Saturday, November 2, 2019

Screams of the Siren (Xiaolin Showdown Season 2 Episode 16) - 'Toon Reviews 35

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Screams of the Siren


Sometimes, we all need a reminder that things are not always the way they seem and that it’s important to get all the facts before acting.  This episode features a simplified version of the context, but it’s still somewhat imaginative all things considered. 
While the Xiaolin Warriors are retrieving a Shen Gong Wu that can turn the user into a fish called the Gils of Hamachi, they find a most peculiar sight.  Trapped in an iceberg is a lovely mermaid called Dyris, apparently the last of her kind.  All the while, there’s a man resembling somewhat of a pirate or a Viking called Klofange who’s set on hunting her down and destroying her.  From the looks of things, it would be easy to guess that Dyris is the victim while Klofange is ruthless and dangerous.  The fact that he’s been pursuing the mermaid for a long time before an ice avalanche froze them in time further showcases this idea. 
With Dyris appearing so beautiful and innocent, the Warriors instantly befriend her and treat her as an honored guest with all the water and amenities she needs.  There also doesn’t appear to be anything to suspicious with her playful side as she teaches Kimiko how to get the boys to do her bidding, and subtly flirts with the other Warriors.  As the episode goes on, it really becomes concerning regarding just how easily manipulated these guys responsible for saving the world are by a mere pretty face. 
In the process, Klofange may seem villainous, but something seems up when he shows interest only in catching the mermaid and thinks nothing of Jack’s desire for world domination.  During an attempted Temple raid, it’s discovered that Dyris has gotten out of her water, and Klofange explains that the mermaid is actually a monster.  Her true form reveals whenever she leaves water, leaving Jack humorously dumbfounded that he was helping a good guy.  If that’s not enough, she’s taken appropriate Shen Gong Wu to allow her to melt the polar ice caps and flood the world.  At this point, I can’t even justify the Warriors getting so manipulated by beauty that they’d get this specific with their trade around someone they just met.  That’s just completely foolish and you can’t help but side with Klofange and his frustrations with them. 
All the same, it’s nice that they’re willing to make up for their mistakes by stopping Dyris when she goes after a new Shen Gong Wu that will help her withstand intense heat.  It’s made more difficult when Omi keeps getting distracted by Dyris’ feminine charms despite knowing the truth about her.  He could at least try to withstand her flirts.  Ultimately, the matter, as usual, has to be settled with a Xiaolin Showdown where the winner must steal the other’s Shen Gong Wu.  Despite being rather short, low-scale, and convenient with a pool of water right below Omi at the right time, it does its part to bring this story full circle.  It cements the message that things aren’t always how they appear with the Showdown happening on dry land, with Dyris’ truly monstrous form being revealed and known.  Plus, Omi finding a way to beat Dyris and still flirt with her is a solid conclusion after so much easy manipulation.  Finally, both she and Klofange end up settling the conflict just as they started it, by getting themselves frozen in time again.  I’d have to wonder how different the show would be if they were still around though. 
The message may be a tad on the nose and the Xiaolin Warriors may mess up badly a lot, but it’s too hard to fault taking time to mention that good and evil can come from anywhere.
A-

The Ranking

1.      Citadel of Doom

2.      The Evil Within

3.      Enter the Dragon

4.      The Deep Freeze

5.      Days Past

6.      PandaTown

7.      The Emperor Scorpion Strikes Back

8.      The Sands of Time

9.      Master Monk Guan

10.  Screams of the Siren

11.  Crystal Glasses

12.  Dreamscape

13.  The Shard of Lightning

14.  Hear Some Evil, See Some Evil

15.  Sizing Up Omi

16.  The Black Vipers

 

 
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where we meet Kimiko's father and once again see PandaBubba in action.

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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