Like I’ve said in past editions of Rapidly Reviewing ReBoot, the biggest difference between season 1 and season 2 onward is that it feels like stories either directly connect from one story to the next, or add subtle elements that will effect the world of Mainframe later on. Where in season 1, there was a lot more situations of pointless stories that had no major bearing to the stakes of the series. Though there was a filler or two in season 2, And this one was definitely a filler. Although maybe it wasn’t always intended to be. Let’s see what I mean by that as we look at “High Code”.
We open at the principal office as a strange creature emerges from the top. He appears to be a weird insect-like humanoid with some sort of weapons on his back. Meanwhile, Bob and Dot are once again working on Bob’s junk heap of a car. Despite Dot telling him to just go get the car fixed by professionals, Bob uses the old “I’m a guardian. Mend and Defend” excuse. Well, since for the most part in this series you’ve mended only a handful of times, and barely defended, that statement holds even less water.
Bob senses the arrival of the stranger, as it makes its way to Phong. The stranger demands to see the code master known as Tallon. Despite Phong denying any known Tallon, the stranger traps Phong in an orb. While that goes down, Enzo heads to Pearson’s data dump. He and Frisket look around for parts for Enzo’s air cart. Which isn’t just a throwaway thing to advance the plot. We will see this air cart later in the season. The two find Pearson’s private stash of junk, and find what appears to be somesort of staff. But before they can take it, Pearson shows up to put a stop to their raiding. Suddenly, the stranger’s voice can be heard, and this causes old man Pearson to shake in fear.
The stranger, who is known as Lens, threatens to harm Mainframe if Tallon is not found. Bob and Dot confront Lens, who easily releases Phong. Bob asks if Lens is a code master from the web, but fortunately he is only from the net. His demands for Tallon continue to be met with “there is no Tallon”, which doesn’t sit well with him. He toys around with Bob, showing how powerful he is, and then puts a lock on Glitch, preventing Bob from using his key tool. Lens leaves, causing damage to Mainframe, by destroying buildings.
With very little transport left to evacuate the citizens of Mainframe, Dot does the most drastic thing she can think of and calls Megabyte for help. The virus easily refuses her offer, stating that code masters and viruses have a rather unpleasant history. So, whatever these code masters are, even viruses are scared to deal with them.
Inspecting the lock on Glitch shows that the lock can only be removed by a code master. It also appears that Phong knows more about the code masters. They are inter-system eliminators, and are skilled and powerful. They are a vicious society found not just on the net, but in the web, and will delete whoever they are paid to. Essentially this universe’s society of lethal assassins, who can pose bigger threats than even viruses. One code master named Tallon sought refuge in Mainframe, and has since lived in peace. Phong has also taken an oath of secrecy to ensure Tallon’s identity is not revealed. Bob also tries to come up with a way to stop Lens, as Enzo watches their conversation in secret, and recognizes the pike used by Lens.
Enzo returns to the dump to confront Pearson about the pike, claiming him to be Tallon. Pearson at first denies it, but then admits to it. However, he refuses to use his pike in battle with Lens, due to the promise he made when he came to Mainframe. Enzo leaves, disgusted at Pearson’s decision. Bob confronts Lens, and stalls him long enough for a game cube to begin dropping. Despite being a powerful assassin from the net, he is unclear of what a game is, as Bob claims that it has a power that is even greater than a code master. The two enter the game cube, as it becomes clear of what Bob’s plan really is. This is a kamikaze mission, as Bob intends to lose the game, nullifying the code master, and him as well.
The game is a wild west game, fitting for the episode’s story. Lens is unable to remove the lock on Glitch as the train arrives to start the game. The object is once again a race to beat the user to the next station. As Lens tries to easily beat the user, Bob eventually manages to put a stop to him, and helps the user make a major lead. Lens learns of Bob’s plan to sacrifice himself for his friends. But Bob’s plan is compromised as wouldn’t you know it, Enzo hopped in the game as well. Bob manages to easily beat the user to win the game.
At the diner, we finally see the showdown between Pearson and Lens, as Enzo tells Bob that this the reason he entered the game. A standoff akin to a high noon battle. However, Pearson doesn’t battle, easily destroying his pike, telling Lens to inform the others that he can essentially take this job and shove it. Lens will have no part of it, as he then transforms into a larger version of himself, prepared to finish Peason off. But when the others come to Pearson’s defense, Lens changes his mind on the matter, seeing how their honor is enough to make him quit. He fixes Glitch and leaves. And the episode ends with grumpy old man Pearson just leaving in an angry huff.
“High Code” is another really strong episode of the series. For starters we get a new villain in Lens, as well as information on code masters. This episode also links future events in motion including Enzo’s air kart, and even the first mentions of the web. Something that will play a far bigger role in the series later down the road. We also get to see some use for a side character in Mr. Pearson, who just seemed like a throwaway character back in “In the Belly of the Beast”. However, this will really be the only episode with him in an important role.
The episode very much has the feel of an old west story. A deadly desperado entering a town, and the only one who can stop him is the old hero who has given up his violent ways. Adding a wild west game to the mix, as well as the standoff between Pearson and Lens really helps add emphasis to this, and it works without feeling like the same tired old story.
So with so much happening, why do I call this one a filler? Well, in the end, nothing from this ever concerns itself with the rest of the series. We don’t see or hear from code masters from this point on, nor does Mr. Pearson play any other important roles. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a great episode. But if you skipped it while watching the series, you wouldn’t miss too much in the process. Except for maybe missing out on a really solid episode.Things are heating up in Mainframe, and as we’ll see in the next episodes, even the games are getting more intense.