To say that the information revealed in this cartoon is big is a major understatement. At the same time, it’s all very welcome for giving closure to several series elements. That said, revealing everything does have a good air of fun as well as intrigue.
First, there’s how the information is revealed. Most answers to big questions often come with a reason to be kept secret. Here, the moment the cartoon begins with K.O. asking you his dad is, Carol immediately and nonchalantly tells him it was the famous P.O.I.N.T. hero Laserblast. To the audience, this isn’t too surprising given that it’s well known that he and Carol were very intimate as shown in past P.O.I.N.T flashback cartoons. Perhaps this is why Carol feels she told K.O. this before.
From here, no time is spared to explore Laserblast’s background. Though things like his status and demise were seen before, a new part of his background shows he always felt his power was never enough. This becomes very significant considering where this cartoon goes.
At this moment, K.O. is happy to hear both his parents were great heroes. It’s this uplifting reveal that grants him great positivity as he inherits Laserblast’s old helmet and sets off on his very first solo mission. During the mission comes another big reveal, albeit one not nearly as pleasing. When K.O. is all set to intercept a glorb deal Lord Boxman and Professor Venomous are arranging, Professor Venomous shatters his optimism with the truth of matters. He sadistically tells K.O. that he is his father, causing K.O. to cry out Star Wars style. Even so, there’s room for underlying self-aware comments of Lord Boxman feeling they should’ve dragged this reveal out for another season. I'm personally glad they didn't go that way.
Anyway, Carol is summoned to the mission from K.O.’s call, and in this case it’s a good thing as she deserves to know all this as much as her son. It turns out that Professor Venomous is even deeper than the initial backstory suggests.
As Laserblast, he felt so inferior that he conducted secret experiments behind P.O.I.N.T.’s back, the very ones they intercepted in “Let’s Take a Moment.” Because his research had so much time and development, he had to enter that donut shop alone to save it. The following explosion caused him to lose his powers, and Carol proclaiming that he couldn’t have survived it obliterated any confidence he had left. Feeling betrayed, Laserblast eventually conducted several experiments that turned him into Professor Venomous, and fell down the more affluent path of villains, abandoning the ways of heroes.
By extension, this reveal brings even more tragic sides to the paths of other characters. Mr. Gar’s guilt, Rippy Roo’s disappearance, and Foxtail and Greyman’s morality changes are all built upon this serious case of deception. The same is also true for K.O.’s inner darkness with the truth of his father meaning he has villain blood within him, as shown through signs of T.K.O. trying to take control. Something comes from this when he decides he should go with Venomous to understand it more, as staged as common arrangements of going with divorced parents. For now, we end with endearment as for today, he sticks with heroism, stops the glorb deal with Carol, and proudly declares to her that he chooses being a hero no matter what.
Ultimately, this cartoon stands strong as its
big reveals really deliver with background and drama as well as fun takes on
how fast all the information comes. It makes for a very
interesting setup for sure.
A+
Season 2
Rankings
1. Your World is an Illusion
2. T.K.O.’s House
3. Final Exams
4. CarolQuest
5. All in the Villainy
6. Dark Plaza
7. GarQuest
8. Dendy’s Power
9. Crossover Nexus
10. Lord Cowboy Darrell
11. Bittersweet Rivals
12. Beach Episode
13. Red Action to the Future
14. My Fair Carol
15. K.O.’s Health Week
16. Are You Ready for Some Megafootball?!
17. Boxman Crashes
18. Wisdom Strength and Charisma
19. Gar Trains Punching Judy
20. I Am Jethro
21. Mystery Sleepover
22. Super Black Friday
23. Point to the Plaza
24. Project Ray Way
25. Special Delivery
26. Seasons Change
27. The So-Bad-Ical
28. Monster Party
29. Sidekick Scouts
30. Whacky Jaxxyz
31. Rad’s Alien Sickness
32. Plaza Film Festival
33. OK A.U.! Alternate Universe
34. Let’s Watch the Boxmore Show
35. Be a Team
36. Plaza Alone
37. Soda Genie
Season 3
Ranking
1. Big Reveal
2. T.K.O. Rules
3. K.O. vs Fink
4. Whatever Happened to Rippy Roo?
5. Chip’s Damage
6. The K.O. Trap
7. We Are Heroes
8. Planet X
9. Deep Space Vacation
10. K.O., Rad, and Enid!
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where Rad finally stands up for his soft side when everything he likes about K.O. is threatened by bad influences.
If you would like to check out other OK K.O.! reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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