Darkwing Duck (TV Series) Time and Punishment (1991) User Reviews

Crime possession

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 4 June 2018]

'Darkwing Duck' has always been a show dear to my heart. One of those favourites from a young age that holds up really well, and is even more entertaining through adult eyes from appreciating the writing and stories even more.

Have been on a roll reviewing individual episodes for certain shows, animated, non-animated and of as many genres as possible (many as part of certain quests), and decided to do it with 'Darkwing Duck' and some others. Something that, as expected and hoped, has proven to be a more than worthwhile project and experience. "Time and Punishment" is one of the best episodes, and exemplifies what is so great about the show.

Quackerjack and Megavolt show why they are two of my favourite 'Darkwing Duck' villains and characters. The conflict is entertaining and thrilling.

The animation is very colourful and atmospheric as always however. The music matches what is going on perfectly while it is impossible to forget one of the catchiest theme songs in animation.

Writing is witty, very funny without being too silly and thought-probing without being complicated. Things don't get too childish and it is all easy to follow. The story is compelling and lively in pace without being rushed, and executes a nice idea imaginatively without being too silly. Darkwing is an immensely likeable and fun title character and Launchpad never fails to bring a smile to my face. Gossalyn adds a lot of spunk and really spices things up even more, she is not a brat neither is she too overly-cute.

Jim Cummings fits Darkwing like a glove, it is always lovely to hear him in non-villain roles when he excels just as well in them. Christine Cavanaugh is a major part of why Gossalyn works so well as a character, and Terence McGovern is note-perfect for Launchpad. Michael Bell and Dan Castellaneta are terrific as Quackerjack and Megavolt.

Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Brave New St. Canard

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 10 November 2020]

Warning do not read unless seen episode.

This is my favorite episode of the show, yeah, it's the typical time travel future imperfect story but this is one of the ones done right. The episode obviously parodies Frank Miller graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns" though also a little of the "Judge Dredd" series which is cool as both are favorites of mine, which is part of why this is one of those episodes made just for me. Though also the episode sort of predates the Justice Lords are in the animated series "Justice League" which was eleven years latter.

It was just hilarious seeing what happens when Dark wing goes to extremes to enforce justice. As he has made St. Canard into what could be almost Mega City One from "Judge Dredd" as it's a heavily enforced, proto fascist, totalitarian state.

Really like seeing how radically he changed from changing his name to Dark Warrior Duck which sounds a lot cooler. His outfit which is medieval like with the chest armor that has the spikes. Other changes are riding vehicles that are despite fearsome you have to admit are a lot cooler, my favorite is the tank he rolls down the street with which is obviously a parody on the tank Batman rides in "The Dark Knight Returns".

But of course the most radical change is his eyes which are glowing red, just full of red hot anger and rage which make not just Darkwing's actual nemeses afraid for once but just everyone in St. Canard.

This episode is just blackly hilarious there are just lots of fun scenes. From seeing Dark Warrior roll down with his tank and make his announcement that sound cool but that second sentence is rather disturbing, and people better let him finish his monologue because the next interruption could be their last.

We see the kind of crimes he punishes people for which mostly consist of just small petty offenses which aren't too big a deal and most of the time usual dealt with lightly (well not that light). But Dark Warrior turns the punishment meter up to eleven, from anyone doing tagging he blows them sky high, as well as the line up of people in jail actually I can understand putting lawyers in jail as some are con artists.

My favorite is when we see Dark Warrior has some dark ambitions in how he'll use the Time Top. One of those is going to a time when laws for society were being invented, and he stamps a death penalty for a big amount on the list, one of them being tracking mud on the kitchen floor. It's just funny how he casually says each of the laws and them just immediately say Death and stamps it, though one he did think on before he stamped, but only in mere seconds.

All this parodies and satirizes on the dire consequences of going to extremes for justice, misuse or overuse of power of authority, but also when the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

But this episode does have heart as we see how truly important and his love for Goslyin really is. It makes perfect sense that with Goslyn out of the picture, Darkwing would make the decisions he made, to shape the future world they have now.

That really is all it takes most of the time, just one thing no matter how big or small, much like a small stone creating a series of ripple in a lake can truly determine the course of the future not just for one but everyone. Despite how the experience has made him more efficient in crime fighting and less of a frak up, this has also made him cold, hardened even a little power mad in his crusade.

I really like as we see a moment of truth near the end which really determines Darkwing/Dark Warrior's love for Goslyin can triumph over his need to enforce compromised justice.

A world without one can truly be a dark place.

Rating: 4 stars