[8.1/10] What’s really interesting about this episode for me is that Jack’s basically the antagonist for once. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy, but the story doesn't really focus on him. He’s the force thwarting the plans and plots of the people we do spend time with, rather than the other way around as usual. That’s an interesting perspective flip, and while none of the bounty hunters are as interesting as Jack, I do like getting this outside perspective on him.
I’m watching Batman: The Animated Series at the same time I’m watching Samurai Jack, so it’s hard not to think about “Almost Got ‘im”, the episode from B:TAS where a bunch of villains sit around recalling their failed plots to take out Batman. This has a similar vibe, as the various bounty hunters hang out and discuss their plans to take down Jack.
I’ll be honest that I don’t love the bounty hunters, who mostly seem a cut below the show’s usual one-off character. They’re more gimmicks than personalities, but that’s probably to be expected given the large number that need to be introduced in a short amount of time. The aboriginal guy is pretty cool, but the gentleman, the twin cats, and the Russian brutes didn’t do much for me.
That said, I did really like the titular princess. The episode adds real emotion and sympathy for her. She’s not only smart enough to recognize how her confederates' plans will all fall apart to where they’ll need to team-up, but she has an emotional motivation rather than just a lucrative one. She wants to free her people from AKu, and capturing JAck is the only way she can do that. That’s a compelling motivation and conflict, and it’s the thing that puts this episode up a notch.
At the same time, as always, I enjoyed the visuals on this show. The art shifts as the various bounty hunters discussed their plans was a neat way to dramatize their different styles and methods. And I especially appreciate the contrast between the slowness and tenseness of the wait between when the bounty hunters take their places, and the amazing quickness with which Jack dashes all of their plans with his silky smooth defense and attacks.
The show dramatizes that really well, showing how long all of these characters spent formulating their plan and deciding how they could beat Jack, with so much preparation and planning, only for Jack to make it all for naught in a matter of seconds. I particularly enjoyed the tense moment with the princess, who is filled with anger and a righteous cause, but even staring at the back of Jack’s head, knows that the cause is hopeless in the present moment. It’s a moment full of earned sentiment.
Overall, this is a cool concept episode, and I like the series flipping the spotlight for a different protagonist for one outing.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-04-02T23:06:09Z
[8.1/10] What’s really interesting about this episode for me is that Jack’s basically the antagonist for once. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy, but the story doesn't really focus on him. He’s the force thwarting the plans and plots of the people we do spend time with, rather than the other way around as usual. That’s an interesting perspective flip, and while none of the bounty hunters are as interesting as Jack, I do like getting this outside perspective on him.
I’m watching Batman: The Animated Series at the same time I’m watching Samurai Jack, so it’s hard not to think about “Almost Got ‘im”, the episode from B:TAS where a bunch of villains sit around recalling their failed plots to take out Batman. This has a similar vibe, as the various bounty hunters hang out and discuss their plans to take down Jack.
I’ll be honest that I don’t love the bounty hunters, who mostly seem a cut below the show’s usual one-off character. They’re more gimmicks than personalities, but that’s probably to be expected given the large number that need to be introduced in a short amount of time. The aboriginal guy is pretty cool, but the gentleman, the twin cats, and the Russian brutes didn’t do much for me.
That said, I did really like the titular princess. The episode adds real emotion and sympathy for her. She’s not only smart enough to recognize how her confederates' plans will all fall apart to where they’ll need to team-up, but she has an emotional motivation rather than just a lucrative one. She wants to free her people from AKu, and capturing JAck is the only way she can do that. That’s a compelling motivation and conflict, and it’s the thing that puts this episode up a notch.
At the same time, as always, I enjoyed the visuals on this show. The art shifts as the various bounty hunters discussed their plans was a neat way to dramatize their different styles and methods. And I especially appreciate the contrast between the slowness and tenseness of the wait between when the bounty hunters take their places, and the amazing quickness with which Jack dashes all of their plans with his silky smooth defense and attacks.
The show dramatizes that really well, showing how long all of these characters spent formulating their plan and deciding how they could beat Jack, with so much preparation and planning, only for Jack to make it all for naught in a matter of seconds. I particularly enjoyed the tense moment with the princess, who is filled with anger and a righteous cause, but even staring at the back of Jack’s head, knows that the cause is hopeless in the present moment. It’s a moment full of earned sentiment.
Overall, this is a cool concept episode, and I like the series flipping the spotlight for a different protagonist for one outing.