The imagination never flags in Episodes XIV-XXVI of
Samurai Jack, Genndy Tartakovsky's Emmy-winning
comedy-adventure. The artists skillfully employ design, color, and
pattern to compliment the directors' use of deft cutting and split
screen imagery. The resulting visuals are sharp, fresh, and
appealing.
As Jack continues his quest to return to the
past and destroy the evil shape-shifter Aku, the tone of the
adventures shifts from dramatic to farcical and back again. In
Episode XX, Jack proves his determination by climbing treacherous
Mount Fatoom with three highly trained monks. The clerical trio
consists of little more than pentagons with stylized faces, but
their geometric simplicity plays effectively against the jagged
facets of the mountain. The warriors who battle mechanical minotaurs
in Episode XXV reflect the look of Greek vase paintings, filtered
through the work of modern illustrators and graphic novelists. In
lighter moments, Jack helps the Scotsman rescue his battleaxe of a
bride from a nest of demons in Episode XVII, then plunges down a
rabbit hole to visit a neon-bright Wonderland in Episode XXIV. That
adventure reaches new heights of absurdity when Jack appears in drag
as a princess.
The picaresque blend of comedy and adventure makes Samurai
Jack one of the most significant cartoon series of recent years.
Extras include a biography-scrapbook of Tartakovsky, a partial pitch
for Episode XVII and a creators' commentary for Episode XXV.
(Unrated, suitable for ages 10 and older: stylized violence, minor
gross humor) --Charles Solomon
Season 2: 2002
Title
Original Airdate
Production Code
Roman Numbers
Jack Learns To Jump Good
March 1, 2002
201
XIV
Jack helps a peaceful tribe
defend themselves against attacks in return for lessons on how
to "jump good".
Jack Tales
March 8, 2002
202
XV
Three short stories about some of
Jack's confrontations. He confronts a two-headed riddling worm,
a family that feeds on metal, and tries to rescue a fairy from a
gargoyle.
Jack and the Smackback
March 15, 2002
203
XVI
Jack must defend himself in the
"Dome of Doom".
Jack and the Scotsman, Part 2
March 22, 2002
204
XVII
The Scotsman needs Jack's help in
rescuing his kidnapped wife from a castle.
Jack and the Ultra-robots
March 29, 2002
205
XVIII
After Jack finds several
destroyed cities, he tries to stop the eight ultra-bots
responsible with the help of the professor who originally
created them.
Jack Remembers the Past
April 5, 2002
206
XIX
Jack returns to his birthplace
and reminisces about his childhood.
Jack and the Monks
April 12, 2002
207
XX
Jack searches for truth by
climbing the "Mountain of Fatoom" with three monks.
Jack and the Farting Dragon
September 6, 2002
208
XXI
A village is overpowered by a
stench coming from "The Spire". Jack investigates and finds a
dragon with serious indigestion.
Jack and the Hunters
September 13, 2002
209
XXII
Aku enlists four warriors from a
distant planet to capture Jack for him.
Jack versus Demongo, the Soul Collector
September 20, 2002
210
XXIII
Jack battles Demongo, Aku's most
powerful minion, and his army of undead warriors.
Jack Is Naked
September 27, 2002
211
XXIV
Jack's clothes are stolen and he
must get them back while being chased by an angry mob who think
he is indecent. This episode greatly echoes Alice In
Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and Benny
Hill.
Jack and the Spartans
October 4, 2002
212
XXV
As Jack climbs up to the top of a
great mountain he meets up with a band of 300 warriors and
offered to help them in the last chapter of 5 generations of
war. This episode pays homage to the
Battle of Thermopylae, and the graphic novel
300 by
Frank Miller.
Jack's Sandals
October 11, 2002
213
XXVI
Jack goes after a gang who
destroys his sandals, and has trouble picking new footwear.
