Hey everyone! Thanks for swinging by for another installment of Marvel’s Spider-Man on Disney XD. Peter Parker is no longer being controlled by Otto Octavius, and this week he has to face his biggest challenge yet, fighting a villain who has the powers of all of his enemies! Being a teenage superhero can be hard, especially if you’re trapped in a maximum-security prison with no backup! Pull up a web and enjoy as we talk about Season 2, Episode 21, “The Cellar.”
1. August Roman is not who he seems
During the previous episode “Brand New Day,” we’re introduced to August Roman, Captain Watanabe’s friend, and warden of The Cellar. Roman is quick to explain to Spidey that while it’s strange that The Avengers were being attacked by what seemed to be Spider-Man’s villains, they were all locked up in the Cellar. This week, too, he was nothing but a gracious host, granting Spidey full access to The Cellar’s files, schematics, and a full tour of the facilities. Suspicions are also taken off of Roman when it is discovered his assistant, Shannon, had the plans for the Regent armor in her secret files.
However, things in The Cellar start to feel suspicious very quickly. The villains cower away from Roman, the guard drones have a similar design to the Regent, and Roman and Regent both sound like they are alumni of the “Clancy Brown School of Menacing Baritone.” Roman quickly reveals himself to be the Regent. He wants revenge on the Avengers because they took out his father years ago and he had been slowly plotting his revenge by building a super-prison, blaming it on his assistant, and using an identity that was practically perfect. It’s a well-timed reveal, and one that leaves Spidey outgunned and outmatched.
2. Cloak and Dagger put aside old beef to help show their true heroics
Back in the episode “Cloak and Dagger,” we saw Spider!Ock’s uncompromising view of justice. While Tiberius Stone might have been the bigger villain of the episode by doing illegal experimentation on teens that created Cloak and Dagger’s powers, Cloak and Dagger were still criminals and were sent to the Cellar. Cloak is freed by accident at the hands of Regent, and while he is initially distrustful of Spider-Man (his captor) agrees to help on the condition that they save Dagger. Not only will Dagger help to make him stronger, but the two of them are also friends sharing an important bond with one another.
As the episode progresses, Cloak and Dagger have the option to escape or help. They choose to help because they don’t want anyone sharing their fate by being manipulated against their will and decide to help their one-time enemy. Once again, it has to be noted that their animation is very well designed. This is even taken to the next level when Dagger decides to make a potentially life-threatening sacrifice and give all her energy to Cloak to help him recover the Avengers. The image of their powers combined is beautiful and also kind of haunting. In the end, it seems like they have proven themselves to be heroes, even getting a compliment from Captain America. It was a nice culmination of their story and showcases that sometimes heroes can do not so heroic things in times of crisis.
3. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are back (and ready to forgive)
With the heroics of Cloak and Dagger, The Avengers are able to help defeat Regent by taking out the transponder that he uses to control the suit and channel the draining powers. While all of the Avengers have different opinions about Spider-Man because of the actions taken while he was controlled by Ock, they put aside their differences to defeat the larger threat.
After the battle, Peter talks to Kamala, clearly the Avenger he’s closest to and explains the whole situation of being controlled by Doc Ock. Kamala’s reaction is wonderful. She’s initially thrilled to know that she was correct about Spidey being an imposter (though her money was on aliens) and then quick to point out that as an Avenger she’s seen weirder things. It’s a nice little character moment of two characters who have a history with one another and exciting to see that Peter is finally beginning to repair the reputation that was damaged by Ock. It’s always fun to see the Avengers in action, but the smaller character moments helped to emphasize Peter’s role in the larger world.
Continued below4. The Cellar shows the lengths that Peter Parker goes to be good
The Cellar has a very impressive visual design. It has a very futuristic look, with floating hologram touchscreens, security bots, and futuristic cells, but some of the best visuals of the episode come from when Regent is draining the powers of the villains. The cells shift color and put the villains in stark silhouettes, but you can see feel the pain as their powers and essences are being drained. As the episode progresses and Regent begins using their powers more freely, it becomes clear that this is a new form of torture. An early example of this, again, is when Electro hides further back in her cell from Roman, trying hard to avoid this treatment.
While these are some of Spider-Man’s worst enemies, Peter still feels sympathy for them and a desire to save them, “they’re villains, but they’re also human beings.” While it’s not explicitly stated, I couldn’t help but wonder if Peter’s time in Ock’s past helped him feel more sympathy for his villains in general. While they might not all have been victims of bullying or had lives similar to Peter’s, their lives are still worth saving. The idea of redemption has been running strong through these episodes, and this week is no different.
5. The day is saved by none other than Doc Ock
In possibly the best example of redemption this episode, Doc Ock finally wakes up from his coma and with a desire to help Peter escape from the Cellar. With the help of Anna Maria, the two of them are able to successfully hack into the Cellar’s mainframe, turn the security bots on the Regent, and help Spidey, Cloak, and Dagger get out of the prison. There are also some funny exchanges between Ock and Peter as they debate over whether or not to trust villains and the best way to proceed in the fight.
Everything about Ock in this episode was great, but the best came from his interactions with Anna Maria. Embarrassed, Ock admits that he knows so much about the prison because he spent time there. Anna Maria wants none of that, though, having faith that Ock is a changed man. (Ock blushes, it was really cute.) At the end of the episode, there’s a tense but sweet moment where Ock and Peter thank one another for saving their lives (with a little help from Anna Maria.) While it’s clear that they’ll never be friends, or maybe even trust one another, they now have an understanding. Ock is a changed man, and Peter will respect that. It’s a nice wrap up to the themes set up in Superior Spider-Man Saga, redemption is possible.
So there we have it! It was really fun seeing so many storylines culminate in this week’s episode. Next week we’re getting ready for The Goblin War! What did you think? Sound off below!