The first part of the “Web Arc” really kicked things into high gear. We got not only the return of familiar faces, but the addition of a new character in Ray Tracer. Although Tracer was the missing link in Matrix and AndrAIa’s quest to make it into the web, it also seems he was added to be extra tension in the relationship between our heroes. But petty squabbles like that will have to be put aside as our heroes are still stuck in their attempt to make it into the web. Can they escape “The Edge of Beyond”? Let’s find out.
We open the episode as Ray Tracer is leading the saucy mare to the edge of beyond as Mr. Christopher gives some exposition in case you missed the last couple episodes, including the continued heat between Matrix and Tracer. The ship makes it to the Edge of Beyond, which is a dead area with a giant tear. Tracer says that they need to stabilize the tear to create a portal, but they can’t survive without web shields. Fortunately there are tons of dead web creatures strewn about the area, which can be used to armor up the ship.
And the job is underway, as the crew of the saucy mare grabs as many web creatures as possible, giving the ship a complete overhaul. It’s all going well, until once again Matrix gets jealous over the attention Tracer is giving AndrAIa. She takes a zip board, and leaves in a huff, angry over Matrix’s stubbornness. However, she notices a strange plant-like creature with pods that look like pulsating purple brains. She goes to touch it, to the concern of Tracer, who tells Matrix that they have to stop her.
The plant opens up, and a web creature latches onto AndrAIa, sapping her energy, before it exits the pod. Matrix goes to shoot the creature, but Tracer tells him that if he kills the web creature, he’ll kill AndrAIa, who is at the moment lifeless and transparent. The creature is a class-M, similar to the creature that created the web portal in Mainframe, and it enters the tear. Matrix is concerned that he’s lost the creature, but Tracer assures him that they’ll find it in the web.
The ship is given a full web creature makeover, looking more like an armed and ready battleship than an old fashioned pirate ship. The crew is concerned about AndrAIa, while Matrix is at her bedside. It’s revealed that the creature didn’t just sap her energy, but took part of her code as well. But the bigger issue right now is entering the portal. Tracer gears himself up, and creates the portal, and enters, with the Saucy Mare following close behind.
The crew has entered the web, but the ship is starting to fall apart. Matrix once again gets a lock on the web creature, and goes to follow it, much to the dismay of the surfer. Matrix is leading the ship right into the eye of a data storm. The intense heat of the storm doing more damage to the ship, causing the very bolts of the ship to fall apart. Tracer manages to help get the ship out of the storm in time.
Tracer is none too happy about Matrix being so headstrong. But of course, Matrix respond with not only punching Tracer, but preparing to fire at him. Thankfully Captain Capacitor tries to be the voice of reason, saving Tracer from deletion. Things continue on as Tracer returns to lead the crew through the web, as Matrix’s patience is wearing out. Eventually, they run into a crew of web creatures, along with the one they’re after. Matrix borrows AndrAIa’s trident to give to Tracer so he can wrangle the web creature.
He eventually finds the creature, but before he can catch it, he gets attacked by someone. The ship follows the pod of web creatures, but are unable to find the surfer. Instead, they only find his board, bitten into. The crew mourns the loss of the surfer, as Matrix sets out to go out to the web and get revenge. Capacitor was hoping for this as the crew has made a special suit to help Matrix survive the web. He suits up, gives Capacitor his gun, and sets out to the web. Tracer’s board manages to regenerate as well.
Matrix finds the pod, as he’s being watched by some beings in armor. Three beings riding web creatures attack him, and he loses the tracker lock on the web creature. He gets thrown off his board. But before he’s sucked into a data storm, the surfer saves him, telling Matrix that they should return to the ship. It’s also revealed that Tracer isn’t just a web surfer but a next generation search engine. Back at the ship, Matrix orders battle stations, as they have enemies to deal with.
“The Edge of Beyond” is a solid episode. It builds to the story, has some decent action, and feels like a really progressive episode. Which is definitely good after a few episodes lately that really felt stagnant in moving things forward. It makes for a solid 22 minute episode that never feels too slow, but never too rushed either.
The best thing about this episode is easily Ray Tracer, the surfer. We really needed to see what this character was about. Was he everything he claimed to be, or just some cocky individual with little to back him up? He is far more level headed than either of our main characters, especially Matrix. Not to mention his abilities are pretty cool. Not to mention the armor he wears when he is outside the ship to survive the web.
Speaking of the web, we finally get to see what it looks like, and it’s what you’d expect. A hellish space-like world, which can destroy things easily due to the intense heat. After such a long time of building it up, it doesn’t disappoint in that aspect. The only thing hotter than the web in this episode is Matrix’s head. This is really the part of the series where it’s easy to see why most people find Matrix to be such a polarizing character. Yes, he loves AndrAIa, but his jealousy is becoming more of a hindrance to the mission of finding Bob. And his intent on saving her is more important than the lives of the rest of the crew. Although he cools off by the end, even finally showing respect to Tracer, it still paints a rather ugly portrait of our main hero.
So, now we enter battle as the crew of the saucy mare have to deal with the aggressive web riders. Can they survive the fight, save AndrAIa, and still find Bob?