[DreamSword]

Episode 23: Zapped

This episode is sort of the inverse of the "Abandoned" episode.

And really, I'd put them both on par with eachother in terms of execution. Overall, it's fine, but it could've used some fine tuning.

I think my biggest issue lies in the premise in and of itself, as it essentially follows a very bad faith read on the ending of last episode. Because while the previous episode ended with everyone learning to come together, this episode follows it up by saying that the feelings of jealousy on the part of B-Squad still linger.

It also doesn't help that the point of view ping-pongs all over the place on this one. It starts with Sam, then shifts to B-Squad as a whole, then it becomes a Syd+Bridge episode? It's odd in how it's handled. But it does establish that the SPD Morphers can dispel mind control, atleast.

But it's not all bad. While the face value stuff wasn't working too much for me, there are still some bits that shine here. I really love the interrogation scene, and there are actually some subtleties in play all throughout the episode that I rather dug and wish that the episode had focused on more. For example, the implication that one of the reasons Sam is so gung-ho is because he's used to working solo.

And on that note, I do feel like there is a version of this episode that could've been really cool, had the view points been a bit more balanced. For example, the opening scene has Sam hanging out with the rest of the crew, but it's clear that he's not exactly being included in the conversation. I think it'd've been neat to highlight not only the apparent special attention that Sam has been getting from Cruger, but for Sam to lash back with how the team still really hasn't done much to fully welcome him in yet, and for both sides to reach an understanding.

All of that aside though, the biggest takeaway for me in all of this is actually Broodwing. For a guy with only two scenes total this time around, they say quite alot. Basically, Gruumm has overstepped the deal between him and Broodwing, and because of that, Broodwing is taking matters into his own hands. I always really loved how Broodwing became a third faction in this show, both in terms of narrative as well as just how naturally it comes about.

In the end, it's not a particularly great episode for me, but I still found a nice bit of things about it to enjoy.