Superman on Television

Justice League Action: Episode Reviews

Season 1 - Episodes 51: "Unleashed"

Originally Aired: June 2, 2018 (U.S.)

Written by Tim Sheridan
Directed by Doug Murphy

CAST:
Kevin Conroy as Batman (voice)
Jason J Lewis as Superman (voice)
Dana Snyder as Plastic man (voice)
Michael Dorn as Atrocitus (voice)
Joanne Spracklen as Supergirl (voice)

Rating - 2 (out of 5): While going on an "outing" to stop some Red Lanterns the Justice League prepare to leave when Plastic Man, thinking he's going along, is told he must stay behind. Plastic Man feels proud that he's been left in charge when he's told the Watchtower computer protocol is activated and technically it out ranks him. But Superman has a big job for Plas... take Krypto for a walk. After Krypto does his business (and used his heat vision to burn it away) Plas sees a blue cat in the ocean clinging to a wooden plank. Taking him in and drying him off Plas thinks the cat is hungry. While the cat is alone in the control room he activates a Red Lantern ring which brings up an image of Red Lantern Atrocitus who informs the cat (a Red Lantern named Dex Star) to activate a Mother Box and open a Boom Tube to let in the rest of the Red Lanterns. After the cat presses the button alarms go off. Plas enters the control room to see what's happening and ends up blaming Krypto. After over feeding the cat, Krypto and the feline have a tussle causing explosions in the control room in which Plastic Man blames Krypto. After putting Krypto in a Red Sun room to keep him out of trouble Plas goes back to feed the cat who throws a birthday cake in his face which gives the cat time to put on his Lantern ring. Will the cat succeed in activating the Boom Tube? Will Krypto make it out of the sun room to save the day? Do we care?

Well, I know I've been a bit hard on some of these episodes. But after last episode which not only featured Superman and Supergirl but was a fun well written episode, this one was almost embarrassing. Now it was great that Krypto and Streaky were the heroes in this one but this episode is centered around dogs and cats relieving themselves. You have a threat from the Red Lanterns and you have a cat who goes poopy in a litter box. Of course that's because Plastic Man keeps feeding him, for no reason other than getting the cat sick so he can use the litter box. And as for Plastic Man, I'm a fan of the character and enjoy his interaction with the Justice League but this version is obnoxious rather than funny and no offense to Dana Snyder who is a talented actor but Plas' voice was annoying. I was glad their were scenes without him. I'm just imagining a DC comics fan of any age tuning in for the first time and seeing this episode. But than some people of all ages enjoy potty humor, so who knows.

Krypto sets of an alarm that alerts Streaky who comes to the rescue. After the animals fight and almost bring the Watchtower down Dex Star manages to activate the Boom Tube. Streaky heads off the Lanterns and tries to hold them back. With the confidence that the Lanterns are on the way Dex Star finally gets to the litter box, but while doing his business Plas grabs the ring from the cats tail and gets to the Mother Box to deactivate it closing the Boom Tube. Once the League gets back they give credit to Plas for saving the day, but after some looks from Krypto and Streaky he finally admits he had some help.

It was nice to see Krypto and Streaky get some love but unfortunately it was in a sub par episode. I know this show is better than this. We'll see.

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