Episode #5 - Learning Curve, Part Two
Original Airdate March 14th 1998

The Surfer's quest for knowledge of Zenn-La takes him to the Universal Library, the repository of all the knowledge of the Watchers. But there's a lot more trouble here than just a few overdue books.

Credits
Written By: Larry Brody
Directed By: Norm Spencer
Music Composed By: Shuki Levy and Kussa Mahchi

Review: The second part of �Learning Curve� suffers from the same problems as the first. Surfer�s monologues interrupt any tension. The dialogue is still ham-handed and filled with lines like �Have I come this far to run into a wall of stone?�

Sometimes the dialogue sounds like a well-intentioned 17-year-old trying to ape Melville.

But furthermore, �Learning Curve� contradicts its own theme. In this episode, the Surfer learns knowledge is a means, not an end. However, the Watchers (and Uatu especially) are chastised and punished for using there knowledge to help people. So, what is it? This episode tries to shoehorn a �with great power (and/or knowledge) comes great responsibility� into a plot that does not accommodate it.

Normally, I would not harp on thematic weaknesses in a Saturday morning cartoon. However, I have stated before that I appreciate this show�s urge to be more than dumb action�even when the intent is muddled. But in part deux, the theme and concepts the creators try to cram down the audience�s throat distract from the action.

In this episode, Mentor, Drax, Pip, Nebula and the Silver Surfer arrive at universal library, a hub for all knowledge. Each has their own reason to be there, and much silliness ensues with green tapeworm-slug things called �virals.�

There are some basic problems with the script. Drax and Pip do nothing. Seriously, nothing. I�m not sure why the creators bothered to put Drax in these episodes. Maybe they wanted to make an action figure.

Pip continues to spout unfunny �humor.� He actually says, �Now there�s something you don�t see everyday,� and it�s supposed to be funny. I was waiting for him to don a fake mustache and a pair of Groucho Marx sunglasses and say, �What am I, chopped liver?�

There is one positive. Nebula still chews the scenery well. She could have been a scene-stealer had she not been reduced to a viral halfway through the episode.

The two-parter ends with a nonsensical conclusion. It makes me think these episodes were rushed and there was next to no time for rewrites.

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