Saturday, June 11, 2016

Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot Episode 12: Identity Crisis Part 1

For the most part, season one of Reboot had a heavier focus on lighter stories. Low in major action, but higher in humor, both highly visual, and often subtle. It’s for the most part akin to almost any other action adventures kids series in the 90’s. The only advantage it has over the others was being the first CGI show. But for all of the light fun the show had, there were still occasions where the show was able to show its strong story writing and world building within the series. And this is one of those occasions. The only direct two parter in the entire series, let’s look at both parts of “Identity Crisis”.



We open part one to a game in progress. And for once, it looks to be actually pretty peaceful for a bit, until it’s established that it’s a rather old military battle game. Enzo’s easily bored of the game, while Bob’s being relaxed. He also warns Enzo that one day he may end up in the Fun House game, which is just an old urban legend. However, beating the game proves to be pretty simple with a well placed bazooka shot.

With the game wrapped up, Bob and Enzo head to Dot’s Diner where we see Dot is busy. However, in the middle of checking information, she sees a weird vision of the diner gone evil. Enzo almost loses his icon, which has all of his personal identification data, which can be corrupted in the wrong hands.  It’s apparently a big day for Dot, as Bob and her head to a secret location in one of the sectors controlled by Megabyte



Apparently the plan for a while is to convert the infected sector and to turn it into an energy park. The only thing necessary is for every binome to give her access to their P.I.D data. Everything seems to be going according to plan, but suddenly Megabyte’s goons bust the place led by Hack and Slash.

With the help of a binome named Cyrus, Bob and Dot try to escape underground with the organizer containing all of the P.I.D’s. All of the binomes are captured by the virals, as Megabyte appears on the vid window, and learns about Dot’s plans with the P.I.Ds, with his plan to finally break Dot’s spirits once and for all.



As they are being chased, Phong suggests destroying the organizer, which Dot refuses to do. They eventually find their way to a sewer exit, just as Cyrus sacrifices himself to the virals. With all of the sector under heavy security, Dot commandeers a vehicle, and they continue being chased by the viral binomes. However, once again Dot sees a weird vision of a corrupted Mainframe.

Eventually after dealing with more of Megabyte’s goons, the two manage to finally make it free to the border. However, before the duo can cekebrate. Megabyte shows up again on the vid window, congratulating Dot for handing him over the sector’s P.I.D’s codes. It turns out the file in the organizer has been removed. Dot takes the blame for costing the sector their independence.



However, despite Megabyte’s gloating, the file with the P.I.D’s still need to be encrypted. And to the shock of really no one, the one who really handed Megabyte the file was Cyrus. Megabyte decides to give the traitor the title of lieutenant.

Dot’s depression over what happened, and her distorted visions has her giving up entirely. And of course, if that doesn’t help to compact the matter,  ends with another game cube dropping down on Mainframe and our heroes. Part one ends with Bob and Dot in the fun house game that Bob had mentioned earlier.