After two weeks of pleading, Aquaman: King of Atlantis sticks the landing in its final (for now) episode. Let’s not waste any time.
1. Synthesis
Each episode of Aquaman: King of Atlantis has had some great stuff in it, but it always felt like the show wasn’t using all of its best elements together. Well, aside from a musical number, this episode took just about all of the best stuff from the prior two and put it all together into a thoroughly enjoyable package. This is easily the strongest episode of the season, and one that more than any other episode thus far, gave hints as to what the show could be if it continued beyond these three overlong episodes. While this still feels a bit long, it moved along at a better pace than the first two, which also helped my enjoyment of it.
2. FINALLY
Each column I’ve written on this show has lamented the lack of Vulko and, specifically, his voice actor Thomas Lennon. Well, this episode rectified that, and gave us almost an entire episode of Vulkosity. It was great. Lennon is so dialed into the character that he makes him come to life through his line readings, in ways both expected and unusual. It’s really a fantastic role for Lennon, who almost totally eschews, wisely, what Willem Dafoe does in Aquaman. That’s not throwing shade onto Dafoe, who is a delight in everything he does, but rather just a wise decision for this series in general to separate itself from that version.
3. More-tikov
The villain from part 1, Mortikov, shows up again and continues to be one of the funniest pieces of the show. He adopts a new identity, Scavenger, and takes the crystal MacGuffins from the last two episodes and uses them to turn himself into a near-infinitely powered villain. The fake Russian accent adds a bit of fun, but it’s the character’s always chipper, yet evil disposition that really makes him fun. He isn’t dour in the slightest, and seems legitimately tickled that he is an evil villain. It’s fun, scenery chewing action from a character I’d love to see more from.
4. Topo!
Topo, a loyal octopus companion from “Aquaman” comics, is fantastic in this episode, and represents the first time an animal hasn’t been a single use pal for Aquaman thus far. I don’t have too much more to say about it, but it’s nice to see Topo get some love.
5. Molto bene
The best joke of this whole episode is a running gag from one of the royal guards who is always pining for Ocean Master’s reign to return. He talks about how Ocean Master once took him to Europe, Italy in particular. It turns out that he was brought there to kill Mera and Aquaman, but he failed (“You’re welcome” he says to the pair). But regardless of why he was there, he talks about it like a kid who just got back from their semester abroad. He’s quick to quote Italian, or mention how things are done over there in ways that aren’t obnoxious the first time, but would be the second, third, or one hundredth. It’s not overplayed, either; it’s there just enough and is quite funny and well done.
Well, that’s a wrap on Aquaman: King of Atlantis. If it returns, we’ll see ya back here.
