The Middleman

The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome

Season 1, Episode 12, Aired 9/1/08

Episode Summary

When The Middleman and Wendy investigate a series of strange thefts, a supervillain named The Palindrome opens a portal that sucks Wendy to a bleak alternate universe, run by the ironfisted Fatboy Industries.

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Cast & Crew

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Matt Keeslar

The Middleman
Natalie Morales (II)

Wendy Watson
Brit Morgan

Lacey Thornfield

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

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An alternate reality means a delightful romp and a fitting close to the season.

9.2

"Superb"

By SWERJ321, Sep 02, 2008 Report Abuse

It was only a matter of time before the show tackled the alternate reality concept and they had a ball with it. There was the obvious parts of characters so different like Noser channeling Shaft and Pip as a priest but the hot version of Ida was a nice touch. Having the Middleman basically be Snake Plisskin was inspired and made things even more wildly fun.

That the alternate version of Wendy was the baddie I saw coming but it did lead to nice stuff of that world's Lacey bonding with our Wendy and highlighting their friendship. Also loved how Lacey became the assistant Middleman in the end with the "reformed" Ida.

Overall, a wonderful capper to what we can hope is just the first season of one of the most delightful shows to hit the airwaves in quite a while. Here's hoping for more wild fun down the road.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Trivia: Mirror Noser greets Wendy with the same musical password/guessing game lyrics ("Theme from Shaft") that he greets her with in the first episode, "The Pilot Episode Sanction". Edit
- Trivia: Many times given in the chyrons for this episode are palindromes, such as 6:16 PM for the opening. This also applies to the time chosen to fire the phase polaron cannon within the episode: 9:29 PM. Edit
Notes
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- The phased polaron cannon is the same prop used in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008). Both production companies bought their props from the same company. Edit
- Featured Music "I'm Not Scared" by Ladytron "Humanitarianism" by Zeigeist "Light of Love" by Music Go Music Edit
- This episode was dedicated to Neil Levin, a script coordinator who was born 25 January 1969 and died in July 2008 after suffering a hemorrhage from a fall. Although never credited, he had a brief cameo in "The Accidental Occidental Conception" and can be seen as a photo on the wall behind The Middleman. Edit
Quotes
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- The Middleman: If we don't crack this, we're going to end up manacled to a doomsday device while a friendly female voice counts down the seconds to detonation. Wendy: Will this scenario involve me wearing a bikini again? The Middleman: Not necessary. But it will involve a carefully worded monologue, which will be the last thing we hear. Edit
- Wendy: So you want a cold pocket? Tyler: Oh for the love of… you cooked, too? Wendy: Hot Pockets are the American empanada. Edit
- The Middleman: Dubbie, it is I, The Middleman. Wendy: Really? Calling me on the Middlewatch that only we have? Edit
Allusions
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- The Middleman: Three days ago an unknown criminal stole a Beryllium Sphere. Referencing The Shadow (1994), starring Alec Baldwin. A Beryllium Sphere is used by Shiwan Khan to create an atom bomb. Edit
- Outland Polydichloric Euthymol is the addictive drug of choice in the 1981 movie starring Sean Connery as a U.S. Marshal assigned to the moon of Io and finds himself involved in a drug-smuggling scheme run by a company executive (Peter Boyle). The movie is in turn a remake/homage to High Noon (1952), starring Gary Cooper. Edit
- Escape From New York There are several references to Escape From New York (1981): * The duos' aliases of Russell and Van Cleef refer to two of the movie's stars, Kurt Russell and Lee Van Cleef. * The Duke of New York Toy Factory refers to the Duke of New York, the main antagonist of the movie, played by the late Isaac Hayes. * Carpenter Rd. Transformer Station refers to John Carpenter, the movie's director. * The security guards' uniforms resemble those worn by the movie's prison police. * The mirror Middleman's appearance with an eye patch, long hair and a beard echoes that of Snake Plissken, the protagonist in the movie. * 1997 Plissken Circle refers to Snake Plissken, the main character played by Kurt Russell and the year the movie is set in. Edit