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Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Episode Review

Episode#104, "Tight Squeeze"
Original Episode Airdate - July 25th, 2003
A boardroom meeting is interrupted by Pterodax, a trio of former KGB agents, led by Sergei who blast through an outside window to gain entry into the building. Pterodax are a well-outfitted organization who use sonic blasters, fluoroscopic vision and are encased in heavy body armor. Additionally, the trio sport jetpacks that enable them to fly. Over at Empire State University, it's a harmless afternoon where Harry Osborn, Mary-Jane Watson and Peter Parker take turns peering through a pair of Harry's binoculars. When it's his turn, Peter spots Pterodax invading the meeting and hurries off to the rescue as Spider-Man. Pterodax are moments away from detonating a safe in the room in order to steal its contents - "prototype hyper-diamonds" when Spider-Man shows up. He defeats them, then as Peter it's off to news channel Empire-1 to sell a Spider-Man news video. At the station, Peter is introduced to Indira Daimonji, a beautiful television intern who aids him in getting his footage aired. Unfortunately, it also lands the both of them as one of many hostages when Pterodax commandeers the newsroom. Pterodax's demands are simple, they want Sr-Man or they will start eliminating hostages! As soon as the moment presents itself PETER escapes into the shadows to re-emerge as Spider-Man. However, Pterodax has set a trap for Spider-Man and know one knows that they plan on being the only ones getting out of the station alive.



Credits
Screenplay By: Morgan Gendal
Directed By: Aude Paden
Music By: John Digweed, Nick Muir and William Anderson
Animation By: Mainframe
Guest Starring: Angelle Brooks as Indy, James Marsters as Sergai

Review and Media by Stu:
This episode came as something of a shock to me, because I thought the whole season would build up to Peter finally confessing his love to MJ, but the relationship took an interesting turn here. Whilst it was a nice attempt for the writers to throw some something at Peter and Mary Jane, rather than the simple "will they, won't they" that has been annoying fans for years now, a lot of it simply is too out of character for Peter.

Whilst he doesn't sleep with her in this episode, it's believed he did in a later episode. Whilst some fans complained that Peter wouldn't sleep with a woman (?!) I didn't. What I didn't understand however is that if he is willing to have a relationship with Indy then why isn't he willing to with MJ, who he's loved for like, ever. It was arguably the show's most confusing plot point!

Going back to this episode, I was impressed, if for only because this time 'round we're actually getting more of a Peter Parker episode than a Spider-Man one, which I actually like from time to time. Spider-Man is barely in it. I find this works well from time to time, as long as it doesn't pull a Lois and Clark and have Clark do all the work for 40 minutes and then Superman comes in a minute before the end credits roll and saves everyone. Ugh.

The main focus, as said above, was to introduce the foil for Peter and MJ. The main problem, in this episode at least is that Indy came off as incredibly annoying. Her voice alone left most of the viewers cold on the character. Considering Peter has arguably some of the most interesting love interests of any superhero, one wonders why they didn t use one of them. I realise Indy is supposed to be this shows answer to Betty Brant, but still Indy is a bit too over the top for my liking.

Pterodax, the villains, weren't anything particularly great, but they weren't supposed to be, again this was Peter's story. They didn't come across as totally two-dimensional, like Shikata for example; they basically did what was needed of them, and nothing more. A special mention simply must go to their leader Sergai as he was masterfully portrayed by James Marsters (Spike from Angel). Despite the fact the other two goons had heavy Russian accents and he didn't wasn't all that important. He, like nearly of the VA in this show are perfect for their respected characters.

Also, a special note simply has to go to the storyboarding team. The flight sequence in which Spider-Man and Sergai fly through the city was absolutely stunning. The backgrounds, the models, the animation, it was all beautifully crafted.

While you have to wonder how he kept his identity in at least two occasions, after I was left wondering how he is going to make Spider-Man appear in less than eight minutes, whilst Peter is still hostage without revealing himself. He got around it in a pretty clever way, not resorting to something cheap that I was actually expecting, it was a nice surprise. It was nothing diabolically clever, but good all the same.

Indy kissing Peter in front of Mary Jane was a little predictable, but proved to be a turning point in the series. C ertainly an entertaining episode that helped set up a lot of the future episodes.

Screenshots






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