As for the type of magic on the show... Eh, I don't mind it even if it runs on My Little Pony : Frenidship is Magic logic more then on Harry Potter logic.
Oh, it's not especially the MLP vs. "more serious" theory of magic behind it, so much as just the overreliance on "whiz! boom! BLAST her! now I'll DEFLECT the ill-defined beam of ENERGY" action scenes that's starting to get on my nerves.
On the aunt thing, I think it's a reminiscent trait from Magica's influence on Lena. She probably spent the years between Lena's creation and the meeting with Webby gaslighting her into obedience, and trying to convince her that she was the only family she'd ever have, but couldn't bring to let Lena call her mother so "aunt" was enough. And Lena's insistence in calling her that makes sense considering that scenario; it shows that she still carries signs from Magica's emotional abuse on her and can't help but still address her as her aunt rather than just Magica.
About this episode: I guess once again I was partly right about an episode. Phantom Blot is on against Magica for actions from the past, but it wasn't implied (as far as was shown) that he was cursed by her or anything like that (though I wouldn't discard that theory yet; those glowing green eyes still look unnatural). Instead he has a tragic backstory, and very sympathetic indeed; heck, aside from targeting Lena, what does he do that we can call villainous? Targeting Magica to make her pay? Taking away Gladstone's luck? I'd give him a hug for that last one! But the problem is, there just wasn't enough of him. Magica briefly tells their backstory in a quick flashback, Blot mentions that he lost his family, and there was everything to make a pretty dark and interesting arc, but there was too little. Not enough of Giancarlo Esposito's voice work, not enough of his long-term plans or even of how his connection to F.OW.L works. Plus, the episode is another "Lena is in trouble with her magic and is rescued by the power of friendship" plot. They got this to work in previous times but it's starting to feel repetitive. And if Lena's supposed to work with her abusive ex-guardian, I think there should be something more emotional than a few jokes and a training montage, which doesn't even make that much sense... how come she could learn that much within, what, a couple hours? And that form when she unlocks her powers... okay, I'll be fine with that design if it's only a temporary form she assumes when she reachs the peak of her powers or something like that, like a Super-Sayajin mode. I guess djnyr was partly right too when he said that Phantom Blot would be a Thanos rip-off; his characterization isn't exaclty a rip-off to the Marvel villain, but there are a few allusions to Infinity War: their tying him up to take off his gauntlet, Webby's hitting him in the face and messing things up when they try to do that, it's not exactly plagiarism so much as it's putting a few shout-outs so that the Marvel fans are like: "Hey, look, doesn't this remind you of that scene?" but overall, his backstory is original, and I hope they explore more of it in the future, and then maybe this episode becomes a little better.
pan maciej said: It was a bit disapointing that Donald was only a cameo and not even Donald but transformed Gladstone but at the same time it's not something I can hold up agianst the episode itself... I just wish they didn't spoil Donald will be in the episode in the teasers. If I watch the episode not knowing what to expect I think it would have been a funny gag - it's just when you expect Donald will be in the episode it's a "Oh, that's it, huh?" moment.
Same here; I'm mostly satisfied with the way they've been using Donald this season; even though he hasn't appeared as often as in the first episodes of Season 2, he seems to be more included in the background and in the plots as a whole. I just hope they don't come back with that "Donald's to appear in more than half episodes, but oh, only for a brief moment here before he leaves or it's actually somebody else alluding to him. So long as they don't put him out of sight like they did in Season 2 twice...
Oh, and no details of F.O.W.L plan yet, though sending Blot to wipe out all magic in Duckburg does sound like a consistent part of the bigger scheme.
Last Edit: Sept 24, 2020 11:07:05 GMT by duckman87
My guess would be that The Blot is only working with F.O.W.L. for their resources and technology so it can help his own agenda. Despite all the changes to the character this feels like something the oryginal Blot would do - only join F.O.W.L. if he could use them for his own purposes. Again, I hope we see him at least again one more time with a bigger role and seeing how he got away scott free at the end only hints we will get more of him in the future, perhaps going after Lena this time.
Yes, the part where Blot is tied-up is a clear nod to "Infinity war" but at the same time it's just few visual refrences so it dosen't bother me.
On the aunt thing, I think it's a reminiscent trait from Magica's influence on Lena. She probably spent the years between Lena's creation and the meeting with Webby gaslighting her into obedience, and trying to convince her that she was the only family she'd ever have, but couldn't bring to let Lena call her mother so "aunt" was enough. And Len's insistnece in calling her that makes sense considering that scenario; it shows that she still carries signs from Magica's emotional abuse on her and can't help but still address her as her aunt rather than just Magica.
Still Magica keep saying stuff like "You are embarrassment to the family name" and such. I get it mat not be literall but it's just feel to make entire thing more muddle.
BTW - The situation is Lena Violet's adopted sister now remains ambigious.
As for The Blot being Funzo mascot... perhaps the one we seen in preview epiodes wasn't ment to be Blut and just some other guy in the costume but Blot now took over the "role" just to hint that the villians are using Funzo's as their lair... but maybe I'm trying to make to much sence out of this...
Know as Maciej Kur, Mr. M., Maik, Maiki, Pan, Pan Miluś and many other names.
Post by justpassingthrough on Sept 25, 2020 3:29:19 GMT
So, my thoughts.
Not a great episode. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t that good either.
I felt like Lena’s struggle with not being able to do things because of her magic was introduced too hastily, like it was something that had already been securely established. If I recall correctly, it was only really an issue in Nightmare On Killmotor Hill, yes?
The “magic of friendship” schtick too, I’ve become exhausted with. Maybe I’m just overly cynical, but I’ve never had much patience for that trope. I was able to handle it the first few times, but at this point it’s too much, especially since I don’t feel that invested in or connected with Lena as a character.
Gladstone was definitely my favorite part of the episode, even though he didn’t really seem to fit. (Maybe that’s WHY he was my favorite.) The “Gladstone loses his luck” plot has been used a few times, but I think it works here because that’s not the main focus of the episode, it’s just some funny stuff going on in the background and he’s still as loveably hateable as ever. I was lucky enough to miss any teasers, so I got to perceive Gladstone turning into Donald as just a quick gag, which I incidentally thought was one of the funniest in the episode, along with Magica trying to distract the Blot with stage magic.
The Blot...I just found myself feeling sorry for him. Magica destroyed his home and family, as well as being one of the show’s villains, and he didn’t really do much that was villainous aside from trying to kill Lena, and even after that I couldn’t really muster much dislike for him. Hopefully he’ll return more despicable.
Here are some recurring chracters from the oryginal show, I'm suprised they didn't used yet :
- Poe DeSpell - Baggy and MegaByte Beagle - El Captain - Launchpad parents and sister (well ok, they only made one apperance + a cameo but still, very memorable bunch) - Admiral Grimitz - Peg Leg Pete (!)
I wonder if any of them will make an apperance this season.
Know as Maciej Kur, Mr. M., Maik, Maiki, Pan, Pan Miluś and many other names.
Here are some recurring chracters from the oryginal show, I'm suprised they didn't used yet :
- Poe DeSpell - Baggy and MegaByte Beagle - El Captain - Launchpad parents and sister (well ok, they only made one apperance + a cameo but still, very memorable bunch) - Admiral Grimitz - Peg Leg Pete (!)
I wonder if any of them will make an apperance this season.
I don't think Admiral Grimitiz will show up but Peg Leg Pete seems like such a waste! In fact I would gladly see every story ever written by Barks with the Pig Villain changed to Pete. Pete is just an awesome villain. His longevity attests that. El Captain is also ridiculously enjoyable. I hope they make at least some small appearance.
The Lena vs. The Blot episode is cute, but really, the Phantom Blot is really one of the most overused and least understood villains. At least he wasn’t unmasked at the end. So apparently Lena has The Magic of Friendship...being Disney, at least they won’t get a cease and desist letter from Hasbro (who doesn’t even seem to be doing that with My Little Pony any more anyways, as it has devolved into a bunch of noisy comedy skits called “Pony Life” now). Magica and Lena’s training...someone is obviously a fan of The Empire Strikes Back” (it even looks like Magica lives on Dagobah, although it’s probably supposed to be Barks’ Dismal Swamp). Gladstone really seems tacked on here, although we do get a quick nod to all those fans shipping Gladstone and Magica when she lands in his arms. Once again, we miss what was probably a much more interesting story as Scrooge and the boys go off on an adventure in another dimension...and we DON’T FOLLOW THEM! Sigh.
Post by Monkey_Feyerabend on Sept 26, 2020 17:31:46 GMT
So, at the end of this month all Disney channel in the UK will close, with all content being moved to Disney+. In particular, we will be finally able to see (legally) S02 and S03 of DT17 over here. The seasons were not available on Disney+ in other European countries either, but I don't know how it's evolving over there.
Ok let it get out of the way - Even if this episode would suck on every level I would still give them credit for the brillaint scene of Penumbra reacting to Dewey and Webby feeding real ducks. I know similiar jokes where made before ("Fantasia 2000") something about this here realy crack me up.
Strange this may sound this may very well be my favorite episode this season (well, ok "Quack Pack" was more spectacular with it's concept) Maybe it's the fact I didn't expected much from the plot but I did enjoyed this simple story.
There was no large plot just some basic character development and excuse for some fun slapstick. There was a lot of good visual jokes in this.
I never cared much for Penumbra but this episode made her ver relatable and likable. I found scene between her and Webby charming, all the fish out of water felt at right balance - She dosen't understand a lot about earth, but she's not stupid and learns to adapt. As a conlcusion to her storyarc it was pretty ok.
I also like the music in the climax of the episode... Like A LOT! I don't know if that's just Penumbra's theme but I would like to hear this score again in the future.
The Timmy Jinkins running gag made me laugh out loud (even if they seam to overplay it near the end) and Launchpad had few amusing moment. I actualy found it cute how he earn Penubra's respect near the end...
But I have to ask - When Penumbra say "I dont wish to date an earth... male" she make an odd pause in the middle. Maybe I'm reading to much into this but was that a hint she is an lesbian? The show became very open to LGBT characters this season, so woudn't suprise me.
The only thing that felt Meh, was Glomgold's plan. I didn't mind Flinty in this but I think the entire evil pot wasn't necessary. Aside for it being pretty stupid how open he was to... well, entire city of Duckburg about wanting to destroy Scrooge it just was an lame idea even by his standards. Maybe the joke was ment to be how random and lazy the plan was but I think this episode would work if it was just him trying to milk his self-apointed title of "earth's hreatest hero" and haing an opening to a cheap ferris wheel atrraction. Actualy it would an ok change to have him just play a comic relief here rather then a villian. With all the problems with this character I still enjoy Keith Ferguson delivery and the way he talks makes me laugh. His friendship with Gibbous felt like an interesting addition.
Overall I did like this one. Not the shows best but It was work fine for me.
Last Edit: Sept 29, 2020 11:22:52 GMT by Pan Maciej
Know as Maciej Kur, Mr. M., Maik, Maiki, Pan, Pan Miluś and many other names.
But I have to ask - When Penumbra say "I dont wish to date an earth... male" she make an odd pause in the middle. Maybe I'm reading to much into this but was that a hint she is an lesbian? The show became very open to LGBT characters this season, so woudn't suprise me.
Yeah, Sam King confirmed on Twitter today that this is what it's supposed to mean but Disney executives objected to it being made more explicit. So that's a thing.
Anyway, my thoughts on the episode: 's good! Definitely a relief after the relative disappointment of Phantom and the Sorceress. DT17 Glomgold is on top form, the pairing of him with Gibbis is a good comedic idea, and Penumbra's always been a pretty fun character. (More-or-less-curmudgeonly fish-out-of-water characters are rather my cup of tea, it has to be said.) The structure also seemed much less all-over-the-place than TPatS. The only thing that didn't quite work for me was the montage — even if some of the gags within it, such as the duck-feeding one, were fun on their own. If I wasn't better at statistics, I'd say that between this and the last episode, a trend seems to be manifesting of the DT17 writer's room overestimating how well wordless montages of comedic hijinks set to generic upbeat music work.
Yeah, Sam King confirmed on Twitter today that this is what it's supposed to mean but Disney executives objected to it being made more explicit. So that's a thing.
Interesting. One would asume after Violets dad's that they would be tad more opened to this stuff rather then making it ambigous like that.
BTW -> Shame that moon people got used to living on earth. I had this joke in my head, that...
Penumbra - That's it! I'm so sick of everyone questioning that Moon is a planet! I propose we find much more repsecteble home! We are moving to Pluto! Huey - Eerrr...
<roll credits>
Last Edit: Sept 29, 2020 19:33:35 GMT by Pan Maciej
Know as Maciej Kur, Mr. M., Maik, Maiki, Pan, Pan Miluś and many other names.
Post by justpassingthrough on Sept 30, 2020 17:55:21 GMT
A bit too tired at the moment to list my full thoughts on the episode, but here’s a few things.
- Say what you will, Timmy Jenkins never failed to crack me up.
- I enjoyed the subtle(?) callback to the hamburger metaphor from the pilot.
- Not specific to the episode, but something I noticed for the first time while watching it: The mansion’s windows are in the colors of Clan McDuck tartan.