Young Justice S1E04: Drop Zone
Jan. 29th, 2011 07:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ravensweptDecent action, cool villains, and a real mission. Let's see how things are handled.
Episode Summary
"Drop Zone", Ep 4. We're started with a quick fight between Santa Prisca kingpin Bane and some random hulked up monster; Bane gets beat like he stole something. An occupying force raises the chant, "Hail Kobra" but don't expect to hear any whiny snake voices.
Cut to a few days later (thank you helpful date system), and the team are on their way to Santa Prisca, a (fictional) Central Americian island country seemingly somewhere in the Carribean. The team have their first real mission, a scout and recon to find out why the island's illegal steriod factory isn't shipping it's illegal goods. The team has no defined leader, but Robin obviously is eyeing the position.
We get to see each member's stealth suit; which really isn't anything except their normal outfits, but black (and maybe some red). Miss Martian's is a full body suit (different from her normal skirt/shirt/boots), Robin doesn't have one different outfit, but he's practically ninja regardless of what he wears, and Superboy repeats the Smallville mantra of "no capes, no tights", going in his black shirt and black jeans. Classy.
They infultrate the island, Aqualad breaking off early to disable things before the rest land, and start their search. When a roving squad is spotted, Robin disappears. A fight skirmish breaks out somewhere ahead; Aqualad smartly says to avoid it. Kid Flash, who looks like is going to be the one breaking covertness the most, runs off to find Robin. He does this by rushing forward, slipping in mud, and exposing himself to the two fightings squads, a pack of Kobra goons vs Bane and his. They subdue the groups, Robin chastising the others for not following his example and dissappearing into the forest. The point is brought up that, besides MM, no one is a mind reader.
They start to argue, Robin having decided that he's going to be leader, while KF argues the point. He nevers says he wants the position, but it's alluded to. Superboy, when asked, turns it down flat, while Miss M appearantly has no confidence after the debocale with Mister Twister (appearantly forgetting that she came up with the winning plan).
Bane, saying the enemy of his enemy is his friend, leads the still bickering group to his secret factory enterance. They enter, and again Robin just disappears, with KF running off himself. Even Bane jabs at their total lack of a command chain.
While all this is going on, it looks like there's a big buy going down, with Kobra selling the newest batches of Venom (Bane's steroid juice) but ignoring the old stuff. Robin and KF find out that the new stuff is bonded with Blockbuster, the formula that caused the monster of their first fight; combined with Venom, it's three times as strong and permanent (it's also obviously what juiced up the guy who kicked Bane's ass in the beginning). They try to radio the others, but find that their coms are jammed.
The buyer is a villain called Sportsmaster; not the most intimating of monocurs, but he's precieved as a threat and really looks it too. Before anyone really knows what's going on, Bane crashes down on Kobra and creates a big ruccus for the team to deal with. Miss M, on orders from Aqualad, links up everyone telepathically. While they try to retreat, Robin attempts to take on Lord Kobra, the leader of the cult, but runs away when Aqualad insists.
As they lick their wounds, Robin angsts a bit about failing as a leader, but it's pointed out that he's expecting everyone to follow without him saying anything, something he and Batman, partners for so long, can do. It's pointed out that the only real leader they have is Aqualad, who accepts, though says it's only until Robin is reader (apparently he's destined to lead the team).
They go back to take on Kobra and stop Sportsmaster from leaving with the shipment of Blockvenom (quickly disposing of Bane, who was taken out really easily). It's general chaos, though with Aqualad leading they have a strong game plan and wipe the floor with Kobra goons. Robin again takes on Lord Koba, but poses no threat to him whatsoever. Miss M and Superboy take on Sportsmaster, who holds his own against them and escapes in the helicopter, but has to bail out after Miss M detonates the explosive she set in the cargo bay. Lord Kobra disappears when he sees he's outnumbered, but takes it rather well, considering. Robin says they made the right decision in leadership; not the least of which because it now falls to Aqualad to explain to Batman how everything got so fubared.
Batman, of course, chews their asses, but also tells them good job. He understands that plans don't survive enemy contact, and it's about how you adapt to what happens.
Elsewhere, Sportsmaster talks to the white profile screens of The Light, the season's arc enemy. He shows he managed to make off with one vial of the Kobra-venom, which the council says they can reverse engineer. They are, however, rather 'turbed that the team is making so many appearances in their business; turns out that the Mister Twister thing was them as well. They see the teens actions as enemy engagements, and swear no one will stop them.
Character Analysis
Robin: shows how young he really his here. He's stated as being only 13, which will probably become an issue as some point because damn that's young. He also shows how much he is trying to live up to the Batman legacy, by leading the team, which he totally jukes up. He's just not ready. He also ignores everything else to try to take on the head baddie. I'm not sure I buy that he's meant to lead them, but Robin as a character does normally lead what team he's on. Least he's humble enough to recognize he's not leading anyone, just demanding and expecting.
Kid Flash: Seriously, don't play that game with the speedster. Just because he's the "fast one" doesn't mean he has to be moving before he thinks. He forgets that everyone is commed up, why did he have to go looking for Robin when he could ask where the fuck he was? Still hitting hard on Miss M, but whatever, he's 15 and cocky. I don't mind it, but something better happen one way or the other.
Aqualad: Keeps a level head throughout; why it took so long to recognize his skills is just amazing. Everyone defers to him to begin with. Not much going on in terms of emotional range, but it's not so strange considering he trained along side his team. He also, besides MM, have the most varied power set, so he can do a lot more. Makes it interesting to watch him work.
Superboy: Man is he a cocky ass. I'm really getting to liking him, he states whats on his mind and does his own thing to a point. And he's not stupid (totally, jumping down and making a crater is not stealth like at all) being able to pick up sounds and reacting to it, as well as using his hearing to pick up on the tied up villains making plans; apparently he also understands Spanish (or whatever happens to pass for Spanish in this show). Who knew.
Miss Martian: Okay, that crush I thought was just alluded to? Yeah, it's full on. She goes dreamy eyed on him twice, so she's his Kid Flash. But she's also more girly, so she's a tad embarrassed when she says something doey eyed. She says she in no way wants the leadership role, and while it does fit her character, it's also disappointing in a way. She has the most to offer to the team; telekinesis, telepathy, invisibility (the Predator kind, so if she moves you still see her), shape changing, she's a hell of an ace. An opponent's strenght doesn't mean shit when she can just lift and toss them like beanie babies. Also, "Hello, Megan!" is old already. It's not cute. Please stop.
Villain(s): Bane is probably the best known of the four shown, but he does his part. He's a bit like Superboy, not much more than just a mass of muscle and strenght. I like that they're keeping to what he is in the comics, intelligent and calculating. Too bad he's more of a plot device than anything else. Sportsmaster... not much to tell, he shows up, he's a handfull, he leaves. They managed to make him a non-joke, so kudos for that, but why Miss M didn't just lift and toss like she did with Bane I'll never know. Lord Kobra is bad. Ass. He never saw the team as a threat, and even in losing it was all just an inconvience than anything. The lone other female this episode was Shimmer, a group-villain from the Teen Titan rogues. She gets no lines, and doesn't fight at all; her one-on-one with Robin was called off, and she gets tied up early in the second brawl, so kind of a nutmeg there. If she's in it though, I'm guessing the big hulking brute jacked up on Kobravenom is her brother Mammoth. He doesn't talk, but then again he is monsterfied. It looks painful too, when he's turned he has some exposed muscle looking areas, so I don't know if that heals or what, but ow.
Episode Analysis
Action is where it's at with this show. Very tightly written, good characerization, from hero to villain, and it all ties together to the over arcing story for the season. Very nice. Everyone played their part, but if this is covert for them, Batman may want to be less subtle. Especially considering that, even in black uniforms, anyone who knows anything about the heros knows that it's them, they aren't exactly unknowns in the hero world. They're starting to figure out how to combine their moves and powers, but it's gonna take a few more missions before it's smooth. Right now I'm wondering if this is the episode schedule, mission-down time-mission, and if so I really hope the non-mission eps get better writing.
Final Thoughts
I don't think my summaries aren't summary enough.
I liked it, it was a strong showing once again, I'm just hoping that the strenght isn't always in straight action episodes. I was very happy when I saw that Miss Martian mind linked everyone together for quick communication, I was half worried they weren't going to do something so obvious. What I'm not sure about is how much I like what they're doing with Miss M; I get that it's in character, but I don't know if I like that as her character. She's way too "soft", probably to balance Artemis' "hard", but her near pushoverness is a little annoying. But we're only three episodes in, and they are teenagers trying to define themselves. I just don't want them to be filling "team roles" so obviously.
Episode Summary
"Drop Zone", Ep 4. We're started with a quick fight between Santa Prisca kingpin Bane and some random hulked up monster; Bane gets beat like he stole something. An occupying force raises the chant, "Hail Kobra" but don't expect to hear any whiny snake voices.
Cut to a few days later (thank you helpful date system), and the team are on their way to Santa Prisca, a (fictional) Central Americian island country seemingly somewhere in the Carribean. The team have their first real mission, a scout and recon to find out why the island's illegal steriod factory isn't shipping it's illegal goods. The team has no defined leader, but Robin obviously is eyeing the position.
We get to see each member's stealth suit; which really isn't anything except their normal outfits, but black (and maybe some red). Miss Martian's is a full body suit (different from her normal skirt/shirt/boots), Robin doesn't have one different outfit, but he's practically ninja regardless of what he wears, and Superboy repeats the Smallville mantra of "no capes, no tights", going in his black shirt and black jeans. Classy.
They infultrate the island, Aqualad breaking off early to disable things before the rest land, and start their search. When a roving squad is spotted, Robin disappears. A fight skirmish breaks out somewhere ahead; Aqualad smartly says to avoid it. Kid Flash, who looks like is going to be the one breaking covertness the most, runs off to find Robin. He does this by rushing forward, slipping in mud, and exposing himself to the two fightings squads, a pack of Kobra goons vs Bane and his. They subdue the groups, Robin chastising the others for not following his example and dissappearing into the forest. The point is brought up that, besides MM, no one is a mind reader.
They start to argue, Robin having decided that he's going to be leader, while KF argues the point. He nevers says he wants the position, but it's alluded to. Superboy, when asked, turns it down flat, while Miss M appearantly has no confidence after the debocale with Mister Twister (appearantly forgetting that she came up with the winning plan).
Bane, saying the enemy of his enemy is his friend, leads the still bickering group to his secret factory enterance. They enter, and again Robin just disappears, with KF running off himself. Even Bane jabs at their total lack of a command chain.
While all this is going on, it looks like there's a big buy going down, with Kobra selling the newest batches of Venom (Bane's steroid juice) but ignoring the old stuff. Robin and KF find out that the new stuff is bonded with Blockbuster, the formula that caused the monster of their first fight; combined with Venom, it's three times as strong and permanent (it's also obviously what juiced up the guy who kicked Bane's ass in the beginning). They try to radio the others, but find that their coms are jammed.
The buyer is a villain called Sportsmaster; not the most intimating of monocurs, but he's precieved as a threat and really looks it too. Before anyone really knows what's going on, Bane crashes down on Kobra and creates a big ruccus for the team to deal with. Miss M, on orders from Aqualad, links up everyone telepathically. While they try to retreat, Robin attempts to take on Lord Kobra, the leader of the cult, but runs away when Aqualad insists.
As they lick their wounds, Robin angsts a bit about failing as a leader, but it's pointed out that he's expecting everyone to follow without him saying anything, something he and Batman, partners for so long, can do. It's pointed out that the only real leader they have is Aqualad, who accepts, though says it's only until Robin is reader (apparently he's destined to lead the team).
They go back to take on Kobra and stop Sportsmaster from leaving with the shipment of Blockvenom (quickly disposing of Bane, who was taken out really easily). It's general chaos, though with Aqualad leading they have a strong game plan and wipe the floor with Kobra goons. Robin again takes on Lord Koba, but poses no threat to him whatsoever. Miss M and Superboy take on Sportsmaster, who holds his own against them and escapes in the helicopter, but has to bail out after Miss M detonates the explosive she set in the cargo bay. Lord Kobra disappears when he sees he's outnumbered, but takes it rather well, considering. Robin says they made the right decision in leadership; not the least of which because it now falls to Aqualad to explain to Batman how everything got so fubared.
Batman, of course, chews their asses, but also tells them good job. He understands that plans don't survive enemy contact, and it's about how you adapt to what happens.
Elsewhere, Sportsmaster talks to the white profile screens of The Light, the season's arc enemy. He shows he managed to make off with one vial of the Kobra-venom, which the council says they can reverse engineer. They are, however, rather 'turbed that the team is making so many appearances in their business; turns out that the Mister Twister thing was them as well. They see the teens actions as enemy engagements, and swear no one will stop them.
Character Analysis
Robin: shows how young he really his here. He's stated as being only 13, which will probably become an issue as some point because damn that's young. He also shows how much he is trying to live up to the Batman legacy, by leading the team, which he totally jukes up. He's just not ready. He also ignores everything else to try to take on the head baddie. I'm not sure I buy that he's meant to lead them, but Robin as a character does normally lead what team he's on. Least he's humble enough to recognize he's not leading anyone, just demanding and expecting.
Kid Flash: Seriously, don't play that game with the speedster. Just because he's the "fast one" doesn't mean he has to be moving before he thinks. He forgets that everyone is commed up, why did he have to go looking for Robin when he could ask where the fuck he was? Still hitting hard on Miss M, but whatever, he's 15 and cocky. I don't mind it, but something better happen one way or the other.
Aqualad: Keeps a level head throughout; why it took so long to recognize his skills is just amazing. Everyone defers to him to begin with. Not much going on in terms of emotional range, but it's not so strange considering he trained along side his team. He also, besides MM, have the most varied power set, so he can do a lot more. Makes it interesting to watch him work.
Superboy: Man is he a cocky ass. I'm really getting to liking him, he states whats on his mind and does his own thing to a point. And he's not stupid (totally, jumping down and making a crater is not stealth like at all) being able to pick up sounds and reacting to it, as well as using his hearing to pick up on the tied up villains making plans; apparently he also understands Spanish (or whatever happens to pass for Spanish in this show). Who knew.
Miss Martian: Okay, that crush I thought was just alluded to? Yeah, it's full on. She goes dreamy eyed on him twice, so she's his Kid Flash. But she's also more girly, so she's a tad embarrassed when she says something doey eyed. She says she in no way wants the leadership role, and while it does fit her character, it's also disappointing in a way. She has the most to offer to the team; telekinesis, telepathy, invisibility (the Predator kind, so if she moves you still see her), shape changing, she's a hell of an ace. An opponent's strenght doesn't mean shit when she can just lift and toss them like beanie babies. Also, "Hello, Megan!" is old already. It's not cute. Please stop.
Villain(s): Bane is probably the best known of the four shown, but he does his part. He's a bit like Superboy, not much more than just a mass of muscle and strenght. I like that they're keeping to what he is in the comics, intelligent and calculating. Too bad he's more of a plot device than anything else. Sportsmaster... not much to tell, he shows up, he's a handfull, he leaves. They managed to make him a non-joke, so kudos for that, but why Miss M didn't just lift and toss like she did with Bane I'll never know. Lord Kobra is bad. Ass. He never saw the team as a threat, and even in losing it was all just an inconvience than anything. The lone other female this episode was Shimmer, a group-villain from the Teen Titan rogues. She gets no lines, and doesn't fight at all; her one-on-one with Robin was called off, and she gets tied up early in the second brawl, so kind of a nutmeg there. If she's in it though, I'm guessing the big hulking brute jacked up on Kobravenom is her brother Mammoth. He doesn't talk, but then again he is monsterfied. It looks painful too, when he's turned he has some exposed muscle looking areas, so I don't know if that heals or what, but ow.
Episode Analysis
Action is where it's at with this show. Very tightly written, good characerization, from hero to villain, and it all ties together to the over arcing story for the season. Very nice. Everyone played their part, but if this is covert for them, Batman may want to be less subtle. Especially considering that, even in black uniforms, anyone who knows anything about the heros knows that it's them, they aren't exactly unknowns in the hero world. They're starting to figure out how to combine their moves and powers, but it's gonna take a few more missions before it's smooth. Right now I'm wondering if this is the episode schedule, mission-down time-mission, and if so I really hope the non-mission eps get better writing.
Final Thoughts
I don't think my summaries aren't summary enough.
I liked it, it was a strong showing once again, I'm just hoping that the strenght isn't always in straight action episodes. I was very happy when I saw that Miss Martian mind linked everyone together for quick communication, I was half worried they weren't going to do something so obvious. What I'm not sure about is how much I like what they're doing with Miss M; I get that it's in character, but I don't know if I like that as her character. She's way too "soft", probably to balance Artemis' "hard", but her near pushoverness is a little annoying. But we're only three episodes in, and they are teenagers trying to define themselves. I just don't want them to be filling "team roles" so obviously.
no subject
on 2011-01-30 05:24 am (UTC)She says she in no way wants the leadership role, and while it does fit her character, it's also disappointing in a way.
Since she does have so many powers, do you think the series will give her a character arc involving an eventual rise into a leadership position?
no subject
on 2011-01-30 05:50 am (UTC)Youtube has all three episodes so far.
Since she does have so many powers, do you think the series will give her a character arc involving an eventual rise into a leadership position?
Maybe for one episode, but not on any permanent basis. If anything, it'll be a raise in self-confidence, but her character type isn't one that takes a leadership role. Hers is to be sweet, a tad naive, and blushing peppy wallflower. I think it'd be awesome though, having her trying to be the leader while so unsure of herself (she already did something similar in Ep 2) would make for a more interesting dynamic than the stronger in-charge personalities the guys have.
Aqualad has just as varied a power set (underwater breathing, high durability, increased strength, electroshock, limited hydrokinesis) so it's not a power issue, just... girls don't get to lead the teams, I guess.
If any female would fight for leadership, it'll be Artemis; maybe Wondergirl when she finally shows up.