First Steps

Season 2, Episode 5, Aired
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Episode Summary

Things seem to be going well for Peter Parker when he is invited to Flash Thompson's birthday party. Things change, however, when Sandman returns with a score to settle.
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • An endangered species.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By frostbite200, May 10, 2011 Report Abuse
    Time to face the music, this episode reminded me of what I liked about Spider-man 3.
    Alright, i guess i'd better explain myself. A sympathetic villain done well is a rarity now days, evil and menacing seem to have the market cornered, and it's understandable. Evil is more fun and easier to write, i know that sounds bad, but it's true. This introduced Mark Allen, who will come into play later in this season.

    The Kenny's bit with the camera at the birthday party was the funnest thing I have seen this season "You want to see how many chips I can stick in my mouth", Glory's recurse was beyond hystericalmoreless

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  • Everything is balanced extremely well, in such a short time.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By RobGrizz, May 17, 2009 Report Abuse
    Sandman is not my favorite villain. I've always saw him as a Clayface knock-off from the Batman series. But Spectacular Spider-Man has done some really (really) creative things with him, which have made for some excellent action sequences. But besides just the great fighting, Marko has seemed to have grown in character and besides sarificing himself to save an oil tanker, there is an especially sweet scene where he pretends to be a sand castle for little girl.

    I also really liked Flash Thompson's birthday party stuff. (I'm a sucker for high school party anythings) I thought it was really clever inter-cutting the random video camera interviews, and there was even a bit of suspense in dealing with the Gwen/Parker/Harry/Liz love quadrangle. Enjoyable stuff all aroundmoreless

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  • Spider-Man must stop Sandman, who learned a few new tricks, from stealing a ship full of oil. Eddie Brock tricks Peter to reveal the whereabouts of the symbiote.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By RAFAELJOSE04, Mar 17, 2009 Report Abuse
    School is back in session and things are looking up for Peter Parker. He is dating Liz Allen but still has feelings for Gwen Stacy. Harry Osborn is back but Peter questions if his friend is on the goblin juice. He is also invited to Flash Thompson's birthday party. Unfortunately, Peter has to put his social responsibilities on hold after Sandman reappears to make his big score. The super villain has learned to master his abilities by absorbing more sand and grow in size and strength. He is definitely a more formidable foe than in the previous episodes. Also, Eddie Brock is back and tricks Peter to lead him to the spot where Pete dumped the symbiote. The birthday party scene was very amusing. It reveals that Peter and Eugene were best friends in pre-school, and Peter gave him the nickname of Flash because he would often run around naked. The biggest surprise in the episode was the other side of Sandman. Despite his ambition to make a big score and his hostility for Spider-Man, Sandman doesn't mean to hurt innocent bystanders. He is shown to be compassionate by helping a small girl from some bullies, and heroic by saving Spider-Man and the crew of a burning oil tanker before it explodes. The episode ends with a good cliffhanger as Brock leaves an interesting message on Flash's birthday party video.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • There are references to other versions of 'Sandman' in this episode. One of the things Sandman wants to steal is The Urn of Morpheus. Morpheus is among the names of the DC/Vertigo Mystic character Dream of the Endless, whose book is called The Sandman. Also, when Sandman appears before a little girl, she asks 'Mr. Sandman?' and he says 'Yessss?'. When Peter leaves Flash's party, the news first speaks of Sandman's robbery attempt, and then says it will play a classic oldies song by The Chordettes, whose big hit song was 'Mr. Sandman', where the line Sandman exchanged with the little girl came from. Edit
    • This episode's theme song featured Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborne and Flash Thompson. Edit
    • This episode marks the first appearance of Mark Allan. His sister Liz mentioned him earlier in the season, in the episode "Blueprints". Edit

  • Notes

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  • Quotes

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    • Spider-Man: Sandy, you're pathetic! Sandman: I'm pathetic?! Spider-Man: Totally. With your powers, you could do some real good, help people. But you waste it on all the same stupid crimes Flint Marko committed. Sandman: You really think I could be a hero like you? Spider-Man: Well, yeah. I mean, with great power comes great... Sandman: Gullibility! (Punches Spider-Man) Edit
    • Sandman: How? How are you always wherever I'm doin' a job? What have you got, some kind of... Spider-Sense, or something? Spider-Man: Funny you should mention that... Edit
    • Eddie Brock: Hey, Flash. I hope you don't mind me crashing your party. Truth is: I plan on crashing a lot of parties this year. So if you run into my bro Pete, tell him we will see him soon. Edit

  • Allusions

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    • Spider-Man: How am I supposed to beat up a beach? This is reminiscent of a line from Gargoyles, where the Archmage says "After all, what have you accomplished? You beat up a beach." Edit
    • Spider-Man: (After failing to defeat Sandman with his webs) Hey, worked on Goliath! Spider-Man alludes to the classic biblical story of "David and Goliath," in which a young boy defeated a giant with only his slingshot. Edit
    • Spider-Man: I must be losing it. Goblin, Venom, what's next? Sandman... This is a nod to the events of the live-action Spider-Man 3, where Spider-Man fought the New Goblin (Harry Osborn), Venom and Sandman. Edit

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