She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Season One Review (SPOILERS)

When I first heard there would be a reboot of She-Ra, I was excited as I always felt it needed to come back. I don't like using the word 'iconic' but She-Ra has so much potential as a eternal franchise. When thinking of a reboot, I thought it would be impossible to not include He-Man as he was essential in making Adora into She-Ra but this new Netflix animated series proved me wrong. She is a clear hero for not only little girls but everyone. While the series has been applauded for sticking to the main plot, keeping the character names and colors, its been criticized for re-threading themes and morals from Steven Universe and the Legend of Korra. I for one like it and don't think its a weakness. Where I see the weakness is the plotting seems lost in the big scheme of things. Even though it tells an overall arc, the story pacing seem a bit off. Some episodes take a break from the overall arc. But it is emotional in its core. It seems to fall in same preoccupation as the original focusing too much on its core cast (She-Ra, Bow and Glimmer) than its expanding one.

1. "The Sword" Part 1

Synopsis: Adora has been appointed Force Captain by the Horde and on a joyride with Catra stumbles upon an intriguing sword and meets Glimmer and Bow who enlightening her on the crimes of the Horde upon Etheria. 

Review: A good opener in establishing mood and keeping names of locations such as the Whispering Woods and Fright Zone. This series does what the original did not--have Adora and Catra have an emotional tie and ethical conflict and have the Rebellion not right away trust Adora.

2. "The Sword" Part 2

Synopsis: Glimmer and Bow enter a First One Temple with Adora and finally let her have the Sword of Protection to fight as She-Ra.

Review: A bit jumbled as Glimmer obviously has to give the sword back to Adora to become She-Ra but seems a change of heart seems more like a Heel-Face Turn. 

 

3. "Razz"

Synopsis: Adora looks for help with her sword and finds it in hermit Madam Razz.
Review: Razz was an original Filmation creation and the equivalent of Orco from He-Man, in an old Jewish woman caricature. She was part of the Great Rebellion in the original. Here she seems to be loosing it. She still carries around Broom but he doesn't talk. Lookie could be imaginary but fans say he is an easter egg. A jumbled episode where Razz takes a while to appear. Also, she calls She-Ra Mara, which is the name of He-Man's female friend in the forgotten New Adventures of He-Man from the 90's. 

 4. "Flowers for She-Ra"

Synopsis: In the "Princess of the Week" motif, the trio find themselves in Plumeria to get Princess Perfuma to join the Princess Alliance but she wants peace for her people and doesn't want to get involved.

Review: Here we get to the hippies that don't want to do things for themselves and also echo religious fanatics "Let destiny (or God) take care of it. Bless the good and punish the wicked." A good episode even though i felt too quickly for Perfuma to find her powers are better at kicking ass than just how she says it, making flowers. 

5. "Seagate"

Synopsis: The trio must get a boat captain Seahawk to take them to Mermista and she needs help in fixing the seagate.

Review: Feels like 2 episodes but well crafted. Even though I don't like Mermista's "millianal" accents, I do like the episode. Plus with now Seahawk and Mermista's romantic 'will-they or won't they" dynamic. In the original, Seahawk was linked to Adora. Even though I thought Seahawk was first gay by his new design, it works great he loves Mermista. 

6. "System Failure"

Synopsis: The gang arrive at the castle of Entrapta where she taps into First One tech that gives a virus to her robots and technology.

Review: I love how Bow can inspire people. Everyone is liking Entrapta and I am too, she is a neutral where she enjoys company more of technology than humans. She is not too concern about good and evil, she is more of an observer. Her servants are interesting even though we don't see them later on.

6. "In the Shadows of Mystacor" 

Synopsis: The series takes a break on meeting princesses and meets Glimmer's aunt Castaspella and Shadow Weaver attacks Adora but the others don't believe her.

Review: Castaspella was not Glimmer's aunt in the original and was part of the Great Rebellion. She was part of the opening sequence but somehow she isn't part of the Princess Alliance in this one. I have no problem with it, I just find it strange. I like her new outfit but miss the red hair. Being a fan of Castaspella, I hope she will still serve as an adviser as she did in the original. Given she is voiced by legendary Sandra Oh, I'm hoping she appears more. Shadow Weaver and Castaspella were  connected in the original too. 

8. "Princess Prom"

Synopsis: The gang are invited to Frosta's palace where all princesses are invited, including Scorpia. Catra is her plus one and Adora suspects her of no good.
Review: This is where the series shines. Juggling multiple characters and keeping the audience guessing on what Catra's plan is. Scorpia is given a happy characterization here compared to her dumbness in the original. I like they used her but puzzled why other villains Leech, Grizzor and Mantana have been left on the wayside. 

9. "No Princess Left Behind"

Synopsis: When Glimmer and Bow are kidnapped, the Princess Alliance helps Adora save the from the Horde. 

Review: A lovely blend of comedy, heart and action. The cast really melds well and its exciting to see characters never put together before work together. Devastating what happens next and the irony of the title...

10. "The Beacon"

Synopsis: Everyone blames themselves for Entrapta's loss, but they're wrong about what happened. Glimmer tries to hide the glitches in her powers from her mom.

Review: They don't even try to contact Entrapta or try to find out if she really died or not. It didn't even look like she did die. Anyway, a good episode on the bad guys side as Catra manipulates Entrapta. Also some good scenes between Glimmer and Angela.

 11. "Promise"

Synopsis: Adora enters the First Ones citadel with Catra on her tail. Inside, they're caught in an illusion simulator that brings back painful memories.

Review: Critics have applauded this episode as it only focuses on Adora and Catra. Noelle Stevenson says this episode was inspired by an old one where She-Ra and Catra are first sent alone to a strange land but where she thought it would go it didn't and this one does. 

12. "Light Hope"

Synopsis: Swift Wind comes to Bright Moon, Entrapta decrypts the First Ones data crystal, and Light Hope tells Adora about the history of She-Ra and Etheria.

Review: Why didn't Swift Wind talk before?! Does this happen because of Razz? And why didn't they use Swift Wind to fly to some of their destinations? Especially Mysticor?! Anyway, this episode does a good leeway to the next and explains a lot of the lore. She-Ra, like He-Man in the original, is a mantel worn by many and wielded in many ways. She-Ra in the original was not displayed as such. Also I like the subtle touch that Light Hope is now female. 

 13. "Battle of Bright Moon"

Synopsis: The Black Garnet is sucking the energy from the entire planet and the other stones. Catra takes her forces to attack Bright Moon and the Princess Alliance must come together. 

Review: Good build up and great battle between Catra and She-Ra. Also great action. Also the ending is satisfying. I hope the villains get more focus in season two (I'm confident even though no official statement has been released!). 

It: Chapter One and Chapter Two Cast Conparisions

I loved the first chapter and even though the first didn't have the adults, the second is said to have the young versions in it as flashbacks. 

Jaeden Lieberher and James McAvoy as Bill

They don't really look a like and I guess James will be doing an American accent. But basically Bill stays a cute lean nerd. James McAvoy is best known for Split and X-Men: First Class.

Sophia Lillis and Jessica Chastain as Beverly

Perfect casting in that her name came out in conversation in who to cast. Jesica Chastain is best known for Jurassic World.

Finn Wolfhard and Bill Hader as Richie

Perfect casting as Richie is a smartmouth snarker and they do kinda look a like. Bill Hader is best known for the Skeleton Twins, SNL, Cloudy with a chance of meatballs and Power Rangers.

Chosen Jacobs and Isaiah Mustafa as Mike

Mike is important in the book but didn't get much focus in the first movie. Isaiah Mustafa is known for Shadowhunters and those Old Spice commercials. He doesn't look much like Chosen but oh well. 

Wyatt Oleff and Andy Bean as Stan

More or less look a like. Stan is the token Jew. If you already read the book or saw the original, you'd already know what happens to Stan. Andy Bean has been in Allegiant. 

Jay Ryan and Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben

Well since Ben is supposed to be chubby as a kid and hunk years later, it is obvious they don't have to look that much a like. Jay Ryan is New Zealand-Australian, he has been in Neighbours and CW Beauty and the Beast.

Jack Dylan Grazer and James Ranzone as Eddie

Perfect casting they do look a like. Ranzone was on The Wire.

Teach Grant and Nicholas Hamilton as Henry

Henry seemed to die in the first movie but they cast Nicholas Hamilton in the second so let's see what happens. They don't look a like but what can you do? Teach Grant is from Canada while Nicholas Hamilton is from Australia. 

Rainbow Brite Early Designs

 No surprise I have love Rainbow Brite, it is now nearing 34 anniversary of Rainbow Brite. The designs were designed initially by G.G. Santiago. These pictures from Hallmark's facebook page. 

Here are the final designs. Top (Left to Right): Red Butler, La La Orange, Yellow Canary, Patty O'Green, Buddy Blue, Indigo and Shy Violet. Bottom (L-R): Moonglow, Stormy, Rainbow Brite, and Tickled Pink.

Rainbow Brite

Here are primilary designs by G.G. Santiago of Rainbow Brite. The last one is closer to the final design which Hallmark asked to ditch the pigtails and the space helmet. 

Scarlet Rose

Before Red Butler, there was female red Color Kid. Apparently she was a congo girl and then a musical cowgirl. They then decided she should be a boy and renamed Red Butler.

La La Orange

La La Orange's final hair color was brown and not orange. Here one is closer to her final hair color and the other was orange. 

Canary Yellow

She stayed a dancer in the end.

Patty O' Green

Her hair stayed about the same but her outfit changed. 

Luna Blue

Before Buddy Blue, there was Luna Blue. I like both designs. One looks very much like Rainbow Brite and La La Orange's final designs. The other looks a little like a ballerina like Canary Yellow turned out to be. She was later changed to the male sporty Buddy Blue. 

Shy Violet

It seems Shy Violet always had glasses and her outfits always seemed awkward. 

Indigo

She always was African-American it seems but her costume seem more purple than Indigo. 

Tickled Pink

She seemed to have both pigtails but her costume was more ballerina like. 

Baby Brite

The early design is left and the final is right. I kind of like the early design. Baby Brite only appeared in the "Beginning of Rainbowland" and she was mostly remembered as a toy. 

Stormy

Stormy's final design had purple and green and blue but this early design seemed mostly purple and had interesting hairstyle. 

Twink

Renamed as Twinkle because of the gay adoption of the name as slang for a young-looking man, Twink had a strange design that had butterfly wings, kid socks and a button nose. 

Neon Kid

Okay that is not her real name but this was a design for a unreleased Color Kid. I guess this was the next step. But the show and toyline was cancelled and didn't continue. I like the design but I always wished other colors got love like Fucshia, Periwinkle, and Chartreuse. Anyway I like her transparent jacket. It was almost the 90's and neon colors were the rage. 

Color Castle

I love the Color Castle design but I never knew it has seven towers having to do with the Color Kids. I always wanted a toy for it but they never made it. There was prototypes for a toy. 

Deadpool 2 Mutants Roll Call

While there was just three well-known mutants highlighted in Deadpool, it looks like FOX upped the anty with ore mutants. Not only X-Men this time but what looks like X-Force. Deadpool is determined to save a boy Russell from time-traveling Cable gets in the way. Everyone already knows Cable, son of Scott Summers from the comics so here are some more...

Domino

Domino (Zazie Beetz) has the power to change probability. It seems like a strange power at first but it's proven useful to Domino in combat, giving her unparalleled marksman abilities (She never misses) and helps her get out of most situations unharmed. In the comics, Domino is the result of a government breeding program like several others in the X-Men universe. After escaping the program, Domino became a mercenary, working with a group called Six Pack, until she eventually joins the X-Force. Deadpool 2 has changed her ethnicity, hence changing her well known eye makeup. 

Bedlam

Bedlam (Terry Crews--Brooklyn Nine-Nine) has bioelectric abilities that allow him to disrupt and affect electrical systems. He's also trained in hand-to-hand combat. Jesse Bedlam is one half of the X-Men comic's Bedlam brothers. After being orphaned, Jesse is separated from his brother Christopher, placed in a psychiatric hospital, and tortured. He is eventually rescued by Professor X and placed on a mutant task force called M.U.S.E. Later, Bedlam teams up with Domino to track down his brother, then joins Christopher's mutant team New Hellions, and finally switches to join the X-Force to stop Christopher from reviving Armageddon Man.

Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Yoiki/Surge (?)

The Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) we see in the first Deadpool movie is different than the one seen in the comics. In the movie, Negasonic works with Colossus, using her explosive powers to help Deadpool rescue Vanessa. In the comic books, Negasonic Teenage Warhead has telepathic powers and dies a lot. Negasonic can bee seen wearing X-Men gear in the trailer for the sequel. She is also seen accompanied by a pink hair mutant by the name of Yoiki (Shioli Kutsuna). It is said she is her girlfriend. She electrifies her metal chain in the trailer. Some sources say she is based on Surge, an obscure Japanese X-Men who manifests electricity-based powers.

https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-2-x-force-members-explained/

Shatterstar

Shatterstar (Lewis Tan) has superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability, healing, and more. He can also generate bioelectric shocks, which channels into objects, most often a sword he carries. This ability makes Shatterstar an especially powerful fighter. Shatterstar is a mutant created by bio-engineering in another dimension called Mojoworld, where he is an enslaved fighter. After escaping, Shatterstar tasks himself with defeating Mojo V, the ruler of Mojoworld. In his quest, he meets Cable and joins the X-Force after he is assured that the team will help him defeat Mojo.

Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgard--Pennywise from It and brother of Alexander Skarsgard) has the power to spit acidic vomit from his mouth, which can burn through any substance in the world. In the comics, Zeitgeist is a leader in the X-Force team. After becoming dissatisfied with the team, he plans a mission that will kill most of the members of the X-Force but it goes awry and Zeitgeist is eventually killed himself.

Russell/Firefist (?)

Footage showed that Russell (Julian Dennison) has pyrokinetic abilities, meaning he can control and create fire out of his hands. Some fans believe this kid could be Russell “Rusty” Collins, the mutant also known as Firefist. Other mutants were guessed to be but ultimately Firefist seems to be the closet character. 

Source:

https://mashable.com/2018/03/25/deadpool-2-x-force-mutants/#wbLVcnfjZZqY