After going a full day without Spider-Man, our favorite web-slinging superhero is back! OR IS HE!? (Cue the scare chords!) “Superior Spider-Man” was a controversial storyline when it first ran in the comics, but it’s undeniably an interesting arc to adapt in a kid’s cartoon. The idea is inherently so dark. Does the essence of the story survive so many changes? Let’s jump right into “Marvel’s Spider-Man” season 2, episode 15 ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ and find out!
1. The Superior Spider-Man is here!
“My Own Worst Enemy” begins where “The Living Brain” ends, with Doc Ock (his mind implanted in a robot body) imprinting his mind into his greatest foe, Spider-Man. After successfully taking over Peter’s body, Doc Ock is ready to unleash his criminal master plan. The best part is that the blame will fall on the head of Spider-Man, confirming the idea that Spider is a menace.
It was impressive to see how they balanced the story of Superior Spider-Man from the comics (where Peter is an adult working for Horizon Labs) and made it work for a younger audience. It was also great to see how they dealt with one of the strongest jokes of the series. In Superior Spider-Man, Doc Ock is incensed to find out that Peter Parker, the man who had defeated his superior intellect so many times, didn’t have a PhD. In the show, Otto is similarly incensed to find out that Spider-Man is that SLACKER Peter Parker who never applied himself. It’s a good joke, and it works.
It was also just fun to watch Doc Ock deal with the whole situation. He gets incredibly defensive after Silver Sable makes fun of his old body. He is amazed to find out about Spidey’s increased physical prowess and Spider-Sense. He mocks Peter’s bad web-slinger design and invents a better one, proving his superior capabilities. Body swap fish out of water moments are fun, and this one delivers.
2. You can’t take the friendly out of the Neighborhood Spider-Man
Much like the comic series that the episode is based on, things don’t go according to Doc Ock’s plan. As he tries to begin his crime spree, Ock is treated to a flash of a memory. Peter Parker, bullied for being weak and smart, is reminded by his Uncle Ben of a formula they developed together: W/Gp → GR. Ock is initially dismissive of this but finds himself feeling the urge to help others. This combined with further flashes of Peter’s subconscious reveals a hard truth to Octavius, power itself does not make someone great, it’s how you use that power that makes you great.
The idea of some little bit of Peter trapped in the brain of Octavius and making him do good, is a great storytelling device. As the episode progresses, the inner conflict of Octavius reaches a satisfying conclusion. Octavius sabotages his own plan to save civilians and is rewarded with praise and hugs. He takes this victory and applies it to be a hero, he shall be a SUPERIOR Spider-Man and one who does not waste his time with silly quips.
3. Impressive voice acting creates a fun and strong episode
There were moments in this episode where it was hard to tell who was voice acting the different characters. The episode begins with a Doc Ock narration, his voice high pitched and a little nasally. It works well for Doc Ock, the series presents him as an awkward and formal man. But the real fun began after taking over Peter’s body.
It was sometimes hard to tell who the voice actor for Peter was because it was either Peter’s voice actor doing a really impressive Doc Ock impression, or Doc Ock’s voice actor doing a really good Peter Parker impression. After being taken over, the cadence of Peter’s speaking changes, he no longer uses contractions, and his voice takes on just a hint of Ock’s whine. It transforms the character and really sells his new persona. It’s also really entertaining to hear Ock get flustered over a jab, or briefly forget his own plan, once again adding humor to the fish out of water element.
Continued below4. The importance of Uncle Ben
It would probably be difficult to find someone in 2019 who at least wasn’t passively aware of Spider-Man’s origins. In two of the three big-screen adaptations and in other television programs, we have watched the untimely end of Uncle Ben, ultimately a mistake by Peter who wants to use his powers to make a quick buck instead of stopping crime. Uncle Ben’s mantra (or in this case, formula) looming large over Peter, “with great power comes great responsibility.”
But here it works because it really emphasizes to Ock, and us, the importance of the phrase. Octavius sees that even Peter Parker has failed and that failure caused him to lash out and attack the man responsible. It’s honestly pretty dark for a Disney XD show. But the episode also shows another flashback to Ben and Peter, one that emphasizes Ben’s love of humanity. On top of the Empire State Building, where everyone looks like ants, he’s reminded that everyone is important. Clearly this lesson was passed on to Peter as well.
5. Sometimes cheesy is just the thing you need
Did the last sentence of that last thought make you roll your eyes? The whole resolution is very schmaltzy. Otto Octavius was taught that you should look down on those who are inferior to you, Peter was taught that you should care about everyone no matter how little they are. But this resonates with Octavius and really sells him on the final decision to do good. It feels earned, after watching Peter snap and putting his whole world view into language that he can understand, Doc Ock decides that he’s going to try and start doing the right thing.
Superhero properties, and especially ones for children, are allowed to be cheesy! These are heroes who wear fun and colorful costumes, who save people because it’s the right thing to do! As a concept there’s something cheesy and schmaltzy about superheroes, and if that same schmaltz is used to redeem a villain? Then it is an excellent use of the medium.
So there we have it! ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ is a fun adaptation of a pretty memorable run of Spider-Man, and one I’m excited to see go forward! Two more episodes! How will the Superior Spider-Man balance his villainous nature with his heroics? Will it blow up in his face? Let us know what you think!
