packbat: A bat wearing a big asexual-flag (black-gray-white-purple) backpack. (darwin has a posse)
packbat ([personal profile] packbat) wrote2007-08-04 05:54 pm

Episode 2, Season 2 - Who Wants to Be a Superhero?

ETA: I think http://www.scifi.com/superhero/video/ will get you to the latest episode without the spoiler for who was eliminated. Excelsior!

ETA 2: Yes, this is the same link I had in the previous "...Superhero" post. Durr.

(Note: odds are in bookmaker notation - so if I were giving equal odds across the board, it'd be 1 to 7, representing a probability of 0.125 of winning.)

Quite frankly, I think Stan Lee's last test – requiring the superheroes to state their backstories and powers – was the most brilliant I've seen on the show. That Ms. Limelight was unable to articulate her abilities, and The Defuser to keep his backstory concise, were completely unexpected.

As for the rest, the big news, of course, is the failure of Mindset. Clearly, one must add "don't be a jerk" to the list of superhero virtues. Jury's still out on whether Mr. Mitzvah will pick up on that soon enough. Also, [livejournal.com profile] glitchphil's verdict on Hyper-Strike has been confirmed in the costume change - definitely a weeaboo, at least with respect to comics-reading. Fortunately, the interviews are giving hints that he may be developing some appreciation for American superhero style.



Anyway, the scientifically-calculated* odds on each contestant - now with twice as many meaningless sig. figs.!

Basura - 1 to 15.6

She hasn't stood out. Thats pretty much all.

The Defuser - 1 to 5.51

Solid. Extremely solid. If we were picking superteams, he'd be a shoo-in, but I don't know how well he'll manage the individual challenges that will come up.

Hygena - 1 to 4.85

I didn't see much from her in the premier, but this episode she's been really hitting her stride. I think I'm seeing now what [livejournal.com profile] glitchphil was seeing first episode.

Hyper-Strike - 1 to 13.0

Wow, it's like he's never even read an American comic. Then again, it's a rare guy who won't even blink at a bee crawling through his ear. Not out yet.

Mr. Mitzvah - 1 to 17.3

Like Phil (Mindset) said in the aftershow, this guy's first runner-up for cutoff. On the other hand, almost-dropped ain't dropped, and he didn't do badly with the bees (whatever Stan Lee said, I wouldn't want to risk bee-stings on the eyes). On the gripping hand, though, the whole cruising-for-chicks thing is not the direction to go if you want to win.

Ms. Limelight - 1 to 12.0

Ow. Ow, ow. She got burned in the 'what are your powers' test. She's spirit by the truckload, but that alone isn't going to get her through to the win.

Parthenon - 1 to 3.38

Didn't take the bees with as much aplomb as some (or simply wasn't a good speller), but still my favorite for the win.

Whipsnap - 1 to 4.44

She was the loudest complainer in the bee challenge, but I've liked everything else I've seen from her. In general, seems very solid.



So, my predictions: Parthenon, Whipsnap, Hygena, and The Defuser for the final four, and Parthenon for the win.

* If I did the AHP right and you agree with my assumptions - neither is likely certain.

[identity profile] chanlemur.livejournal.com 2007-08-04 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I've watched but a fragment of the show, but I always find posts about "...Superhero" inexplicably delightful. I wonder why that is.

[identity profile] packbat.livejournal.com 2007-08-04 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
...wait a sec. I don't like Harry Potter, but I find Harry Potter fans delightful. We may be on to something!

[identity profile] thatbajoranguy.livejournal.com 2007-08-05 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
I have yet to see this show! :(

Netflix does not have Season 1 on DVD yet. :P

[identity profile] packbat.livejournal.com 2007-08-05 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
iTunes has it for download - that's how I got the first season, looks like $2 an episode (six episodes) or $7 for the season - but this year they've been showing the latest episode on their website, so I watched there. Dunno how else they may be distributing it.