Season IV:

This simplistic resistance mechanism along with the Daemon v Hex fight at the end of "Sacrifice" reflected an underlining flaw to the story … it felt at times like a rough draft, not the well rounded excellence of Season Three. Dot fell victim to this problem as well. The "I need you" plea regarding her father was heartfelt but seemed a bit repetitive to her Season Three plea toward Bob. And what about that idiotic plan of hers? Is she now so cold blooded that she can send both young Enzo to grow up basically alone in the games again (a heartbreaking experience the first time around, even when he at least had AndrAIa) and send Bob away to hide? Enzo couldn't go through with it (thankfully for everyone) and Bob never had a chance to have to, but the whole plan was not to be believed. After all, how would Matrix alone save them anyway? Her only defense I guess can be "I wasn't bad and weak willed, I was just written that way" (to paraphrase Jessica Rabbit of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"), or a rather lame admittance later on of "tactical" errors.

I must, upon a second watching, admit that the episodes are better overall than this review might suggest. Dot, for instance, does show some of her "can do" spirit, and the first hour in particular is rather deeply plotted in several ways. Nonetheless, I still reaffirm the bad taste left in my mouth ... a feeling that it was unpolished, perhaps because of monetary constraints. One more thing ... the destruction of the Twin Cities, etc. originally seemed to have something to do with Welman's attempts to change nulls back to sprites. This is never addressed; his gateway device is used to explain things instead, suggesting Mainframe was more isolated than some might have thought (Welman and company didn't realize there were other system and peoples out there in the net). Oh, and what about Dot and Enzo's mother?!

Good ending though … love declared, but sudden entrance of another Bob (looking like his old stuff) and Ray Tracer.

The second set of episodes, which I saw in the Canadian version of one continual movie, started off quirky. It was a representation of Dot’s dreams, which portrayed her struggle with having to deal with two Bobs as a sitcom, including lame sitcom jokes, entrances, studio audience laughter, ending with a takeoff of the opening of "The Brady Bunch" This beginning set the theme of Dot’s portrayal in much of this story arc: more animated, in the middle of the action, but confused. As well as she should be with two Bobs (and she picks the wrong one, and doesn’t at first totally trust the real one even when she finds out … are fourth season writers anti-Dot or what?) to deal with, and true danger only coming toward the end of the four episodes. Glitch Bob also had a struggle of his own, wondering if he was the "real" Bob or only a copy, feeling inferior, and unable to play games because of his weakened state. The others didn’t have much to add but background. [Also slightly different opening by Bob]

Yes, I must say that I continued to feel a bit cheated with the fourth season thus far. "My Two Bobs" early on had an off feel to it, like the first episode after Matrix and AndrAIa was shot into the web … it felt a bit stiff and slow. The Pokemon game was cute (as was their ribbing of the perversity of it), but really it was kind of boring (and a tad disgusting, though how Bob acted was significant, as seen later). The Rocky Raccoon reprise had some good points as well (cute "Star Wars" jokes) and was more exciting, but the original was much more fun (sequels rarely are as good). Glitch Bob’s attempts to separate from glitch also brought to mind "Star Trek" and "The Fly," (and "Star Wars" for that matter) and later we had a "Blues Brother" reference. And, of course, Dot looked great in a wedding dress. Still, the episodes didn’t have the good flow and fullness of many early episodes, surely no match to the late second and much of the third seasons.

Bob2 (to Matrix after game): "Hey, fancy a game of jetball?"

I admit to being surprised when it turns out that "Bob" really is Megabyte, though you just knew the virus was too good of a villain to be gone for good. Also, Bob2 acted strangely in various ways, and saying "fancy" is a very Megabyte thing to do … okay, so I was in my "not thinking mode," while also being (sorry to say) a bit bored with the proceedings. Anyway, we also know that Hexadecimal will have some part in the future proceedings, since she altered little Enzo’s icon before she saved the day. After all, her doing so was involved somehow in bringing back Welman Matrix again, after Enzo touched his dad’s null form. Bob reminding Turbo that if Hex was destroyed, the whole system would still be infected, also was a good philosophical touch … surely notable given present views on what we need to do with evil doers. Bob’s optimism about viruses might be reduced just a tad after Megabyte tricking them and seizing control … setting up a cliffhanger just when things started to get a tad bit interesting.

I must reaffirm my displeasure at how poorly the characters, who fans see as friends that they care about and respect, were used throughout these eight episodes. Daemon was a great creation, but she ends up being tossed aside via a fistfight and the mindless anger of Matrix. Mouse had little to do (she does look good, animation wise, etc.), Ray Tracer just was there in two spots, and others like AndrAIa and Phong really had no juicy moments. Dot had a ridiculous and foolhardy plan to defeat Daemon and then doesn’t trust or choose Glitch Bob (largely because of how he looks! Why should he look the same after four seasons? The others don’t, except for Phong, who already was old and battle tested to start with). Where is the levelheaded stable base of operations (with an emotional side) we saw in the first three seasons? And Bob? The real Bob does have some touching soul searching and sacrifice, but overall is rather feckless much of the time. Shoot the only character truly complex and admirable is Hexadecimal! Yes, there was much to like, but as a whole, I was disappointed. It’s like the old gang is together, it’s good to see them, but something’s missing.

Megabyte: "Prepare yourselves -- for the hunt."

to be continued? ….

Hanako is known for her criticism of bad Reboot fan fiction. Her scathing criticism rubs some the wrong way, but on the whole is (in my opinion) amusing and often on point. I do feel that Hanako doesn't realize that one point of fanfic is to have fun, including expressing one's fantasies of what the characters would do. This would include messing with the Reboot universe, and even (big pet peeve of Hanako, known as the "Mary Sue" tactic) inserting yourself into the plot. Poor writing and/or spelling and the like is worthy of criticism, but just because certain fics might not be for all tastes, doesn't mean it's wrong to write them. Hey, give me a "Season IV" where Dot isn't such an idiot and Mouse and AndrAIa have something to do, and I'll accept a Mary Sue (or two!).

Anyway, now that I said my piece, I also found this suggested actors for a Reboot live action movie page amusing. But really, you need a much younger Daemon!