G.I. Joe Renegades - "The Package" - Talkback [12/03]

[The Huntsman]

Today @ 5:30 PM ET on The Hub

I liked this series more than Transformers Prime, at least based on the two-part premiere, but it’ll be interesting to see how it is handled now that they’ve set up much of the characters and plot. It seems this series is going to be making use of a lot of two-part episodes, as while this one doesn’t have two-parts, the next four episodes are two two-parters.

The Joes stop the Baroness' mercenary from completing his planned assassination.

[kid rabbit]

major bludd appears cool
I was surprise the internet guy stay and ended up being breaker
I thought he was a one time charter

[The Huntsman]

I thought this was a good episode. I like the direct continuity between episodes and I hope they keep that up, and while I hope they don't continuously find evidence only to lose it, I had no problem with how it happened this time. Next week begins a two-parter regarding Snake Eyes. I recall somebody said they hoped they never explained him, and I agree, so hopefully they don't try to reveal too much about him.

[Gold Guy]

I must say, that "The Coyote" really annoyed me, and I am glad that he won't be a main part of the team. Otherwise, a fine episode.

[Ishin ookami]

just a question to those that have seen this ep.

In the last episode, we see flint corner duke after they save the townsfolk from the bio-viper, and duke being accused of terrorist acts.

I'm curious if there is a mention to the townsfolk being questioned by flint as to what was duke doing there, hearing of the bio-viper and lack of a viral outbreak, and beginning to question cobra. Its logical that as an intelligence agent, he would have wanted to question those having most recent contact with duke, and I'm also wondering how, or if, the show would intelligently explain away his pursuit of dukes unit while first hand accts from impartial witnesses that he would be obligated to interview.

Also its possible the show would just move on with the pursuit, and hope the audience forgets a matter like that. But after the rather intelligent and well thought out premiere, I'm hoping the show will continue to follow that trend.

[sparkykandy]

I liked it. So, since Ripcord's no longer in opening, does that mean that he's actually dead and not alive and hiding somewhere? So, I guess that the Joes now have a new member to their team: Breaker. I can't help but wonder if this is how the Joes is going accumulate more members to their team: meet somebody useful and help them out, and then give them a code name.

Also, couldn't help but notice that Bludd was covering one of his eyes in the last scene that we see him in. I guess that next time we see him, he'll be wearing an eye-patch.

[Anyone00]

Laser fences and stealth technology: this Cobra is taking a few cues from the Brotherhood of Nod (who took more than a few cues from Cobra who was a bit of a rip-off of Hydra).

[Ed Liu]

OK, it's official. I'm sold. I thought this episode was so much stronger than either of the first two, and I didn't think those episodes were all that bad.

I'm a bit disappointed that they didn't take a cue from the movie and make Breaker into an animated version of Said Taghmaoui. Would have fit in with the whole rainbow coalition they're putting together. He could be a light-skinned guy of Middle Eastern descent, though, since I didn't catch his name clearly. I do think it's kind of funny that in the 80's when the original character was created, CB radio slang was still commonly known enough that they could call the commo guy Breaker and people would get it. Apparently, someone at Hasbro or on the show staff isn't as convinced that's true any more.

I'm not as crazy about making him a civilian with no ties at all to the military, and one who looks like he wouldn't last 10 minutes at basic training. In the original series, even the pencil-necked geeks like Airtight could still sock a Cobra in the face with the best of them.

Other random, unsorted observations:

- "I still like the bagel dogs" was funnier than it should have been, especially considering that I saw the line coming from about a mile off.

- Am I the only one wondering how the Joes are managing to keep themselves fed and bathed and their truck fueled? Is that truck beginning to get seriously funky? Or is this just because they are cartoon characters driving a cartoon truck and thus have no need for wardrobe changes or gas?

- I thought Snake Eyes kicking seven shades of snot out of Major Bludd was a lot funnier than I probably should have. I mean, until Bludd pulled out the high explosives, it didn't even look like Snake Eyes was working all that hard. Dude was probably holding back. "Well, I could use a workout. Practice my spin kicks, maybe."

- I guess Dr. Mindbender perfected the Bio-Viper formula. Was also hoping to see Roadblock running out of that SSS Mart with a giant box of guns before it went boom.

- I stepped away from the TV for a second, but were those Red Rocket restaurants they stopped at? Way to throw back to the original series if so.

Next week begins a two-parter regarding Snake Eyes. I recall somebody said they hoped they never explained him, and I agree, so hopefully they don't try to reveal too much about him.

That was me, and the 2-parter sounds like it's going to be pulling in Storm Shadow also, so they're going to be busy. I'm hoping they play it so that any answer we get about Snake Eyes just brings up more questions.

As it is, they've already done one thing I hoped they never would by showing a bit of Snake Eyes under his outfit. I think one of the reasons he's got as much appeal as he does is that he can be literally anyone under there. After this episode, he can be literally anyone not-black under there.

I'm curious if there is a mention to the townsfolk being questioned by flint as to what was duke doing there, hearing of the bio-viper and lack of a viral outbreak, and beginning to question cobra.

I think Flint's already suspicious of Cobra, judging by the little exchange he had with the Baroness in the 2nd episode where he subtly challenges her story by commenting on their lack of bio protective gear for a supposed virus outbreak. As time goes on, I'm sure he's going to come around and realize that not everything is what it seems.

Questioning the farmers in that episode isn't necessarily going to turn up much to exonerate Duke, though, since all their actions could be self-preservation as much as any effort to bring down Cobra. Also doesn't explain the incident in the pilot when they seemingly attack a Cobra facility for no reason.

I liked it. So, since Ripcord's no longer in opening, does that mean that he's actually dead and not alive and hiding somewhere?

I guess so/hope so. I'm a bit puzzled why they didn't go with a new opening in episode 2 that removed Ripcord, unless they were just running short on time and/or money to do one. However, the addition of Breaker to the team makes me wonder if they're going to insert him into the opening credits, too.

[The Spiritual M]

This....is one hell of an episode!
Nice telling of the story of a slightly kiddified Assangean dude.
Based on this ep, GIJR is shaping up to be one of the angriest iterations ever.
Oh, BTW: I meant to mention this in another post on another ep, which I waited too long to/chose not to post: The fact/truth that The Baroness, for possibly the first time ever, is voiced by a Russian Broad!!!!

[Terror of Death]

I'm enjoying this show more and more with each episode. The story, action, and comedy are all pretty solid. I like that were getting a two parter on Snake Eye's back story so quickly and I hope the other Joes get the same treatment this season.

[suss2it]

I thought this was a good episode. I like the direct continuity between episodes

Same here, but now that I think about the Joes stole Flint's jeep, with the help of Lady Jaye and here they are in a cobra truck and Flint back in his jeep with no explanation.

Breaker was really annoying in this episode, something about the way he talked. In fact all the voice acting seems weird somehow. I feels kinda unnatural when they talk to each other. Does anyone know who the voice director is for this? Other than that no complaints and I'm liking the direction the show is going in. Can't wait until Storm Shadow is introduced, hopefully we'll get an awesome Snake Eyes vs Storm Shadow fight scene.

[Mr.Monster]

He could be a light-skinned guy of Middle Eastern descent, though, since I didn't catch his name clearly.

If you're talking about Breaker in the cartoon, his name is Alvin Kibbey. The same name of the original Breaker from the toy/comic. I would've loved it if they gave him his southern accent like in the 80's toon (the original toy filecard stated he was from Tennessee).

Also, I thought the same thing about the Red Rocket restaurant... lots of great nods to fans in these shows.

[Monte]

One plus side to killing off someone in the first few episodes... its enough to set the tone to make you think they might kill someone else

Man, Breaker seems to be taking his "death" pretty well... most people would freak out over the fact that they have to live in hiding and leaving all of his friends and family wondering what happened to him due to his sudden disappearance... afterall any communication with them could risk tipping off cobra to his survival and put them in danger. Also living in hiding is bound to be greatly difficult.

Though still, the episode was not bad

I'm curious if there is a mention to the townsfolk being questioned by flint as to what was duke doing there, hearing of the bio-viper and lack of a viral outbreak, and beginning to question cobra.

That does bring up a good question that's been overlooked... Flint should have raised the question and heard a story that only raises a lot of questions; though at the same time having no actual link between the monster and cobra.

This episode aswell raises some possible issues... like why would cobra use the same scanners for their illegal shipping as they would for their stores. And much more importantly, what is stopping the joes from stealing another scanner and exposing cobra. Also Flint seemed to not think about the heavily armed car that was chasing the Joes

Same here, but now that I think about the Joes stole Flint's jeep, with the help of Lady Jaye and here they are in a cobra truck and Flint back in his jeep with no explanation.

none needed... if i recall the joes drove off with both the jeep and the cobra truck at the end of that episode. The joe's likely dumped the jeep, and Flint just got a new one... and he'll need a new one for next episode. I smell a possible running gag

[suss2it]

none needed... if i recall the joes drove off with both the jeep and the cobra truck at the end of that episode. The joe's likely dumped the jeep, and Flint just got a new one... and he'll need a new one for next episode. I smell a possible running gag

Yeah you're right, Snake Eyes stole a Cobra truck and throws gas bombs to distract Flint and the soldiers so the Joes could make an escape.

[Sketch]

Snake Eyes' fight with Bludd was easily the highlight for me.

I like the use of continuity it's rather refereshing.

[TheVileOne]

I'm not too keen on Breaker being a Brit, but whatevs. The writing for the show is really good and smarter than the average Joe show. I think the Sunbow series was good for its time, but I'm glad to see how the writing has evolved with the time as well. Sequences like Duke disarming a package bomb are simple but effective. Scarlett is a poor leader though and her inexperience and compulsiveness already got one Joe killed. Duke needs to take leadership from her I think. Duke seems to be more of a natural leader.

Judging from Snake Eyes' battle damaged garb during the final fight, it looks like they are going with the injured/deformedly scarred in battle origin. I imagine Scarlett will figure into that since they seem to have a close bond and that is what happened in the Hama comics. There was apparently a bond in the live action movie which never addressed it. I hated that and found it problematic since all of Scarlett's character consisted of TOUGH UNEMOTIONAL SOLDIER GAL that gets charmed by Ripcord. Not only was it lame in having Scarlett fall for Ripcord but also the fact that Scarlett's like "I'm unemotional and unattached" yet she clearly has some sort of emotional attachment or bond with Snake Eyes in the movie that again was not addressed. So I hope the series doesn't avoid it.

Did Breaker's design remind anyone of Jeebs from the MIB animated series? I know Jeff Kline worked on that show and Godzilla which all seem to have a similar design style and look to this series. Did they all have the same character designer or is this part of Kline's visual influence?

[Eivion]

Scarlett is a poor leader though and her inexperience and compulsiveness already got one Joe killed. Duke needs to take leadership from her I think. Duke seems to be more of a natural leader.

No one is technically leader right now, and technically it was Duke fighting security that first episode that got them in trouble.

[TheVileOne]

Scarlett though brought them to the facility under false pretenses. And because Cobra wasn't aware that they were coming they tried to get all "keep out." Scarlett was not upfront that they were going to be spying on Cobra and trying to expose them.

[Eivion]

Pretty sure Scarlett expected Cobra to play ball to some extent since they really didn't have a right to refuse an inspection. Ultimately though it was Duke's reaction that got them shot at. Scarlett leading them there under false pretenses though was pretty bad and kind of stupid. Honestly I really didn't think they excuted that whole deal well. They tried way too hard to make Scarlett unlikeable and untrustworthy so Duke could take charge. Whats worse is they had Duke being ridiculously insubordinate. Didn't really make either come off well to me.

[Ed Liu]

(Re-creating due to the lost posts yesterday)

Scarlett though brought them to the facility under false pretenses. And because Cobra wasn't aware that they were coming they tried to get all "keep out." Scarlett was not upfront that they were going to be spying on Cobra and trying to expose them.

I think you're being too hard on Scarlett and too easy on Duke over responsibility for the death of Ripcord. The worst Scarlett did was to run an operation without orders and not tell the team what the real purpose of the mission was. I think she had good reasons to do the first one -- Cobra obviously has links to the Army already, so going up the chain of command means any Cobra agents (or even just sympathizers angling for a lobbying job after they leave the service) will catch wind of it and either tip-off Cobra or actively sabotage the op. Those same reasons necessarily lead to the second decision to lie to the team. FWIW, I still think that Gen. Abernathy orchestrated this whole situation so he can get an off-the-books, off-the-reservation, and off-the-leash covert ops team to go after Cobra. The only question is whether Scarlett is in on it if that's what's really going on.

Once they were in the facility, it was Cobra that overreacted at first, but it's Duke who really escalates the situation by taking a weapon from one of their security guards. It was a rotten decision at a bad time and while I think Cobra security has terrible fire discipline (I think it's vague whether that first Cobra shot that takes out Scarlett was an accidental discharge or not), I don't think they're unwarranted to fire on an openly hostile individual who just armed himself by decking a security guard. That's the first bad leadership decision Duke makes, and in direct defiance of Scarlett's order to stand down before she was shot.

Later on, Scarlett wants to leave once they get the video evidence of Dr. Mindbender's activities. It's Duke who overrules her again and moves to arrest him. That's why things go to hell a second time, and it's those actions that eventually lead up to Ripcord's death. Scarlett may be the officer on the team and she's ultimately got to accept responsibility for the team's actions and their consequences, but I think Duke should be shouldering much of the responsbility/blame for Ripcord's death, not Scarlett.

Besides, I'd still lay the real blame on Ripcord's death on Cobra. They're the ones who overreacted in the first place when it would have been so much easier to stonewall. I'm also pretty sure that hiring a criminal doctor to build super soldiers made out of plants in the basement of a pharmaceutical factory has got to be on the short list of "Not Cool Things for a Company to Do" .