Episode Review
All in all, the first episode of Captain Planet and the Planeteers is a fun look back at the 1990's and Ted Turner and company's attempt to shift the landscape in regards to ecology and the environmental impact that humans have made on the environment. Of course, this was in part due to the large footprint that Turner broadcasting had created and was an attempt to regain some PR mojo. You may think, "Sure... Just another superhero show." However, Captain Planet has one stark difference from the other superheros out there: Captain Planet calls for empowerment. That is, the very catchphrase of this program is "The Power is YOURS!" Largely, this is because we share the same common enemy and truly is within our power to make small changes that, if subscribed to by the majority, can make a major impact!
Some of the most interesting aspects of this episode were the easter eggs. For instance, when each of the Planeteers receives their ring, it comes to them by means of the power that they are granted. Kwame finds his ring in the earth at the end of his staff. Gi's ring came from beneath the ocean's waves. Wheeler's ring flew out of a burning flame. Linka's ring arrived via a bird riding the wind. Ma-Ti, different than the rest, shows heart when he swoops in to save Suchi from a jaguar. While it wasn't necessary that the Planeteers rings be bestowed upon them in this fashion, the creative team behind the show thought it was a worthwhile story.
There were a few issues I had with the Planeteers powers. Wheeler can create fire, but doesn't seem to be able to control it much once he's created it. Gi, on the other hand, cannot create water, but can only control it. Kwame can control the earth and Linka can control the wind, so why are these two Planeteers different? Perhaps it was poor planning, or maybe it will be revealed in later episodes, but I found it confusing! The next issue would be that Captain Planet was made completely powerless after Greedly sprayed him with toxic waste, yet he could resist a drill pounding into his chest. The premise of the program is that Captain Planet and the Planeteers purpose is to fight pollution! However, they are also made weak by pollution? We'll see how this pans out in future episodes, but it left a bad taste in my mouth!
One of my favorite scenes from the episode is when Greedly shoots oil slick all over the Planeteer's plane, Wheeler says, "Man, these guys are really rude and crude." It really had no place, but the fact that the writers chose to include this cringe-worthy remark is great! There are other similar remarks in the episode, but none of them stood out like that one!
In conclusion, "A Hero for Earth" was a fairly solid origin story (aside from a few potential plot holes) that definitely left me wanting to watch more! The message was consistent, and I know the production studio had great intentions. It's important to teach young children about ecology and sustainability! If they don't learn at a young age, they will be contributing to the demise of our planet's ecosystem and I can definitely get behind the ideas presented in this first episode. I can't wait to see who the Planeteers will be fighting next!
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