Legion of Super Heroes "Chained Lightning" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

Lightning Lad's super-powered family grows larger, or rather is restored to a level it once was...


http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/losh/media/gallery/t-season2.jpg

Episode #17: Chained Lightning
Original Airdate - October 13th, 2007
Lightning Lad discovers that his sister, Ayla, long thought to be lost in the same Lightning Beast attack that gave him and his brother, Mekt, their powers, is really alive. However, Ayla is now in the form of pure electromagnetic energy. Lightning Lad must find a way to save Alya before Imperiex can harness this energy for his own diabolical use.

Comments?

[limel]

One word: Awesome. Easily the best episode to date.

That creepy singing, the awesome fight scenes, the nightmares... So dark, so... Amazing.

Definitely looking forward to next week's episode.

[Casey Mack]

yea Best episode to date, I agree with everything Limel said, the end almost made me cry!:crying:

[tb4000]

First time I've seen Bouncing Boy jump into the fray instead of hanging back and giving tactical orders. Don't piss him off, apparantly.:yawn:

And on the flip side, LOL@ his reaction to the singing..."cree-py."


Did you catch the wilhelm scream when Imperix tries to power up the ship?

[John Cage]

I'm with the others -- this was the best episode so far. Really on par with JLU at it's best. This season really benefits from the first season and how it played it safe and focused on setting up the characters and doing simpler stories. That you care about the characters now that they've amped things up is really paying off and making for great stories. I liked the fact Mekk (sp?) wasn't one-dimensional, and I was nicely surprised he didn't turn around and stay evil after what was an emotional turning point. The interplay between Brainiac 5 and Shrinking Violet was a lot of fun too. I hope they play around with that in future episodes -- there's something fun about nerdy superheroes. And Lightning Lad lost an arm! And the way they handled it was very "Robin's Reckoning" -- mostly off-screen, but it happened and was taken seriously.

I'm really enjoying Legion of Superheroes. It's maybe a little hard to take it as seriously as JLU because of the lighter first season and the more 'cartoony' designs, but it's definitely in the same vein. I'm really looking forward to the next episode.

Almost forgot -- cool points for the Wilhelm scream.

Have a good day.
John Cage

[kid rabbit]

I love the new badass look of the charters though Ithink it was a little mush to cut off lighting lads arm

[Mad Mod 49]

Yes, it's repetitive, but it must be said: best episode by far. The emotional development between Lightning Lad and Lightning Lord was perfect, and that ending was very touching, glad to see that Lightning Lord actually redeemed himself for his family. And Braniac 5 and Shrinking Violet were funny in their interactions too.

5 out of 5 for "Chained Lightning". :cool:

[creativerealms]

They keep trying to show us that this show is darker this season. The lose of one of Triplicate girls forms, Timberwolf being framed for Murder and now this Lightning Lad loses an arm.

Also Imperiax actually seemed more threatening in this episode. Thats what he gets by taking one of LL's arms.

Good episode.

[adoptedBatpuppy]

I missed the whole episode, had to go to an early Holloween party.
I'm glad to hear that this season is turning itself around! :anime:
Can someone tell me what happenned, and new character introductions?

[Movie06]

One of the best episodes of the show I've seen, this one is going to be one of my personal favorites and I especially like what was the name of that girl, you know the one with the pale face, changes size and is just as intelligent as Braniac 5, who is she again? I like her.

[Blackstar]

Her name is Shrinking Violet. And even though she is indeed smart, it's doubtful that she's just as intelligent as Brainiac 5. Brainy is a 12th level intellect, after all. Lex Luthor and Mr. Terrific are among the few people in the DCU who are on that level of intelligence.

[creativerealms]

Not as smart as Brainiac 5 just smart enough to earn his respect.

[Ultraman]

Fantastic episode! So dark and everything.

There wasn't a preview of the next episode right after this show's done. I'm disappointed.

[Robert McSantos]

I like how Shrinking Violet kept snorting. :)

[creativerealms]

Thats what Kids WB does. Four new episodes then a break.

[ShadowStar]

Lightning Lad lost an arm?! :eek: Wish I hadn't looked for spoilers now... And I'm very curious as to why none of you have mentioned the fate of Ayla yet...

[creativerealms]

She was returned to normal, having not aged a day in her life. Unknown if she even got powers from the storm as of now.

[ShadowStar]

She was returned to normal, having not aged a day in her life. Unknown if she even got powers from the storm as of now.

So she still looks like a young girl (not a teenager)? Ironic... I was reading a book called Demon Apocalypse where something almost exactly the same happened.

[Hades]

That was a relaly good episode. Met seems to be an awesome villian, so I hope we see him again in the future. However, I do not know what to think about Lightning Lad getting a mechanical arm, it seems so cliche. My only other complaint is what is up with Shrinking Girl snorting every time she laughed.

I cannot wait to see what they do next week, as this show is getting better and better each episode.

[ShadowStar]

Was there blood when his arm was taken off?

[Hades]

Was there blood when his arm was taken off?

He never lost his arm, on screen anyway. They just showed him get hit by a blast and fly through the air, and then 2 minutes later they show him with a mechanical arm.

[Jack Frenzy]

Was there blood when his arm was taken off?

No, but there was some smoke.

Anyway, what can I say, but "excellent episode!"

Pros:

Wonderful interplay between Garth and Mekt, and we finally got to see Ayla! (Man, that ending was such a tearjerker.)

Shrinking Violet was a fun addition to the cast. Loved her snorty laugh.

Imperiex actually seemed impressive this episode.

Garth got his old bionic arm (and it didn't involve a silly space-whale in a trite Moby Dick ripoff). Seems like this season they're playing out all the old classic Legion tragedies: Matter-Eater Lad gone crazy from eating something he shouldn't have, Triplicate Girl to Duo Damsel, Timber Wolf emulating Ultra Boy's frame-up, and now, the arm.

Cons:

Doesn't look like we'll be seeing Lightning Lass anytime soon.

Mekt was becoming a great series villain, but it looks like his career is over. I just wish we'd heard him referred to as "Lightning Lord" at least once.

Appears we're starting into reruns.

[Ruseri]

I cannot wait to see what they do next week, as this show is getting better and better each episode.

Too bad they've decided to go with reruns already.


Was there blood when his arm was taken off?

No. Blood is a big "no-no" for KidsWB cartoons (especially nowadays).

[M.O.D.O.K.]

Was there blood when his arm was taken off?

Nope. However, when Shrinking Violet was fixing LL's arm, red blood cells could be seen, if that counts.

[Supernovametalstar]

Was there blood when his arm was taken off?

No blood, but it was hidden well. We see his arm get hit by the blast from Imperiex for a long time. Then when Brainy is holding him in a force field, you can see his left arm dangling, but there is no sign of his right one. Back on the ship, Brainy says his arm was "badly injured" or something like that. So it is implied (at least to me with the combination of the visuals) that his arm was pretty much toast.

I really like that Lightning Lord reformed. I wasn't expecting that. I figured he would help in bringing his sister back, then flee the scene. In fact, I liked the line he said when asking if Lighting Lad was going to ruin the moment by asking if he was going to arrest him. Everything made sense.

I also like Superman X in this episode. Even though he didn't say or do much, you can see his change in demeanor since joining up with the Legion. He's shown that he actually is starting to care for his comrades. I would venture a guess that after fighting alone for his entire life, he actually likes having friends around. Well, at least something more than a robot :).

[Movie06]

Her name is Shrinking Violet. And even though she is indeed smart, it's doubtful that she's just as intelligent as Brainiac 5. Brainy is a 12th level intellect, after all. Lex Luthor and Mr. Terrific are among the few people in the DCU who are on that level of intelligence.

Thanks, that's her name. she's actually cool.

[ShadowStar]

Has regular Supes appeared at all since the conclusion of the two-parter?

[Jack Frenzy]

Has regular Supes appeared at all since the conclusion of the two-parter?

Nope. Not in either "Cry Wolf" or "Chained Lightning."

[Christo]

A great improvement over last week's episode. I loved the loss of Garth's arm ... it really sparked some nostalgia for this old-school Legion fan. The return of Ayla, the redemption of Mekt, the fights, the conflict were well-done. Almost everything in this episode was perfect. Some great writing and characterization. My only (minor) quibbles:

Garth shows no real sorrow due to the loss of his arm. This seemed a bit unrealistic.

Shrinking Violet's little 'snort' was cute at first, but got old by the 7th or 8th time they used it.

I still don't like Imperiex as a major villain. But that's probably my comic book bias showing through.

[Bizarro Joker]

Excelent episode. Best overall epidode of either season so far. I know lightning lad lost his arm in the comics as well. it hapend in the late 80,s early 90,s. I beleve it was after the zero hour reboot of the LOSH history, but I could be wrong. I think he had droped the name Lightning Lad at that point and time as well and was going by the name Live Wire. In that version of the legion a few of the tradional names changed, I think Bouncing Boy was going by the name Rebound as well,but I am going off memory from a few years back so I may not have all the particular facts right.

Now that Ayla is back it willbe interesting to see if she has no powers, lightning powers, like the ones when she was in the legion as Lightning Lass, or if they skip the lightning powers completly and make her Light Lass(Once again if i remember correctly She joined the legion as lightning Lass and her power evolved and changed where she no longer had the lightning powers but had control over light, and thus became Light Lass)

[Movie06]

Does anyone have a picture of Shrinking Violet by any chance?

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Not that great an episode, to be honest. Lightning Lad not really caring about loosing an arm just seemed FAR to easy, in fact it just took me out of the whole thing.


3.5/5

[shadowspiderider]

lightning lad in underwear :D

[Hades]

Nope. Not in either "Cry Wolf" or "Chained Lightning."

At least he was mentioned in this one.

[danreyes1]

I was really surprised they blew off his arm. You don't see things like that in today's animation very often.

[Ultraman]

Nope. Not in either "Cry Wolf" or "Chained Lightning."

Aww man. :(

I missed episode 3 last week. So that will gives me a chance to watch episode 3. Not sure when it is gonna be on again.

[Static]

Much like everyone else, I loved it. One of, if not, the best Legion episode yet. Great character development and some surprising twists are what made it for me. I especially adored the ending.

Really, the only thing that didn't make it a perfect episode was how Lightning Lad reacted to his new arm. He looked at it, like "Oh, ok. Cool! I have lasers now?!" Wow ...

[Mad Mod 49]

Not that great an episode, to be honest. Lightning Lad not really caring about loosing an arm just seemed FAR to easy, in fact it just took me out of the whole thing.

Geez, that one thing brings the episode to "not that great" status? To be blunt, that's just nitpicking. :yawn:

[The Penguin]

Very good episode which thanks to college football I was finally able to watch this morning. Great fleshing out the "Lightning family" in both the past and the present.

Regarding the reaction of Lightning Lad to his arm being replaced, I think something to keep in mind here is what a bigger part technology plays in the 31st Century. Garth has a good friend who is a robot. I was surprised that he seemed thrilled and nothing else, but I don't think it's a shock he wasn't traumatized either. Additionally, from a story-telling perspective, there wasn't time for him to worry about it.

[Simpler Simon]

Regarding the reaction of Lightning Lad to his arm being replaced, I think something to keep in mind here is what a bigger part technology plays in the 31st Century. Garth has a good friend who is a robot. I was surprised that he seemed thrilled and nothing else, but I don't think it's a shock he wasn't traumatized either. Additionally, from a story-telling perspective, there wasn't time for him to worry about it.

Good point, if future tech can create an arm that functions even better than the old one, it's not much of a loss. And unlike Luke Skywalker, Lightning Lad was unconscious; he didn't experience the agonizing pain.

The emotional grounding really sold this stellar episode, along with excellent direction. I really wasn't sure if they'd rescue Ayla or not, so it was a pleasant surprise that they did. The Brainiac 5/Shrinking Violet dynamic was also welcome.

What's up with Superman X? He went from a very one-note "find Imperix now!!" deal to mellowing out and working alongside the Legion. The change is welcomed, but I don't find it convincing.

[ROBOTRON]

:shrug: - Lightning Lad has more issues than Time Magazine. The episode was ok, but I'm tired of so many stories about his dysfunctional family...its getting a bit old.

2 1/2 stars

I wish LOSH writers were a little bit more creative with this series. Superman X is the best thing to happen to this series so far (this season).

EDIT: Never really saw Shrinking Violet in action before, she was pretty sweet.

[90'sCartoonMan]

Not only did we get the continuation and a change in the Lightning Lad/Mekt rivalry, more of Shrinking Violet, and also the loss of a limb, but we heard Lightning Lad's real name! I'm hoping LOSH isn't like Teen Titans and throws real name's in often. Aside from Phantom Girl/Tinya and Timber Wolf/Brin last season, I don't remember them doing it often.


I liked the fact Mekk (sp?) wasn't one-dimensional, and I was nicely surprised he didn't turn around and stay evil after what was an emotional turning point.

I think what made this episode "great" as opposed to just "good" was the ending. I thought there'd be a "I'll help you now, but after this, we go back to being enemies" thing from Mekt, but saving Ayla really changed his perspective on everything. I liked seeing Garth and Ayla looking at the picture, and then Mekt in prison at the end.


Mekt was becoming a great series villain, but it looks like his career is over. I just wish we'd heard him referred to as "Lightning Lord" at least once.


I'm hoping he stays redeemed, but there's always a chance someone else can come in and fill that void.