Static Shock – 33consequences

Virgil’s been sporting a cocky, boastful attitude lately, both in and out of costume. In battle with Puff and Onyx, Static shows off in front of Daisy, and she gets hurt in the process. Now, Static must deal with his own feelings of guilt as he teams with Rubberband
Man to bring Puff and Onyx to justice.

Note: Held over; didn’t air until the show’s third season.

Media by Bird Boy; Pans by Borg 4of3
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
Kimberly Brooks as Puff
Maria Canals as Shelley Sandoval
Kadeem Hardison as Rubberband Man
Sean Patrick Thomas as Dante
Sheryl Lee Ralph as Trina Jessup
Crystal Scales as Daisy
Brian Tochi as Shiv
Vernee Watson-Johnson as Mrs. Watkins

Static feels responsible after Daisy gets hurt.

The episode opens with Static showboating for Dakota and Rubberband Man telling him he shouldn't show off so much. Virgil doesn't listen and it's clear he's being equally overbearing at home. After he takes Daisy out to the movies Puff and Onyx show up and Static sees defeating them as an opportunity to show off to Daisy. When he isn't paying attention to where Puff is blowing her acid part of the building collapses and
Daisy hits her head. She has to go to the hospital and is in a coma.

Static searches for Puff and Onyx to seek revenge. He is about to go off on a person who knew them when Rubberband Man stops him and tells him he's being reckless and it's as much his fault as Puff's that Daisy got hurt. Static sadly agrees. He and Rubberband Man find Puff and Onyx and
Static doesn't fall for Puff's bait into goading him to be reckless again and they both capture them. At the end of the episode Daisy wakes up and is going to be all right.

I liked this episode and I think the reason why is Phil Lamarr's performance as Static and Virgil. There's a real note of desperation and heartache in his voice as he acknowledges the part he played in Daisy getting hurt and at the hospital when he's comforting her. I think a lot of the time some of the dramatic scenes on this show are overshadowed by clunky and clichéd dialogue (Sons of the Fathers) that undercuts any real emotional acting. Here, the dialogue is simple enough that the performance is able to do its job and show you how the character feels.

It's also interesting to note that Static and Rubberband Man's roles are reversed in this episode. Here, Adam Evans is the voice of reason and
Static is the one being reckless. I thought that it was interesting that they changed the dynamic for this episode as it only highlighted how overbearing Static was being.

As a hold-over from the second season I was pleased to see some of the rubbery animation make a come-back. I like Static's new costume and style but I kind of miss the old look too. I liked this episode a lot.

Story: ****
Animation: ****
Average: ****