Recap / Spider Man The Animated Series S 03 E 10 The Spot

aka: Spider Man The Animated Series S 03 E 12 The Spot

Spider-Man fights a villain who can appear anywhere he wants, and can stop any attack.

Tropes:

• Badass Boast: Kingpin does this while putting the squeeze on Spider-Man.
  Kingpin: Approximately 2% of my body mass is fat. Allow me to show you what 350 pounds of muscle is capable of!
• Bittersweet Ending: The world is saved and Mary Jane reconciles with Peter, but he regrets how Ohnn and Sylvia had to sacrifice themselves. Meanwhile, Hobgoblin intends to ensure this isn't the last anyone hears of the portal technology.
• Call-Back: Tony Stark pulls the plug on Ohnn's interdimensional project, due to how he's recently realized how dangerous the technology is. ^note This episode was intended to premiere after "Venom Returns" and "Carnage" instead of before them.
• The Cameo: Tony Stark appears briefly to shut down Ohnn's project.
• Cut Lex Luthor a Check: Kingpin's sole interests in interdimensional portals are world domination and getting the drop on Spider-Man, as opposed to the various ways he could legally benefit from such technology.
• The End... Or Is It?: Hobgoblin promises to acquire the portal technology for himself.
• Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: Despite full knowledge that the Earth is about to be destroyed, Landon is unable to understand why the Kingpin would help Spider-Man and openly questions him as such.
• Evil Versus Oblivion: When it's discovered one of the Spot's portals is threatening to destroy the world, the Kingpin doesn't hesitate to help Spider-Man stop it.
  Kingpin: There is no profit to be made in the destruction of the planet. It is very bad for business.
• Foreshadowing: Jason is pleased to hear that Felicia thinks a goblin looks cute, and he dislikes that the carnival prize is a spider.
• Friend to All Children: Felicia gives the toy spider to a couple of children she passes by.
• Hidden Depths: Kingpin is stunned by Spider-Man's scientific know-how.
• The Mole: Hobgoblin has a spy in the Kingpin's operation, which is how he learns all about the portal technology.
• Not Me This Time: After the fiasco with the portals, Stark issues a public statement insisting he and his company had nothing to do with this.
• Tell Him I'm Not Speaking to Him: Mary Jane is in no mood to hear Peter's excuses this time.
  Mary Jane: Liz, you may tell Mr. Parker that I think he should permanently disappear because we don't have anything left to talk about!
  Liz: Peter, Mary Jane said—
  Peter: I heard.
• Tempting Fate:
  • At the carnival, Peter muses that it's been so peaceful lately that Spider-Man hasn't been needed. The sudden appearance of portals completely derails his date.
  • After opening a portal, Ohnn is so certain it's safe that he assures Sylvia that he'd stake his reputation on it. He immediately gets sucked into the portal then it overloads, sending dozens throughout the city.
• Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Tony Stark shuts down Ohnn's project, due to recent events, but the decision gives Kingpin the opportunity to acquire portal technology for his own uses. The decision will have long-term consequences in the next two episodes, as well.
• What the Hell, Hero?: The portal at the carnival caused Spider-Man to be sent across town, thus wrecking his date. Mary Jane later makes her displeasure over Peter's vanishing act known. He is then immediately called out by Harry for allegedly stealing Mary Jane away from him.
• With Friends Like These...: Harry views Peter this way, both for hooking up with Mary Jane and avoiding him for the last month so that he wouldn't have to explain himself.
• You Fool!: Landon over the Spot leaving one of his portals open.