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The Tick
Episode 1.05: "Big League"
Directed by Bo Welch
Written by Lon Diamond
Original Airdate: 12/21/01
This week, Tick and Arthur get accepted into the League of Heroes, a spoof of DC's Justice League of America, only to find out it is an elitist group of fratboys. Infuriated that rabbit man and the blue head case are accepted despite her being way more qualified, Captain Liberty starts up a class action discrimination suit against the League.
Little does she know that the lawyer she hired is actually the secret identity of the Champion, president of the League.
This has been my favorite Tick episode so far for a number of reasons. I always knew that this show was missing a little something. I think it might have been simple first season jitters. The chemistry and raw fun was there, sure, but the execution always left a bit to be desired.
Similarly, in the nigh-mythical first couple of issues of the Tick, our arachnid avenger went through a number of mutations in personality and even costume. (blue fur?) Eventually he and the rest of the characters solidified into their own um. characters.
So, after only five episodes, the live action incarnation of the Tick finally begins to reveal the shiny, tasty potential that critics doubted it would have and fanboys were convinced it had in bundles. Personally, I'm a pessimist when it comes to stuff like this and with good reason. I'm either always proven right or pleasantly surprised.
I have to admit, however, that the fanboy inside this humble geek demigod slipped through that grim facade during a particularly humorous monologue or snappy bit of dialogue. My tummy did somersaults on those all-too-rare instances in otherwise forgettable episodes.
To the point, this episode did the improbable: it lived up to my inner fanboy's potential. There was an interesting story that, while not involving supervillains, wasn't a lifeless Tick vs. DMV plot. The B plot was as humorous and fresh as the A plot. I'm glad writer Lon Diamond knows to keep the core characters from splitting up too much into their own subplots while using both duos to maximum comedic effect.
I'm placing another pip on Diamond's lapel for taking advantage of the classic 'buddy' comedy inherent in Tick and Arthur's setup. From the parchment gag to the T & A muzak karaoke in Liberty's elevator, Diamond was obviously having fun with the relationship. Patrick Warburton and David Burke are apparently let loose two indulge in some improvisation with giggly results.
Hell, we even get treated to a display of superpowers. Sure, I didn't know Tick had super-speed, but if it was an error, I'm willing to overlook it for an otherwise great episode.
Episode Rating: 9 out of 10
By the sacred flame of Valhalla, Daniel Solis' continue to something something.
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