Spider-Man: TAS "Hydro-Man" Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Discuss this Spider-Man: The Animated Series episode!

Episode #16 - Hydro-Man
Original Airdate - September 23, 1995

Mary Jane's old boyfriend begins stalking her. He has a new ability to transform his body into water and is furious over Mary Jane's relationship with Peter Parker. As his rage builds up, Hydro-Man becomes more and more dangerous. Spider-Man swings into action to protect Mary Jane and defeat the jealous ex-boyfriend.

Comments?

[czyznyck99]

I just don't get stalkers. That's all Hydro-man was. He had tremendous power and all he wanted was a girl, granted it was MJ. Spider-man took a backseat to this story, which was okay for me. I was going to give a 3.5, but since it isn't up there on the poll, I'll give it a three.

Later.

[oranthal]

i thought it was hydrant man.

[spidercarnage]

i just saw this ep today...and i got to say, i did enjoy it. IMO, its one of the eps that doesnt get as much credit as it deserves.

Spiderman did take a backseat in a way, but only to properly establish MJ as a character for season 3, where all the MJ action happens.

So we get MJ established, plus some guy who can turn himself into water...not bad all round!

4/5.

[John Cage]

Hi there.

I remember hating this episode when it first aired about ten years ago. It didn't have any of the supporting cast outside of Mary Jane, and the villain was this guy I had never heard of before. It's gone on to become one of my favorites. The acting in "Hydro-Man" is among the best in the series. Rob Paulsen, normally a cartoony sounding voice-actor sounds appropriately creepy, and Saratoga Ballantine, the voice of Mary Jane, sounds the most normal here of any other episode (I've always found her Mary Jane too "breathy" for my tastes).

And the animation. Beautiful. The best the series ever had. I didn't realize how good it was until I saw the "Return of Hydro-Man" and how badly the title character was animated there.

The story is a little simple, and this episode feels a little like a season one cast-off (and that's a bad thing, why?) but "Hydro-Man" is one of my favorite episodes of Spider-Man, right up there with "Enter the Green Goblin", "The Alien Costume" and "Night of the Lizard".

Have a good day then.
John Cage

[Stu]

This episode airs today, and introduces Hydro-Man!

Episode #16 - Hydro-Man
Original Airdate - September 23, 1995

Mary Jane is being stalked by her former boyfriend, Morris Bench, who's undergone an accidental metamorphosis and become Hydro-Man. Sweeping Mary Jane off her feet in a wave of water, he insists she will love him. Spider-Man is nearly beaten by the semi-liquid culprit but with a little help from Mary Jane puts a stop to this vaporous villian.

Comments?

A fun episode, with some of the best animaiton the series ever did. I especially loved some of Spidey's quips in this episode the best one being "Great, Jameson will be selling "Spider-Man really is the thief!" shirts by noon tomorrow!"

Awesome ending too. Catch it if you're up.

[S.C.B]

What I remember most about this episode is laughing when Spidey says 'Kumbaya!' upon seeing the geyser of water in the park.

Watching this episode again though, I realised how much I liked Christopher Daniel Barnes in the role when he isn't all whispery and trying to sound angst ridden. When he's being good old Peter 'Bad Luck' Parker I really think he captures him dead on.

[Conekiller]

I still think Spidey's "Hydrant-man!? The dogs must LOVE you" quip is one of the funniest thing he's ever said in the series.

[Miyamoto Musashi]

The Damsel in Distress outclassed the super hero
Roger Stern handed us a better introduction and character to HydroMan, when I see this version I hope I don't see an Ultimate Hydroman.

[DawnWarrior]

Although I've grown to loathe this series as a whole, I liked this episode for the whole MJ vs. Hydro-Man sequence at the end. I couldn't even guess what she was doing until Spidey tells us afterwards, so that was a very well-choreographed fight.

[Hypestyle]

cool episode.. I'm glad Hydro man was used in this series.. too bad they ignored Sandman totally.. they could have done a "mud monster" appearance..

[dmxx116]

Marvel.com just put out this Hydro-man episode today.

Mary Jane is being stalked by her former boyfriend, Morrie Bench, who's undergone an accidental metamorphosis and become Hydro-Man. Sweeping Mary Jane off her feet in a wave of water he insists she will love him. Spider-Man is nearly beaten by the semi-liquid culprit, but with a little help from Mary Jane, can the two put an end to Hydro-Man?



http://marvel.com/videos/1038.Spider...%2C_Episode_16

[dmxx116]

An enjoyable, but somewhat out of character episode in which Spidey must battle Hydro-Man. hide show
This episode was a good one, for various reasons. Firstly, because of the quality of the animation. Once again, the special effects and visuals in this episode were outstanding. Most notably when Hydro-Man is using his powers, his morphing abilities and especially seeing Spidey soaked and punching Hydro-Man only to have his fists sunken into Hydro-Man's chest. This episode featured some of the best animated scenes the show had in a while.
Another thing that made this episode enjoyable, was the character development involved, especially the relationship between Peter and Mary Jane. Not only that, but Mary Jane gets some character development for herself; we find out more about her past, and why she is so afraid to have a relationship with Peter. Until now, anyway. Also important is that she starts developing feelings for Spider-man as well, which will become an important factor during the series.
A rather smart move was making Mary Jane look like the hero in this episode, she being the one who actually defeats Hydro-Man. Hydro-Man's "death" was also really well done, with the superb animation quality this episode offers.
The only downside this episode had was that it was placed rather randomly; it didn't really fit after the superb ending the previous episode had. Still, the episode was good, but nothing outstanding. It did help introduce Hydro-Man on the show, and already presented his relations with both Mary Jane and Spidey. However, his next appearance will create even more confusion later on during the series.
Overall an enjoyable episode. The highlight of the episode is definitely the quality of the animation. That's followed by the quality of the plot, and that's about it. One thing is for sure, anyone who will watch the episode won't be bored.