RJ Writing Ink

Solar Opposites Final Season Review

It was a fun ride while it lasted, but after five years, six seasons, and four specials, Solar Opposites has come to an end. It’s a bittersweet feeling knowing that one of Hulu’s best original animated series is over, but there comes a time when things have to come to an end. Given everything that it was up against, though, it’s kind of amazing that it’s lasted as long as it has. It started out being overshadowed by Co-creator Justin Roiland’s more famous show, Rick and Morty. Then, it was marred by the controversy brought about by the allegations against Roiland himself. Either one could’ve ensured Solar Opposites suffered a premature end, but I weathered both of them. Now, it’s got its own dedicated fanbase and identity and all the better for it. But did this final season manage to land on its feet?

Honestly, yes.

The Solar Opposites Took a Lot of Attention

In the past, I have normally spent the better part of my reviews focusing on the secondary plots, AKA The Wall and the Silvercops. However, a big part of this final season is also one that surprised me the most: the episodic plots felt better than the serialized stuff this time around.

Don’t get me wrong, I have always enjoyed seeing whatever it is the Solar Opposites are doing each episode. With the lion’s share of the serialized elements reserved for things like The Wall, though, most of the things the Solar Opposites do tend to be one-off. Story elements do carry over from past episodes, but everything still feels self-contained. Since this is the final season, though, it feels like the showrunners wanted to give everyone as satisfying a conclusion as possible. They requires character growth, and that requires more serialized storytelling. And the season starts off on a very strong note, with the first episode seeing most of the machines the Solar Opposites use to make money getting destroyed.

The Solar Opposites Grow as a Family

Without the ability to make diamonds and other forms of cash, the Solar Opposites are forced to buckle down and start making changes to their lifestyles. They have to sell most of their tech just to get by, meaning they can’t bail themselves out as much anymore, and have to adapt to Earth more than ever. This isn’t the first time that they’ve had to do so, but what makes this different from the Season Three finale is that this time, they really can’t fall back on their sci-fi tech. Ironically, by pushing themselves outside their safety net, the Solar Opposites are able to thrive like never before. Yumulack and Jesse have to start applying themselves at school, and they discover that they’re geniuses. So much so that they’re able to become the best students at school and co-student council presidents. Terry, after a stint loving romantasy novels (and meeting the fairies who write them), he starts writing his own, and they do so well, they become best-sellers! He even manages to get them made into blockbuster films by the end of the series!

Yet all of that pales in comparison to the character growth showcased by Korvo, and it starts with the return of their old CO, Commander Zarck.

Korvo Has Come into his Own

For those who don’t know, Zarck was the one originally supposed to be in charge of the mission, but to prove to everyone how badly they needed him, he used a machine to erase their memories of him. By the time they remember him and he returns at the start of the season, they’ve all but gone native. Yet Zarck’s return forces Korvo to step and prove once and for all that he’s the better team leader while Zarck doesn’t play much of a role afterwards. It shows just how much Korvo has come into his own as a leader and a character. Yet even that is overshadowed by what is the culmination of Korvo’s entire arc throughout the show. When the Pupa starts to prematurely terraform the Earth, Korvo makes the decision to destroy its means of doing so, making it so that they can never fulfill their mission. The Korvo of Season One wouldn’t have hesitated to let the process go through, but he’s grown to love Earth just as much as his adoptive family has. That’s some good character development.

It also turns out that Korvo made the right decision, not just for Earth, but for all Shlorpians everywhere.

What a Twist with the Silvercops!

Throughout the final season, one sub-plot that remains largely on the sidelines is that of Glen and the Silvercops. Last season, Glen joined the Goldcops to go undercover in the Silvercops to bring them down. This leads into the series finale where Glen (now called Dodge) returns to Earth with the Silvercops where we get the biggest twist in the entire series: the Silvercops created the Shlorpians!

For centuries, the Silvercops had been manufacturing Pupas and using them to create Planet Shlorps that they could then destroy. While the Shlorpians would go out and terraform other worlds, they would harvest the resources for money. It’s an intergalactic scam that’s killed countless people and made the Shlorpians the most hated beings in the galaxy!

This was a really good twist. Not only did it reveal that the Solar Opposites did the right thing by defying their mission, but it reframes everything that happens throughout the series. And in the end, Dodge and Goldcops are able to shut the Silvercops down for good, thereby freeing Shlorpians everywhere and the Solar Opposites to be a family. Even better, Korvo gets to travel the galaxy and tell other Shlorpians they can forget the mission and chill. It’s a happy ending for everyone!

At least until the Earth gets destroyed by the Wallians 90 years in the future.

The Wall Stumbled at the End there

From day one, I’ve kept saying that my favorite part of Solar Opposites has been the story of The Wall. For many fans, it was their favorite part of the series. The show took this silly idea of a bunch of shrunken down people living in a terrarium and turned it into this epic that spanned the entire show. At it’s best, The Wall felt like watching Game of Thrones at the peak of its writing. Ironically, though, I can’t help but feel that, much like Game of Thrones, The Wall stumbled on the last lap.

After the events in The Backyard from last season, Cherie decided to stop running from power and just take the reins of The Wall as its Queen. The implication was that Cherie was going to turn into the same kind of tyrant that she spent the entire show fighting against, but much to my surprise, that never really manifests. Especially since two big developments take place: Ringo, AKA the Duke, comes back, having been returned from the dead by the Solar Opposites, and the Wallians unite for the sole purpose of getting the shrink ray from Yumulack. But despite this interesting premise and getting to see Ringo come to terms with his past, none of the new characters from last season return or have any impact on what happens. Having grown to appreciate these newcomers for what they added, it feels a little jarring not to have them in this grand finale.

Cherie Continues to Make Mistakes

I will say this about the end to The Wall story, though: it’s final act shows us how much Cherie has grown as a character throughout the show, and not for the better. During their mission to get the shrink ray, in a moment of vulnerability, Cherie admits that she no longer cares about the other Wallians. All she cares about is protecting Pezlie. This leads to the saddest twist of the entire story; after blackmailing Yumyulack into restoring everyone to normal size, it’s revealed that doing so would end up killing Pezlie. Thus, her team decides to stay small and not tell anyone the truth while forcing Yumulack to make The Wall a better place.

Cherie. Good Intentions, but Doesn’t Think Things Through

This is some pretty good character development on the part of the show. After spending most of her story fighting against tyrants and deception, Cherie winds up becoming that what she fought against. She chooses to lie to everyone about being able to return to normal so that Pezlie won’t be alone in the world. It’s a selfish decision, and one that the distant epilogue shows will ultimately end in most of the world being destroyed. Yet at the same time, you can’t help but understand where Cherie is coming from. She’s just trying to be a good mom to her daughter and give her the best life she can have.

As is the case in real life, things like this can lead people to make selfish decisions that benefit no one but themselves. Yet this isn’t something that’s coming out of nowhere, either. It was shown back in Season Four that Cherie was willing to bend her ideals if it meant protecting her daughter, even if that could lead to other people getting hurt. And, as we come to see, it winds up destroying everything in the future. I don’t know about you guys, but knowing that the world winds up getting destroyed kind of makes the happy ending of the finale feel pointless. Not only do I not like downer endings, but I don’t like happy-ending overrides. In other words, Solar Opposites hit two of my pet peeves.

I’ll Miss You, Solar Opposites!

Despite all of this, though, I still think that Solar Opposites managed to end things on a high note. I think that the series was fun from start to finish, and I’ve already started rewatching some of the older episodes. It’s just that good! More importantly, though, this is the show that introduced me to the work of Mike McMahan, who helped to create my favorite Star Trek series, Lower Decks. I never would’ve gotten into that show had it not been for Solar Opposites! So for a show that started out in the shadow of Rick and Morty, I’d say that Solar Opposites has created something all its own. Not bad for a bunch of weird plant aliens.

I Give the Final Season of Solar Opposites a 4/5

Rick and Morty S8 Ep 10 Review

When it comes to Rick and Morty, it can be hard to predict how an episode will turn out. The previews are often made to be vague or misleading to keep audiences unsure how things will go (or at least me.) For the season eight finale of Rick and Morty, though, not only was I able to figure out what was going on pretty quickly, but it also led to another emotional moment for the series. In this case, Rick manages to find some sort of closure about the loss of his beloved wife, Diane.

Memory Rick is Back!

If the preview for the finale didn’t make it obvious, someone has been monkeying with Jerry’s memories, and it doesn’t take long for anyone to figure out who it is. The culprit is none other than Memory Rick, the sentient memory of Rick Sanchez created from Birdperson’s memories. He hitched a ride into Rick’s mind, but wound up in Jerry’s when they got scrambled together. Since then, he’s been re-writing Jerry’s memories in an effort to live the family life that Rick never got…until Rick pulls him out and traps him in a mind prison as punishment. Memory or not, though, Rick is still Rick, and Memory Rick is determined to get out.

Meanwhile, our Rick is inspired by the incident to become more emotionally open, and the only way to do that is let go of the memory of his late wife, Diane. So he literally extracts the memory and puts it into another mind prison, allowing him to open up to others. That leads to its own difficulties, though, as he winds up fighting a bug prince in a gladiator fight.

What matters more, though, is how even after avenging his wife and original Beth and trying to move on, Rick is still unable to let go of Diane. What makes it even darker, though, is how Rick reveals that he can’t even fully recall what Diane was like anymore. Not because it’s been so long, but because the device Rick Prime used to erase all Dianes messed with his memories of her. Rick is loving a shadow at this point, and he can’t even let go of that.

Rick’s Biggest Flaw: He Can’t Let Go

This inability to let go is on full display with Memory Rick. Being a younger version of Rick, he comes up with a plan to reunite with Memory Diane. Unfortunately, his plan involves hijacking Beth’s memories and mentally training her to mount a rescue mission. It works, but it has disastrous consequences: Space Beth almost dies!

When I saw Beth snap her twin’s neck, I was speechless. Throughout the commercial break, I was convinced Space Beth might be permanently dead! Thankfully she wasn’t, but it only gets worse from there. Beth proceeds to have a mental breakdown as the memory versions of her rebel and try to kill Memory Rick and Diane. Because of Rick’s inability to let go, it almost gets his daughter killed. Thankfully, he’s able to reset her mind just in time.

Another Season Wrapped Up

Ultimately, the episode ends with Rick letting everyone believe that he got rid of Memory Rick and Diane for good. In reality, he didn’t; he gave them a new mindscape for them to live in for all eternity and set them free into deep space. So while he may not get his happy ending with Diane, there’s at least one version of him that does. The sad thing is, he plans to wipe his memory of the entire thing, meaning he won’t learn anything.

I had a feeling that the season finale of Rick and Morty was going to be an emotional one, and it turns out I was right. It’s not as shocking as some previous finales, but that doesn’t change the fact that it advanced Rick’s story a little. That, and we saw the return of Mr. Poopybutthole. It was a good finale, overall, for a season that feels more laid-back than the show’s been in recent years.

I Give “Hot Rick” a 4/5

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Rick and Morty S8 Ep 9 Review

So back during the first season of Rick and Morty, Morty talked Rick into buying him a sexbot as a gift, because…Morty’s a teenage boy. Except it turned out to be an alien robot created by a race of women to help them reproduce with the hyper-violent males of their species. It wound up creating a half-alien son that Morty named Morty Jr who grew up to hate his dad so much that he wrote a best-selling novel about it. It was something so weird and out of the ordinary, even by the show’s standards, that it’s never come up again…until now. The penultimate episode of this season opts for a deep callback with the return of Morty Jr.

Morty Jr is Back

The episode starts off with Morty getting a call from his now-elderly son from the hospital. Naturally, Morty assumes that Jr is dying and, wanting to make amends, decides to pay him a visit. This is much to the protests of his family, who all vocally agree that Morty Junior sucks. The funniest part is the fact that Jerry is the most vocal about his disapproval, due to him writing a book trashing Morty. Not because it wasn’t true, but because it made him and Beth look like bad parents.

I don’t have kids yet myself, but I’m old enough to understand that parents are never going to be perfect. Even the ones that are genuinely trying to be good parents are going to screw up, but won’t want to admit it. So I found Jerry’s complaining about Junior to be funny, especially later in the episode, as it’s revealed that his assessment of Morty’s son was accurate.

Morty Junior. Just as Bad as his Old Man

Morty Junior reached out to his dad because he wanted to find closure with his “mom,” who Morty had long since thrown away. So the two jump into the pocket dimension Rick created to hold all his trash, and wind up getting trapped there. Then, it’s revealed that Morty Junior was never dying. He just wanted more material for another book about Morty because his others didn’t sell well and he has child support payments! He just let Morty assume he was dying and never corrected him!

I have to admit, I went into this episode with every expectation that Morty Junior would die by the end. However, the reveal that he was just as bad and irresponsible as Morty was way funnier! And even though they do end up bonding, the ending shows that they haven’t really learned anything. Morty bails the second Rick gets home, while Morty Junior writes that sequel bashing him. Nothing was learned, and sometimes that’s the funniest outcome!

To be honest, though, I was more interested in the B-plot with the Rick and Summer adventure.

A fun Rick and Summer Adventure

So, Summer gets reservations for her and Rick at this high-class alien restaurant. Their gimmick is that the chefs are pre-cogs who know what customers want before they do. Except they wind up giving Summer avocado toast. Incensed, Summer insists on complaining to the Cogs, only for things to escalate when she kidnaps them. And what’s worse is that, despite saying that she shouldn’t get involved, Rick does just that!

Rick and Summer are among my favorite pairings throughout the show’s run, and for good reason. While Morty has grown into being Rick’s partner and equal in adventuring, Summer arguably did that first. She’s more confident, self-assured, and more ready to stand up to her grandpa and call him out on his BS…most of the time. But it was nice to see the two have another adventure. Especially since this turned out to be a plot by the Cogs to start their own food truck due to being burnt out from the restaurant thing. I don’t know why, but it reminded me of the backstory behind The Menu.

There’s only one episode left in this season of Rick and Morty, and I doubt I will remember this adventure with Morty Junior for long. But I don’t have to; it was just a fun callback to the early days of the series.

I Give “Morty Daddy” a 3/5

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Rick and Morty S8 Ep 8 Review

The Citadel of Ricks might be gone, but the concept of multiversal variants of the Smith-Sanchez family interacting lives on. I’ve actually been wanting to see different versions of the family follow in Rick’s footsteps and build their own organizations and alliances. Imagine my surprise when this season’s eighth episode not only granted my wish, but it did it with the main cast’s most normal character: Jerry Smith. This entire episode is a Jerry episode, and I loved it!

Jerry and…Another Jerry

The episode seemingly starts off on a normal morning in the Smith-Sanchez home. Everyone’s going about their day while Jerry’s eating some cereal. The only difference is that he has some stubble, but that could be chalked up to him not shaving yet. As the teaser reveals, though, this isn’t our Jerry.

After cornering this other Jerry, our Jerry learns that this variant of himself, nicknamed “Mooch,” is a Jerry who left his home dimension to travel the multiverse. As it turns out, other Jerries have learned how to use cracks and ratlines that they’ve dubbed “The Road” to travel across the multiverse. Since Jerry is usually beneath notice, their families have remained none the wiser! And at the encouragement of Mooch, Jerry decides to join him on The Road for a while.

Jerry on the Road

It wasn’t until I read a review on Bubbleblabber that I realized that this was the third episode of the season that didn’t focus on our main Rick and Morty. Instead, it focused on the supporting cast; in this case, Jerry, a character that wasn’t even present until the season’s fourth episode. As a result, this episode feels like a culmination of what Jerry’s capable of doing because he can fly under the radar.

His counterparts have figured out their own clever way of traveling the multiverse without attracting Rick’s attention, and his family remains none the wiser. It gets to the point where Jerry’s like Mooch opt to never return home, choosing to live a life on The Road. There’s always been a bit of romanticism about living life as a wanderer, and this episode feels like an attempt to tap into that. In the end, though, Jerry is still Jerry, and that means the universe is going to throw him a curveball.

After missing their main stop back, Jerry and Mooch have to travel to Grand Central, a dimension that acts as a hub for Jerries traveling on The Road. Unfortunately, our Jerry, emboldened by his experiences, mouths off to Boss Jerry, and he blacklists them from The Road altogether. Then to top it off, Jerry reveals the reason why he’s living on The Road: he got lost and by the time he got back, he thought his family hadn’t noticed or cared. His Beth had even remarried some random guy from the Jerryboree Day-Care!

Jerry Might be the Best Jerry

This is where our Jerry steps up and starts to show his character growth, calling Mooch out for being a spineless wuss. His experiences since joining his current Smith family have helped him grow a spine. Case in point, he forces Mooch to return home and reconcile with his family, who, as it turns out, had been worried about him. As an aside, the reveal that everyone in Mooch’s home dimension has five o’clock shadow was funny.

In the end, Jerry and Mooch make it back to Grand Central and lead Boss Jerry and his flunkies on a chase across The Road that ends with Boss Jerry either dead or trapped between dimensions. Mooch seems ready to return to his family while The Road is now free for all Jerries, and Jerry returns to his family. And much like with Mooch, the Smith-Sanchez family was worried about him, showing how they truly value him.

However, it looks like Rick now knows about The Road, but likely won’t do anything about it. And we got to see more of the show’s potential to use the multiverse for having characters interact with each other. And Jerry got to see who he could’ve been like if he hadn’t gotten his character growth. I guess him and Beth getting divorced for a while was the best thing that could’ve happened to him.

I Give “Nomortland” a 4/5

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Rick and Morty S8 Ep 7 Review

Sometimes, the stars just seem to align for a TV show, enabling it to be incredibly relevant to current events. South Park is notorious for covering events as recent as the last few days thanks to its six-day turnaround, but they’re not the only ones to do that. With James Gunn’s Superman film set to release later this week (I have my tickets), the world is focused on the return of the Man of Steel. So what does Rick and Morty do? They have a laugh at the expense of the Gunn, AI scripts, and toxic fans all at once.

It’s no secret that Rick Sanchez can be a pretty toxic person, but now we can say that toxicity extends to being a fan of long-running franchises. After hating the latest entry in the fictional Velocitree film franchise, Rick gets so mad he decides to take matters up with the director, James Gunn himself. Then, because he thinks he can do better, he swipes the script for the next film so he can do things his way. That way, of course, involving him building a machine that can help him come up with the perfect film. This inevitably backfires on him when he and Morty get sucked into the film before they come up with an ending, forcing them to take part in the film itself.

AI, TOXIC FANS, and A Gunn, Oh My!

There is a lot about this episode that makes it incredibly relevant to the times that we are living in, and thus making it brilliant. Firstly, there’s how the episode represents the fans of long-running franchises. On the one hand, we have Jerry, the casual fan who will enjoy whatever is put in front of him. On the other hand, we have Rick and Morty representing the long-term fans who have been with a franchise for years, even decades. These days, more and more hardcore fans of franchises like Star Wars and the MCU are growing disillusioned with the way the IPs are being run. They can’t stand to see that which they love be turned into something they hate. This isn’t a recent phenomenon either. When the Star Wars Prequels released, the OG fans hated them, especially for characters such as Jar Jar. In this case, the Velocitree has their own Jar Jar in the form of the comic relief robo-tree Tannebaum, who Rick initially despises.

Secondly, there is the way the episode addresses the toxic fans themselves. Many fans are like Rick: when they see their favorite franchise in the toilet, they think that they can do better. I myself have often wondered if I could’ve done the Star Wars Sequels better than what Abrams and Johnson did. However, the events of the episode force Rick to acknowledge that just because you think you can do better doesn’t mean you can do better. His and Morty’s attempts to get the film back on track only make things worse, and by the time they hit the climax, they’ve got both heroes and villains out to get them. The only reason they manage to make it out at all is because they have to rely on Jerry’s help. Rick had previously disparaged Jerry for not being “a real fan,” and thinking he’d do a terrible job. Yet for all his talk, it’s Jerry’s slapped-together ideas that bring the film to a successful conclusion.

Lastly, there is the fact that this episode makes a jab at the concept of AI-scripts. AI like ChatGPT has gone mainstream lately, and people think that by using it, they can become great writers. As this episode proves, though, AI writing isn’t going to be any better than what humans come up with. If you want my opinion, the best option we’ve got is to find a way to work in tandem with AI rather than let it do everything for us. Otherwise, storytellers like James Gunn will be out of a job.

James Gunn Played Himself!

Speaking of James Gunn, this episode is especially noteworthy for the two guest appearances: James Gunn and Zach Snyder. The staff of Rick and Morty managed to talk both directors into guest-starring as themselves in the episodes. Granted, Snyder’s only in one scene that has him poke fun at the differences between his version of Superman and Gunn’s, but it’s all in good humor. Gunn, on the other hand, winds up serving as the overarching villain of the episode, as he doesn’t want Rick and Morty to succeed, since that will put him out of a job. Yet, in the end, they managed to do just that, though Gunn thinks he got the last laugh by getting the completed script. Unfortunately, it just puts him out of a job…and out of life.

I’ve been a big fan of James Gunn since the original Guardians of the Galaxy, and I think that his decision to reboot the DC films is a good one. So much so that I’ve already bought my tickets to see Superman later this week. Needless to say, I think the timing on this episode couldn’t have been better. Here’s hoping that when I get back, I will have something worthwhile to write about, as well as a cool popcorn bucket to sell.

I Give “Ricker than Fiction” a 4/5

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Rick and Morty Season 8 Ep 2 Review

Rick and Space Beth have never had the best relationship, have they? From Rick planting a potential bomb in her to deliberately ensuring neither he nor Earth Beth know which is the clone, Space Beth has every reason to hate her dad. This is something that Rick is all too aware of, but unlike the rest of his family, he hasn’t tried to fix things. It isn’t until Space Beth is forced into asking him for help that the two make any headway. And even then, it’s set against the much greater threat of a rogue Federation scientist and alien parasites. The bugs are back at it again!

Rick Gets Space Beth Fired

Despite her becoming an important side character in the show, Rick and Morty never really focuses on what Space Beth has been up to since she left Earth. The most we know is that she’s part of a greater rebellion against the Gromflomite-led Federation. It isn’t until this episode that we get to see what this rebellion is like, and it’s not that flattering. The show makes it clear it’s what the Rebel Alliance was like until Rogue One had them get their act together: arguing amongst themselves rather than fighting. And when Space Beth goes rogue to conduct an unauthorized assassination that fails, forcing her to turn to Rick for help, they’re happy to kick her out.

To be fair, it’s pretty much shown that they only did that because Rick talked down to them, so it’s more or less his fault.

As Rick and Space Beth have to work together throughout this episode, we see just how Space Beth’s concerns about asking her Dad for help were justified. His follow-up attempt to fix things and uncover the conspiracy taking place leads to them relying on someone that never shows up and getting involved in a massive shootout. The fact that said shootout is juxtaposed against Rick and Space Beth arguing over how Rick’s plan could go wrong is the icing on the comedic cake. It also serves to emphasize just how tense the father and daughter’s relationship is, and to great effect.

These sorts of conflicts between parent and child are not new, but they are still interesting to watch. Seeing Rick stumble in trying to prove himself to his daughter is never not going to be enjoyable, since Beth is one of the few things that keeps him grounded. And as the episode goes on and the two fight the rogue Federation scientist using symbiotic parasites to create super-soldiers, the pair seem to achieve a deeper level of respect for each other. Given that it’s Rick and Morty, whether this will stick is up for debate. But it can’t be any less likely than the truce with the Federation.

The Federation Actually Helps them?

In the biggest twist of the episode, Rick and Space Beth end up calling a truce with a Federation General who’s just as unhappy about what’s happening as they are. As a result, the two groups wind up cooperating to defeat their common enemy, and the General proves to be rather competent. Even crazier, though, is that instead of returning to their usual fighting, the rebellion and Federation keep the truce going! They might actually have peace!

The Gromflomites have been the longest recurring antagonists in Rick and Morty, going all the way back to the pilot. They were responsible for some of the best episodes in the entire series. If this truce sticks, this could seriously affect the status quo of the entire show. Then again, it is Rick and Morty, so nothing is certain.

This episode felt like a notable improvement over the season premiere, helping to keep the show fresh as it enters such a late time in its run. Even more notable, though, is how this episode is the first to not feature Morty in any capacity. Given how the series previously did an episode without Rick, this feels appropriate.

I Give “Valkyrick” a 3.8/5

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Speculation on how the Avatar Having a Twin could Affect Seven Havens

With the announcement that Avatar would be getting another animated series, the fandom is freaking out. The beloved franchise from Nickelodeon has just reached its 20th anniversary, and it’s clear Nick and Paramount aim to make the most of it. Once people read the actual synopsis, though, they were left divided. According to the premise, the world has been rocked by a great cataclysm. Civilization seems to only survive in a handful of locations. And worst of all, the Avatar is now considered a destroyer rather than savior of humanity. However, there was another key detail mentioned that needs to be addressed: this time around, the Avatar is going to have a sibling. Not just any sibling, but their long-lost twin sister!

You can already tell how awkward this could end up being. However, you can also tell just how interesting this could make things.

An Avatar with a Sibling?

It should be noted that this is not the first time in history that an Avatar has been born with a sibling. As revealed in the book The Reckoning of Roku, Avatar Roku had a twin brother named Yasu. However, Yasu would tragically drown at the age of twelve, four years before Roku would learn he was the Avatar. While his death would deeply affect Roku and their friend, Sozin, it also means we’ll never know how he would have reacted to his twin brother being the Avatar.

For all intents and purposes, Seven Havens will be the first time we’ll see an Avatar know they’re the Avatar and have a sibling who also knows it. And that could lead to a very complex relationship between the two.

Consider how it would feel to know that your brother or sister is the next Avatar. On the one hand, you would likely feel proud to have them as a sibling. In most eras, the Avatar is the most respected figure in the world, trusted of humans and many of the spirits. They’re often one of, if not the most, powerful people alive. At the same time, though, one cannot help but think that having the Avatar as your sibling could be a problem. They would likely overshadow everything you do, forcing you to live in their shadow, and watch as everyone would consider you an afterthought. Anyone who has a super-successful sibling can understand how frustrating that can feel.

Seven Havens Looks to be a Post-Apocalyptic World

All of that is during a good time. As previously stated, Seven Havens takes place in a time when people hate the Avatar. Now imagine meeting a twin sister that you likely had no idea existed. That sister could have lived a life and experiences that are different from what you know. Now add in the possibility that you’re not a bender, much like how Sokka wasn’t while Katara was. Bending isn’t always genetic, after all. And, for the cherry on top, you learn this long-lost sibling is the reincarnation of the being people now hate.

When you consider all these factors, your relationship is going to be complex from the get go. These two siblings are likely going to have to put in a lot of work if they want to get on the same page.

How Will the New Avatar’s Sibling React to, well…you know?

While Seven Havens will mark the first time an Avatar will have a sibling who plays an active role in their lives, thankfully, it won’t be the first time Avatar has shown us complicated sibling dynamics. Arguably, the best example of how things can get comes from the relationship between Aang and Katara’s kids. While Aang obviously loved all of them dearly, it was inevitable that he would spend more time with Tenzin. He was the only other Airbender in the world, so Aang had to pass down everything about the Air Nomads to him. Bumi, in particular, seemed to take not being a bender at all pretty hard, making him feel like he had to prove he wasn’t a disappointment to his Dad. Thankfully, they worked things out in the end.

It’s hard being part of a family. It can get even harder when your sibling is misunderstood as a threat to others. Which is why I think giving the next Avatar a twin sister will make for an interesting story. Will these two long-lost siblings be able to find common ground. Will they be able to work together to help the world? Or will they wind up being at odds for one reason or another? The potential for this new series is both exciting and concerning, which is why I’m looking forward to seeing Seven Havens. Here’s hoping we learn more about it in the coming months!

A Fan’s Look back on Avatar: the Last Airbender on its 20th Anniversary

It was November, 2004, and ten-year-old me was going to the movies with my family. We were going to see The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie together, and I was beyond excited. SpongeBob was my all-time favorite cartoon and my hero, and I was getting to see his movie! We got our snacks, sat, and waited for the previews to finish so the film could start. That was when a preview for a show that wasn’t out yet flashed across our screens. It’s name was Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I didn’t think too much of it at the time. After all, I was too excited to see SpongeBob on the big screen. Little did I realize it, but that one preview of Avatar would be my introduction to what would be the best cartoon of my childhood.

Slowly Gaining an Interest in Avatar

Over the next three months, Nickelodeon would slowly ramp up its promotion for this new show called Avatar. Their entire channel became inundated with commercials explaining what Avatar would be about. How it took place in this fantastical world filled with strange animals and people who could wield the elements. That there was an entire nation bent on conquering everyone. And that the only person who could hope to stop them was a kid who spent the last hundred years frozen in ice.

Emphasis on the kid part, as several ads repeatedly mentioned his age.

One of the Best Nights of My Life

I don’t know when it started to pique my interest, but sometime during those three months, I had gone from shrugging my shoulders at this funny-looking show (how was I supposed to know it was based on anime? I didn’t even know what that was yet) to wanting to see what it was like. So, fast forward to Monday, February 21st, 2005, the premiere day. I just got out of school for the day (probably did my homework), turned on the TV, and went to Nickelodeon to watch their programming block U-Pick Live. My sister eventually joined me, and together, we waited as U-Pick Live counted down to the premiere of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

I remain thankful that my curiosity compelled me to watch the premiere, because it became one of the best nights of my life.

An Incredible Three Years Ahead

Saying that the first two episodes of Avatar blew me away would be an understatement. I was utterly floored by what I saw! There was the whole premise of this fantasy world ravaged by a century of war. The way it balanced the profound moments with a goofy sense of humor. And above all, there were the characters, most of whom were only a few years older than me. The fact that Aang was only two years older than me, had this enormous responsibility he never asked for, but was also this goofy kid who just wanted to have fun really resonated with me. He was like the cool friend I always wanted, and I quickly became attached to him! Though, honestly, I grew attached to all of the characters.

I spent the next three years devotedly watching Avatar and saw almost every episode. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined a cartoon on Nickelodeon could tell such a compelling story. The best part is that as I grew older, I began to understand the complex themes behind the story. While it wasn’t unheard of for kids’ shows to focus on important themes and morals to impart them to viewers, Avatar was different. It was willing to dive into topics its peers rarely ever did. From the cost of war to the effects of discrimination and abusive parenting, this kid’s cartoon was pretty mature! And like a fine wine, it’s only seemed to get better with age!

Avatar is as Good as I Remember

To this day, the night the series finale came out is among the best nights of my life. That’s how significant an impact this show had on me! And while the creators could have decided to call it a day after that, they didn’t. Instead of being a one-hit wonder, Avatar would spawn a franchise consisting of novels, comics, a sequel series, and another sequel series coming in the near future! And thanks to the pandemic keeping everyone stuck at home for a year, Avatar experienced a renaissance in popularity at the start of the decade.

And now, it’s more than twenty years old. Man, how time flies! But no matter how old it may get, Avatar was, is, and always will be one of the greatest shows ever created. And I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without it during those pivotal years of my childhood.

My Adventures With Superman S2 Ep 10 Review

Whenever a new episode of My Adventures With Superman comes out, I don’t just review it. I also make reactions to them, and to help with that, I watch them the morning after for the best reaction. However, my excitement for the season finale proved to be so great that I had to watch it live at midnight last night. And I was not disappointed. With Brainiac poised to destroy the Earth and Task Force X proving useless, not even Superman can handle this alone! Thankfully, he’s not alone, and has never been alone. Not only does he have the people he inspires fighting alongside him, he’s also got his cousin Kara. Thanks to him and his friends, Kara finally finds the strength to stand up to Brainiac, and it is glorious! The legend of Supergirl starts now!!

No OP is Serious Business

Firstly, I have to give props to the episode for eschewing the normal opening. When that thing happens in an anime, that’s a sign that something so big is about to happen that the studio doesn’t want to waste time. And with Brainiac ready to destroy Earth to spite Superman, it’s as big as it could get!

Credit Where its Due, Waller

Secondly, I especially liked how the show reminds us how small and pathetic Amanda Waller and her efforts really are. She thought Task Force X was ready for someone like Brainiac, but she had no clue how in over her head she was. Her minions get thrashed, the Metallo’s turn on her, and Luthor flat-out bails. In all fairness, though, she doesn’t give up and stands her ground. Say what you want, but Waller is willing to put her money where her mouth is.

Thankfully, General Lane shows up with the most unexpected cavalry.

The Cavalry Has Arrived!

The show doesn’t make it clear, but it’s implied that while he was off the grid, Lois’ dad made some real efforts to get ready for the threat that is Brainiac. And unlike Waller, he was willing to overcome his trauma to see that Superman was not their enemy. Thats some good character development! Granted, the episode doesn’t give us the moment when father and daughter reunite, but it’s implied they work things out. Good for them both. But in the more immediate

Moment, General Lane rallies not just Dr. Irons, but Intergang to help Superman fight off Brainac’s army, and that second fact made me smile. I knew that Intergang had some good in them, even if they did it for their own survival.

Brainiac is Just an AI With an Existential Crisis!

As for Brainiac, the finale further cemented how evil, petty, and disgusting Brainiac truly is. First, they flat-out take control of Kara’s mind and order her to kill Superman. Then, just to twist the knife further, they reveal that this unseen enemy that the Kryptonians were fighting weren’t the ones that destroyed them. They were losing so badly that Superman’s father had worked on a cease-fire to save them, but Brainiac wouldn’t have that. Furious at the thought of their purpose as a war AI becoming meaningless, Brainiac destroyed Krypton out of spite. Brainiac’s entire motivation boils down to them having an existential crisis and taking it out on their creators!

I’ve seen other versions of Brainiac destroy Krypton before, but this was just the pettiest thing. In hindsight, Brainiac is an ever worse version of Amanda Waller and General Lane before he had his epiphany. They each were so stuck in their ways that they couldn’t consider the notion that they might be wrong or that there be another path! And while General Lane was tempered by his morality, Waller was willing to sacrifice her own people to defeat this threat, just like Brainiac did with Krypton.

Thankfully, Superman manages to get the ball rolling on stopping Brainiac by getting through to Kara.

I didn’t think I would enjoy Kara’s storyline as much as I have throughout this season, but I am so glad the show took this approach. If you’ve read my reviews for shows like Amphibia and The Owl House, you know how I despise abusive parents on principle! Which is why seeing kids stand up to an abusive parent feels so cathartic. And the moment when Kara, with the support of her family and the good memories she’s formed with Jimmy and Lois, Kara finally stands up to Brainiac. She’s no longer his weapon; she’s Supergirl!

Supergirl, Your Legend Begins Now!!!

I was practically giddy with excitement at the final battle near the surface of the Sun as Superman and Kara, now clad in her famous Supergirl costume, waste Brainiac. And, to make the moment even sweeter, the universe gives Supergirl, the one who suffered the most at Brainiac’s hands, the honor of delivering the final blow. The hateful legacy of Krypton is left to burn to ashes in the fires of the Sun as Kara passes out from kryptonite exposure, listening to the cheers of Earth. She earned this.

I wouldn’t put it past Brainiac to somehow return, but I honestly don’t think that the writers should do that. Their time may have been brief, but the MAWS Brainiac served their purpose. Also, I wanted to point out that if Brainiac was so brilliant, why did they try to kill Superman and Supergirl by throwing them into the Sun? When Kryptonians soak up solar energy that close, they become gods in all but name.

All is Right With the World, Thanks to Superman and Supergirl

The episode ends a few weeks later. After Kara awakens from her slumber, she finds herself at the Kent farm, Jimmy and Lois waiting for her and Clark and his parents ready to welcome her to their family. Seeing the two cousins play catch together is simple, but so heartwarming. For the first time ever, Kara finally has a home. And even though the show doesn’t make it clear if she and Jimmy are dating, I still hope to see it happen! They are perfect for each other!

As for the rest of Earth, life goes on. General Lane likely got his name cleared, giving him the chance to make things right with Lois. As for Waller, all her heinous and illegal actions have caught up to her, as she’s now a criminal and a fugitive. And I don’t feel too bad for her; she brought this on herself with her stubbornness and self-righteousness.

Too bad Lex and Deathstroke have dodged the law by making Lexcorp its own entity. Thus, it looks like Luthor is poised to take his place as Superman’s greatest enemy.

On one final note, Clark and Lois manage to talk things out like they should have from the start. They will no doubt go through some more rough patches, but there’s no denying that they’re meant to be together. And while I’m happy to see Clark support Lois if she wanted to move to Gotham, I was even happier seeing her turn it down. And all is right with the world.

This Would’ve Been a Perfect Finale

Honestly, this finale felt a lot like a series finale with how it wrapped things up. And in a way, it is. It’s wrapping up the storyline that’s been told since the series premiere, but it also leaves the door open for new stories to be told. Thankfully, we know that the show is getting another season, so we’ll see more of MAWS. Until then, though, I will continue to wait and appreciate this version of the characters. Welcome to Earth, Supergirl!

I Give “My Adventures With Supergirl” a 5/5

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Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special

I think Valentine’s Day is overrated. Growing up, it was (and still is) giving people you care about cards and candy. But you shouldn’t need a single day of the year to do something like that; you should try to show affection every day. And everyone makes such a big deal over getting a Valentine, like it’s the end of the world if you don’t. My favorite Valentine’s Day Special is “Ed Edd n’ Eddy’s Hanky Panky Hullabaloo.” Seeing Rolf snapping everyone out of the holiday-induced madness is fantastic! However, the Solar Opposites Valentine’s Day Special might be a close second.

Number three is the Spongebob special.

War on Valentine’s Day

The premise of the special is simple on paper: the Solar Opposites keep going to a restaurant to get their favorite dish, only to forget that it’s Valentine’s Day. That means a holiday-themed menu, which everyone (except Jesse) gets upset about. Their ultimate solution: eliminate love, and thus Valentine’s Day, from Earth altogether. 

This is the sort of thing that fans of Solar Opposites have come to expect from the series, and it doesn’t disappoint. The fact that they’re willing to get rid of love over the pettiest of reasons is enough to leave viewers in stitches. Their scheme of hitting the planet with an anti-love ray is taking the Valentine’s Day hate to its logical extreme. 

The special only gets stranger as things don’t pan out the way everyone expects. Instead of everyone being filled with hate or depressed or even apathetic, they do something weirder. Everyone starts drinking margaritas from tikis, listening to Jimmy Buffett, and buying parrots. It’s the kind of out-of-left-field result we should expect from Solar Opposites, but it is still unexpected and hilarious. That’s not even including the fact that the parrots later rise to overthrow humanity. 

It’s the kind of crazy, irreverent stuff we’ve come to expect from Solar Opposites, especially with its holiday specials. The difference is that this special ends in a way that will affect the status quo for Season Five. No spoilers, though!

Happy Valentine’s Day (or Not)

So, the big question is whether this special loves or hates Valentine’s Day? The answer is both. Like the other Solar Opposites specials, it makes fun of the holiday and everything that goes into it. At the same time, it doesn’t say that the holiday’s worthless, and I would have to agree. I may not be that big into Valentine’s Day, and I think it does put unecessary pressure on people to find romance. But there are other kinds of love, and ultimately, the other Solar Opposites come to see the value in the holiday. Plus, the end does include a tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett. 

So, whether you love the day or don’t care about, Happy Valentine’s Day!

“An Earth Shatteringly Romantic Solar Valentine’s Day Opposites Special” a 4.5/5

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