Behind the times: G.I.JOE Extreme, Extreeeeme!

Hello all,

Recently watched season 1 and 2 of G.I.Joe Extreme. I figured I'd post my thoughts on that series here. I have to admit that for years I've avoided this TV show. I'm not entirely sure why, but at long last it was the G.I.Joe Collectors' club FSS Iron Klaw that finally motivated me to watch it.

First off I want to say that I thought the T.V. Series was a good 90's children's TV show and unlike many other cartoons I've watched from the 80's or 90's recently it didn't make me cringe the way Skeletor makes me when I hear him speak or hear him explain his ludicrous plots! Either way, I am not too much of a fan of the Rob Liefield inspired design of the characters or the extreme shadows on all the characters. I have decided that I am a fan of S.K.A.R despite their silly Acronym.Another thing I enjoyed was hearing Optimus Primal leading the Joes!

Season 1

Optimus Primal

Not really any remarkable episodes in this series except for the season finale in which S.K.A.R takes over the U.S.A the episodes are titled (it's a two parter) "Coup of the Klaw" and "Rebellion". Through a convoluted plot Klaw takes over the U.S. Capital and takes control of the army destroying 'Joe Island' the Extreme Joe base. The best part however, is the way that  Lt Stone kicks Iron Klaw's butt and then sets him on fire! When I watched this episode I had to replay the final battle at least three times, I was so impressed. I highly recommend these episode just for that scene!

Likes
-The Relationship Between LT. Stone and SGT. Savage
-The season finale specially the final battle between Iron Klaw and Lt. Stone
-S.K.A.R (despite the silly Acronym) including their original Skull helmets, berets and brown uniforms
-S.K.A.R having it's own country Kalistan (Under the guise of Count Von Rani)
-The concept of the far future and the inter-alliance. I guess it's a bit of a alternative post  cold war setting
-Like the design of the character Inferno, he was the only figure that I owned as a kid
-The Public service announcements

Dislikes
-The theme song, show introduction. it's too Extreeeeme!
-The characterization of Inferno

-Why does Rampage turn into a 'rage creature'? He's like the Hulk except that he turns into a monstrous, green, crybaby. He's also a Blanka lookalike.
-The fact that Metal-head wears a peace sign and that his name is Metal Head
-The way that the inter-alliance concept isn't properly developed. By the end of the season Iron Klaw only wants to take over the U.S.A
-All characters are pretty much interchangeable no real character development, but then again, it is a cartoon.
-Wreckage is essentially Frankenstein and it's so odd that for a state of the art 'super soldier' he still wears an eye patch.




Season 2

I'll put you in a coma!

This Season ushers in a lot of changes, most which seem unnecessary. S.K.A.R is revealed to be a worldwide terrorist organization (like Cobra). In this organization Iron Klaw is essentially reduced to a General in charge of military operations. Which seems odd given that in the first few episodes of the season the organization almost falls apart without him and Rampage attempts to fill the supposed power vacuum. Major changes include the use of S.K.A.R troops more frequently while in the first season the main assault force was made up of Skyrenes or airborne robots. Inferno is conspicuously absent this season except for a cameo in Red McKnox's firing range. The Joes spend most of the season trying to root out a traitor which creates genuine tension between Metal-Head and SGT Savage. Iron Klaw gets his revenge over LT. Stone essentially leaving him in a coma and Rampage gets to pretend he's Starscream.

Like the first season, the best episodes are the final two ("Metal-Head goes AWOL" and "Betrayal") where Metal-Head defects to S.K.A.R and essentially brings down the entire organization. Overall I enjoyed season two more than season one. However, my favorite episode remains "Rebellion" from season one. I think it should have been the show finale!

Likes
-S.K.A.R infantry forces look a lot like cobra troopers except with with berets

-The introduction of story arcs especially the rivalry between SGT. Savage and Metal-Head
-Iron Klaw putting LT. Stone in a coma!
-Steel Raven
-The introduction of other evil mercenaries such as the Silencer and Bandido!
-The fact that the series got a final episode. However, it doesn't even compare to the first season finale

Dislikes
-The finale seems rushed and I'm not so sure that Iron Klaw would have trusted Metal-Head so absolutely
-Black Dragon does not live up to his potential in either series
-No explanation for the disappearance of Inferno, Ballistic's name change to Bull's eye and the conspicuous absence of Steel Raven in the final episode
-Episodes with Wreckage in them

Overall I give this series 3/5 behind the times (Still haven't come up with a better system)

Thinking back on it the reason I didn't want to watch the cartoon was cause then I'd have to buy or make figures! I guess now I have to get the Club's FSS! and I am  looking forward to creating some customs based on the series specially some S.K.A.R forces!