Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 31: The Episode With No Name

So for most of season 3, a lot of big things have gone down. Bob is still lost in the web, Mainframe is without a guardian, Enzo lost his innocence by losing a game and has since become Matrix. What else can go wrong? Time to see what’s been happening on the net while Matrix, AndrAIa, and Frisket have been game hopping. And what a better episode to start that than with “The Episode With No Name”

We open the episode to yet another different system as a game cube is finishing off. The system this time is similar to a desert city. It’s also silent as Matrix, AndrAIa, and Frisket arrive, until the local bazaar sets up. Matrix for once, is actually happy, as this system has ports to the net, which means they can finally go home. But before the two can have a romantic embrace, they are bumped by a pickpocket, who just happens to nab Glitch.  Matrix gives chase to the pickpocket as AndrAIa and Frisket shop around the bazaar.

While all of this is going on, something emerges from the giant tear above the system. It’s three guardians. However, these guardians cause panic to the townspeople, and they certainly don’t look like your Bob-type guardian either. Well, other than the two that are blue, but that’s not what I mean. The fact that they’re gun-toting already makes them far different from our beloved guardian. Their searcher robots don’t make them too happy looking either. Matrix eventually manages to chase the pickpocket into a local bar.

At the ports to the net, AndrAIa and Frisket meet up with a silver sprite named Maxine (A search engine character used previously in the short lived ReBoot: The Ride). AndrAIa asks if they can board her ship, but she tells the two that without access codes, they aren’t authorized to do so, since the guardians for some reason are blocking access outside of the system.

Matrix enters the bar, and asks for a shot. He also finds the pickpocket and wants Glitch back. The pickpocket has some backup to help him, but Matrix places targets on everyone in the bar, and sets his gun to “death blossom” mode. The pickpocket gives Glitch up easily. Everyone exits the bar, as Matrix continues with his drink. However, one sprite has decided to stay, claiming he’s looking for Bob. The man reveals himself as Turbo, prime guardian.

Back at the port, AndrAIa learns that the guardians are trying to control the known net. The “Mend and Defend” motto is no longer being acted upon, and now it’s “Divide and Render”. Anyone who can help AndrAIa is locked in the local prison thanks to the guardians. Back at the bar, Matrix blames Turbo for ruining his life, which is sorta true. It was Turbo who planted Mouse with the bomb that would eventually lead into the portal to the web.

Turbo puts Matrix in a containment field, and learns that he’s the former Enzo Matrix, which easily causes him to remove the field. Matrix tells him about the situation in Mainframe, and about his game hopping. Turbo tells him that all this time game hopping wasn’t as long as Matrix thought it was. That game hopping accelerates sprites faster, making them compile quicker. Which means that Mainframe still has hope in being saved, as well as Bob.

Turbo tells Matrix that because he thought Matrix was Bob, he wanted to warn him about something. However, before he can say so, the guardians begin to shoot in the bar. The two manage to put the guardians at bay for a short period of time. Turbo shows Matrix the strange infection on the sides of his head, as well as on his icon. He tells him that the guardians have been corrupted by a super virus named Daemon, but Turbo’s strength has kept him from being fully corrupted yet. The only two guardians who haven’t been corrupted are Matrix and Bob.

Turbo also explains that it was Daemon who sent the web creature to Mainframe that caused this entire situation, and apologizes for the whole situation. With Bob’s codes, Turbo tells Matrix that he has to find Bob, so that he can save the entire net. Matrix also changes his icon, which helps to lose his location from the guardians.  The guardian leader grabs the pickpocket from earlier, who tells her that Matrix came with two others, a girl and a dog.

AndrAIa and Frisket return to see the bazaar destroyed, and ends up being cornered by the guardians. But they underestimate one thing. No one corners Frisket. The two meet up with the guardian leader,  who plans to shoot to kill. It’s an old high noon standoff between the two sprites. AndrAIa blocks the shot, and stabs the guardian in the neck with her paralyzing claws.

Back in the bar, Matrix creates a tear to help Turbo make a portal back to the supercomputer. He promises to be a friend on the inside, for as long as he can fight the infection. Turbo makes his exit as AndrAIa enters the bar. He tells her about Turbo. She tells him about the restrictions to net travel by the guardians. So it looks like they’re stranded. But of course, luck just happens to walk into the bar…

By the name of Captain Capacitor.

“The Episode Without a Name” is a good way to not only end the “Matrix” arc, but the begin the next arc. It fills us in on a lot of what’s going on since Matrix began to hop through the games, as well as not only giving us info on how the web creature made it to Mainframe, but that there is a virus out there that’s far more dangerous than Megabyte or Hexadecimal. All that we know now is that getting Bob back is even more of a top priority than ever.

This episode has an old west feel to it, made especially noticeable with the standoff between the guardian and AndrAIa. It’s also pretty crazy to think that AndrAIa may have just killed that guardian with her claws. However, by now we know they only paralyze, so she’ll survive. It’s finally good to see AndrAIa in more action than usual in the series to this point.

Other than that, there’s not really much to say about this one. Other than giving important information and exposition, it really doesn’t hold up as one of the more memorable episodes in the series. It does give hope for some interesting things to come. And with the Crimson Binome back, as well as the crew of the Saucy Mare, that definitely seems like the case.

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 30: Number 7

For the last two episodes, we’ve been thrust into a very different situation in the world of ReBoot, and introduced to this new incarnation of Enzo in Matrix. We know how he’s different from who he once was. No longer just the enthusiastic little sprite, and no longer trying to be like Bob. After all, he says it in the opening. He has no format, but is a renegade.  But why is he different from what he was? Again, the reason is somewhat obvious. Because he lost the game that got himself, AndrAIa, and Frisket lost in the net. But what is the one thing that drives him, and makes him so angry, and in some ways, even afraid? We’re about to go deep into the mind of Matrix, and we don’t even need a shrunken submarine to do so. Let’s look at the aptly named “Number 7”.

We open to another system as a game cube is about to drop. The system looks much like a giant golf ball with large satellites all over it. Matrix and AndrAIa prepare to enter. Matrix is of course being moody, feeling sick of trying as this is the fifth game they’ve played in this system, since the User has control of where the games go. Their journey continues to prove fruitless, as they haven’t even managed to find a system with ports to the net. Despite the pessimism of Matrix, AndrAIa has good feelings about this game.

The enter the game, and it at first looks like just another golf game. However,  what they soon discover is shocking. It’s not a golf game, it’s Mainframe. THE Mainframe. Their home. And it’s just like it was before the war, before everything went wrong.  Even more shocking is that Bob is also back in Mainframe, even chasing after Hack and Slash, who as always, are idiots, and easy to beat with a golf club.

For those who are curious watching this one for the first time, Bob’s voice is indeed being done by a different voice actor. Michael Benyaer, the original voice for Bob, had recently moved to California, and was still in the middle of moving to his new home just as the third season voice work for ReBoot had begun. Because of this, they replaced Benyaer with Ian James Corlett. Corlett was also doing voice work for the other Mainframe cartoon Beast Wars as the voice of Cheetor, and was hired to voice Bob for the rest of the series. At least until Benyaer came back. But that’s something we’ll get to later. Corlett’s voice of Bob is significantly different, but even so, still doesn’t feel like it’s too different from the original Bob voice.

At first the three are optimistic, but begin to doubt that this is reality, since they still entered a game cube to get here. They decide to reboot, Matrix at first being hesitant to do since it would mean the possibility of them turning back to their younger selves, and he has no desires to be little Enzo ever again. However, they still ReBoot, and the three turn into…

Megabyte, Hexadecimal, and Scuzzy?

For some reason, they’ve rebooted viral. Hack and Slash arrive, ever loyal to the virus they work for. They head to the Tor, and see that Phong, Bob, and Dot believe the three of them are working together for something evil. Bob tells Phong that they must not know about number 1. Things are getting odder, as AndrAIa is sounding more and more like Hexadecimal, all while Matrix is still not used to his Megabyte form.

AndrAIa believes that whatever number 1 is, it must be the objective to beating the game. Matrix is still not sure if this even is a game anymore. He also begins to sound more like Megabyte. This upsets him, stating that Megabyte represents everything he hates. AndrAIa asks if it really is what he hates, or if it is what he is becoming. Matrix plans to find number 1 to find out the answer.

Matrix enters the principle office to talk with Bob, and try to reason with them. But of course, since they think he’s Megabyte, they have no intention of listening. And despite his claims of being Enzo, they don’t believe him either. When he mentions number 1, Bob attacks him with a particle beam, with intention to file him. Matrix however has otehr plans, and escapes.

Back at the Tor, AndrAIa is becoming more insane. Much more like the Hexadecimal we all know. Matrix returns, upset that he’s still being looked at as Megabyte. AndrAIa tells him that there’s nothing wrong with being Megabyte, which angers him, since he believes everything about Megabyte is wrong. But her argument is that with the power and control, it’s everything he wanted. But he still has plans to try to show Bob and the others that he’s Enzo… even it it means deleting them. He is more and more changing to the real Megabyte, much like how AndrAIa has pretty much become Hexadecimal.

At the principle office, Phong believes that Bob and Dot should speak with number 1, which is exactly what Matrix and AndrAIa intend to do as well. They all meet at Dot’s Diner. But inside the diner is a court room instead, filled with strange imagery, and a jury wearing black and white masks. The one on trial is Matrix, and the judge is Bob. He is being charged with being believed that the ends justify the means, and becoming everything he hates. Matrix asks to be represented, and his witnesses are of course, Hack and Slash. It doesn’t look good as everyone finds him guilty.

When he tries to convince Dot that he’s Enzo, she attacks him in a fit of rage, which causes him to accidentally delete her. With actions speaking louder than words, Bob finds Matrix guilty, and plans to execute him. This causes him to delete and destroy them all. Hexadecimal congratulates him for killing everyone, and finally reveals that she’s figured everything out. Matrix angrily asks who number 1 is, and she presents him with a mirrored vid window with Megabyte saying that he is number 1, the driving force in Matrix’s life. His hatred, that is being driven and consumed.  Matrix shatters the window, turning him back to his normal self. The window reopens with his reflection saying that he is number 1, claiming he cares about no one but himself, not even AndrAIa. Matrix shoots the window, and the true number 1 appears, and it’s young Enzo.

Enzo tells Matrix that he must hate him, because of what Matrix has become. Matrix tries to say that he had to be stronger to survive the games. Enzo questions if he loved the games more than his family, to which Matrix denies. Enzo tells Matrix that he’s killed his family by forgetting about them. By becoming a prisoner of the games.  He then throws a golf ball at Matrix, which turns into a giant orb, trapping him inside.

Matrix wakes up, as we’ve learned that it was all a dream. None of what he went through had actually happened. The game is actually a golf game called “Fairway Frolics”. Matrix was actually hit on the head by a golf ball, which is what knocked him out. Matrix finally says that he’s tired of waiting for things to happen, and he’s tired of the games. They’ve been living like viruses, and infecting everywhere they go. It ends now. The search for Mainframe, and Bob, are now top priority. And the episode ends with Matrix shooting the golfers to finish the game.



This episode is another parody episode. This time, a lot of the jokes are based on The Prisoner, a 1960’s British drama. Everything from the title of the episode, to the characters making references of “Be seeing you” every time they talk in the episode. If you never saw the show when you were young, like me, you wouldn’t get them. But thankfully ReBoot proves that you don’t need to fully get the reference for it to work.

This episode is the much needed look into the mind of Matrix that we needed. We finally see what has made him change so drastically from Enzo to this gruff warrior. But the fear of becoming the weak little sprite he once was has turned him into the thing he hates the most. A virus with no care of who he hurts, and what systems he infects. It’s a really effective means of discovering a character’s functions. And the scene with Enzo and Matrix being well handled.

The episode being a dream was well handled too. All throughout the episode, you get subtle references to scoring in golf. Bob hits a hole in one on Hack and Slash, when served tea Phong asks “How’s your back 9?”, among others. It never feels like it takes away from the episode, and it really helps keep the “it was all a dream” ending from feeling like a cheap cop out.

In the end, this is another great episode from season 3. A loving tribute to a classic series, and a great character evolution piece for Matrix. Now the search for Mainframe is back on, but first Matrix may have to do battle with the guardians.

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 29: Where No Sprite Has Gone Before

So for the next four episodes after “Game Over” we enter the Matrix Arc. This storyline will follow Matrix, AndrAIa, and Frisket as they hop from game to game in search of the one game that will bring them back home to Mainframe. This gives us the ability to see new systems, like the one in ruins in the previous episode. It’s interesting to see how the other systems function, and what beings live within it. And we’ll see more of that in this episode, as we boldly go “Where No Sprite Has Gone Before”.

We open the episode as Matrix, AndrAIa, and Frisket exit the game, and enter a new system that looks like a futuristic city on a vast planet. AndrAIa is keeping a log of their adventures, and notes that Matrix is becoming more furious with each game, and he’s losing faith in ever finding his way back home. But her monologue is cut short as floating orbs of energy known as spectrals begin to move around the city. A group of sprites that look like superheroes chase after them, and with them is a hero in an iron suit that has a hairdo similar to Bob. They stop the spectrals easily.

However, it’s not Bob, but instead a sprite named Captain Robert Cursor. He also talks very similar to that of James T. Kirk. His crew includes a Spock-Like sprite named Pixel, a powerful sprite named Giga Girl, a Plastic-Man sprite named Email, and an edgy, gun toting musclehead named Powerlock, who chastises our heroes for being in the games, saying that the user must win all games. It is the hero selective to do so.

They enter the system’s hard drive, their base of operations, and they let out the spectrals. Despite what looks to be a victory for the heroes is not what it seems, as the spectrals blame the heroes for betraying them by entering the games. Spectrals have no ability to reboot inside the games, but the heroes of the system were able to become sprites by entering the game, and help to defend the system. But the heroes want to become spectrals again.One of the spectrals doesn’t believe that, and claim that they have fallen in love with their new flesh bodies, while the other tries to make some peace.

However the heroes however find it hard to reason with the spectrals. The group tries to take some time to relax, but it’s cut short as AndrAIa lets the spectrals go. She believes that no one should be hunted and caged, and manages to escape. The heroes have no choice but to hunt the spectrals down. Matrix is with them on the spectrals problem, but against the hunt. After the group exit, AndrAIa comes out of hiding. Matrix is still mistaking Cursor for Bob, to which AndrAIa tells him that despite the resemblance, it can’t be Bob. However, Matrix believes that the long exposure to the web could have changed Bob. He’s on the side of Cursor and the heroes, while AndrAIa has decided to side with the spectrals.

AndrAIa talks with the spectrals. But their chat is cut short as a tear has opened in the system. Back at the base, Cursor and the others return, telling Matrix of the tear. Cursor tells Matrix that in this form, he can’t mend the tear. AndrAIa ia busy inside the principal office, base of the spectrals mending the tear, while the one spectral from earlier is trying to claim that she plans to turn on them. She manages to get the tear secured for the spectrals to fix, but more begin to pop up. The one spectral runs off, blaming her for the problem. Believing she may have found the reason for a lot of the system errors AndrAIa and the other level headed spectrals leave to try to fix them.

Cursor and Matrix talk, with Matrix telling him why he keeps calling him guardian. It becomes more clear that this really isn’t Bob, and that he is a good sprite that wants to help defend the system. Matrix also may have a hunch as to why the errors are happening, and tells Cursor that he’s joining the hunt. AndrAIa and the spectrals find the tear, as the spectrals surround it, and easily destroy it. She notes that the tears are not normal ones, but tears being made from the same area and the same being. The one spectral blames AndrAIa and the heroes as expected, as they begin to attack her. Matrix and the others arrive and we learn that the tears aren’t being made by spectral, or hero, but by a virus.

The virus entered the system through a download, and ever since the first game cube dropped, it has been the one making tears to damage the system. Neither the heroes or spectrals doubt this, and this begins a battle between the two factions, which in turn finally causes Matrix and AndrAIa to kiss and make up. Cursor tries to make peace with the logical spectral, and they all stop their fighting. However, the one doubting spectral is found out by Matrix to be the virus, and they easily catch him. But the spectral tells them that his brother is still free to do damage.

More tears are being opened at the principal office, and the others make it there to learn that the other one causing the tears was Powelock, who is being held down by Frisket. Powerlock blames the spectrals, but Frisket’s nose rats him out. Powerlock threatens to crash the entire system, but the spectrals attack him, causing him to fire his bazooka. Cursor saves Matrix before debris falls on top of him. Matrix grabs his gun, and shoots him, causing instant deletion. Matrix checks to the dying Cursor, who deletes in front of him. But before Matrix can mourn his friend, another game is about to drop. The spectral leader tells them to take it and find their way home, and the heroes and spectrals will work together to mend and defend the system.



This is a Star Trek parody. But like ReBoot is so good at doing, that parody doesn’t have to completely overtake the episode. References within the episode are more than enough to get the message across. From AndrAIa’s log, to the mentalities of some of the heroes (including parodies of Kirk, Scotty, Chekov, and more), even Spectral’s mentioning that there will be peace. If not now, then by “the next generation”.  I’m not a Trekkie in any way, shape, or form, but I was able to get all of the references.

This episode also gives us plenty of superheroes as well. Most of which being references to actual Marvel and DC heroes. We get heroes reminiscent of Catwoman, The Hulk, Mr. Fantastic, and Ice Man. The design of Cursor is very reminiscent of Iron Man. They all have great designs, and even though we barely get any time to learn much about them, they were great characters to have in this episode.

In the end, this one was a filler. It’s still a fun episode, and it’s interesting to see a bit of the evolution of being in the computer world. How the sprites were first spectrals, and how they managed to become sprites through evolution within the games. But in the end, it’s nothing that you’ll truly miss if you skipped this episode. It’s one of the lesser episodes of this season. But next time, we get into the head of Matrix, and learn what really is the driving force of his life.

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 28: Icons

After the events of “Game Over”, any fan of ReBoot had to wonder “what happens next”? Do we keep focus on Mainframe’s attempts against Megabyte? Do we perhaps finally learn of what happened to Bob while in the web? Like I’ve said before, this is Enzo’s story. And after the loss to the user in the previous episode, it’s not really “Enzo’s” story anymore either. What do I mean by that? Well, you’ll understand as we head into the second arc of season 3. Let’s take a look at “Icons”.



The 2nd arc has a new opening. But the voice is different from anyone we’ve heard on the show. It’s a man who says he lives in the games, and he’s looking for Mainframe. His home. This man is a renegade, lost on the net. As the footage goes by, you see a gruff looking green sprite with a cybernetic eye, and a preference of using guns. And then it hits you immediately.

Holy crap, is… Is that Enzo?

The little sprite that was so happy and full of life has become a renegade without a format. Angry at the world around him. You also see Frisket, who looks about the same, as well as an adult AndrAIa, who… well… got pretty friggin’ hot. It’s mind blowing. It’s been only one episode, and all of this time appeared to have passed? Well, sort of. You see, ss the show mentioned in the previous episode, time moves different within games, and the effects of hopping from one game to another from system to system causes sprites to compile faster. And with that, it's time to be reintroduced to our main characters.

We open in a game akin to Mars Attacks, as three martian sprites are trying to avoid the user.  The eventually manage to blow him up, before changing their game sprite icons back into regular icons. The game ends, and the cube leaves, as our heroes survey where they are. It isn’t Mainframe, but a system that’s in ruins. The binomes in the system are in bad shape, but are surprised that anyone has managed to exit the cube. They believe they are the user, but they introduce themselves as AndrAIa, and Enzo. But Enzo would prefer his name to be Matrix from here on in.

We also see that Matrix is on edge and a bit trigger happy, as any sudden sound will have him fire his gun. Also, it’s clear that Matrix isn’t a very happy individual at all. He goes to see what repairs can be done to the system, which AndrAIa goes with Frisket to find any remains of a principal office. The system is badly damaged, filled with nulls, and badly damaged. Matrix also learns that a virus is loose in Mainframe. Inside the principal office, Matrix find a binome called “The Wise One”.

Matrix finds a young robotic sprite being attacked by a mantis virus. He attacks the mantis, who thinks he’s a guardian. Matrix however is no guardian, and unlike Bob, he shows no mercy to viruses. He shoots the mantis in the head, deleting it. He leaves the sprite, who seems a lot like a certain sprite we remember. Meanwhile, AndrAIa tells The Wise One about their situations, as Matrix tells them about the damage to the system. If they lose one more game, the system is done for.

The binomes of the system want the three of them to stay and protect the system. AndrAIa suggests that they stay and train the binomes to survive the games. Matrix would rather leave the system to be destroyed. Of course, this gruffness to the binomes is only an act. In the end, only four binomes would join up. These binomes are the fast Barry, Gabby the writer, Hardboot the construction worker, and Jeff, who has no clue why he’s joined the fight other than wanting to help.

But the introduction is cut short as the game drops. But before that, the sprite from earlier enters with them. Matrix tells the sprite to stay out of the way. The game this time is based on Conan the Barbarian. Matrix rallies the troops, and gives the group names. Barry is Overdrive, Gabby is Tweak, Hardboot is… Hardboot (the name really does say it all), Jeff is Tactic, and the sprite is named Backup.

They also have to tell the group how to reboot, since this is the first time they’ve entered a game. They all reboot successfully, as they head to the tower to beat the user.  But Backups is quickly separated from the group as a giant flying creature attacks them. Tactic finds a feather and takes it, believing it will serve a purpose later.  Tweak is still a bit more concerned about writing AndrAIa’s biography, and Overdrive tries to break the chain of a boat. But a giant sea serpent attacks them.

AndrAIa quickly overwhelms the creature, and uses it to help the others cross. Matrix realizes Backup is missing, and goes to find him. He quickly manages to rescue Backup, as the others get closer to the castle. Meanwhile, outside the game, the system is still falling apart. The others make their way to the castle, and the feather that Tactic found earlier helps him to fly, which opens the drawbridge.

Meanwhile, Matrix and Backup are busy battling giant gargoyles. Matrix decapitates one, while Backup finishes the other off. The others find the gold tooth needed to finish the level, but Hardboot accidentally blocks the holder. Matrix and Backup arrive, just as the user makes it to the final level. AndrAIa tells Matrix to not help, as this is a fight the others have to win. And they manage to handle themselves great, keeping the user knocked out long enough to take the gold tooth and win the game.

Matrix, AndrAIa, and Frisket prepare to leave, as Matrix gives his yo-yo to Backup. And the episode ends, as Matrix, AndrAIa, and Frisket continue their journey, as the system seems to finally be on the road to recovery with its new heroes.



“Icons” is a great episode that helps to establish the new character directions of Matrix, AndrAIa and Frisket . Matrix is a gruff individual, without much optimism and more willing to shoot first and not even bother with the questions. He’s a renegade, just like he says. No longer considering himself a guardian and in so many ways, he’s different from what Bob was. Bob was a sprite who would rather try to work on changing the viruses for the better, and never deleted them. Even when a situation like Hexadecimal’s mask removal would have led to her destruction, he still saves her. Similar situation when Megabyte was almost destroyed in “When Games Collide”. Bob is bound by his code of honor, and will defend anyone who needs help, even viruses.

Matrix however shows no mercy to anyone who crosses his path. This makes him so much different from who Bob was, and especially far different from who he was as a small sprite. This is especially noticeable with his interactions with Backup, who acts a lot like the sprite Matrix once was.  I can understand how a lot of people can be turned off by Matrix, considering how much of an anti-hero he is. But for the show to evolve like it does, this was a much needed character change, and it works so well.

AndrAIa doesn’t have too much change in character. She’s supportive of the sprite she loves, but is also the one to keep the angry sprite from going too far with his actions. Frisket really doesn’t change, since he’s always been the feral dog that’s been Matrix’s pet. He’s still definitely a threat to anyone who gets in the way of the sprites he cares about. And yes, I really do like her updated character design.

It’s also interesting to finally see a different system, and how they differ from Mainframe. This one definitely doesn’t seem any different from Mainframe, but is far more damaged and troubled. We get some interesting characters, each with their own interesting quirks, and even though this is the end of their tale, it would have been nice to see how the system recovered, and the evolution of these heroes.

After an episode with such a dark turn like “Game Over”, they could have taken this show in any direction. And I personally think the way they have so far has been excellently handled. We still need to learn a bit more about Matrix, and what motivates his aggression, but that will have to wait. Our heroes will have another system to deal with, and perhaps see a sprite that reminds them of an old friend.

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 27: Game Over

The last three episodes of ReBoot have focused heavily on the build of Enzo from just a kid to a guardian who is becoming more and more capable of his abilities. Proving not only to Dot and the citizens of Mainframe, but also to himself that he is perhaps truly capable of filling the shoes of Bob. And if the series had kept things going in that direction, it would have still been very interesting.

But, as we’ll see in this episode, that wasn’t going to be the case. As we’ve now entered the episode that in my opinion changes everything. And any belief that this was just any other kids show would change with one scene. One scene that I feel is symbolic of the entire series. But we’ll get to why when we get to it. Let’s see the first arc of season 3 come to an end with “Game Over”.

We open the episode as Megabyte’s sector is still locked inside the firewall. Megabyte uses his controlled Hexadecimal to try to breach the wall with her viral power. Hex is of course unwilling, but Megabyte’s shock collar still forces her hand. It seems like the breach is working as the viral forces exit the breach and approach the defenseless principle office. But Dot and the others have planned for this, as the CPU guards fire his forces down with their cannons, blowing them out of the sky. Hex laughs in glee over the damage caused.

It seems like Mainframe has succeeded again, but Dot is still distraught. She still feels empty for the suffering caused in this war. Phong tells her that as commander of the system, she needs to be strong for the sake of everyone in Mainframe. And that with the viruses locked up, they can finally focus on trying to find Bob and bring him home.

This scene is a great example of Dot’s character growth. No longer just some savvy businesswoman who seems to run all of Mainframe, she’s become a commander to lead her home to victory. But we finally see that despite everything, she’s still not mentally ready for all this, and with the loss of Bob, and the deletions of so many in this war, it’s becoming harder to ignore the pain, both of others, and of herself. And like Enzo, she’s thrust into a position that she sometimes believes she’s not worthy of, despite being a master strategist.

Back at the Tor, Megabyte wants to finally have Hexadecimal under full control. Herr Docktor instead comes to the conclusion that we’ve all kinda come to at this point… Hexadecimal is insane. In fact, he believes that she likes being tied up and being put into submission. Another plan being under way is to break the firewall. He asks for Hack and Slash, who haven’t finished up with punishing Cyrus. He tells Herr Docktor that he wants them to take point during the next firewall breach. He has finally tired of their incompetence.

The two are planning to crush Cyrus, but are arguing over not doing it. But it seems like neither of them truly want to go through with destroying him. In fact, Slash saves him from death. Hack is against it, but Slash still feels its wrong.  He also misses Bob because Bob was always there to stop them from doing something truly bad. Which proves my point that Hack and Slash were never really evil. Yes, they are loyal to Megabyte, but neither of them really wanted to do anything disastrous, or to hurt anyone else. In other words, they aren’t bad. Just lovable morons.

With things finally calmed down, Dot finally has a chance to talk with Enzo and AndrAIa in a much happier tone. But that’s cut short as another game cube is set to drop down. She tells Enzo to be careful, as she is still not settling well with the idea of letting him go to games alone, especially now that he’s the only piece of family she has left. Mouse tells her to make due. The sector is secured, and Enzo, AndrAIa, and Frisket enter alone as the binomes of Mainframe cheer him on.  Cyrus panics about being unable to escape, but he sees Scuzzy behind the firewall and asks to work a deal to help him in.

The game this time is a one on one tournament fighting game between gods, mortals, and demons. The user has to beat five players to win. The downside to this is that the game has 12 active players, giving the high probability of neither of them being able to battle him. Outside of the game, Dot is still in a bit of a panic. The user has chosen a giant devil named Xatan. Enzo’s strategy is to have AndrAIa and Frisket team together as he makes the user pick him early on, giving them another shot.

AndrAIa and Frisket get their character ready as Enzo tries to pick his character, but continues to fail at doing so. Despite the best efforts of the fighters, Xatan is successful, complete with a finishing move which rips the head clean off his enemies. Enzo watches on to learn his strategy. Back at the Tor, Scuzzy has managed to make it inside, and helps to free Hexadecimal, who is none to thankful that it took such a long time.

Back in the game, things aren’t going too well. Another player is easily slain by Xatan. It’s down to the final match, as Enzo finally reboots into his fighterwhich is in an outfit similar to Scorpion from Mortal Kombat.  Even the music in the character select is similar to the song from the Mortal Kombat movie. Enzo handles himself quite well against Xatan, using his study of the user to good work. He easily wins round one.

But with Xatan winning round 2, it’s all down to the final round. Enzo handles himself to his best abilities, but is unable to defend an axe slash by Xatan, which leaves a giant scar over his eye. Enzo is now partially blinded, which makes him a sitting duck for Xatan to finish off. Before the user can finish Enzo off, he changes his icon to that of a game sprite, as AndrAIa and Frisket do the same.

The game has ended, and the user has won. Dot screams in disbelief that she has now not only lost Bob, but her little brother as well. Mainframe is without a guardian. And the real winner is Megabyte. When he can remove the firewall, there will be no one to stop him. Megaframe is now his to create.



“Game Over” is a dark episode. It shows that not only have we gone far from the lighter tone of the first two seasons, but that this show is not afraid to go in some really disturbing routes. Very rarely in any kids show, be it from this era or the 90’s, would you ever see a child character left disfigured and even though we don’t see it, killed. It’s a moment that just feels shocking, but is so very effective in telling the story this series is trying to tell. In the end, despite Enzo’s best efforts, despite the victories he was gaining, and the trust he was earning. Despite that glimmer of hope that maybe he can be the man that Bob was,  he wasn’t as ready for this as he believed. He was still just a boy who wasn’t able to defend himself against everything.

Everything about the final scene is perfectly done, and so effectively chilling. The silence after “User Wins”. The reaction from Dot. The feeling of disbelief and sadness from inside the principle office. And most importantly, the elation from Megabyte. In the end, you feel worse for the heroes, and hate Megabyte even more. Even though he didn’t do anything to kill Enzo, this would have never happened if he hadn’t gotten rid of Bob. And with the bars seemingly breaking, the monster will be free from his cage, and ready to continue with his reign of terror. Free to destroy a system that has no hero left to stop him, and its remaining defense becoming less and less with each attack.

I especially have to give points to Kathleen Barr for her role as Dot in this episode. She really displays a powerful amount of emotions throughout this episode. Her frustration at Megabyte not exiting the firewall, her sadness for the lives lost in the war. Even the scene with Dot talking to Enzo and AndrAIa. How Dot doesn’t just suddenly sound fully happy, but there is still a sense of being choked up and sad, trying to grin and bear the pain, and her frustration that she can’t stop her brother from entering the games anymore. And of course, the final scene, in which you really feel the emotion of Dot finally being fully broken with the loss of Enzo, AndrAIa, and Frisket. She’s lost everything, and that scream of no at the end lets all of the pain out. Barr really helps make this whole thing feel real, and really helps to bring a tidal wave of emotion throughout the episode. It is easily one of the best character works in any series.

This in my opinion is the emotional climax of the series. And if you’ve followed all the way to this episode, investing in the heroes, even caring about their fictional lives, it will leave you with a feeling of sadness. Especially knowing that this is in some ways for now the “death” of Little Enzo. The little sprite that just wanted to be like his hero, and yet failed. Now he’s trapped in the games. Lost from his home. Separated from his family. A lot of that can do damage to a character. Make them feel guilty for not being able to save their home. Make them feel angry for letting others down. So it would be understandable that this moment means the final breaking of any spirit that Enzo had. To be more specific, this is the death of his innocence. And what remains will change him completely.

I remember seeing this episode when it first aired, and being really shocked at the ending. Not just because of how brutal it feels, and the feelings of sadness and despair left in the final moments of the episode. I also just was wondering “what now”?  What will happen to Enzo, AndrAIa, and Frisket? What about Mainframe? Where do we go from here? The answer would come in the next episode and it certainly wasn’t what anyone would have expected. We’re entering the next arc. The game is changing once again, and so is Enzo.

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 26: Firewall

We’re now at the halfway point of the first arc for season 3. Season 3 was an epic in every conceivable way, and the story within was broken into four separate four part arcs. All connected to the story throughout the season, but each played a different role in the story. This first arc is, as you could guess by this point the “Guardian Enzo” saga, which focuses around Mainframe being guarded by Enzo, and his successes and failures with his newly adopted role as guardian of Mainframe. And it doesn’t help that propaganda and fear mongering from Megabyte has led to the many citizens of Mainframe doubting their safety in the hands of such a small sprite. And in this episode, it’s finally time for Enzo to prove his doubters wrong. Can he do it? Let’s find out as we review “Firewall”.

The episode doesn’t open with the intro for once. Instead we’re thrust into a game where Santa Claus is skiing downhill. Enzo and AndrAIa are rebooted as snowmen who have to stop this strange man who only says “Ho Ho Ho”.  Despite their efforts, Santa manages to handle himself on the skiis. But Enzo turns himself into an icy slope. Santa tries to drop down slowly with a balloon, but a well timed icicle pops his balloon leading to Santa’s demise.

And we get our opening for the episode, which isn’t the regular ReBoot opening. It’s instead a parody of James Bond films, complete with fiery background and somewhat provocative shots of Dot and Mouse, as well as shots of the others characters in the series.  it is still one of the coolest ideas, and is easily the most memorable part of this classic episode. Doesn’t hurt that the theme is extremely catchy to boot. Watch it for yourself and see what I mean.

The game ends with AndrAIa and Enzo celebrating their recent victory, but are confronted by Megabyte. He tells Enzo to send a message to Dot, to which Enzo tells Megabyte that he’s no longer his delivery boy. Megabyte responds by grabbing Enzo by the throat, telling him that it’s by Megabyte’s will alone that he’s still alive. He tells the two that while they may be safe behind the shield of the principle office, the citizens of Mainframe however are not, and he’ll ensure that they suffer.

The encounter with Megabyte has finally broken Enzo’s spirits, believing that he really isn’t a guardian, and he’ll always just be Megabyte’s messenger. AndrAIa tells him to keep fighting, but with the virals outnumbering them, it doesn’t look too good. Enzo suggests that Megabyte should be the one who’s locked up. So the plan is to place an inverted firewall over the sector of Silicon Tor, caging the virus once and for all. Meanwhile, Megabyte checks in on the weakened Hexadecimal. He tortures her some more with the shock collar. With Hex now fully charged and under his control, it is now time to use his new “weapon” into battle.

Back at the principle office, it seems like things are going well with the plans for a firewall. A technical binome named “Hugh” (a parody of “Q” from the James Bond films)  sets them up with the plans, just as a game drops. Enzo and AndrAIa enter it, and it appears to be some sort of race game akin to Toy Story. The toys inside the giant room are all sentient and can defeat the user as well as anyone else. Enzo has hopes that this victory can restore his confidence, but unfortunately the propaganda spewing Cyrus and a group of other binomes are still doubting his abilities as guardian. Thankfully Frisket is around to even the odds.

The user arrives, who looks a lot like Penelope Pitstop. AndrAIa reboots into another biker babe, as Enzo gets rebooted akin to James Bond. And the rat Cyrus is fittingly rebooted to look like Dick Dastardly with Frisket as Muttley. Sp we’ve gone from a Looney Tunes tribute in the last episode to a sort of Toy Story meets Wacky Races parody in the next. This is why I love the games, and this show. Meanwhile, outside of the game, Mouse is busy flying around Megabyte’s sector, and placing the spires to activate the firewall. However, Hugh never told them that this is all experimental, and has a high probability of failure.

Back inside, it’s a harrowing race against the user, as plenty of obstacles stand in their way from sentient sneakers to falling darts. Even a giant model Tyrannosaurus Rex, thankfully without a cannon for a head. But it manages to be useful to AndrAIa who manages to catch up to the user. The T-Rex attacks Cyrus, who begs for Enzo’s help. Enzo and Frisket manage to distract the dino to help him out. However a giant lamp (another reference to Pixar?) stops AndrAIa as the user enters a plane to escape through the window. Megabyte watches on from outside the game and prepares Weapon Hex.

Cyrus manages to get Enzo onto the user’s plane. However Enzo is weaponless, save for a teddy bear that he uses to jam one of the wings on the user’s plane. But he is soon knocked off the plane, and falls to his peril. But Cyrus in a plane manages to rescue Enzo just as the User crashes, ending the game. All of the binomes have new found faith in Enzo, and even Cyrus is considered a hero. But this new good streak for Cyrus is quickly put to a stop as Megabyte orders Hack and Slash to seize him. However, Enzo and the others defend Cyrus. Megabyte tells them that with Hexadecimal at his command, they are powerless against him.

But before the virus can do anything, the spires are placed by Mouse and the firewall is activated. The shield is dropped from the principle office to power the spires, which creates a giant wall of flame over the sector, blocking Megabyte. But before the firewall fully takes place, Hack and Slash still manage to grab Cyrus. Hexadecimal laughs in glee that now the jailer is jailed. And the episode ends with a major victory for our heroes. Megabyte is stopped, and Enzo has the faith of his fellow Mainframers. But how long will it last?



ReBoot continues to prove how it can use subtle references and parodies perfectly without them feeling shoehorned. Case in point this episode, which has some mild references to the James Bond franchise. From the opening theme, to “Hugh” to Enzo’s snazzy tuxedo in the game. It feels like it’s just enough to use without going overboard. There are also a few other nods to the works of Pixar, as well as a reference to of all things, “The Indian in the Cupboard”. Although I believe the movie adaptation came out at just around that same time.

This is the episode that finally starts to build Enzo’s confidence, which has been gone ever since he was given the guardian protocol. In the beginning, it felt like no one had faith in him. Not the citizens of Mainframe, who were led on by the propaganda caused by Megabyte’s lackey Cyrus. Not even Dot, who feared he wasn’t ready, and that she would lose him like she lost Bob. But now it feels like he’s finally earning the respect he deserved. He’s winning games, he’s stopping Megabyte, he’s proving his worth. And his influence is even rubbing off on other villainous characters like Cyrus.

It’s finally good to see Enzo mature as a guardian, and prove his worth to the citizens of Mainframe. However, we’ve now reached the end of the first arc of the series. The game is about to change once again, and the single darkest moment in the history of ReBoot is about to occur.

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 25: Between A Raccoon And A Hard Place

So let’s just recap everything that’s happened since the last episode.

Bob is no longer in Mainframe, and the system is being guarded by Guardian Enzo. However, despite Enzo’s determination, he is still inexperienced, which has already causing him to cast doubt on himself. And his doubts are made no better with propaganda from Megabyte, which is painting Enzo as a failure. The same Megabyte who is having his sister Hexadecimal experimented on to be under his control. So yeah. A lot of bad is going down. But hey… at least Cecil’s all right.

The battle for Enzo to prove his worth continues as we head into the next episode. Let’s look at “Between a Raccoon and a Hard Place”.

We open the episode as yet a game cube has dropped on Mainframe. However, Enzo was unable to get into the game due to Megabyte’s forces constantly blocking him at every turn. A tactic Phong tells Enzo that was once used on Bob. The game ends, and as you could probably guess, the user won. The entire sector is destroyed, and the binomes inside are nullified. Even Mike the TV blames Enzo for his failures, as Hack and Slash put a stop to him. It appears that Megabyte’s crew is attacking the victims of the sector.

With no defense against his forces, as well as instant deletion for anyone who rebels, the binomes easily give up their P.I.D codes to Megabyte. While that’s happening, Cyrus is putting up posters proclaiming Enzo as a failure of a guardian, continuing on Megabyte’s tactic of propaganda and fear. Phong suggests that Enzo must enter a game by himself to prove his worth. This of course is something Dot objects against, even with AndrAIa suggesting to help him out.

Mouse tells Dot that she’ll go with the two sprites, but both Mouse and AndrAIa need their icons formatted for rebooting. They download the information from Enzo’s icon and the two now have icons capable of rebooting. Meanwhile, Dot and Phong mention that due to being locked out of the net, not even Megabyte can exit the net, meaning that, as Phong puts it “Bob has locked us in the cage with the tiger”.

Megabyte orders his troops to once again stop Enzo should he try to enter the game, but not to delete him, since he’s more useful alive than dead, and that he wants the masses to know of Enzo as a failure. And as if on cue, a game cube is about to drop on Mainframe. The virals see two signals of Dot and Enzo entering the cube, as the fleet go to block them. However, it turns out to be cardboard cutouts. Multiple cutouts of Dot and Enzo fly past them, as Mouse, AndrAIa and Enzo enter the game. However, before the game drops, AndrAIa stops Mouse from following them in.

The two of them arrive at a desert in front of an old gas station. AndrAIa tells Enzo that she made sure Mouse didn’t enter due to the icons being untested, and since AndrAIa is a game sprite she could still survive if the game leaves. They are greeted by a prospector binome, who immediately shows doubt in Enzo due to him being just a kid.

Back at the tor, Megabyte checks up on Hexadecimal. Her body has been fully restored, but her mask is cracked. And for some strange reason, she’s dressed in a leathery S&M getup. Hex, of course, is fine with this new look. But Megabyte has also attached a collar around her neck that causes her pain if she tries to rebel against him. Now Megabyte has the power of Hexadecimal at his command, and the plans for Megaframe are still underway.

Back in the game, our heroes learn that they’re inside the game “Rocky the Rabid Raccoon”. AndrAIa reboots into a biker babe, and Enzo reboots into…

Elmer Fudd?

The titular Rocky the Rabid Raccoon shows up, and is a psychopath complete with super speed.  After slobbering over AndrAIa, he gets a massive lead. But through some strange Rube Goldberg act of happenstance, they manage to kill a buzzard with fireworks, which falls on Rocky, which causes him to not see a train in front of him, hitting him and taking out one of his three lives. Despite Enzo’s success, he’s still not earning any favors with the binomes.

Dot is not happy that Enzo is alone with a game sprite, but her concerns have to be put on hold as they must plan one what to do after they exit the game. Back inside, Rocky manages to steal their bike and once again get a lead on our heroes. He makes it to a missile silo, and fires a rocket at Enzo, AndrAIa, and the prospector. They manage to escape the rocket blast in time, but meet more binomes who still doubt Enzo’s abilities.

Rocky continues onto the bonus level, where an extra life is inside. Enzo tells the binomes that he’s not Bob, but they have to trust him so that they won’t all be deleted. They enter the sewer area, and try to take the extra life as Rocky approaches. They escape through a manhole, as Rocky is destroyed by the ghost binomes inside the sewer. One more life is lost. Everyone is starting to finally have faith in Enzo.

Rocky enters a subway to find food to energize. He batters down on a vending machine. But a flasher binome (yes, this really happens), sends him back upward, as the binomes lead Rocky into a tar trap. Enzo and AndrAIa flatten the annoying raccoon  to end the game. Enzo is at first concerned when he doesn’t see AndrAIa after the game, but she has managed to survive. But their celebration is cut short by Megabyte’s guards. They easily escape as the binomes tricked them again with the cardboard cutout plan.



“Between a Raccoon and a Hard Place” is in some ways a filler episode, but compared to ones from the previous seasons, it definitely doesn’t feel as bad. It furthers the important storylines, most importantly being Enzo trying to earn the respect of the citizens of Mainframe, who still doubt his abilities because he’s a kid, and mostly because he’s not Bob. It also continues to add more emphasis to the relationship of Enzo an AndrAIa, with the drama of her possibly leaving with the game if the icon transfer fails. And of course, if it wasn’t obvious that AndrAIa loves Enzo, Phong is of course here to point it out.

The game this time around is a strange mix of classic Looney Tunes comedy as well as a sorta parody of the massive popularity of animal mascot games around the mid 90’s. A trend that started with Sonic the Hedgehog, and just never seemed to go away any time after that. Hell, it still feels prevalent in gaming to this day. It’s really cool to see so much variety in the types of games the show will present now. From dark and scary like the Evil Dead game in the last episode, to silly and fun like in this episode.

In the end, it’s a fun episode, that while it could be skipped without missing too much information (except for maybe Hexadecimal’s “rebirth” and Megabyte’s control over her), but you’d still be missing a fun episode. And things continue to build up as Mainframe has to execute a plan to block Megabyte once and for all.

A Taste of the New Generation: Broken Harts: WWF Monday Night Raw: July 4th, 1994

It's July 4th, 1994. Independence day. The Lion King is still roaring into the #1 box office spot, All-4-One is still number one with "I Swear", and the WWF is running yet another set of tapings in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. In fact the entire month of July is running from the Fernwood Resort.  It's Gorilla and Savage still at the table, since we're nearing ever closer to the trial.  Since that trial is happening, let's get to talking about it and why it almost led to the company's demise.

Way back in an older edition of TOTNG, I covered how Hulk Hogan's  red and yellow lies on the Arsenio Hall show about not using steroids got him and the WWF in hot water.  This had to do with Penn State doctor George Zahorian selling steroids to the superstars, including the hulkster. As the situation worsened, Vince would be indicted in 1993, but the case wouldn't see trial until the summer of 1994.  Among the many people to testify against McMahon was Kevin Wacholz, AKA

Nailz. 

Nailz was a short lived character of a former convict who was getting revenge on the Big Bossman for the punishment he claimed to have suffered in prison. Well, didn't you ever hear his theme song? He warned you that you'd be serving hard times. In December of 1992 however, things got more violent than expected as after an argument over poor pay, Wacholz would attack Vince McMahon and attempted to choke the life out of him.

So, with that history in mind and the fact that Wacholz made it pretty clear in court that he hated McMahon's guts, his testimony was called into question. However, prosecution had one more ace up their sleeve. They had a star witness. One who just had a falling out with McMahon and surely would tear him a new one. And that witness was Hulk Hogan.

Yes, even the world of federal court revolves around Hogan-Senpai.

Hogan, however testified in favor of McMahon, claiming that he never told Hogan to take steroids, nor were they ever sold to him. Vince eventually testified that he had taken steroids in the 80's and eventually was acquited. He would return to day to day operations (while the company was being run by his wife Linda) and things went back to normal. Vince McMahon is a man who doesn't believe in "forgive and forget" when he's the one scorned, however. And among the many people hoping to see him in jail was New York Post editor Phil Mushnick. Mushnick has had a long history of hatred for the company and tried as hard as possible to bury McMahon in as much dirt as possible. But hell hath no fury like a McMahon scorned and on an episode of Superstars in 1995, long after the trial, McMahon cut a shoot promo on the post and others that tried to take him down. Although he does go a bit too far essentially placing most of the blame for the trial on Mushnick.

So now that we've covered the interesting trial, let's get to covering my personal nightmare. It's Tatanka vs Jeff Jarrett in our opener.

Tatanka attacks Jarrett early to start. Jarrett tries a slingshot, but gets caught into a powerslam for two. Vertical suplex from Tatanka (Which Monsoon actually refers to as Suplex City. Maybe Brock Lesnar was just a really big fan of Gorilla's commentary?) and a cover for two. Jarrett turns things around into a headlock. Jarrett gets a shoulder block, but Tatanka turns things around with a leapfrog and an arm drag. Chop and a headlock from the Native American. Jarrett tries a hiptoss, but Tatanka turns it around and goes right back into the extra long headlock. And I mean long as in a good three minutes long.

Jarrett breaks free and leapfrogs, but gets caught on the second try with a chop to the head. Jarrett takes Tatanka's momentum and tosses him over the top rope to the outside. He follows with an axe handle off the apron. He follows with a second axe handle and a ram into the apron.  He goes for a third, but gets caught with chops from Tatanka.  But Jarrett manages to ram Tatanka into the post. Referee calls for the bell as the referee calls for a countout. Jarrett isn't very happy about this and grabs a mic. He always wins his matches fair and square. He calls Randy Savage a cheater, but he sure isn't. He tells the referee to restart the match. Jeff Jarrett is offically the biggest heel in the WWF at this point. He makes me have to continue watching a Tatanka match!

We return from break as Jarrett hits a big elbow to the face of Tatanka for two. Jarrett places Tatanka in a long chinlock, which is eventually broken out with some elbows and a sleeper hold. Jarrett sends Tatanka back first into the corner to break and follows with a whip to the corner and a clothesline for a two count. Jarrett complains to the referee and follows with a sleeper of his own to Tatanka. After about two minutes, the ref does the arm drop spot, but Tatanka wakes up and escapes. Jarrett stops his momentum, only to do what

EVERY
SINGLE
PERSON
HAS
DONE
IN
A
FRIGGING
TATANKA
MATCH

He rams Tatanka head first into the turnbuckle, and then a second time. Tatanka does his war dance, hits some chops and covers for two. Jarrett reverses a whip to the corner, only to get a boot to the face and a DDT for two.  Jarrett slides out to escape, but Tatanka throws him right back in. Tatanka follows with a top rope tomahawk for two as Jarrett gets his foot on the rope. Jarrett tries to escape again...

Only to get squirted by Dink. Doink comes running down with a bucket of water. Jarrett runs back into the ring, only to be rolled up for the three by Tatanka, mercifully ending this long match. If it had ended on the count out, I'd have been happy. But continuing just for more long chinlock and sleeper holds and a lack of interesting ring psychology only made this more tedium than entertainment.  And most insulting of all, Doink doesn't even throw the water at Jarrett. Even Heel Doink would have done that.

It's that time of the week again. It's the King's Court. His guest this week is the 1-2-3 Kid, who next week on Raw will face Bret Hart for the WWF Championship. The kid was so thin as a kid that the teachers kept calling him absent. Next Monday, the king will be pulling for him to win because he hates Bret's stinkin' guts. The kid kisses up to Bret Hart in face fashion, which annoys the King. He promises that he will not win the title with an attitude like that and tries to entice him in being heelish. The Kid keeps his focus and says that if luck's on his side, Bret might make a mistake and he might be champ. Gotta admit, this is the least fired up I've ever heard anyone for having a WWF title shot. Maybe it's the kid's bad promo work to begin with, but his "if I win cool, if not, oh well" attitude really doesn't sell me on the importance of this title match.

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart is in action next against Gary Scott. Owen is in Anvil's corner as he starts with a bit to the forehead and a big back body drop. He locks in a chinlock and follows with a forearm to  back and a hard whip to the corner. He bites the forehead as "We Want Bret" chants begin to fill the arena. Neidhart sets Scott into the tree of woe and hits some stomps. He chokes Scott in the corner with his boot as Owen continues to scream at him. A "Traitor" chant is made as Savage quotes "The Shadow". He puts in a chinlock and eventually tosses out Scott to the outside. Neidhart brings him back in and finishes off with a running powerslam for the three in a dull squash. A few decent hard spots, but nothing that really stuck off as incredible.

Up next, it's Duke "The Dumpster" Droese against "Iron" Mike Sharpe. Sharpe tries to shoulder block Droese, but to no avail. Neither is Sharpe's attempts at body slams. But Droes gets a slam of his own and an atomic drop. He teases a stomp to the groil, but follows with an elbow drop. It's Savage's USA Network Shill. Al Pacino in "Sea of Love".

Sharpe tries to ram Droese into the buckle, but Droese lands about 20 to Sharpe. One corner to another. He lands a clothesline and covers for two. Droese hits a big elbow to the head and a suplex. Cover, but Sharpe gets his foot on the rope. Sharpe gains some momentum with a rope choke. He sets up a piledriver, but Droese turns it around into a back drop. Sharpe charges the corner, but misses. Body slam from Droese as the trash man drops the big elbow drop for three in another dull squash, even with Sharpe trying his best.

It's our last match of the night. It's "The Undertaker" (with Ted Dibiase) in action against Mike Bell. Monsoon brings up the history of Undertaker and Dibiase being aligned way back at Survivor Series in 1990. "Taker" starts up with clubbing blows and a choke hold. He follows with a drop toe hold and a grab of hte nostrils.  A "He's a fake" chant breaks out as even the crowd isn't buying this phony. "Taker" lands an elbow drow and goes up for the old school off the tope rope. He chokes Bell on the ropes a couple times and follows with a flying clothesline. "Taker" hits the tombstone for the three in a nothing squash. I will admit he tried, but he just can't land the original's mannerisms all that well.

As Dibiase and "Taker' put Mike Bell into a bodybag, Paul Bearer saunters his way to the ring. He beckons to the Undertaker, but Dibiase has the almighty dollar on his side. At first taker resists, but eventually as it's well known, everybody has a price and Dibiase pulls out more money. Taker sides with Dibiase as Bearer walks off in disgust.

We end Raw with Lawler backstage with Ted Dibiase. He invites Dibiase to the King's Court next week. But since Dibiase doesn't want to be around peons, it'll be wherever he wants. 

Overall, this was a pretty dull edition of Raw. Two Tatanka/Jarrett matches with neither pleasing me, two dull squashes and an incredibly bland King's Court. Honestly, the highlight of this show was Owen screaming like a maniac, because Owen always makes things just that much better. Overall an avoidable edition of Raw. A D- rating.