[Fish Sandwich]

Yeah, I guess. The really sad part is that I don't even really like Lucky that much. I'm just not horribly bothered by him for whatever reasons.

That's actually why I think the second episode was better than this one. Here's the thing: Lucky, despite being the main character, also isn't the main character. He's sort of a generic, heroic dude, and his characterization seems deliberately geared less towards being able to carry a show and more towards helping the other characters shine. When they use him in that fashion, making him feel more behind everyone than in front, I find he works pretty well. All three episodes so far have more or less attempted that. The premiere undercut itself by making the dude the episode was "supposed" to be about, Garu, only show up like halfway through. This week undercut what could've easily worked by making the somewhat inexplicable decision to have Champ sit there twiddling his thumbs or something while Lucky fights Stinger during the climax, once again making the character who's clearly supposed to be in focus go out of focus.

Last week, however, I think handled its plot extremely well. Lucky is there to kickstart the plot, and to teach Naga a lesson about friendship simply by innocuously mentioning it, rather than giving a big dramatic speech. That's it. The episode was about Naga and Balance and it FELT like it was at all times. It felt like something when Naga decides to stick with Lucky. It felt like something when Balance decides to go back and rescue the both of them.

Here? I guess Champ understood what Lucky was saying? But he also decided to take a nap for like 4 minutes right after that scene (after the dramatic music swell and the flashback to thematically important dialogue, no less!), and then at the end his one line of dialogue to wrap things up is basically "yo f*** that Stinger guy", so... um, okay then?

It's such an easily salvageable thing, too. Either have Champ get over himself, like you suggested, and have the big climax with Lucky AND him, or, if you wanted this to go unresolved so you can play up that tension for a while, which they did, don't make it look like you're going to resolve it.

I thought episode 2 was genuinely pretty excellent, but this week has shaken the faith it built up a little. I really hope these sloppier episodes turn out to be the exception and not the norm in the long run.