May 10, 2008
It doesn't have to be Halloween when the unexpected wears a mask.
Coming off of last week’s episode, I was floored by the "Uncertainty Principle." The lines in this episode were better; Mary Jane had some good ones but I liked the war of words between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. It seems like Weisman stuck a pin in this arc as a new one approaches. Nice foreshadowing with the Black Cat and the ‘black out’ at the end. And jocks dressed as cheerleaders, Revenge of the Nerds-ish, anyone?
The relationship between Tombstone and Hammerhead was rather interesting. Instead of Hammerhead being the typical gofer, scenes proved otherwise. Hammerhead respects Tombstone. It was also odd to finally see Hammerhead do his trademark move, or have I been blanking this season? Maybe. I definitely had to blink when I saw the knives sticking a little too obviously.
Though the sub-plot may have been a little to fast for some fans, it was okay with me. I don’t think anyone’s going to die on this series, certainly not Colonel John Jameson. It had a good beat and played up Jameson’s character. It’s interesting how he’s at times, he is a sign that Spider-Man isn’t the only hero.
I liked the use of the meteor in this series. No Secret War (a guy can dream), no moon prison, and no random falling from the sky. But at the same time, Weisman preserves the grand tradition that Earth is the universe’s trash bin and the best place to toss your planet’s lunatics…
Even though this wraps up the Goblin arc, I’m still in the camp that sees this whole resolution as misdirection. Who believed Norman Osborn acted like a father and took responsibility for his son? And he had the perfect alibi, walking through the front door and meeting a security guard. I think Weisman is using the classic comic book version of Norman Osborn, he is the Goblin and there is no freaky split personality. They are one in the same and are evil incarnate. He had to cut his losses and lay low for a couple months and he’d stoop to setting up his own drugged up son. This isn’t over. Well, in this season it seems like it.
The Spectacular Spider-Man is near season’s end but the action and intrigue sure isn’t. Black Cat, the Symbiote and who knows who else is still out there making Spider-Man’s long term career an uncertainty.
The Spectacular Spider-Man "Uncertainty Principle"
Written: Kevin Hopps
Directed: David Bullock