Post by CkRtech on May 28, 2004 1:28:26 GMT -5
Well since I am headed out of town this weekend, I wanted to be able to write some thoughts over this wonderful three-part episode. This is obviously a long read. Please take time to read it either before or after you have written your own thoughts. StrykerX2K, Jo'roq, and Silverbolt - this is for you guys. I think we are going to be the big four here & I would really like you all to read what I have written.
My general thoughts were expressed in the other thread, so I will skip down to scenes.
The intro battle is pretty sweet. We get a little acknowledgement of GL and Hawkgirl's relationship along with an unknown threat. Well....not quite unknown to everyone.
I thought it was pretty interesting that Hawkgirl immediately stood right by her people and didn't offer up much in terms of detailed explanation to the Justice League as to what her agenda was. Obviously, it would have negative response as she was just now saying something after her people showed up.
Speaking of explanations...it doesn't take long for Hawkgirl to throw another wrench into things. "....It's like we're engaged." Things aren't looking so great in the trust department, sweetie.
Ahh. The ever tactful and understanding Flash. "Wait. You and Hawkgirl? Get out! .........really??"
Despite all that has happened to this point, Batman and Martian Manhunter offer some support to GL and M.M. even tries to get GL to look at it from her side. This friendly defense for Hawkgirl does not last long.
Flash confronts Hawkgirl on his instincts regarding her promised one. He has his doubts despite the timely "animal rescue." Thanks for the insight, Flash. I think we might be with you on this one.
Batman's detective abilities kick in as one would hope they would. I love how Batman came up with some ideas, didn't tell anyone, and began looking into things. That was very....Batmanesque. Batman in character.
Did I say Batman in character? Well.....he was out of character too. How about sneaking about as a familiar looking old man? Pretty cool. So I guess he was *still* "in character" depending on how you look at it.
Suspicions confirmed. Wonder Woman is told. Batman down. Superman is told. Watchtower breached. They must have the access codes. Great Hera!! Wonder Woman down (ouch! What a landing....) Manhunter, Superman and Flash strike back. Hawkgirl questions what is going on. Manhunter down. Superman down. Kryptonite in weapon? Flash pinned. GL tried to help the other three escape but hits a wall....literally.
But don't worry - Hawkgirl is there. "Who's side are you on?" "Don't you know?" .......wa-Smack! End part one.
Holy cow. I thought that GL was doomed when he let his guard down....but that hit wasn't the betrayal reaction I was thinking of.
In the second part, we see the Justice League escape from their trap (I'll start leaving details behind now as....I want to go to sleep already. Haha).
I absolutely LOVED how they basically had a trusting moment for sharing secret identities in order to blend in and figure a way out of the situation. "Wally West. Clark Kent. <whomp!> Bruce Wayne."
".....show off."
The red hair comment by Wonder Woman is great, but before we see too fun of a moment....Batman, errr....Bruce Wayne....errr....Batman orders Wally to change "NOW!" Batman in control. Ohhhh yeah.
Hawkgirl has more questions. Predictable....but remember her deeds are done in the Justice League's mind. She hit the no-win scenario a long time ago.
Meanwhile the JL tries to blend. Now something happens which fits with my opinion on relationships in the D.C. universe. Diana and Bruce split up with each other and end up having to "make out" in order to get out of trouble. I am pro Batman and Wonder Woman. (Throw out the Catwoman and Superman relationships respectively) This scene added to my interest for the story even more. Sweet.
How about Clark Kent getting a taste of Superman as he "saves the day" for GL and Flash? Nice work, Kent.
Everyone meets up at Wayne Manner/the Batcave. Well...we certainly got down to business with identities, didn't we? Nice to see Alfred in this episode too.
Hawkgirl tries to help their situation. They don't trust her (and why on earth would they?). GL gets his ring back, but at what cost? The enemy knows where they are.
End Part 2.
Not too long into Part 3 - Hawkgirl Unmasked! Awwwwww yeah!
And..."Good heavens!" look who showed up at Wayne Manner! I love how Alfred was going to take them on with his bare hands.
The fight at the Batcave is pretty sweet. We see some Batman "supporting role" characters & items show up. Fun stuff. I'll let y'all comment on that one.
What are we gonna do? "We're gonna retake the watchtower." Yeah! That's what I am talking about. They're gonna take the ship in.
".....well?"
"I have no idea how to fly this vehicle"
"What's this do?" sheeeeeeeeew-BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!
and my favorite line out of the whole thing - "That's ...NOT...HELPING!"
The mind-reading scene was sweet. Interesting interpretation. Meanwhile, Superman and WW reflect on pretty bad odds - "they don't stand a chance."
After regaining the watchtower...they're going to....CRASH IT RIGHT ON TOP OF THEIR SCIENCE PROJECT!! YEAH!!!!!! TAKE THAT!!!! OHHHHHHH!
At this point, I am thinking....were is the DVD with the surround track?? I need to pump the volume NOW!
Batman is going to sacrifice himself. "Gentleman - It has been an honor." I was pretty wrapped up in this emotionally by this point. It went beyond a cartoon. Was Batman going to do it? (You figure he wasn't due to the nature of the show....but what would happen?)
Superman and WW break in. WW spots Hawkgirl. "I should leave you to burn." ...but she sets her free. The instincts of the Justice League and its founding beliefs are obviously present in WW. Would they be present in Hawkgirl?
The final hand to hand combat battle is loads of fun. The Kiss my Axe line was kinda cheese, but I thought it fit. They can only do so much with the age range of the audience....and you know what GL was REALLY supposed to say.
The ring has been destroyed!
Meanwhile - "....Where are you?"
"I'm aboard the watchtower; guiding it to target."
"That's insane! Get out of there!"
"Negative. I'm staying in....."
"Batman!!"
Did you have any doubts what Superman was going to do at that point? While I haven't directly been saying it since first saying "Batman...in character," all JL heroes were in character this episode. You KNEW Superman would not hesitate to go after Batman. It is what makes his character, and at this point....I am REALLY digging this episode because of it. (Not that I wasn't after the first 3 minutes)
The battle continues. Was Hawkgirl killed? GL continues to fight. Battle won. GL and Hawkgirl deactivate the shield. But what of the watchtower? Keep that music going!
Batman - Intent on carrying out his own mission. No fear. Superman? - gonna save Batman's butt no matter what. Music continues.....we got him! Get out! ........BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM CRACKLE!!!! (Debris sounds here)
The aftermath:
Ahhh! The characters never cease to impress. The JL minus one certained winged heroine discusses things amongst themselves.
"Without the great sacrifices you've made, we wouldn't be here to share this nice pot of tea." YES!!! Alfred is in character as well. He always knows the right things to say. In his eyes, she'll always "be a hero."
They send for her with a decision....but she speaks first. Hawkgirl resigns from the Justice League. Effective immediately. ....whoa! Not quite the "we still love you" ending you are waiting on.
Now. I have had a lot of fun with this...but I want to point something out very important that was the key to finishing up this episode:
Flash, the guy who is always providing comic relief and saying the wrong thing and the wrong (right?) time...hugs Hawkgirl. Of all the people, you would figure him to be one of the last to share the moment. You see Hawkgirl's reaction. ...and you know what the Justice League's decision would have been.
GL talks to her at the end. Whatever the JL's decision was, it didn't matter. Hawkgirl was looking for peace. She rides....err...flies off into the sunset....confirming to John that she never lied about loving him. She leaves, sans a kiss. John says he loves her too...and cries. End episode.
Holy cow. HO LLLY COW. This was one incredible episode. I could tie things up....I just realized I have been typing for over an hour...and I still haven't said everything I have wanted to. This was just an absolutely brilliant masterpiece of an episode to watch. The writers said that they weren't sure if it was going to be the last one or not & wanted to go out with a bang. That they did.
I was never really one for the GL and Hawkgirl relationship...but I have to say that this episode pulled me in so much that I really did feel for both of them at the end of the episode.
When was the last time a cartoon...and a U.S. one on top of that (go USA)...actually "got to" me, emotionally? I can't say. I want this on DVD. If I showed someone Justice League, I would give them some prep episodes and then show this. I think it topped just about any other animated feature I have ever seen.
My general thoughts were expressed in the other thread, so I will skip down to scenes.
The intro battle is pretty sweet. We get a little acknowledgement of GL and Hawkgirl's relationship along with an unknown threat. Well....not quite unknown to everyone.
I thought it was pretty interesting that Hawkgirl immediately stood right by her people and didn't offer up much in terms of detailed explanation to the Justice League as to what her agenda was. Obviously, it would have negative response as she was just now saying something after her people showed up.
Speaking of explanations...it doesn't take long for Hawkgirl to throw another wrench into things. "....It's like we're engaged." Things aren't looking so great in the trust department, sweetie.
Ahh. The ever tactful and understanding Flash. "Wait. You and Hawkgirl? Get out! .........really??"
Despite all that has happened to this point, Batman and Martian Manhunter offer some support to GL and M.M. even tries to get GL to look at it from her side. This friendly defense for Hawkgirl does not last long.
Flash confronts Hawkgirl on his instincts regarding her promised one. He has his doubts despite the timely "animal rescue." Thanks for the insight, Flash. I think we might be with you on this one.
Batman's detective abilities kick in as one would hope they would. I love how Batman came up with some ideas, didn't tell anyone, and began looking into things. That was very....Batmanesque. Batman in character.
Did I say Batman in character? Well.....he was out of character too. How about sneaking about as a familiar looking old man? Pretty cool. So I guess he was *still* "in character" depending on how you look at it.
Suspicions confirmed. Wonder Woman is told. Batman down. Superman is told. Watchtower breached. They must have the access codes. Great Hera!! Wonder Woman down (ouch! What a landing....) Manhunter, Superman and Flash strike back. Hawkgirl questions what is going on. Manhunter down. Superman down. Kryptonite in weapon? Flash pinned. GL tried to help the other three escape but hits a wall....literally.
But don't worry - Hawkgirl is there. "Who's side are you on?" "Don't you know?" .......wa-Smack! End part one.
Holy cow. I thought that GL was doomed when he let his guard down....but that hit wasn't the betrayal reaction I was thinking of.
In the second part, we see the Justice League escape from their trap (I'll start leaving details behind now as....I want to go to sleep already. Haha).
I absolutely LOVED how they basically had a trusting moment for sharing secret identities in order to blend in and figure a way out of the situation. "Wally West. Clark Kent. <whomp!> Bruce Wayne."
".....show off."
The red hair comment by Wonder Woman is great, but before we see too fun of a moment....Batman, errr....Bruce Wayne....errr....Batman orders Wally to change "NOW!" Batman in control. Ohhhh yeah.
Hawkgirl has more questions. Predictable....but remember her deeds are done in the Justice League's mind. She hit the no-win scenario a long time ago.
Meanwhile the JL tries to blend. Now something happens which fits with my opinion on relationships in the D.C. universe. Diana and Bruce split up with each other and end up having to "make out" in order to get out of trouble. I am pro Batman and Wonder Woman. (Throw out the Catwoman and Superman relationships respectively) This scene added to my interest for the story even more. Sweet.
How about Clark Kent getting a taste of Superman as he "saves the day" for GL and Flash? Nice work, Kent.
Everyone meets up at Wayne Manner/the Batcave. Well...we certainly got down to business with identities, didn't we? Nice to see Alfred in this episode too.
Hawkgirl tries to help their situation. They don't trust her (and why on earth would they?). GL gets his ring back, but at what cost? The enemy knows where they are.
End Part 2.
Not too long into Part 3 - Hawkgirl Unmasked! Awwwwww yeah!
And..."Good heavens!" look who showed up at Wayne Manner! I love how Alfred was going to take them on with his bare hands.
The fight at the Batcave is pretty sweet. We see some Batman "supporting role" characters & items show up. Fun stuff. I'll let y'all comment on that one.
What are we gonna do? "We're gonna retake the watchtower." Yeah! That's what I am talking about. They're gonna take the ship in.
".....well?"
"I have no idea how to fly this vehicle"
"What's this do?" sheeeeeeeeew-BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!
and my favorite line out of the whole thing - "That's ...NOT...HELPING!"
The mind-reading scene was sweet. Interesting interpretation. Meanwhile, Superman and WW reflect on pretty bad odds - "they don't stand a chance."
After regaining the watchtower...they're going to....CRASH IT RIGHT ON TOP OF THEIR SCIENCE PROJECT!! YEAH!!!!!! TAKE THAT!!!! OHHHHHHH!
At this point, I am thinking....were is the DVD with the surround track?? I need to pump the volume NOW!
Batman is going to sacrifice himself. "Gentleman - It has been an honor." I was pretty wrapped up in this emotionally by this point. It went beyond a cartoon. Was Batman going to do it? (You figure he wasn't due to the nature of the show....but what would happen?)
Superman and WW break in. WW spots Hawkgirl. "I should leave you to burn." ...but she sets her free. The instincts of the Justice League and its founding beliefs are obviously present in WW. Would they be present in Hawkgirl?
The final hand to hand combat battle is loads of fun. The Kiss my Axe line was kinda cheese, but I thought it fit. They can only do so much with the age range of the audience....and you know what GL was REALLY supposed to say.
The ring has been destroyed!
Meanwhile - "....Where are you?"
"I'm aboard the watchtower; guiding it to target."
"That's insane! Get out of there!"
"Negative. I'm staying in....."
"Batman!!"
Did you have any doubts what Superman was going to do at that point? While I haven't directly been saying it since first saying "Batman...in character," all JL heroes were in character this episode. You KNEW Superman would not hesitate to go after Batman. It is what makes his character, and at this point....I am REALLY digging this episode because of it. (Not that I wasn't after the first 3 minutes)
The battle continues. Was Hawkgirl killed? GL continues to fight. Battle won. GL and Hawkgirl deactivate the shield. But what of the watchtower? Keep that music going!
Batman - Intent on carrying out his own mission. No fear. Superman? - gonna save Batman's butt no matter what. Music continues.....we got him! Get out! ........BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM CRACKLE!!!! (Debris sounds here)
The aftermath:
Ahhh! The characters never cease to impress. The JL minus one certained winged heroine discusses things amongst themselves.
"Without the great sacrifices you've made, we wouldn't be here to share this nice pot of tea." YES!!! Alfred is in character as well. He always knows the right things to say. In his eyes, she'll always "be a hero."
They send for her with a decision....but she speaks first. Hawkgirl resigns from the Justice League. Effective immediately. ....whoa! Not quite the "we still love you" ending you are waiting on.
Now. I have had a lot of fun with this...but I want to point something out very important that was the key to finishing up this episode:
Flash, the guy who is always providing comic relief and saying the wrong thing and the wrong (right?) time...hugs Hawkgirl. Of all the people, you would figure him to be one of the last to share the moment. You see Hawkgirl's reaction. ...and you know what the Justice League's decision would have been.
GL talks to her at the end. Whatever the JL's decision was, it didn't matter. Hawkgirl was looking for peace. She rides....err...flies off into the sunset....confirming to John that she never lied about loving him. She leaves, sans a kiss. John says he loves her too...and cries. End episode.
Holy cow. HO LLLY COW. This was one incredible episode. I could tie things up....I just realized I have been typing for over an hour...and I still haven't said everything I have wanted to. This was just an absolutely brilliant masterpiece of an episode to watch. The writers said that they weren't sure if it was going to be the last one or not & wanted to go out with a bang. That they did.
I was never really one for the GL and Hawkgirl relationship...but I have to say that this episode pulled me in so much that I really did feel for both of them at the end of the episode.
When was the last time a cartoon...and a U.S. one on top of that (go USA)...actually "got to" me, emotionally? I can't say. I want this on DVD. If I showed someone Justice League, I would give them some prep episodes and then show this. I think it topped just about any other animated feature I have ever seen.