Saturday, September 1, 2018

'Toon Reviews 21: Xiaolin Showdown Season 1 Episode 6: Chameleon


If you like this review and want to stay updated for what else I have in store, become a follower of this blog, click here to like the official Facebook page, and click here to follow me on Twitter. Now on with today's review:
Chameleon
By now, the formula for this show is well established.  One or more Xiaolin Warriors has a problem, they learn a virtue from Master Fung , and Shen Gong Wu reveal and showdown puts it to the test.  Subversions to the formula are frequent and help keep things fresh, and this episode features a subversion to drive an interesting story concept. 
The virtue the Warriors learn isn’t a solution to a problem, but a useful strategy known as tiger instincts.  This is when they figure out what their opponent will do and fight back before anything happens.  For the most part, the tiger instincts are played for laughs.  They're used in sequences of Omi quickly using various Shen Gong Wu to dodge attacks while sparring , and outwitting Raimundo’s street-smart challenges.  With these scenes, it’s clear that you’ll get some solid comedy with this episode, but the tiger instincts soon gain more relevance. 
It shows that while he may be a whiny goof, Jack Spicer is competent enough to be a worthy opponent for our heroes.  He really gets his game on this time since the only Shen Gong Wu he has is the Changing Chopsticks.  It can get distracting that it’s never implied that nothing made him lose the Jetbootsu, but whatever.  He invents a robot who can take the form of anyone called the Chameleon-bot.  He has it capture a Xiaolin Warriors, Kimiko specifically, and replace her so no one will notice she’s gone and can help him steal his enemy's Shen Gong Wu. 
The idea of having a Warrior replaced with a robot is interesting and the fact that the plan works does good for Jack.  It shows that he’s more than just a pathetic excuse for a villain and can craft schemes that work.  No one gets an idea that Kimiko has been captured and replaced and Jack obtains newly revealed Shen Gong Wu as the Chameleon-bot takes the fall during a showdown.  It can be seen be concerning that no one notices anything off about the fake Kimiko who’s too happy and enthusiastic.  The real Kimiko is much more subdued and is easily annoyed, and the imposter’s lack of those traits is too apparent to believe the Warriors can be easily fooled. 
Regarding the tiger instincts, Omi eventually does sense something off with Kimiko and finds that the Kimiko present is a fake.  This leads to a fun climactic battle where Omi and the others have to fight the Chameleon-bot now free to show its true colors.  Even the real Kimiko gets in on the action. She uses an earlier gag about a PDA virus to escape a cage Jack trapped her in and races back to the temple to help her friends.  It’s a great example of how the show doesn't have to rely solely on Xiaolin Showdowns for great action. 
The episode ends on a somber game-changing note that further demonstrates the strengths of Jack’s villainy. He uses the Changing Chopsticks to steal all the Warriors’ Shen Gong Wu save for the Mantis Flip Coin while everyone’s fighting.  Not to mention there’s a tease for a big future occurrence when Wuya mentions she and Jack have almost all the pieces to bring to life a being called Mala Mala Jong.
Ultimately, this episode is a package of greatness with interesting ideas of a mundane training exercise to move things forward while showing that some people are smarter than they seem.
A

The Ranking
  1. Shen Yi Bu
  2. Chameleon
  3. Katnappe
  4. The Journey of a Thousand Miles
  5. Like a Rock
  6. Tangled Web
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode featuring more Shen Gong Wu follies from the Ring of the Nine Dragons.  It gets a little awkward just so you know.
If you would like to check out other Xiaolin Showdown reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.

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