Evolution reviews
Mar. 15th, 2011 02:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stormkeeper_lovedorisEpisode: The Cauldron, Parts I and II
Brief summary: Magneto is determined to reveal the presence of mutants to the world. He’s building his army, and some X-men are coming along whether they want to or not.
- Good continuity here – we hear a reference to the “new” Cerebro, reminding us that Juggernaut destroyed the original a few episodes ago.
- It does seem very odd to me that no one knew that Scott’s brother was alive all this time. Maybe Xavier couldn’t sense him until now because Alex’s powers are only just emerging, but wasn’t some sort of investigation done after the tragedy that had befallen the Summers family? Was Alex just too young to remember the name of his brother, and that’s why they weren’t found? I understand that Scott was in a coma for a month afterwards, but after he woke and could mention his brother’s name, there really should’ve been some investigation.
- And why don’t Xavier, Wolverine, and Cyclops wait a few minutes so the others can join them before they just jet off? Granted, hearing that Alex is alive has to be pretty exciting, but it was very weird to just leave the others especially when they were almost ready to go and would’ve been there in a second.
- So Xavier hasn’t told the X-men anything about Magneto yet? And he didn’t reveal that Mystique was their principal until a few episodes ago too. I get that the X-men are just teenagers now, but I’m not sure if I totally agree with the Professor’s “Don’t tell your students anything” strategy.
- Scott remarks to his brother, “You still hit like a girl.” Ewww, what’s with the sexism? Especially in a show with so many powerful women. Not cool at all.
- When Scott goes off into the circular transportation device, he tells Alex that this doesn’t feel right but he does it anyway. I’d have thought that in their X-men training they might’ve learned better about trusting their instincts.
- We see Asteroid M here! I’d forgotten that we see it in Evo. I have to admit I am particularly interested since the fanfic I’m writing currently takes place largely on (the XTAS version of) Asteroid M.
- Magneto, why force the mutants to battle each other for the privilege of joining you? Don’t you want all mutants on your team? Also, it was kinda sad to see Mystique’s anger at the fact that she is not automatically given a free pass to Asteroid M and she also must fight.
- Did anyone else think it’s odd that it is Cyclops’s voice which tells the viewers, “Last time on X-men Evolution” at the start of Part II?
- No matter how many times I look at it, I have to say that Avalanche’s costume, particularly his dork helmet, is as bad as anything we saw on XTAS.
- I laughed out loud at two lines. Toad’s, when entering the mansion after the Mystique/Storm battle: “You people live like slobs!”. And Mystique’s, after seeing that Logan is going to take charge of this mission: “Alright, fine, but I expect to be consulted!”
- Scott’s flashback was kinda sad. I really have to question why his parents – both here and in XTAS – only brought two backpacks. Not so wise, eh?
- I cannot believe how willing Scott was to undergo Magneto’s procedure. He is gullible beyond belief in this episode.
- I wonder if either Mystique or Storm found it hard to do all the running and fighting Magneto in their high heels.
- Great scene with Jean and Scott (and the Professor) at the end, getting Scott to rethink things. I also like that Evolution kinda built up to this in a way (i.e. – earlier episodes showed Scott using his powers when he wasn’t supposed to, etc). I like that he is not the “boy scout” that he’s sometimes made out to be.
- Great bit too when Scott and Alex hold hands as they free fall, just as they did so many years ago in that tragic scene where they lost their parents.
- Gotta say that Cyclops’ and Havoc’s newly-enhanced powers (and new white-haired appearances) were just a bit too conveniently reversed.
- Do we see Havoc again? I tend to think not, even though the Institute sure sounds like the exact place he needs. (Evo didn’t need another main character, huh?)
- Corny as it may’ve been, the closing scene (with the “unified” X-men) tugged at my heartstrings a bit. Just a bit!
Rating - This is definitely the best episode of Evo so far. So I’m not sure how to rate it. Part of me thinks that a five star rating should be reserved for something awe-inspiring, and I’m not sure we ever got quite to that level. But this was excellent enough that I think we should go for it and pull out five stars.
So, that closes out Season One of Evolution. Having watched the series once when it first came out and now finally watching it a second time, I think I can say that I’ve completely enjoyed my return to Evolution but I won’t be booking a third trip either.
But I do look forward to the later seasons doing what others have told me they will (and what I vaguely recall too) – getting better than season one.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-03-16 12:13 am (UTC)Alex is like Forge; one of those terminally underused characters in the Evo universe. Forge gets all of two appearances, and Alex crops up a few times. I prefer both to their comics equivalents (comics Alex is just... a bit of an arse).
Season two onwards just gets so much more coherent. I'm really looking forward to your recaps of future episodes :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-16 12:31 am (UTC)Like you, I also look forward to Season Two and beyond.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-16 09:17 pm (UTC)I kinda like that Evo!Forge just moves back in with his parents after being missing for twenty years, and that apparently goes swimming too. There's a lot of really understanding families in the Evo verse. Also, a lot more people's parents are alive in Evo verse than other in others.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-17 12:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 02:32 am (UTC)And yes, Lance's fruitbowl... helmet... thing. Yes. That.
I particularly enjoyed the scene where Storm gets to kick Mystique's ass around, though! I mean, she doesn't get out of it unscathed because Mystique definitely landed a few blows, but it was a cool scene all the same.
Things get darker and slightly more serious and all around more awesome by the next seasons, so if you're enjoying it so far, I think you'll like the rest. :)
no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 11:56 am (UTC)Storm did do some good fighting in this ep.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-19 02:35 pm (UTC)I believe she and Mystique made fighting in heels a fine art in this episode, though, with as much running and combat as they did.