Synopsis
Karolina, Nico and Molly try to retrieve the Staff of One, but Tina puts up a fight. Karolina grows closer to Jonah while Alex and Livvie share a kiss.
Review
Marvel’s Runaways second episode back out of the gate poses an interesting question: can the show balance its huge cast of characters as the story continues to develop?
There’s so much going on in this second season already but Runaways is in danger of over complicating itself. This episode picks up several plot threads and attempts to balance them all nervously against each other whilst remaining cohesive.
You have Alex working for Darius and becoming romantically involved with his daughter Livvie, Gert and Chase further their relationship after working together to turn on the power in their new hideout. Karolina going behind the teams back to visit her father and then teaming with Molly and Nico going after Tina’s staff. That’s just the kids.
As for the parents there’s Geoffrey and Catherine plotting behind the other PRIDE members backs,Tina and Robert falling out over how to deal with the missing teens and Janet working with Jonah.
In the space of two episodes Runaways has become one of the most complicated and convoluted shows out there.
It’s not an entirely unsuccessful episode. As always the characters remain the high point. The relationships continue to develop in ways which feel true to the story and ground the comic book action in reality.
There’s enough diversity to ensure the show appeals to a wide ranging audience. It’s feels honest to its source material and those human elements portray the show at its finest.
Its comic book elements are where this episode struggles to function so well. Scenes at the Minoru household feel stunted. Watching the fight sequence in the garden you can count the beats in the choreography. Having said that somebody needs to cast Brittany Ishibashi as Rita Repulsa in the future. She is perfect for the role!
Likewise Jonah teaching Karolina to use her powers shows off some hokey special effects. As she turns her powers on there’s a gradual fade in of the rainbow lights. As she turns it off it is almost like someone just pressed stop.
It all adds up to Runaways feeling a little rough around the edges.
Verdict
Runaways second episode of season 2 is chock full with everything but the kitchen sink. It puts the show on the brink of becoming confusing as its disparate plot threads continue to dance around each other.
But perhaps most importantly it reminds us that these characters are human, flawed and emotional which will always keep me coming back for more.
6/10
Marvel’s Runaways stars Rhenzy Feliz, Lyrica Okano, Virginia Gardner, Ariela Barer, Gregg Sulkin, Allegra Acosta, Ryan Sands, Angel Parker, Brittany Ishibashi, James Yaegashi, Kevin Weisman, Brigid Brannagh, Annie Wersching, Kip Pardue, James Marsters and Ever Carradine.
The series is available to stream via Hulu in the US.
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