"There Are Monsters Among Us" is a premiere episode that doesn't quite manage to replicate the balance between build-up, mystery and efficiency of "Guilmon Comes Alive", but it certainly does try. And the comparisons to "Tamers" don't end there. We've got a new secret organization dealing with wild digimon, known as DATS, the two most prominent members of the central trio being the "leader" and female, and the establishment of several new concepts.
If there's an issue with this episode, it's that the writers wanted to set the status quo with sufficient detail while simultaneously leaving enough open to keep the audience intrigued. If there is a way to pull this off it has remained elusive, because neither of these objectives is done exceptionally well. Too much information is revealed about DATS, Marcus is given a rather unceremonious introduction, and the action sequence at the end feels unnecessary.
Much like Takato in the first episode of "Tamers", Marcus is the dominant one here. While more than enough information and detail is provided to establish his character as a meat-head with his own moral standards, there's something unnatural about the way he is presented. While I'm not the biggest fan of Takato, even I have to admit that he came across as a real person during his first appearances, something that is never quite achieved with Marcus here. At least the way he earns Agumon's respect is unique and sets the tone for the rest of the show.
The episode is most interesting on the technical level. The art style is distinct from the previous 4 seasons, veering closer to a traditional anime look. It's pretty uneven in visual appeal, but the nighttime scenes are consistent. The background themes are also completely new, and perhaps the episode's best asset. Seasoned fans should be pleased with the battle and digivolution themes, both of which are an improvement over the corresponding music from the earlier seasons' dubs. One particularly interesting piece plays during Marcus and Yoshi's conversation at the fountain. It's perhaps my favorite one in the episode, which is a shame because, to my knowledge, it's never utilized again.
The final fight, while, again, unnecessary, has some notable elements. Kokatorimon is portrayed much bigger here than in previous seasons, establishing another trend of this season; the way that his feathers glowed prior to the firing of his projectile is reminiscent of Godzilla. While I'm a big fan of Greymon, even I have to concede that GeoGreymon is an improvement in both appearance and ability (except for his overly human-like legs). Though, I can't help but ask "GeoGreymon"? What's so "geo" about him?
If there's an issue with this episode, it's that the writers wanted to set the status quo with sufficient detail while simultaneously leaving enough open to keep the audience intrigued. If there is a way to pull this off it has remained elusive, because neither of these objectives is done exceptionally well. Too much information is revealed about DATS, Marcus is given a rather unceremonious introduction, and the action sequence at the end feels unnecessary.
Much like Takato in the first episode of "Tamers", Marcus is the dominant one here. While more than enough information and detail is provided to establish his character as a meat-head with his own moral standards, there's something unnatural about the way he is presented. While I'm not the biggest fan of Takato, even I have to admit that he came across as a real person during his first appearances, something that is never quite achieved with Marcus here. At least the way he earns Agumon's respect is unique and sets the tone for the rest of the show.
The episode is most interesting on the technical level. The art style is distinct from the previous 4 seasons, veering closer to a traditional anime look. It's pretty uneven in visual appeal, but the nighttime scenes are consistent. The background themes are also completely new, and perhaps the episode's best asset. Seasoned fans should be pleased with the battle and digivolution themes, both of which are an improvement over the corresponding music from the earlier seasons' dubs. One particularly interesting piece plays during Marcus and Yoshi's conversation at the fountain. It's perhaps my favorite one in the episode, which is a shame because, to my knowledge, it's never utilized again.
The final fight, while, again, unnecessary, has some notable elements. Kokatorimon is portrayed much bigger here than in previous seasons, establishing another trend of this season; the way that his feathers glowed prior to the firing of his projectile is reminiscent of Godzilla. While I'm a big fan of Greymon, even I have to concede that GeoGreymon is an improvement in both appearance and ability (except for his overly human-like legs). Though, I can't help but ask "GeoGreymon"? What's so "geo" about him?
