Just revisiting shows from my childhood lately. I first saw Ocean Girl in the 1990s. Disney Channel only did the first three seasons, so I didn’t see season 4 until around 2010 (another time I decided to watch shows I used to watch). Being adult when I first saw it undoubtedly made me see it differently. I still think it’s a very good series. So, even though it’s a pretty dead fandom, I’m just sharing some thoughts.
The first season obviously doesn’t have the same sort of arc as the others, since our villain was only introduced at the end. It was very much a season of discovery. Jason and Brett discovering Neri, Neri discovering people and relationships in general. And we, the audience, discovering Neri’s powers and bits about her background that even she didn’t know.
I really enjoyed the dynamic with Dianne. Jason was put out about moving and rude about it. Dianne wasn’t the perfect mom, either. We know from what she said that she hasn’t always prioritized her children, and when major things are happening and her kids get in trouble, she’s more annoyed at being called away from her work to deal with than interested in talking with them about why it happened. Of course, they wouldn’t share anyway. Which would be absolutely fine with me in any event – kids keeping adults out of the loop in kids’ adventure shows is just how things work. And besides that, Neri didn’t want anyone else to know at first. And the more they learned how different she was, the more concerned they got. Rightfully so, too. I mean, Dianne did get obsessed and not treat Neri as she should at first (and was rather ruthless in the idea that she was simply entitled to access to her). I loved the earlier scene where Dianne is so upset that the kids don’t support her and don’t want her to succeed in finding out about the creature the whale is communicating with. Because she’s right that they don’t, but couldn’t possibly understand why.
And the boys weren’t perfect, either. Besides Jason’s aforementioned attitude, they were not keen on Neri expanding her horizons, going to ORCA, etc. That was inconvenient for them. And they liked her being special and the island being magic, but weren’t necessarily thinking about what Neri wanted or what was best for her, etc.
Winston is likable, but doesn’t have a lot to do. He shines most at the end when he talks about Neri viewing Dianne as a mother, and is supportive of the deletion of data, and, indeed, withheld test results even from the Bates until certain matters were resolved.
Zoe and Froggy were well established when they asked if Brett was the kind of kid to get into trouble, and then invited him to their table when he was. They were fun. I remember liking Vanessa a bit, despite her meanness, even when I was a kid. Her intelligence probably helped that for me. I really liked Lee on the re-watched. Her dynamic with her father is another example of the strained parent/child relationships we will continue to see throughout the series. She’s intelligent, level-headed, and firm in her convictions. And, like all our kid heroes, will break the rules when needed for an important and noble cause. I liked how she convinced her father at the end, and I think she could be a great leader someday. I like to think Lucas’ next job was less demanding and he decided to take it deliberately to spend some time with his daughter and know her better before she was grown and the opportunity to do so that way didn’t exist anymore. Daggy and especially Jodie really weren’t memorable, but Daggy had some nice moments.
Is it terrible of me that I find Damien and Lee moping while dancing together very funny? Of course, it sucks when the person you are into (and who seems to be into you) suddenly switches their attention elsewhere, but the imagery was just so...something. They both took it fine, of course, and joined in the rescue at the end. Neri left and they were gone by time she returned, so we never saw any long-term reactions. At this point they aren’t as secretive about Neri. Neri herself, is willing to tell anyone anything to save Charlie. And the kids don’t know what she is yet, so don’t have that risk. And they younger and have not yet faced the dangers they would later, and are not as fearful as they will be then.
Ocean Girl - How did they get Neri's body to the pyramid?
The pyramid should keep anyone away when Neri isn't there, so how did they think they would get close (unless Neri's body counts, too, or they expected the baddies)? And how did they get her there? They have to take the minifin to access it, and it only carries two. I keep imagining her corpse crammed in a seat with Brett - yikes.
This week, we go "Inside the Game Dev's Studio" to interview designer Andy Korzik and find out how he got in the industry, what the heck he does for us each day, and which season of The Wire is the best one to start out on (it's totally season 4). With community manager Brett Bates.
You can also download the unedited MP3 version of the podcast here.
In this companion edition to last week's inaugural BioWare Social podcast, designer Andy Korzik, QA guru/Scrum Master Jon Motz, and community manager Brett Bates reach into their collective memories to bring you "More Cool Things You Didn't Know About Dragon Age Legends," including the origin of the "no helmet" helmet, why Andy's character is such a low level, and more.
