[6.4/10] I understand, deep down, that most cartoons exist to sell toys, t-shirts, and other assorted gougables. But sometimes it’s just so obvious what’s driving what that it’s a little embarrassing. I’m not a big fan of The Pack to begin with, and I’m especially skeptical when you have an episode like this one, that seems designed to coincide with a new line of Pack-based action figures than anything truly germane to the ongoing stories of Gargoyles.
But honestly, I appreciate the writers here, who do their best to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. The Pack working with “Hyena” again doesn't really make sense, nor do their very different new looks. But the show does a good job making it seem like they've chosen from Xanatos’s buffet of technological interests and just ade different selections. They even make Dingo skeptical of what the others have chosen, in a way that gives the choices a little more force.
There’s even a semi-emotional storyline here, with Goliath taking a tough hit in an earlier fight and Hudson pressuring him to name a second in command in case something happens. The young trip jockey for position, something that becomes particularly acute when Goliath, Hudson,and Bronx are kidnapped. But eventually Brooklyn (who I’d assumed was the number two anyway) proves himself the best detective and strategist and leader of the group in Goliath’s absence, so he gets the nod. The support her receives from his friends and would-be rivals adds something of character to an otherwise big dumb epeiosde.
“Upgrade” is full of pointless, time-filling fights. For all the titular upgrades are supposed to make The Pack more formidable, we get the same rock ‘em sock ‘em action in the fight versus them we always do. There’s some minor spark from the fight being made akin to a chess game between Xanatos and Fox, and there’s some cool visuals to Goliath crushing “Hyena”’s head. But mostly, this is just one long fight without much to recommend it.
Overall, I feel for the writers here. They have to make the nonsensical make sense to sell toys, which is always an uphill climb, and are plainly doing their best But the material they’re given tgow rok with are too meager to make much beyond a filler episode here.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2021-07-17T18:08:24Z
[6.4/10] I understand, deep down, that most cartoons exist to sell toys, t-shirts, and other assorted gougables. But sometimes it’s just so obvious what’s driving what that it’s a little embarrassing. I’m not a big fan of The Pack to begin with, and I’m especially skeptical when you have an episode like this one, that seems designed to coincide with a new line of Pack-based action figures than anything truly germane to the ongoing stories of Gargoyles.
But honestly, I appreciate the writers here, who do their best to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. The Pack working with “Hyena” again doesn't really make sense, nor do their very different new looks. But the show does a good job making it seem like they've chosen from Xanatos’s buffet of technological interests and just ade different selections. They even make Dingo skeptical of what the others have chosen, in a way that gives the choices a little more force.
There’s even a semi-emotional storyline here, with Goliath taking a tough hit in an earlier fight and Hudson pressuring him to name a second in command in case something happens. The young trip jockey for position, something that becomes particularly acute when Goliath, Hudson,and Bronx are kidnapped. But eventually Brooklyn (who I’d assumed was the number two anyway) proves himself the best detective and strategist and leader of the group in Goliath’s absence, so he gets the nod. The support her receives from his friends and would-be rivals adds something of character to an otherwise big dumb epeiosde.
“Upgrade” is full of pointless, time-filling fights. For all the titular upgrades are supposed to make The Pack more formidable, we get the same rock ‘em sock ‘em action in the fight versus them we always do. There’s some minor spark from the fight being made akin to a chess game between Xanatos and Fox, and there’s some cool visuals to Goliath crushing “Hyena”’s head. But mostly, this is just one long fight without much to recommend it.
Overall, I feel for the writers here. They have to make the nonsensical make sense to sell toys, which is always an uphill climb, and are plainly doing their best But the material they’re given tgow rok with are too meager to make much beyond a filler episode here.