"Runaways" Season One Catch-Up Review (Spoilers)
I reviewed the Pilot back when it first aired and now I will review the other nine episodes of the first season. Also reviews for the latest episode of Big Hero 6: the Series, some episodes of Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs, the Pixar Shorts Riley's First Date?, and Auntie Edna, and the latest episodes of Harley Quinn, and The Good Place.
Runaways "Rewind"
It was an interesting choice to spend half of the second episode playing catch-up from the parents' point of view of the first, but I don't think it was the right one. Fortunately, the episode didn't lean TOO hard into that idea, and the last third of the episode was after where we last left off. But I remember the stir the Clerks cartoon had in making the second episode a clip show. That was the joke on that show. And yet the producers here don't seem to understand why that's not a good idea for a show just starting out. Lost did a lot of frustrating storytelling too, but they put in the work to hook the audience first. Runaways has not earned that yet. Not in episode 2.
I find the parents on this show far more interesting than the kids. Except Gert. Love me some Gert.
Larry Miller now looks like Rush Limbaugh. CURRENT Rush Limbaugh. So, yeah...
I suspect episode 2 is really only going to start in episode 3. ***.
Runaways "Destiny"
I am not shocked at what this show got away with on Hulu. I AM shocked at what it's getting away with on Disney+. This has got to be the hands-down raciest thing on the service. If you ever wanted to see a Disney channel where characters talk about dildos, this is the service for you.
I like both Molly and Nico's head-fakes to cast suspicion off the fact that they know something. Why? Well, for Molly she's talking about getting booze for the other kids, and Nico stages an aborted sex scene with Alex. These are all plausible things that an adult would not want to question their kid about further due to embarrassment. It's quite genius. They both used excuses that automatically stopped the questions due to discomfort. That's really smart on the part of those kids, particularly Molly, who is much younger and had nobody else to work with. These kids keeping this secret even for three episodes is weirdly impressing the h*ll out me.
The adults on the show seem (for the most part) reluctant about the evil they are doing. I am told in the comics the parents were straight up evil supervillains. I'm not saying this is better than the comics (I haven't read them) but I think it makes the adults more interesting for ME at least. Although there will be people accusing the show of Nerfing the premise.
I liked this one. ****.
Runaways "Fifteen"
I'm not going to say that Dale and Stacey are actually good. But they seem to be the only pair of parents here who actually love each other and their kids. I won't dismiss that, even if they are serial killers.
Victor is outright incompetent. It's interesting he only responds positively to Chase once he's learned he's invented something.
Chase's former friends suck. Can you believe they expected HIM to apologize?
That nude scene between Leslie and the mummy in a face-mask was both sexy and creepy as sin.
This was a good one. ****.
Runaways "Kingdom"
I knew the guy at the beginning was Koralina's mummy father as the episode went on and that reviving him was the master plan. What's next?
Geoffrey is such a scumbag. Even by the rest of the parents' standards.
Didn't suspect Victor had a brain tumor. Although it perhaps explains his erratic behavior.
I'm starting to love that dinosaur.
Solid episode. ***1/2.
Runaways "Metamorphosis"
Koralina being gay and having a crush on Nico was such a nice and unexpected surprise. She's pretty much the prom queen of the series and the resident hot chick. You expect her triangle with Chase and Gert to actually be, you know, a triangle. And it won't be.
I like that she called Gert out for speculating about her orientation because she wanted Chase for herself. And I liked that because that was what was going on, and it threw Gert for a loop that Koralina isn't the dumb class bimbo after all. I don't begrudge Gert that much because until this episode I was sure that she was. It does explain why she was so uncomfortable walking in on Alex and Nico's heavy petting last episode.
The reason Chase doesn't notice that Koralina is not into the kiss is because she is supposed to be. Without knowing her orientation it makes no sense that she isn't in his mind. After all, he's Chase! What girl could possibly resist him? Yes, boys are dumb.
I like Chase because he's on Victor's side in the family meltdown. For many reasons, and not just because Janet has been cheating.
My favorite scene in the episode was Nico and Alex hiding in his mother's office when Tina came in and started to cry. Nico instinctively gets up to comfort her, and Alex has to put his hand on her arm to remind her why she can't actually do that. And if nothing in the series told me how hard this is for the kids, that brought it home in a way nothing else had before. They love their parents. And they have to reconcile that fact with the idea that they are dangerous killers.
This was my favorite episode so far. ****1/2.
Runaways "Refraction"
Man, that scene of Gert hugging Molly and telling her they were sisters forever got me right in the feels. No, I'm not crying. YOU'RE crying.
Victor has never been more unstable and crazy. He can't even be a good guy right.
Speaking of which, isn't Robert SO pathetic? I can't believe he thought he and Janet could ever actually happen. Even after she shot Victor it won't. He is such a cretin.
Do you know what angers me most about him? Nico was all set to be on his side. Last episode she assumed her mother was the one having the affair, and assumed she just got a little crazy in her ear when she's told it's her father. And at the beginning of episode she actually believes he wants to work things out like a sane person. The reason Robert is stupid is because he's crazy to think Nico would or should accept that idea. That's even crazier than expecting Janet to, which is saying something.
Things are getting nuts. ***1/2.
Runaways "Tsunami"
I'd think the parents' version of a fatal Survivor would have been a lot more interesting if they had gone through with it. Frankly, it's not okay that they raised the scenario and didn't. I disdain a series killing off a character to keep things interesting, but that specific scenario is one of those devastating high-concept ideas modern drama thrives on. To not actually go through with it is unacceptable in a modern project. If Star Wars can go through with killing Han Solo, Runaways can go through with killing Janet or Robert. It's not an unreasonable expectation for this specific high-stakes premise.
So basically the episode was riveting and meaningless at the same time. Not a good combo or look for the series.
Anything I liked? I like Alex and Nico talking out their problems at the beginning. They didn't resolve anything but it was interesting to see them work around it. I also liked Gert realizing the reason Koralina didn't want to be alone with Chase. Those were nice small moments in an episode unfortunately promising a big one and refusing to deliver.
A disappointment. **1/2.
Runaways "Doomsday"
Frank is such a snake. I can't believe he betrayed the kids, but I can totally believe it at the same time. What a rat.
Darius appears to be the wild card of the season. I love his girl hoping it wasn't going to be a crack baby. Jury is still out on that.
Okay NOW Karolina has thoroughly confused Nico. I love it.
Great final confrontation and cliffhanger too. ****1/2.
Runaways "Hostile"
Good kick-off to the actual premise of the show and the rest of the series.
That being said, while I don't object to a redemption arc for most of the parents, I think it's far too soon to be exploring it. That should be a concept for the last season, not the first. The parents being conflicted about their evil is enough for now. This tips the scales too far in the other direction.
Love that dinosaur and that Old Lacey will be on the run with them after all. Love it.
Nico is into Karolina after all? Things just got messy.
I liked how the season ended. I hear the next season is polarizing, but one step at a time. ****.
Big Hero 6: The Series "Fred The Fugitive"
I have to say, Baymax discussing elevated heart-rates due to physical attraction has gotten super old. I never actually thought it was funny to begin with, but they've gone back to that exact joke multiple times, with literally no variation. When are they going to give it up? I'm not opposed to running jokes. But they should at least be funny once. That's not too much to ask.
I love that Chief Cruz has a tragic superhero backstory. But it would be weird if he didn't.
Fred's a nuisance, isn't he? Minimax however continues to be a blast.
How does Wasabi not know or believe yawns are contagious? You'd figure a hypochondriac would know better.
That was all right, but Baymax's puberty shtick is wearing thin. **1/2.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "The Radiator Springs 500 1/2"
I guess Owen Wilson had nothing better to do.
I always keep forgetting how much I detest the Cars franchise. This cartoon is a very helpful reminder. *.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "Bugged"
About the best I can say for this is that it's short. **.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "Hiccups"
Is this the first time Sally has kissed Lightning? I'm curious about the actual physics involved at the end point of that romance.
Also, George Carlin's soundalike sounds nothing like George Carlin. *1/2.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "Spinning"
This is bad if only because it once again makes me wonder how an entire Universe popped up and got built by a civilization that doesn't have hands, arms, fingers, and opposable thumbs. I should never be thinking about that. *1/2.
Riley's First Date?
That was painful. And it still bugs the heck out of me that nobody ever acknowledges that Inside Out is an outright rip-off of Herman's Head. If Pixar thinks it can get me to believe they came up with that premise themselves, I can assure them I am not as stupid as the Larry the Cable Guy fans John Lasseter loves to pander to are. And I never was. *.
Auntie Edna
For some reason that was way more enjoyable and entertaining that Incredibles 2. Jack-Jack is cute and Edna is always fun. And if the metaphor of Edna waiting to put Jack-Jack to bed until after he's literally burned out is not a perfect allegory for babysitting, I don't know what is. ****.
Harley Quinn "L.O.D.R.S.V.P."
I laughed at Aquaman's Yo Momma joke to King Shark at the beginning.
This Luthor has a very similar character design to DCAU Lex, except the African American features are even more prominent. Because of this Giancarlo Esposito was a good choice for his voice.
Not bad. ***.
The Good Place "Mondays, Am I Right?"
Yeah, the series is winding down. We're off to the actual Good Place next week.
Why aren't Chiti and Eleanor writing down Jason's suggestions of the first people to test? They are awesome.
For the record, Jason has read some books and is not above teaching Chiti a philosophical lesson.
I think the most interesting idea in the episode is that Chiti reads Eleanor's file and instantly believes he's not good enough for her. I believe that fully myself as well. One of the most irresistible and compelling things about Eleanor to me is that no matter how much shame and embarrassment she attaches to her past, practically every time she tells a story about her doing something supposedly awful, she sounds half-awesome for doing it. Every "horrible" thing she has done has been a case of her being assertive, self-possessed, strong, and righteous. Do you want a REAL hint that the points system is unfair? She's lost points every time she's shown independence and free thinking. And what kills me is that she herself is conditioned to believe she sucks for all of the legitimate stands she has taken against the sucky people in her life. Chiti is so lame he actually enjoyed his personal Hell on some level. I can totally see him not stacking up to Warrior Queen and Amazon Goddess like Eleanor.
The bad news: I am going to miss this show. The good news: The show rarely misfires, so that means we are probably due a satisfying ending. There are not many shows that end that I expect that from, and even fewer of the ones I do expect it from actually deliver one. This show has been a pleasure to watch for these last four seasons and I suspect it won't let me down for once. ****.
Runaways "Rewind"
It was an interesting choice to spend half of the second episode playing catch-up from the parents' point of view of the first, but I don't think it was the right one. Fortunately, the episode didn't lean TOO hard into that idea, and the last third of the episode was after where we last left off. But I remember the stir the Clerks cartoon had in making the second episode a clip show. That was the joke on that show. And yet the producers here don't seem to understand why that's not a good idea for a show just starting out. Lost did a lot of frustrating storytelling too, but they put in the work to hook the audience first. Runaways has not earned that yet. Not in episode 2.
I find the parents on this show far more interesting than the kids. Except Gert. Love me some Gert.
Larry Miller now looks like Rush Limbaugh. CURRENT Rush Limbaugh. So, yeah...
I suspect episode 2 is really only going to start in episode 3. ***.
Runaways "Destiny"
I am not shocked at what this show got away with on Hulu. I AM shocked at what it's getting away with on Disney+. This has got to be the hands-down raciest thing on the service. If you ever wanted to see a Disney channel where characters talk about dildos, this is the service for you.
I like both Molly and Nico's head-fakes to cast suspicion off the fact that they know something. Why? Well, for Molly she's talking about getting booze for the other kids, and Nico stages an aborted sex scene with Alex. These are all plausible things that an adult would not want to question their kid about further due to embarrassment. It's quite genius. They both used excuses that automatically stopped the questions due to discomfort. That's really smart on the part of those kids, particularly Molly, who is much younger and had nobody else to work with. These kids keeping this secret even for three episodes is weirdly impressing the h*ll out me.
The adults on the show seem (for the most part) reluctant about the evil they are doing. I am told in the comics the parents were straight up evil supervillains. I'm not saying this is better than the comics (I haven't read them) but I think it makes the adults more interesting for ME at least. Although there will be people accusing the show of Nerfing the premise.
I liked this one. ****.
Runaways "Fifteen"
I'm not going to say that Dale and Stacey are actually good. But they seem to be the only pair of parents here who actually love each other and their kids. I won't dismiss that, even if they are serial killers.
Victor is outright incompetent. It's interesting he only responds positively to Chase once he's learned he's invented something.
Chase's former friends suck. Can you believe they expected HIM to apologize?
That nude scene between Leslie and the mummy in a face-mask was both sexy and creepy as sin.
This was a good one. ****.
Runaways "Kingdom"
I knew the guy at the beginning was Koralina's mummy father as the episode went on and that reviving him was the master plan. What's next?
Geoffrey is such a scumbag. Even by the rest of the parents' standards.
Didn't suspect Victor had a brain tumor. Although it perhaps explains his erratic behavior.
I'm starting to love that dinosaur.
Solid episode. ***1/2.
Runaways "Metamorphosis"
Koralina being gay and having a crush on Nico was such a nice and unexpected surprise. She's pretty much the prom queen of the series and the resident hot chick. You expect her triangle with Chase and Gert to actually be, you know, a triangle. And it won't be.
I like that she called Gert out for speculating about her orientation because she wanted Chase for herself. And I liked that because that was what was going on, and it threw Gert for a loop that Koralina isn't the dumb class bimbo after all. I don't begrudge Gert that much because until this episode I was sure that she was. It does explain why she was so uncomfortable walking in on Alex and Nico's heavy petting last episode.
The reason Chase doesn't notice that Koralina is not into the kiss is because she is supposed to be. Without knowing her orientation it makes no sense that she isn't in his mind. After all, he's Chase! What girl could possibly resist him? Yes, boys are dumb.
I like Chase because he's on Victor's side in the family meltdown. For many reasons, and not just because Janet has been cheating.
My favorite scene in the episode was Nico and Alex hiding in his mother's office when Tina came in and started to cry. Nico instinctively gets up to comfort her, and Alex has to put his hand on her arm to remind her why she can't actually do that. And if nothing in the series told me how hard this is for the kids, that brought it home in a way nothing else had before. They love their parents. And they have to reconcile that fact with the idea that they are dangerous killers.
This was my favorite episode so far. ****1/2.
Runaways "Refraction"
Man, that scene of Gert hugging Molly and telling her they were sisters forever got me right in the feels. No, I'm not crying. YOU'RE crying.
Victor has never been more unstable and crazy. He can't even be a good guy right.
Speaking of which, isn't Robert SO pathetic? I can't believe he thought he and Janet could ever actually happen. Even after she shot Victor it won't. He is such a cretin.
Do you know what angers me most about him? Nico was all set to be on his side. Last episode she assumed her mother was the one having the affair, and assumed she just got a little crazy in her ear when she's told it's her father. And at the beginning of episode she actually believes he wants to work things out like a sane person. The reason Robert is stupid is because he's crazy to think Nico would or should accept that idea. That's even crazier than expecting Janet to, which is saying something.
Things are getting nuts. ***1/2.
Runaways "Tsunami"
I'd think the parents' version of a fatal Survivor would have been a lot more interesting if they had gone through with it. Frankly, it's not okay that they raised the scenario and didn't. I disdain a series killing off a character to keep things interesting, but that specific scenario is one of those devastating high-concept ideas modern drama thrives on. To not actually go through with it is unacceptable in a modern project. If Star Wars can go through with killing Han Solo, Runaways can go through with killing Janet or Robert. It's not an unreasonable expectation for this specific high-stakes premise.
So basically the episode was riveting and meaningless at the same time. Not a good combo or look for the series.
Anything I liked? I like Alex and Nico talking out their problems at the beginning. They didn't resolve anything but it was interesting to see them work around it. I also liked Gert realizing the reason Koralina didn't want to be alone with Chase. Those were nice small moments in an episode unfortunately promising a big one and refusing to deliver.
A disappointment. **1/2.
Runaways "Doomsday"
Frank is such a snake. I can't believe he betrayed the kids, but I can totally believe it at the same time. What a rat.
Darius appears to be the wild card of the season. I love his girl hoping it wasn't going to be a crack baby. Jury is still out on that.
Okay NOW Karolina has thoroughly confused Nico. I love it.
Great final confrontation and cliffhanger too. ****1/2.
Runaways "Hostile"
Good kick-off to the actual premise of the show and the rest of the series.
That being said, while I don't object to a redemption arc for most of the parents, I think it's far too soon to be exploring it. That should be a concept for the last season, not the first. The parents being conflicted about their evil is enough for now. This tips the scales too far in the other direction.
Love that dinosaur and that Old Lacey will be on the run with them after all. Love it.
Nico is into Karolina after all? Things just got messy.
I liked how the season ended. I hear the next season is polarizing, but one step at a time. ****.
Big Hero 6: The Series "Fred The Fugitive"
I have to say, Baymax discussing elevated heart-rates due to physical attraction has gotten super old. I never actually thought it was funny to begin with, but they've gone back to that exact joke multiple times, with literally no variation. When are they going to give it up? I'm not opposed to running jokes. But they should at least be funny once. That's not too much to ask.
I love that Chief Cruz has a tragic superhero backstory. But it would be weird if he didn't.
Fred's a nuisance, isn't he? Minimax however continues to be a blast.
How does Wasabi not know or believe yawns are contagious? You'd figure a hypochondriac would know better.
That was all right, but Baymax's puberty shtick is wearing thin. **1/2.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "The Radiator Springs 500 1/2"
I guess Owen Wilson had nothing better to do.
I always keep forgetting how much I detest the Cars franchise. This cartoon is a very helpful reminder. *.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "Bugged"
About the best I can say for this is that it's short. **.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "Hiccups"
Is this the first time Sally has kissed Lightning? I'm curious about the actual physics involved at the end point of that romance.
Also, George Carlin's soundalike sounds nothing like George Carlin. *1/2.
Cars Toon: Tales From Radiator Springs "Spinning"
This is bad if only because it once again makes me wonder how an entire Universe popped up and got built by a civilization that doesn't have hands, arms, fingers, and opposable thumbs. I should never be thinking about that. *1/2.
Riley's First Date?
That was painful. And it still bugs the heck out of me that nobody ever acknowledges that Inside Out is an outright rip-off of Herman's Head. If Pixar thinks it can get me to believe they came up with that premise themselves, I can assure them I am not as stupid as the Larry the Cable Guy fans John Lasseter loves to pander to are. And I never was. *.
Auntie Edna
For some reason that was way more enjoyable and entertaining that Incredibles 2. Jack-Jack is cute and Edna is always fun. And if the metaphor of Edna waiting to put Jack-Jack to bed until after he's literally burned out is not a perfect allegory for babysitting, I don't know what is. ****.
Harley Quinn "L.O.D.R.S.V.P."
I laughed at Aquaman's Yo Momma joke to King Shark at the beginning.
This Luthor has a very similar character design to DCAU Lex, except the African American features are even more prominent. Because of this Giancarlo Esposito was a good choice for his voice.
Not bad. ***.
The Good Place "Mondays, Am I Right?"
Yeah, the series is winding down. We're off to the actual Good Place next week.
Why aren't Chiti and Eleanor writing down Jason's suggestions of the first people to test? They are awesome.
For the record, Jason has read some books and is not above teaching Chiti a philosophical lesson.
I think the most interesting idea in the episode is that Chiti reads Eleanor's file and instantly believes he's not good enough for her. I believe that fully myself as well. One of the most irresistible and compelling things about Eleanor to me is that no matter how much shame and embarrassment she attaches to her past, practically every time she tells a story about her doing something supposedly awful, she sounds half-awesome for doing it. Every "horrible" thing she has done has been a case of her being assertive, self-possessed, strong, and righteous. Do you want a REAL hint that the points system is unfair? She's lost points every time she's shown independence and free thinking. And what kills me is that she herself is conditioned to believe she sucks for all of the legitimate stands she has taken against the sucky people in her life. Chiti is so lame he actually enjoyed his personal Hell on some level. I can totally see him not stacking up to Warrior Queen and Amazon Goddess like Eleanor.
The bad news: I am going to miss this show. The good news: The show rarely misfires, so that means we are probably due a satisfying ending. There are not many shows that end that I expect that from, and even fewer of the ones I do expect it from actually deliver one. This show has been a pleasure to watch for these last four seasons and I suspect it won't let me down for once. ****.