Welcome to season 1, episode 9 of the re-imagined world of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Adam and the Masters of the Universe finally face Skeletor before he summons his own powerful Dark Masters for a savage showdown at Snake Mountain.
Spoilers ahead.
1. A bit of Monty Python
In the opening sequence of this episode King Randor gets into a witty multi-character conversation spearheaded by one of his guards. They proceed to exchange banter and smooth-talk the King into following their wisdom. The British accents and mannerisms remind me of the Knights of the Round Table, Monty Python style. From the beginning this show has been a mash-up of genres and influences that permeate not just the form, but also the substance. It’s the little details that count and this episode has oodles of them.
2. And here come the bouncing radishes
The world of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has at times felt like a hodge-podge of influences. One episode we’re in a futuristic Star Wars-esque cityscape, and the next we are running through a lush jungle. The landscapes resemble video game levels more than a coherent world. And now we have.. Bouncing radishes with faces, making cute baby noises. I guess this is their Baby Yoda, so to speak. They serve almost no function other than perhaps to set up a payoff in the final episode? Or just an additional merchandising option. Everyone loves radishes! Right?
3. Can you hear me now?
Skelator is so petulant. He’s a villain that sounds more like a big crying baby than a dangerous villain. When the heroes arrive at the castle, he uses a megaphone to play the Verizon Wireless commercial gag, where he pretends he can’t hear the heroes. They have to repeat themselves and then he cuts them off and it’s silly but simple humor that works. It is even funnier when they finally find themselves face to face with Skelator in his more gruesome form. The last time Adam saw his uncle, he had flesh on his face. Skelator leans in for the closeup as he says his name. Instead of cowering in fear, He-Man asks.. ‘Why is your name Skelator?’ The show is constantly playing against tropes for certain moments to create comedy.
4. Oh, Children
Kids are so funny. Like any good teen super squad, they tend to jump first and think of solutions later. Nothing shows this more than the fact that they say it’s a trap.. and still walk into the trap. It makes perfect sense in terms of the plot to just have them walk into the trap and set into motion the villain’s plans. Because really it takes the confidence of youth to always believe you’ll find a solution somehow. Too bad they find themselves in a sacrificial room.
5. Things go from bad to worse
The heroes aren’t laughing when good ‘ole skull-face transfers his dastardly power to his evil henchmen. Their transformations are more drastic and dark than the super He-Team, and He-Man takes a big gulp. He soon finds that his usual bag of tricks won’t work, and everyone’s back is against the wall. They really modeled this after a Marvel movie, and I’m looking forward to the next part! This episode alone would entertain people without knowing the backstory so if you’re in the mood for some WWE-style smackdowns go for it.
