Season 2 Overview
One could describe the second season as a near opposite of the first.
There was a considerably less amount of violence, swearing and nudity.
In fact, aside from the opening sequence of season two, I really don�t
think there was any other nudity in this season. I�m sure it
disappointed many, but to me it just showed that the show had moved on
past the shock value and was ready to get into the deeper �stuff.�
The season opener is one of my absolute favorite episodes. The fight
with Spawn and Chapel holds some of the best animation, dialogue and
staging I�ve seen in this show. It�s just a real treat to watch and
combined with the last act of the fifth episode this season
(�Deathblow�) and all of �Hellzapoppin,� there�s a lot of this season
that I can enjoy over and over again.
Animation in this season is knocked up a few notches. With McFarlane
seemingly now satisfied in the shadow palettes for Spawn, we see a lot
less of Spawn�s outfit or face and more of his eyes and cloak. I don�t
recall ever seeing the white markings on Spawn�s face at all this
season, not even in the fully lit shots. It does take away from the
drama of the scene, but it�s still a tad strange to not see them knowing
they�re there.
Music, again, as with the previous season just didn�t stick out much to
me. Most of it was so low or nondescript that I didn�t even notice it.
The bells and chimes in the opening episode with Chapel and Spawn are
some of my favorite cues out of the series, but none of the music really
stood out. I hate saying that since there�s not a single piece of work
that Shirley Walker did on Bruce Timm�s animated Batman and Superman
series that I don�t like�but what�s here on Spawn is nothing I really
can sink my teeth into.
The story for this season was kind of broken up. The underlying plot was
carried over from a season one episode where Terry found discrepancies
in Wynn�s weapon shipping. After getting too close, Wynn attempts to
have Terry killed but of course Spawn intervenes. This goes on for three
episodes before we get kind of a throw-a-way episode in �Colors of
Blood.� After that one we get the closing episodes with Spawn at Wanda�s
house and finally Spawn telling Wynn to back off of Terry�s family.
This season was definitely a change in tone for the series. It�s just
what it needed to shake off any viewers were coming for the violence and
breasts and I think it made those who stuck around for the third season
even more appreciative that they did. While this season was certainly
strong, the third season, to me, remains the strongest out of the
series.
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