The Spectacular Spider-Man "Opening Night" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Stu]

Catch an all-new episode of The Spectacular Spider-Man tonight on Disney XD!

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The Spectacular Spider-Man
Episode#25: "Opening Night"
Original Premiere - November 18th, 2009

To test security at the Vault, Spider-Man volunteers to try to escape. But the Green Goblin has other ideas, trapping Spidey inside Ryker’s amid a sea of felons he put away.

Comments?

 

[DawnWarrior]

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-...ectacular-SpiderMan-212-review--Opening-Night

Green Goblin unleashes a prison full of super-villains against Spider-Man, Black Cat returns with an unexpected blast from the webslinger’s past, the students of M-Cubed take the stage, and Hobie Brown finally speaks.

Oh Weisman, you rascal. You just couldn’t resist bringing back ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ could you, after building a storyline around it on your other show, “Gargoyles”? I wonder if, after using ‘Midsummer’ so heavily on that show, Weisman tried to search for a different Shakespeare play to have the gang perform as a season-long framing device, then went back and re-read the text (with lines like “hence you long-legged spinners!” and “those the goblin call you!”) and was like, “No, it must be this one.” Not surprisingly, Weisman scripted this particular episode himself.

There are two openings happening on “Opening Night”: Norman Osborn is opening up a new prison called the Vault, and Spider-Man has volunteered to test out the security by attempting to escape, with Captain Stacy watching and Jameson reporting. Meanwhile, the students of M-cubed (MJ, Flash, Glory, Hobie, Sha-Shan, and Kong) must brave the opening performance of ‘Midsummer,’ which serves to frame the episode. But things go awry at the Vault when Green Goblin arrives to unleash all the criminals upon Spider-Man, while Black Cat sneaks into the prison to free her cat-burglar father. All this would make a good episode any day of the week (dropping a hero into a prison full of his past foes is a very old and reliable story), but Weisman keeps it interesting by cutting over to Peter’s class performing ‘Midsummer,’ a device which Weisman uses for everything from character to atmosphere to suspense. Goblin hovers over the prison all the while, pulling strings, unlocking cells, and laughing maniacally while taunting Spidey in rhyming verses. (Could the Goblin, we are left to wonder, still be Harry, who was mysteriously M.I.A. from the role of Puck at the school? Or is it really Norman, who excused himself from the Vault shortly before the Goblin arrived?)

Spidey’s antics at the Vault to control the escalating chaos are both exciting and effectively plausible (as with any prison story, the hero’s escape needs to be believable, but not too easy). The vignettes of the play don’t distract from the prison-escape scenes one bit, since they blend so seamlessly together and we’ve grown to love all these characters so much. So many things happen in this episode with so many characters and so many competing subplots that, more than any time this season, the credits seem to come all too soon. If you ever decide to view this series for the first time by watching a lot of episodes at a stretch, be sure to take breaks in between so you are not blown to pieces by sheer awesomeness.

A part of me badly wants Weisman, Cook, and the gang to give us a bad episode, or even a stubbornly mediocre one, just because I’m running out of ways to say how great this show is. That weak installment better not be the final episode of season 2, coming up next.

Oh, and one more thing: this might be the first episode where Peter Parker never appears out of costume.
For my reviews of other Spectacular Spider-Man episodes, click here.

 

[honorableninja]

this episode is the reason this show has to come back we need to see spiderman and black cat meet up again after finding out her father killed ben parker that too good a story to just let go!

 

[thedanmachine]

While I had a problem at first with Black Cat's father being revealed as Uncle Ben's killer, I dont anymore. This episode, while definitely not the best, was really good. I liked the nod to Montana's lasso's that he used in the early comics, and I thought that the story line for the episode was really inventive, as I liked the fact that Spidey volunteered to test the prison.

 

[GregX]

My mistress with a monster is in love.
Near to her close and consecrated bower,
While she was in her dull and sleeping hour,
A crew of patches, rude mechanicals,
That work for bread upon Athenian stalls,
Were met together to rehearse a play,
Intended for great Theseus' nuptial day.
The shallowest thickskin of that barren sort,
Who Pyramus presented in their sport,
Forsook his scene and entered in a brake.
When I did him at this advantage take,
An ass's nole I fixèd on his head.
Anon his Thisby must be answered,
And forth my mimic comes. When they him spy,
As wild geese that the creeping fowler eye,
Or russet-pated choughs, many in sort,
Rising and cawing at the gun's report,
Sever themselves and madly sweep the sky;
So at his sight away his fellows fly,
And at our stamp here o'er and o'er one falls;
He murder cries and help from Athens calls.
Their sense thus weak, lost with their fears thus strong,
Made senseless things begin to do them wrong,
For briers and thorns at their apparel snatch:
Some, sleeves -- some, hats; from yielders all things catch.
I led them on in this distracted fear
And left sweet Pyramus translated there,
When in that moment (so it came to pass)
Titania waked, and straightway loved an ass.


"Opening Night"


Okay, two of my great loves have been combined. Spider-Man and William Shakespeare. And, our first episode personally scripted by Greg Weisman since "Intervention" back in the first season. You know it's a Weisman episode because of all the Shakespeare dialogue. You also know it's a Weisman script because of the cast of thousands.


Okay, a new wing has been built at Ryker's Island called the Vault.

Considering all the supervillains running around, it would make sense to finally give them their own wing. Not to mention Norman Osborn gets to make a profit off of it. He cranks 'em out and he locks 'em up. The perfect racket.


So, Norman somehow contacts Spider-Man and wants him to break out of the Vault to test security. And then is conveniently called away by Donald Menken... curious.


Meanwhile, at Midtown High, the production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is about to start, and Peter hasn't shown up to watch Liz. More than that, Harry Osborn, who was cast as Puck is missing also. Curious...


So, Norman Osborn and Harry Osborn are both no where to be seen, and the Green Goblin shows up to destroy Spider-Man. And, with an OsCorp Osberry, he manages to take control of security and free all the criminals and supervillains locked up. Bad news, Spidey, very bad news.


While this is happening, Black Cat breaks in to bust out her father, Walter Hardy aka the Cat Burglar. And, as we find out, the murderer of Uncle Ben...


Okay, I may as well discuss this since I know this is going to probably provide a lot of controversy, but, this is very well done. It achieved what "Spider-Man 3" tried to do, and failed miserably at. Either way, Peter still didn't stop him, he looked the other way, and his Uncle Ben paid with his life. This isn't like the movie where the Burglar was not the real killer and the Sandman was. If they had made that Burglar Flint Marko from the get go, I doubt that would have been as controversial.


Sam Raimi, if you're reading, take notes. Watch this show. This is how you do Spidey.


Okay, back to the episode. Among the prisoners are Montana, Ox, Fancy Dan, Rhino, Molten Man, a Mysterio robot, and Silvermane takes charge.

Turns out Quentin Beck is still free after all... which was a big surprise.
Speaking of Mysterio, his Homunculi have really grown on me. They amuse me. I particularly enjoyed Jameson shouting out "I love these guys! They should have their own show!" Hmmm... winged creatures having their own show. I believe Weisman would call this an exercise in self indulgence.


By the way, I enjoyed seeing Montana use a lasso. Yeah, it's dated, I don't want to see him use one again. But as a brief nod to the source material, it was fun.


And only Rhino could call Ox "pip squeak."


Did the Goblin ever bother to deactivate Mark's "curse?"


Well, Walter Hardy turns out to be a semi-decent man, as he wants to pay for his crime, stops the criminals from escaping, and remains behind as a prisoner. Black Cat is not happy about this. Period. Sorry, Cat/Spidey 'shippers. I think the ship has sailed for that now.


Although, on that note, it shouldn't be too hard for Felicia to figure out Spidey's identity now, considering how personally he took Ben Parker's murder. Assuming it even registered for her.


This episode was just beautiful. The action. The drama. The Shakespeare? Oh god, the Shakespeare. We need more of it in animation. You can never have too much Shakespeare.


My favorite moment is hard to pick, but... I loved the Green Goblin reciting Puck's monologue. Hey, the Green Goblin is a trickster, and Puck is the original. Gotta love it. That was a geekgasm.


"Up and down, up and down,
I will lead them up and down:
I am fear'd in field and town:
Goblin, lead them up and down."


Speaking of Puck, Hobie Brown finally speaks. About damn time, too. I loved his Puck costume and Glory's Cobweb costume.


Flash is still not a very good actor. Not a knock at Joshua LeBar, he is fantastic. I really think Flash has grown more this year than anyone else in the cast. Kudos for that.


So, the Goblin loses his temper and attempts to kill Spidey, but is driven off my both him and the Black Cat. Somehow, I don't see Cat doing him any more favors.


I guess we'll see soon if the Goblin messed up by revealing his return too soon. Yes, he nearly nailed Spidey, but he obviously went into that confrontation half-cocked. But, I am sure that next episode the gloves will be off. No matter who is under the mask, his (or her, it could be Emily) last name is Osborn. Spidey knows about that connection and will have to be eliminated.


One more episode to go. Spider-Man versus Green Goblin. I both eagerly anticipate it, and at the same time, I dread it. The show still hasn't been picked up for season three, and I don't want "Final Curtain" to be, well, the final curtain.



So, where was Harry? Who is the Green Goblin? What will happen to Peter and Gwen? If this is indeed the final curtain, then I am sure it will be a very memorable one.

 

[Azrayel]

This episode was good. Black Cat's father being revealed as Uncle Ben's killer was nicely done by TSSM crew.

 

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

Did anyone else notice Black Cat's fake I.D. -- Selina Drew?

Was this an homage to Selina Kyle (Catwoman) + Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman)? Or am I just looking too much into it?

 

[Pepperidge]

I think I've grown to appreciate this episode more since I first saw it. On an off-hand note, I find it amusing that we get to see all three of Peter's father figures gathered together in the first part of the episode.

 

[SpideyFan914]

Did anyone else notice Black Cat's fake I.D. -- Selina Drew?

Was this an homage to Selina Kyle (Catwoman) + Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman)? Or am I just looking too much into it?

No, you're right. It's really awesome.

I think I've grown to appreciate this episode more since I first saw it.

Same here. I've always loved it, but at first, I didn't like that Peter never showed up out of costume. Then I thought, "I must be nuts! Just because he was wearing the costume the whole time doesn't mean he wasn't there! It was about Uncle Ben, for crying out loud!" Now it's my favorite episode.

On an off-hand note, I find it amusing that we get to see all three of Peter's father figures gathered together in the first part of the episode.

Jameson is a father figure????

 

[Ragebot]

Jameson is a father figure????

You could say that Jameson reflects on Peter's Ego, with George Stacy guiding his Super Ego and Norman teaching him about the Id. In the end, all three form the whole which make up a father figure to Peter.

 

[R-Taco]

My favorite episode of the entire series. Everything about it was just pitch-perfect. Also the only episode in which I like the way the Green Goblin is drawn (in every other episode he's appeared his face tends to look wonky, with the possible exception of Subtext).

 

[DawnWarrior]

Jameson is a father figure????

He likes to think of himself that way.

 

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

So has Quentin Beck been a robot throughout this whole series... even before he was actually Mysterio?

 

[DawnWarrior]

So has Quentin Beck been a robot throughout this whole series... even before he was actually Mysterio?

Nah, I'm sure the Beck we saw in "Persona" was the real one, along with the one arguing with Tinkerer at the end of "Blueprints." I also wouldn't put it past Beck to switch himself out with a bot while in prison.

 

[W.C.Reaf]

Jameson is a father figure????

Well there was that moment in Group Therapy when he found out Aunt May had a heart attack and personally decided to call Peter instead of letting someone else do it.

There was also the time the Rhino attacked and instead of ratting out Pete he distracted Rhino and gave Pete a chance to get away.

 

[SpideyFan914]

My favorite episode of the entire series. Everything about it was just pitch-perfect. Also the only episode in which I like the way the Green Goblin is drawn (in every other episode he's appeared his face tends to look wonky, with the possible exception of Subtext).

Eh.... I think you're looking too much into it....

He likes to think of himself that way.

Lol! True, he does!
Still, I wouldn't say Peter considers him a father figure....

Nah, I'm sure the Beck we saw in "Persona" was the real one, along with the one arguing with Tinkerer at the end of "Blueprints." I also wouldn't put it past Beck to switch himself out with a bot while in prison.

Persona was definitely the real McCoy, as was the Mysterio we saw underneath the theatre at the very end of Blueprints. As for every other time.... nobody knows....

Well there was that moment in Group Therapy when he found out Aunt May had a heart attack and personally decided to call Peter instead of letting someone else do it.

There was also the time the Rhino attacked and instead of ratting out Pete he distracted Rhino and gave Pete a chance to get away.

Yes, but I wouldn't say that makes him a father figure. To be a father figure, you need to have the kid look up to you in some way, shape, or form, and Peter's more frequently making fun of JJJ.... Really, it's even a bit hard to buy Norman being a father figure to Peter ("Sorry Norm, you give me the creeps."). Captain Stacy seems to be Peter's only true father figure (aside from, y'know, Uncle Ben).

 

[jph139]

Man man man. Definitely among the best episodes of the series, I think - maybe THE best. The action is great, and the plot has some great twists and turns with a thick layer of Shakespeare on top. I mean, seeing all of those baddies walk out of their cells... you just know some great fights are coming.

And it's good to see some "background" villains get the spotlight, not to mention a second appearance for both Silvermane and Molten Man. Good to see more and more villains "integrated," so to speak, into the rogue's gallery, as I've noticed in a lot of superhero shows, the first season will build a solid group of baddies, and any subsequent introductions are kinda... done away with. The first group will reappear over and over, while any new villains tend to disappear at the end of their episode. The constantly growing group of villains feels much cooler.

The big reveal of Walter Hardy as Uncle Ben's killer... I think it works, honestly. Adds a new dynamic to the relationship - I do like the burglar to be a nameless thug, but Hardy IS a nameless thug, just... with a famous relative. It'll make a great new dynamic between Black Cat and Spider-Man in future seasons... y'know... assuming...

...but, yeah, Shakespeare was FANTASTIC. The way it tied in with the action, the Spider/Goblin duality, the casting choices, all of it was just great. Hobie Brown as Puck... who'da thunk? And another great thing was the Green Goblin's rhymes. Personally I loved it as, a year or so ago, I played the Goblin in an online role-play game type thing, and wrote all of his dialogue in iambic meter. Kinda, I mean, I fudged it a bit, of course. But with Steven Blum doing his always-awesome job as the Goblin, well, it kinda felt like my interpretation of the character brought to life. It wasn't, but they were close, so I liked it.

Sorry, digression, but, y'know. Like I said, fantastic episode, one of the best of the season, one of the best of the show.

 

[DawnWarrior]

I have a question about Walter Hardy: He was in prison for killing Ben Parker along with, I assume, his many outstanding warrents for his career as a thief. Would his assistance in subduing all the escaped cons, thus helping to regain control of the Vault, earn him points toward an early parole or some such? Or would the murder rap just be too much to overcome?

Also, something just hit me: If I understand the timeline right, Ben Parker would have died around May. It is now roughly March of the following year. Is that enough time for Walter to stand trial and be sentenced?

 

[W.C.Reaf]

I have a question about Walter Hardy: He was in prison for killing Ben Parker along with, I assume, his many outstanding warrents for his career as a thief. Would his assistance in subduing all the escaped cons, thus helping to regain control of the Vault, earn him points toward an early parole or some such? Or would the murder rap just be too much to overcome?

I can see that coming up in a future story where Walter gets out tries to go straight and maybe goes to apologise to the Parkers.

Also, something just hit me: If I understand the timeline right, Ben Parker would have died around May. It is now roughly March of the following year. Is that enough time for Walter to stand trial and be sentenced?

If TV is too believed then yes.

That's actually a good question and will require someone with more in-depth knowledge than I have.

 

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

Also, something just hit me: If I understand the timeline right, Ben Parker would have died around May. It is now roughly March of the following year. Is that enough time for Walter to stand trial and be sentenced?

Good question!

Also, did Spider-Man actually reveal to both Walter and Felicia Hardy that it was his Uncle Ben was murdered by Walter? If so, wouldn't it be easy for them to find out that Spider-Man's true identity is Ben Parker's nephew, Peter Parker.