Author Archives: Phoebe

Have you ever been at a loss as to what to watch? Too many shows to pick from? We’re here to give you our opinions on what we feel is worth watching. Check it out and then let us know in the comments below what you’re choosing for tonight!

Phoebe’s Choice

Tonight on Disney XD, three new episodes premier of the animated incarnation of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. It is the second block of episodes dropped at once following the mid-April single night release of five episodes of the show’s sophomore season. These two strategically timed marathons of the hilarious and exciting cartoon are sandwiched around the May 5th American theater release of the franchise’s second feature film. The cartoon, which launched in 2015, began its first story arc immediately following the events of the first film, but it was made clear that this was a new GotG continuity, whose events would not feed back into the second movie in any causal way. There are both similarities and departures between the two versions of the Marvel property, with a slightly more adult tone in the PG-13 theater renditions. Rocket’s constant use of fake curse words is hilarious, and I’m pretty sure he has more than one that translate to the F-bomb.

So far this season, the Guardians teamed up with the Avengers for two episodes before encountering the organization that has served as their most consistent nemesis in the last eight episodes: the Universal Believers, a fanatical religious group with ambiguous intentions and incredible powers of faith. They are able to manifest a great range of powers just by believing in said powers and stating it out loud. It can get annoying at times, but it makes for great wise crack riffing by Quill and Rocket Raccoon. This space cult also serves as a good place to showcase Mantis, an empath with antennae who features largely in the new film, though in a varied role.

The five-episode block last time was a story arc that was set into motion when Gamora’s sister Nebula came into conflict with the Guardians over a small collection of artifacts with immense cosmic power, including a Nova Corps helmet and a sarcophagus. Prior plot threads came to a culmination when the sarcophagus eventually rebirthed Adam Warlock, who was allegedly the prophet the Believers had been awaiting. Quill insisted on keeping the baby Warlock away from the cult’s influence. He matured (at an accelerated rate) to a state of adulthood and decided he did not want to lead them anyway. Another poignant moment that emerged from these episodes was a short stint by Cosmo the Dog as a temporary Guardian. It was cool to see the psychic Russian dog in his cartoon incarnation, especially as his involvement with the team increases in the comic book.

This show is as fast paced and funny as the movies, and it helps to solidify the brand of one of Marvel’s most promising properties these days. The banter and action are always rolling around like Rocket is prone to be. And it says something about the constant zings that Gamora, daughter of Thanos, is the group’s “straight man;” sometimes she’s the only one that is really adulting. This morning, the lovable group of space outlaws turned heroes will face the species of aliens that Spiderman’s “black suit” came from in the three part “Symbiote War” arc.

On tonight’s first episode, “Symbiote War Part One – Wild World,” the Guardians discover Groot’s homeworld, Planet X, has been overrun by Symbiotes who will stop at nothing to get Groot’s restarted World Pod for themselves to conquer the galaxy.

Then in the second episode, “Symbiote War Part Two – I Will Survive,” as a comet covered in Symbiotes comes barreling towards Spartax, the Guardians must team up with Quill’s sister Victoria to save the planet.

Finally, in the third episode, “Symbiote War Part Three – Thunder Road,” when the Symbiotes escape to Asgard and venomize Thor, Odin and the other Asgardians, it’s up to the Guardians to save them, the World Tree and all of existence.

Catch the fun today on Disney XD starting at 11AM/10AMc before you head out to see the movie tonight!