We return, albeit a few weeks late, to Castle Greyskull for the next season of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. So, hop aboard Battle Cat, and say it with us: we have the power!
1. Here we go again, but more
Continuing seamlessly from where we ended, our merry band of heroes find themselves shipwrecked on an airberg in the kingdom of Avion. There we get to meet the updated version of King Stratos, who is a worthy addition to the new generation canon. The new King Stratos is an incredibly mouthy narcissist this time around. But somehow they manage to thread the needle by still making the guy likable. He’s cocky and blissfully self-centered, but by the end of the episode he shows his true character as one that’s complimentary to the gang. He feels like an instantly good fit for the gang and I’m feeling good things about the future of this new season.
2. It’s still about power
In a flashback sequence that is starting to make me wonder how Prince Adam forgot so much of his past when he clearly seems to have spent time bonding with his dad and being regaled with stories of the past. As Prince Adam stares at a painting of Greyskull epically wielding his mighty pointer finger in the air, King Randor bestows the classic line ‘Ultimate power corrupts, ultimately’ while his evil brother stares at him. We then cut straight to Skelator saying ‘becoming a God does have a nice ring to it’ -and now we have the theme of the season. This is reinforced later when two goons are asking themselves existential questions about the nature of Skelator’s god-like powers.
3. More Butts, I Do Not Lie.
Last season I questioned a couple of choice shot selections that featured an under-crotch shot lifted from the film ‘The Graduate’, a giant phallic shaped tower, and now we have a butt shot. It happens when Prince Adam and the gang accidentally bump into a giant statue of King Stratos with their even-gianter Skelator ship. The statue crumbles down to the waist, leaving only his legs and butt sticking in the air. I can recognize it as a subtly funny shot that would make kids laugh, but I am also starting to feel like a drinking game can be made of all the soft sexual inuendo that is appearing in this series. I am officially an old man on the porch because kids are exposed to far crazier stuff all day every day so I guess.. Woomp there it is.
4. A He-Hulk video game…with a twist
The episode is quite fun in terms of the challenge He-Man faces as he attempts to beat a man who can fly in a race around a ring of hoops in the air. He accomplishes this by jumping like the Hulk from platform to platform. What I like about this show is they never forget to include character development as part of the action. In this episode He-Man makes a new friend out of King Stratos by saving his kingdom from a stray airberg that was Stratos’ fault. In doing so, he ingratiates himself to the King, who allows the gang to stay despite losing the competition that is supposed to result in banishment. He saved the kingdom, helped the king avoid embarrassment, and that’s how friends are made.
Oh he also turns his sword into a hoverboard, so that’s pretty cool, and something the Hulk can’t do. One point, He-Man.
5. Side Adventures with the King
While Adam, Duncan, and Ram are off adventuring in the sky, Teela and the King Randor get their bonding time along with Orko the great tagging along. This is nice to see as the King accused her of being a thief upon initial appearance. The King’s faith in her pays off as she saves him.. from the trouble she got him in. Hey she’s learning and I can see her character arc is one that will develop her into a wise woman and deeply honored comrade.
