Revenge is a dish best served with friends. Unfortunately, Spider-Man is on the receiving end, or is he?

It was a feeling of relief when the Big Man’s influence was down played in the formation of the Sinister Six.  The Enforcers are Big Man’s cronies and that’s that. The Sinister Six is an independent group. And if last episode wasn’t enough for foreshadowing, nice cameo of Quentin Beck and Phineas Mason being freed, too.

A villain group episode always makes me a bit skeptical but I was pleasantly proved wrong. The fight scenes had some nice choreography. Did you see Spider-Man shoot a web through Sandman to get the Shocker? The camaraderie between the members of the Six was appreciated. Sandman’s reaction to dinner and even the coin toss bit made me laugh. It was interesting that the Symbiote squirmed a little at the Shocker’s weapon.

Nice set up for Eddie Brock. We know there’s the destined conflict between them. Both of their parents died on a plane, Peter Parker found a new family and Eddie Brock didn’t. It seems like Brock is lashing out at Parker’s “success” and is going after what’s important to him, friends. Perhaps, family and “reputation” will be next.

And if it wasn’t even subtle enough with the Symbiote design changing, that was a nice nod with Brock’s jacket. The Symbiote stole the show, honestly. In Russia, the suit wears you! It was cool to have the suit go on auto pilot rather than transform Parker into a jerk, or perhaps emo if you’ve seen the movie. Nice homage to Venom with Spider-Man talking in the “We” point of view.

I sort of forgot about Aunt May in this episode. Yes, she had a heart attack but if you read the comics you’ll feel the same way about her. She’s immortal, baby. Nice cameo with the cops and Ravencroft. Even Dr. Ashley Kafka got an appearance. If that astronaut thing doesn’t pan out, Jameson’s got an alternative…

The Spectacular Spider-Man
"Group Therapy"
Written: Andrew Robinson
Directed: Jennifer Coyle