“Runaways” is an interesting television show. Going into episode one, I had both high and low expectations simultaneously. It sounded like a great idea with a lot of potential.
The thing is, “Runaways” is a Marvel show, and, when it comes down to it, Marvel movies are infinitely better than Marvel television shows.
There were things I enjoyed about the show, but there were easily just as many things I thought could have gone better.
I enjoyed the concept of the show: teenagers with different backgrounds all ending up being friends. While this is slightly cliché, I appreciate it being done superhero-style.
With so many different types of characters, the show makes relating to a character so much easier. Overall, the Breakfast Club-style friend group was an interesting mix.
With the six teens in the show, I was surprised only five of them obtained powers.
Alex Wilder, who was probably my favorite character in the show, was the only teen in the group who was not given any real superpowers. I thought this was odd and a little unfair.
I mean, sure, he was smart, but brains are not a cool superpower. Real, ordinary people can be very smart.
While some of the other powers displayed by the group were rather strange, their uniqueness was generally impressive. There is Molly, who has the classic super strength, but there is also Gert, whose quirky dinosaur-controlling ability matches her quirky personality.
The pet dinosaur looked extremely fake. So, while the idea of Gert’s unique power was interesting, the execution was a bit questionable, not to mention the fact they hardly had a problem sneaking it around the city of Los Angeles.
I am still not completely sold on Karolina’s power, because even at the end, I was not positive what all the character could do. She sparkled and glowed, and somehow this energy also gave her the ability to fly?
Nico and Chase had the most interesting powers, because they managed to maintain a unique quality, while also being done well.
With Chase building the technology to use in fights and Nico having dark magic in her blood, the characters played off each other well and the combination was well-used in the show.
The season had quality characters, but there were some things which could have been done better.
After watching the 10-episode first season, I really felt like not much had happened.
I mean, the kids find out their parents are murdering people, and the parents do not figure out until the end that the kids even know anything. Nothing happens until just about the last episode, and even then there is not some epic fight.
The ending is not the only anti-climactic part, it is the whole show. The audience is being built up for the final moment, for this huge smack-down between the kids and their parents, or maybe even the kids and the ultimate villain, and then… nothing.
While this show was without a doubt a step up from most of Marvel’s television shows, it still was not amazing. I love Marvel’s movies, but there is obviously a noticeable difference in their films and their television shows.
The show was decent overall, but it lacked strength in many aspects it should not have. I will probably end up watching the second season when it comes out, if I do not forget, but I certainly will not be hanging on the edge of my seat for it.