Static Shock – 08sons

Virgil pressures a reluctant Richie to invite him to a sleepover, only to learn that Richie’s father is a stubborn bigot. An embarrassed Richie runs away and is abducted by Static’s arch-enemy
Ebon. Virgil’s father Robert and Richie’s dad must set aside their differences and team up to find Richie before any harm befalls him.

Media by Bird Boy
Review by Matt Zimmer

Voices:
Phil LaMarr as Virgil Hawkins/Static
Jason Marsden as Richie Foley
Kevin Michael Richardson as Robert Hawkins
Michele Morgan as Sharon Hawkins
Gary Sturgis as Ebon
Brian Tochi as Shiv
Tia Texada as Talon
Matt Ballard as Carmen Dillo
Dan Lauria as Mr. Foley
Jean Smart as Mrs. Foley
Rickey D’Shon Collins as Boy

Static comes up against racism in this commendable but preachy episode.

Virgil asks Richie how come they never hang out at his place. Richie is reluctant but he eventually says they can do it later that week. When
Virgil visits he sees Richie has a nice house and his mom is cool but when his father comes home he seems distinctly grumpy to see Virgil.
After a tense night Virgil hears Richie's dad complaining to his mom that he doesn't want Richie to hang out with "those kind of people".
Hurt, Virgil leaves and Richie is furious at his dad and runs away.

Static tracks down Richie and says he is still his friend no matter what. Ebon overhears this and realizes that Richie and Static are friends so he kidnaps Richie. Seeing his son is still missing Mr. Foley goes to Robert for help. Robert starts to open his eyes as to the futility of bigotry as they search Dakota for Richie. Richie manages to contact Static for help and just when Mr. Foley and Robert happen upon the Meta-Breed's hideout Static arrives to save the day. In the end
Richie and his father make up and Mr. Foley makes an effort not to be bigoted in the future.

I want to like this episode, I really do. The message is an important one and I'm glad Static Shock tackled it. That said the manner in which it is portrayed is pretty heavy-handed. Richie's outburst to his father about "you and your stupid racism!" sounded like it belonged in an after school special. Static Shock has shown that it is definitely capable of creating strong "message" episodes (Jimmy, Frozen Out, Where the Rubber
Meets the Road) so that this one can't help but feel weak by comparison.
Then, again this IS the first season and it's obvious that the writers here are still trying to find their voice so it's understandable.

The animation here wasn't that special. The only thing the animators really had to animate just right were the Ebon effects and those were passable, I guess. I suppose if the show hadn't lasted so long and achieved such great highs I wouldn't be so down on this episode. As it stands, Static Shock has done much better.

Story: ***
Animation: **1/2
Average: ***