Marvel’s Runaways: Season 1/ Episode 6 “Metamorphosis” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Runaways continues to improve as Jonah becomes more prominent and the parents more complicated.

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Previous Recap

Network
Hulu
Director(s)	Patrick Norris
Writer(s)	Kalinda Vazquez

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The First Ceremony: Jonah, Tina, Leslie, Victor

We jump back 15 years to witness the sacrificing of Brooks into energy. Now, it isn’t made clear if Brooks was sacrificed to give Jonah energy or perhaps to something beyond Jonah, but either way, we see who freaked out the first time and who did not. Of which the only ones who kind of hunch about the whole thing are Tina and Leslie. Seemingly, both recognized that sooner or later Jonah’s gifts would have come with some kind of expectations. So, considering now Tina is the head of a major technology company, and Leslie runs a successful, and recognized, church, this is nothing to them.

As for everyone else though, the shock is on most of their faces. Victor, not so much, but let’s be real – like Tina, his only worries were perhaps having the money he needs for his brilliant ideas. Worrying about how he would be expected to pay it back was probably the least of his worries.

Family Bonding Time: Tina, Nico, Chase, Victor

As the parents continue to bond with their kids, and we get to know some of them, you can see it is making it harder for them to set them up. But, let’s just throw this thought out there: What exactly is everyone’s backup plan? I mean, I get these kids want to be on the side of justice but what do they think will happen to them if all their parents go to jail?

That thought aside, Chase and Victor continue to progress to the point Victor seems like an alright guy. One which still is a butt hole, but when you take into consideration the pressure he is under from Jonah, and just the expectations in general, you can kind of understand his temper tantrums. It doesn’t excuse the violence at all, but in terms of him being a fictional character, you get it.

As for Tina and Nico? Well, the one who started the crusade may seek to bail out of it. Reason being, Tina approaches Nico in a way which is genuine, and tries to be open with the girl. Be it with the scepter, made with Wizard tech, or even when speaking about Amy. For, likely with her recognizing her marriage is seriously damaged, she at least wanted to see if she could salvage things with Nico. Making it when Nico sees her mom cry later on, and she gets teary-eyed too, you can tell Tina broke through. The question is though, is it too little too late?

The Gala: Molly, Catherine, Victor, Jonah, Robert, Janet, Alex, Nico, Karolina, Chase, Frank, Leslie

To shrink what is a rather large topic, let’s go over the highlight reel: Frank reveals to us he is aware of Leslie and Jonah’s relationship. Also, in a very public way, Victor reveals he knows Robert and Janet are cheating, after hacking one of their phones. Thus embarrassing the absolute hell out of Tina who goes to cry in her office. A place with Alex and Nico were trying to hack into Wizard’s network to get the ritual footage.

Oh, and on top of that, we learn Karolina has a thing for Nico. Now, whether she is bi, lesbian, or something else on the spectrum, who knows? But it seems realizing that may not happen, Gert catching the vibe that Karolina likes Nico, and everything else that is happening, it sends Karolina into a rebellious phase. I’m talking snatching Chase just to make Gert jealous, and act as a rebuke for pointing out the Nico situation, stealing some vodka to pretend drink on the roof, and just dropping the princess of Gibborim persona altogether. Leading her to nearly falling off the roof.

Only to discover she can fly. Yup, add that to her list of powers. But, she isn’t the only one who displays a bit of magic. After Victor exposes Robert and Janet, he basically has an aneurysm, stroke, or something which leaves him on the ground and in need of medical services. However, Jonah has something better. Seemingly, in a vial, that Dale takes, he has some miracle drug which may cause memory loss, but seems to be wonderful for those who have brain cancer. Thus causing Victor to be well and act as if he didn’t just reveal his wife was cheating on him. I mean, he is so friendly to Chase and Janet it is scary – even when you consider the progress he has been making.

Leaving one last thing: Molly basically lets it slip she saw what happened in the basement/ dungeon to Catherine.

Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments

• Amy was 1 when Tina and Robert joined PRIDE. So that may be a factor in why they took part and why Tina took it so seriously. It was for the sake of her brand new child.
• The reason Nico can use Tina’s staff is purely because of DNA and we are told it works by means of neural pathways.
• Jonah gave Geoffrey and Catherine their current home.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. How did Alex become such a good hacker? Also, was he lying about Tina’s password? Perhaps noting how he is starting to lose the loyalty of the crew?
2. Let me repeat this question: Who do these kids think are going to take care of them if their parents get arrested?

Highlights

Poor Tina

I love Tina, and Ishibashi in extension, so much right now. For what she brings, and I may have noted this before, is some authentic emotion to this show. One in which, is very entertaining, especially as Victor blows up everyone’s marriage and Karolina has her drama. However, as for something beyond just being entertaining, but presenting us with a performance, that is where Tina comes in.

Both as a sort of villain, and just a person, she gives you a three-dimensional character. Heck, arguably she is the one who led the pack for the parents being more than what the kids perceive them as. Especially with this episode for I maintain the idea that she, likely like the rest, didn’t join Jonah because she sought him out but the reverse. I can fully imagine him preying on her, like he did Geoffrey, and with her, as noted in episode 3, they weren’t always wealthy. There was a time they were farther down the ladder and with a newborn, who knows what deals she made to keep her family afloat.

Especially when you consider how she briefly talks about her mom in, I believe, the last episode. So to watch, over the last three episodes, her relationship with Nico heal as her marriage falls apart hurts. I’m talking to the point that when she cried, it was hard to not get a little teary-eyed too.

Jonah Is Becoming a Force To Be Reckoned With

I’ll admit that I’m not fully sold on Jonah, but the character is going in a positive direction. If only because he is clearly the founder of PRIDE and I wonder more and more how he got everyone on board. Much less, considering it isn’t necessarily clear how old he is, what is this man’s history? Is Karolina his only child? Those questions, amongst many more, are becoming more and more pertinent and I desire some answers.

On The Fence

Karolina

I have mixed feelings about Karolina being queer. On one hand, she is queer in the comic so it isn’t like this is just something they are throwing in for notoriety. Yet, on the other hand, something feels very forced and unnatural about this. Be it the writing or the actress, her being queer, like her rebellion, just pushes the idea they are trying to make her more interesting and relevant. Which, to me, has been a bit of a struggle.

Perhaps because the main characters she interacts with aren’t the most complex or well crafted. Chase, at best, humanizes his father and not much more. Gert, isn’t as annoying or eye-roll inducing as she was in the past, since the show tries to make you feel bad for her, but she isn’t much of a booster for Karolina either. Then, when it comes to Frank and Leslie, Frank is such an afterthought at this point he could get killed off and forgotten by mid-season 2, if this gets renewed.

As for Leslie, maybe she may become beneficial to her, especially as Jonah and Karolina interact. However, who knows how quickly or slowly they may bring the two together so, when it comes to Karolina, I guess we are just waiting for the writers and actor to get comfortable – still.

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