angelophile | Wolverine and the X-men Episode 8

Review time again. I seem to be doing a lot of this kind of stuff and not many other updates at the moment. Mostly because I've been staggering from one deadline to the next (3 in the space of one month) and just when I thought things had settled, stuff gets moved around. So, I haven't exactly found time to do much beside work.

So, no exciting developments. Just been reading and watching TV and movies a lot, thus the sudden influx of reviews.

Which leads me on to the point of this post - to review the latest episode of Wolverine and the X-men.

As usual, I'll be typing my thoughts up as I watch the episode, so it's stream of consciousness stuff with spoilers beneath the cut.

And Toad's back, so presumably we can expect more of the Brotherhood this episode. I'm in half a mind about that. I don't mind the group but I'd like to see a little clearer leadership and idea of what they're about. Perhaps this is the episode to provide that.

Still don't care for the Ultimateized Toad though.

Electro's a mutant now?

"Shut up Toad." My sentiments exactly.

Okay, not Electro. Nitro?

Pietro - still a dick. But a funny one. I have to admire his pure snark here.

"You know that job? That really really secret one? Well let me just talk about if front of all these security cameras." Toad - bringing idiocy to new levels.

Some good use of Pietro's abilities there. Just randomly typing in numbers until he finally hits the right passcode. In fact, generally the powers have been well handled in this series. Kurt, Bobby, Boom Boom, Pyro and others have all had the opportunities to use their powers as they should be used and rarely are. It's nice to see the writers actually thinking about this stuff.

This must be the most dialogue Scott's had all series. Although it's just bleating about Jean. Don't put up with his BS Emma, quick, slap him back into shape. Sadly this passes all too quickly.

I'm no fan of out and out villain Pietro, but the Brotherhood have a few levels of grey, at least. Snarky Pietro is a joy, though and the Brotherhood's heart appears to be in the right place, even if their methods aren't.

Okay, it is Nitro. That's... new. But not bad. Kinda nice to see new (old) faces introduced into X-men lore.

And again, I'm amused by Pietro's "we're the good guys" attitude. Well, yes, you are. But you're also a huge dick. Which is making you more and more appealing by the second.

And Betsy, thy name is awesome.

Hmm, Emma's being sneaky. I like sneaky Emma. And hello thar boobies! That was probably an unfortunate closeup. Or maybe not.

Liking Betsy's costume. Far cooler than the standard nimbo suit.

And again, decent use of the X-men's powers. Go Bobby!

And great use of Kitty's. The X-men working as a team, obviously experienced with their powers and varying the standard common or garden maneuvers usually seen in X-men cartoons is really rapidly becoming a highlight of this show. It's been a real showcase this episode, in this final battle and before.

And the episode winds up. A truly excellent episode, that, with lots of layers of grey for a kids cartoon (villains without true villainy, good guys who have to do terrible things). I'm in half a mind, but probably have to conclude that it was the best episode of the series, giving each of the X-men a moment in the spotlight (even if brief in some cases) and it's great to see the X-men functioning instinctively as a team. Wolverine's no leader here because the X-men don't really need one. They each play their part and by the time Logan gives a command, they've either acted independetly (and effectively) already or are on the way to do so.

Some great character moments and interplay too, although the Toad running joke ran a bit thin. But on the whole a really strong episode with some all round strengths.

Rating - ****1/2