the same time, it’s a very sound and sturdy episode in terms of story, character, and emotional trajectory, which goes a long way toward making it a good watch even when other aspects of it (like Miles’s delivery) don’t quite click.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2019-02-28T03:00:05Z
[7.6/10] Let’s get this out of the way -- Ogie Banks is no Donald Glover. (Though who is, really?) I find his performance as Miles pretty distracting. What’s funny is that I liked him as Luke Cage. Maybe the more adult character is just more in his vocal range. But here, he’s trying to go for squeaky moppet, and it just doesn't work for me. He also has some of that theater kid delivery that afflicted Drake Bell for much of the run of the show, so maybe it’s just how the vocal directors coach them to do Spider-Man. Whatever it is, it makes it harder to connect with a character who I had a lot of good will for after the show’s Spider-Verse introduction for him.
But that aside, I actually thought this was a really well-constructed episode. It’s still a show aimed at a younger audience, so most of the emotional trajectory is pretty heavily signposted. Still, I like the throughline here, that Peter feels responsible for stranding Miles in this universe, and so is particularly worried about him getting hurt in the field. It leads to him keeping Miles on too tight a leash, and not give him the freedom and trust to find his own way.
(I’m going to put my adult hat on here and say that it’s perfectly reasonable for Peter, or really any grown-up, to be concerned about a 13 year old kid going and fighting crime, but this feels like a “just go with it” sort of plot condition.)
What I like is that not only does the show set up the conflict well, but it gives Peter a goofus and gallant dichotomy. We see Peter holding Miles back with Batroc, and again when Vulture first attacks, which makes his change of heart at the end of the episode meaningful. At the same time, we see the right way to do things with Norman and Harry Osborn of all people. Norman made his Iron Patriot suits to protect his son, and is aghast when Harry dons the armor to return the favor. But eventually, Norman sees what Harry can do, and realizes he needs to slacken the rope and let his son realize his potential instead of just be an object of worry. Again, it’s a kids show, so they make sure the audience gets it, but it’s solid character work.
On the other side of the coin, you have Doc Ock and Vulture. I actually really like their dynamic and Vulture’s motivation here. I have to admit that I was initially thrown as to why Vulture would ever work for Octavius given their history. But the setup that Doc Ock is manipulating Vulture -- telling him that Norman has his memories and that he’ll help Vulture get them back if he does is bidding -- works well under the circumstances. Of course, they’re the bad example to the Osborn’s good example. Dr. Octopus regrets that he gave Vulture any freedom, and it’s enough for Peter to realize how wrongheaded that approach is. He gives Miles his trust to be a full-fledged ally rather than a ward, and Miles validates that trust.
Now at the end of the day, this is still one big multiman throwdown. But that theme adds some structure and meaning to what would otherwise be just one big mecha-mash-up. We even get to see things a little from Miles perspective, adding depth to his motivation by putting in the context of what happened to his universe’s Peter Parker.
I do enjoy the idea that Hydra is outfitting villains with tech upgrades that makes them more of a threat. And the return of the Iron Patriot with Norman’s recovery is a welcome one. Though the running gag about Miles’s new nickname, and its result, doesn't do much for me.
Overall, there’s nothing especially wowing here, but at the same time, it’s a very sound and sturdy episode in terms of story, character, and emotional trajectory, which goes a long way toward making it a good watch even when other aspects of it (like Miles’s delivery) don’t quite click.