Sometimes a show needs to warm up before it can prove its potential. This is the case with Spider-Noir Season 1. Spider-Noir Season 1 Episode 5, “Betrayal,” Spider-Noir Season 1 Episode 6, “Nightmare on a Gurney,” Spider-Noir Season 1 Episode 7, “Nobody’s Hero,” and Spider-Noir Season 1 Episode 8, “The Man in the Mask,” are far more interesting than the intro episodes.
The pace is much better, the blend of comedy and drama works more, and the show reaches its full charm. It has all the elements at the start to become a very fun superhero show that doesn’t quite fit the norm, but is still very much rooted in the genre.
But it doesn’t execute them effectively until the second half of Season 1.
Photo: Aaron Epstein/Prime
© Amazon Content Services LLC
We learn about the origins of The Spider, who Ben Riley once was, and how this whole ordeal shattered him in many ways. This automatically makes it easier to relate to the character.
We now understand Ben’s broken roots.
This leads Spider-Noir down the path of a fascinating discussion about how wars use, abuse, break, and then discard men or turn them into “monsters.” It’s a deep topic turned into the origins of a superhero, which makes it oddly critical of the system but patriotic in a way.
“Nightmare on a Gurney” gives the show a more experimental episode by feeling sort of like a 1930s horror film. It’s not the best episode of Season 1, but it’s one of the most intriguing.
Like many shows, the Prime Video series picks up in the final two episodes. Ben must stop Silvermane’s reign of terror once and for all.
Photo: Aaron Epstein/Prime
© Amazon Content Services LLC
However, he doesn’t get the final blow.
Cat gets that glory. One of the main issues with the first four episodes is that they feel predictable. You can guess what happens next before the next thing starts.
The last four episodes actually subvert expectations. They even play into the idea of predictability because we expect Cat to die. But not only does she escape death, but Flint and she get a happy ending.
Plenty of little moments like these occupy the final episodes, and some of them are Spider-Noir’s best Season 1 moments. This includes Janet revealing that she has known Ben was the Spider the whole time, and Silvermane, Sandman, and Megawatt quickly realizing that Ben is The Spider.
“Betrayal,” “Nightmare on a Gurney,” “Nobody’s Hero,” and “The Man in the Mask” are also generally more fun than the first four episodes. These ones lean heavier into the goofy elements.
Photo: Aaron Epstein/Prime
© Amazon Content Services LLC
Additionally, Nicolas Cage has fully found his rhythm as Ben. He’s having fun now.
Prime Video and MGM+ will likely renew Spider-Noir for another season. Nevertheless, the creators treat Season 1 as if this is its one chance, one season. This leads to a satisfying conclusion.
However, it also ends on a “we’re just getting started” note. And now we can’t wait for more.
Spider-Noir proves that sometimes you need to give a show time, because it may have a slow start, but will eventually find its groove and audience.
It could end up being one of the best series of the year.
