sakurestu

This episode was the worst in the series so far, no question. Set-up episodes are key for character development, and this one completely misses the mark.

The Netflix writer seems to miss the mark on understanding the characters entirely. Every nuance in their personalities is wiped away.

The dialogues are turned into preachy speeches, pushing progressivism in the most straightforward ways possible. The conversations are as straightforward and grounded as they can get.

First up, Dupli-Kate is giving Rex-Plode a lecture on workplace sexual language. Yes, you heard right - Rex-Plode, the colleague she had a fling with, at the workplace. It turns out she's doing this while being involved with Immortal, her thousand-year-old boss. The contradiction would seem odd to anyone, but the show presents it as completely justified.

Then there's Atom Eve's dad questioning the ethics of using her powers for personal gain. This could have been interesting if it didn't turn into yet another lecture challenging the traditional role of the male provider in the family.

Moving on to Debbie, she witnesses the abuse of a caricature of an evil man on his wife, focusing on the authority of the breadwinner over their partner.

Her response is a blunt "She's not your pet," an obvious parallel to her relationship with Nolan.

Then comes the dramatic meltdown on a closet door, a cliché symbol of her husband's absence, accompanied by pathetic swearing. It makes you wonder why they hired such a great voice actor for such uninspired dialogue.

I won't delve into Mark trying "not to be his father," as repeatedly stated in straightforward and sloppy writing. I'll just mention a couple of quotes: "-At least he follows orders, -gasp."

Also, Amber undergoes a complete shift to a bland, kind character who constantly emphasizes her volunteer work with phrases like: "Local politics might not be as exciting as flying around in tights, but that doesn't mean you're the only one saving the world."