The Spectacular Spider-Man "Shear Strength" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Pepperidge]

A. they won't kill off anyone on this show, they CAN'T! It's a kids show. best you will get is them making it look like someone is dead.

Umm, there are PLENTY of kid's cartoons where characters die. Including the 90s Spider-Man cartoon, which was notorious for its censorship.

 

[thundacatblue]

Umm, there are PLENTY of kid's cartoons where characters die. Including the 90s Spider-Man cartoon, which was notorious for its censorship.

Dimensional portals ≠ dying

 

[Pepperidge]

In the case of SM:TAS I was specifically talking about Mysterio. It was a "trapped in an exploding building" death, but it was still a death. And now that I think about it, Hydro-Man technically died as well.

 

[cradleman]

Dimensional portals ≠ dying

Exactly. and I don't know about Mysterio(it's been a long time since i saw seasons 3-5 of the 90s series). but really it's impossible for them to kill off a major character/villain and get away with it nowadays.

 

[R-Taco]

-For an episode as good as this, I wish they could've got Dong Woo or Hanho Heung Up to animate this episode. The animation by MOI in this episode came across as serviceable at best, and stiff at worst. This episode along with Blueprints & Growing Pains are the weakest animated episodes in the entire series to date IMO.*****

I disagree. While the animation in this episode wasn't quite up to the series' high standards, I'd still put it above both Persona and Intervention, and on par with every ep. in season one's Green Goblin arc.

 

[creativerealms]

They also killed off Hydroman in his first episode even if they acted like he could have survived.

 

[Antiyonder]

According to Greg, here's another major scene deleted from the series:

IGN: As a fan of Gwen, I have to ask – are you going to cut this poor girl a break at some point? Liz and Peter kiss at the end of this episode and you just feel so bad for Gwen.

Weisman: We're hoping that you feel bad for her. You understand where Liz is coming from. You understand how confused Peter is. That doesn't mean excusing it all, but understanding is different from excusing. As to whether we cut these characters breaks, I'm not really cutting my characters breaks, unfortunately. [Laughs] We try and give them little victories here and there, but life is tough, particularly when you're Spider-Man – or if you know him. So we're not looking specifically to cut these characters breaks, but I think Gwen has some victories in this episode, even though she was kidnapped and was very much – I won't dodge this – a damsel in distress, at the end of the adventure, she also saves Spider-Man. And that's even more clear in what would have been the movie version. In a scene that was cut for time, that we thought was going to be in the movie DVD release, but now won't, there's a very brief sequence where Spider-Man's just completely beat and the water floods in and nearly knocks him away and it's Gwen who grabs him and literally saves his life.

 

[Nygma]

I disagree. While the animation in this episode wasn't quite up to the series' high standards, I'd still put it above both Persona and Intervention, and on par with every ep. in season one's Green Goblin arc.

This episode didn't have animation that was very fluid at all. Persona, & The Goblin Arc's episodes were WAY better than this episode in terms of fluid animation.

In THIS episode I'm struggling to think of even one fluid sequence of animation.

 

[Rick Jones]

They also killed off Hydroman in his first episode even if they acted like he could have survived.

The only death that came to mind automatically for me was Spider-Carnage's suicide

 

[creativerealms]

The only death that came to mind automatically for me was Spider-Carnage's suicide

Yeah well Hydro Man's death sticks in my mind because it made way for the worst plot line in the history of everything, the hydro clone of Mary Jane Watson. It was clear in that horrid story that the original Hydroman was gone for good.

But that's off topic back on topic this was a great episode, making up for the other wise weak IMO Master Planner story.

 

[Gokou Ruri]

As for Gwen being a damsel in distress, HAVE YOU WATCHED THE SHOW!? She is EASILY one of the most developed characters here. She gets tons of screentime, she stimulates Peter both Academically and romantically, She cares for her friends and goes through great lengths to see them get better, she is just plain amazing in this show. I have no idea what your complaint with her is. just weird.

In what ways? The only instance I can think of is when she wanted to help Harry when she thought he had a problem, but those instances also boiled down to her looking towards Peter to talk to Harry. It's similar to the situation they're in now, where she's waiting for Peter to talk to her rather than talking to him herself. She's friendly, sure, but the writing doesn't let her do anything aside from having those characteristics be fuel for the romance she's in. She just seems to be defined as "the girl that Peter likes and likes him back", which annoys me; especially when she's not even assertive when it comes to the romance that defines her existence.

 

[Antiyonder]

She just seems to be defined as "the girl that Peter likes and likes him back", which annoys me; especially when she's not even assertive when it comes to the romance that defines her existence.

Stating that she won't be his second choice seems assertive to me. The opposite would be a girl who is desperate enough to be the last resort.

 

[Rick Jones]

Gwen's been putting herself out there since Thanksgiving but Pete fumbles as usual and isn't decisive. He reminds me a lot of myself in years past.

 

[CJ67]

In what ways? The only instance I can think of is when she wanted to help Harry when she thought he had a problem, but those instances also boiled down to her looking towards Peter to talk to Harry. It's similar to the situation they're in now, where she's waiting for Peter to talk to her rather than talking to him herself. She's friendly, sure, but the writing doesn't let her do anything aside from having those characteristics be fuel for the romance she's in. She just seems to be defined as "the girl that Peter likes and likes him back", which annoys me; especially when she's not even assertive when it comes to the romance that defines her existence.

Actually her romance that defines her existence doesn't take place till college. That means she has time to fulfill that roll. She is also the person who keeps Peter in check and his support. Remember the football tryouts when he wanted to be popular but took the loser role for Harry, who was there for him to make him feel like a winner? Remember the whole Lizard arc, who was there to comfort Doc Connors wife? She is more than a damsel, they're teens on a kids show, what do you want them in the sack after a few weeks?

I'm still waiting for these positive posts you keep talking about. I have seen 20 plus posts from you about this show and all negative. You say you support the show and say positive things, funny but your posting record would say otherwise. Do you have anything positive to say about this show, is there anything you like about it?

 

[Christopher Glennon]

Exactly. and I don't know about Mysterio(it's been a long time since i saw seasons 3-5 of the 90s series). but really it's impossible for them to kill off a major character/villain and get away with it nowadays.

JLU managed to, but that was at the very end of the series. That Luthor/Grodd fight could only have one victor, and they didn't cheap out on us.

 

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

JLU managed to, but that was at the very end of the series. That Luthor/Grodd fight could only have one victor, and they didn't cheap out on us.

And what about Solomon Grundy? Remember Hawkgirl put him to rest? But then again, he was technically undead anyway.

 

[GregX]

"Shear Strength"

And today, the Master Planner arc officially comes to a close. And what a close. As an old school Spider-Man fan, I've been anticipating this episode for a while. And it did not disappoint.

We open up with the identity of the Master Planner. None other than Dr. Octopus, and honestly, there is no way it could have ever been anyone else. And dammit, Ock was in top form in this episode. Loved him, and Peter MacNicol is terrific at making him sound so calculating and menacing.

So, Doc Ock's master plan, er, sorry, Master Plan, was to hijack the internet? The fiend! He wants to take away our access to free porn! That's just not right! Not right!

This episode rocked, and I mean more so than usual. Which for this show is impressive. This was straight Lee/Ditko, and I couldn't ask for any better. The action sequences were intense. The pacing was terrific, and the ending really pissed me off... and I mean that in a good way.

Nice to see George Stacy in the credits, and I liked his role in here. Yeah, he was cooperating with Ock, but I'd almost feel sorry for the good doctor if George got his hands on him first.

I really liked that Ock didn't get sent back to prison at the end of this. It gets tiresome when the villains constantly get thrown in prison and constantly escape. So Ock, Vulture and the Tinkerer are still on the loose. Electro and Mysterio are in custody. And where did Sandman, Kraven and Rhino go? For that matter, why wasn't Shocker among the Master Planner's "usual suspects" last time. Curious.

Spidey himself. It says something when I can both love and want to smack the protagonist. Loved him going Batman on Tinkerer. Really loved seeing him lift that huge weight, knowing that Gwen depended on him, and then... at the last moment in the episode. Oy. So close, so close, so close.

Peter, meet me at Camera 3

::Turns to Camera 3::

Look, I know Liz is hot, exotic and popular. But, four months ago this girl wouldn't even glance in your direction, and even if she was not an active participant in bullying you, she was definitely a witness. "Study with Petey, I'd rather fail." Remember that? Gwen is someone you've known for years, has always been your friend, and you know you care about. You've been such close friends for so long, you have a solid foundation to build upon. And yes, she's cute too. You have enough in common with her, and a history. You know you can trust her. Poor thing. Is there really any solid foundation with Liz? Really?

Okay, let's check in with our good friend, Stephen Colbert on this issue...

Thanks, Stephen.

::Turns away from Camera 3::

Okay, tangent over. It's the mark of great writing when a TV show can get a reaction like that out of me. Good stuff. Great stuff.

Little tidbits I enjoyed. Mary Jane suggesting Gwen take Peter to Times Square to "see the ball drop" with a wink... I love the innuendos on this show. I also cracked up at the good doctor's "Evil Genius" coffee mug.

The best episode so far this season. Maybe the best episode of the series to date. And we still have nine more to go.

 

[W.C.Reaf]

Look, I know Liz is hot, exotic and popular. But, four months ago this girl wouldn't even glance in your direction, and even if she was not an active participant in bullying you, she was definitely a witness. "Study with Petey, I'd rather fail." Remember that? Gwen is someone you've known for years, has always been your friend, and you know you care about. You've been such close friends for so long, you have a solid foundation to build upon. And yes, she's cute too. You have enough in common with her, and a history. You know you can trust her. Poor thing. Is there really any solid foundation with Liz? Really?

That Colbert image is great, so funny and true.

I do think Pete went with Liz because it's easier. It's easier than sorting out his already mixed up feelings for Gwen, easier than risking his longstanding friendship with her, easier than getting courage up to talk to her about their kiss when Liz practically jumped on him (metaphorically speaking of course), it's just plain easier.

And that is why this show is so good, because it has a great grasp on realistic relationships and the people in them.

I've known people in both Gwen's and Pete's position. I've had friends put themselves out there, like Gwen did at the end of season 1, only to be met with confusion and an unwillingness to risk their friendship. I've see people who took 2-3 years to get together even though they like each other.

Trust me it's even more frustrating in real life than it is seeing fictional people go through it. At least we can yell at the TV screen here.

(P.S. Nice to see you back)

 

[DBTrilogy100]

The Master Planner Arc, Part IV

The 4th and last (and my favorite) episode of the Master Planner Arc. Spider-Man ends the year with a bang and starts the new year with a surprise. The famous story is finally shown in animation (with the right character that is).

*Master Planner is reveled to be Dr. Octopus (just like in the comics). I always believed it would be the good doctor, you just can't tamper with the A list villains. Ock's revel was also rather quick like in the comics. I didn't mind it, but some did. I also like how the Sinister Six members with a personal connection to Ock were let in on the secret before the others.

*We finally see Norman mentoring Peter, I wish we saw more of it throughout the season, but I suppose there was so little time. Morris Bench (the future Hydro Man) is voiced by Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants, very good acting I didn't know untill the credits.

*Good to see Vulture has calmed down a bit with Osborn. I also love how Otto and Adrian were talking to each other, they really sounded like old friends talking about their past time.

*I loved how the Master Planner Story's modern update seemed so natural and it makes perfect sense for the 2000s.

*Apparently, Trina the clerk is from *shudders* Brand New/One More Day.

*That van chase was sweet. I wonder how Electro made it back to MP's HQ so quick though. Looks like the web head has been taking lessons from the Dark Knight.

*George Stacy is a character that you just can't hate (in this sries). I loved how he stood up to Ock at the last part of the plan.

*Electo's beserk button caused his mentor serious problems.

*I loved Ock's remark to Spidey calling out his identity.

*Wow, the "no router" for Ock part looked painful!

*The fameous scene is animated with the proper character *gives Batman Beyond "the look"*.

*Yay, Gwen gets to drive the escape pod.

*Peter, Peter, Peter, you really should have followed your heart not impulse, blast you Liz and poor Gwen.

Next episode includes birthdays, video interviews, beaches and "old friends" returning.

 

[Medinnus]

I know its a Kids show, but every time Gwen gets put in harms way I see her Dad dead and her falling from the bridge...