"DuckTales" (2017) Series Talkback (Spoilers)

[SweetShop209]

Same difference. Doofus is not supposed to be a bad person at all. He's a little clumsy, and not entirely confident in himself, but he's supposed to be a good person. Making him a bad person is the complete opposite of that. He may as well be a completely different character altogether if that's what they're going for...

Maybe he has a character arc where be becomes a good person.

 

[Rick Jones]

It will be a little surreal seeing a big show debut on a kids network at midnight.

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[TheUnderMiner]

Upcoming episode titles

 

[Tommy Lawson]

So the exclamation mark is probably going to be the common thing used for each episode title then.

This thread's title has been changed to make it current, so continue to use this thread to discuss the show's premiere.

 

[19MagiswordLane]

Interview with the producers: http://www.animationscoop.com/interview-disneys-ducktales-reboot/

 

[trance2009]

Lol @ the reference to Goof troop and Darkwing

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[PinkieLopBun]

I think it's off to a great start. Can't wait to see more.

 

[Tommy Lawson]

Lol @ the reference to Goof troop and Darkwing

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The references were to the "Spoonerville and St. Canard markets." It is satisfying to see them acknowledge Darkwing Duck's home city in the very first episode, plus if they ever wanted to have Donald meet Goofy in this show, we know which version of Goofy we should expect to see.

My favorite reference to the original show was actually IIRC during a commercial break with a preview for other episodes. There was a reference to cola, and the name of that cola was "PEP!" which was a reference to one of the plots in the 1987 series. Scrooge also warned about diving into the money bin in another preview, which made me first think about Peter Griffin when he tried to imitate Scrooge McDuck.

 

[ToonJay723]

Good beginning for the series. The animation was really good. I was surprised it was done by Snipple and Toon City, since the other work I've seen from them is average or subpar. Looking forward to the rest of the series, and I'm glad it's weekly and not a "month long daily premieres" thing like Star vs. and Milo,

 

[Rick Jones]

Cape Suzette is from TalesSpin, right?

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[ShadowBlinky]

Cape Suzette is from TalesSpin, right?

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That's right!

 

[Mandouga]

Maybe he has a character arc where be becomes a good person.

I repeat: same difference.

Anyway, so here we have the pilot (which I'm watching on their website).

:45 - Louie (I assume...): "You gotta transfer the job you WANT, not the job you HAVE, which is NO job." Well, this could be either or I suppose. Still, it kind of felt like sarcasm to me. After all, Donald's sailor suit is like Mickey's shorts, or Mario's shirt and overalls, or Sonic's shoes (the latter two are video games that have nothing to do with Disney, but still). I'm not sure it was necessary to make fun of his iconic outfit.

1:02 - First the thing with the garbage disposal(?), now the thing with the iron board. I don't know. It feels kind of forced to me. Then again, this sort of thing has happened in the classic shorts. We'll see, though. I'm tempted to say "grandfather clause", but Disney is supposed to transcend ideas like that.

1:23 - Donald: "I didn't give you a new address." Of course, we all know who did. Could be either or, but something tells me we probably wouldn't have a show otherwise. That also concerns me...

1:43 - Louie: "We can survive for a couple of hours." Yes, they can. However, I've seen this sort of thing before. This feels like a setup for a gag to me. It just better not be the gag where the punchline is that they end up getting into trouble and have to be reprimanded or something.

1:56 - Donald: "Where's Dewey?" / Louie: "Sleeping." / Huey: "Who's Dewey?" See? This is exactly what I hoped wouldn't happen. This is the kind of sarcasm you would find in a parody. To me, it sounds more like [sarcastic tone] "Who's DEWEY?" [/sarcastic tone]. That said, I can't admittedly call it a parody at this point, but none of nephews would lie. Well, okay, there was that one time in the original show where one of them tried to claim he was one of the other nephews, with Mrs. Beakley seeing right through him, but the intention was never to preach to anyone. The viewer knows that lying is wrong, and even then, it's just a short reminder of that fact. This bit...could be either or, but still.

1:59 - Louie: "WHO'S Dewey?" AAUGH!! There! You see? That was NOT funny. What are they trying to imply, that Louie doesn't know the name of his own brother? This is NOT the nephews occasionally getting themselves mixed up. [thinks for a moment] Oh, THAT'S right [/sarcastic tone]. Louie is supposed to be calling out Huey on an obvious lie, hence it's supposed to be "'Who's Dewey'?" Yet, it didn't come out to me that way at first. I didn't catch on right away, and I probably should have, but so many other Disney Channel (and Disney XD) shows had done similar, unfunny jokes, that it was possible that this bit might have been no different...

2:07 - "Cape Suzette"? Why yes, I know what TaleSpin is. OTOH, this could have been either or: a legitimate tip of the hat, or a reference for the parents that assumes the rest of the family might not get it. However, I didn't like "Dorkburg". What is this show implying, that Dewey hates his hometown. If they were going for the "nothing exciting ever happens here" idea, they could have done it a little better, at least.

2:18 - Oh no. Not the "Full Name Ultimatum", bit. "Hubert"? "Dewford?" Now I'm really concerned. One way or another, it feels like more sarcasm to me. Furthermore, to me, this tends to be a sign that there may (repeat: "may") more of the same old unfunny / spur-of-the-moment crowd pleasing writing coming up, but we'll see.

2:30 - Now we have the patronizing / arbitrary "We've all got to do things we don't want to do" speech (which is another topic entirely, so we'll leave it at that). This one's tough to call. It could just be an in-universe thing, or it could be a sign that this show may end up being more of the same. In other words, the "ball" may or may not have just "missed the outside corner". I can't be certain at this point. We'll see, at any event. Also, this is one those things that could also refer to the company, and might be a message from them to the viewers (long story).

2:43 - I didn't really like the "You're finally gonna sell us" line, but suddenly things just got a little more exciting when the name "Scrooge McDuck" came up, but what does Donald mean by saying that Scrooge "owes" him? Donald isn't joining the Navy in this version (he was originally going for a job interview), so it must be something else.

3:03 - ...yeah. At this point, they're already telling everyone what they already know (yes, even those who already don't know; long story). Again, though. This could be either or.

3:15 - Spoonerville (Goofy's home town) and St. Canard (setting of Darkwing Duck, which had previously been mentioned here) are mentioned. Not too bad, I guess. Also, Scrooge looks like he might be the grouch he was at first in other versions. I want to say that we know he'll come around later (which we all do), but...well, I can rule out the "constant tension" possibility at this point (luckily), but we'll see.

3:29 - Of course, we all know those things will become necessary in the end (isn't that right, writers?)...

3:41 - Gee. His money bin doesn't look as full as it should be, but that will soon change. In any case, that's not what concerns me.

4:05 - Launchpad has Duckworth's role (or at least one of them) in this version? That's a new one...

4:13 - Alright, where did that Last Name Basis thing come from? That's a little, well, different.

4:51 - So, it looks like Mrs. Beakley (and therefore, Webby) are there already (there's no other "Mrs. B" he could be referring to...). Can't say I was expecting that.

5:10 - Why are they looking at each other like that (and saying each other's names like that)? I don't think they've ever disliked each other, so what's going on?

5:40 - More sarcasm...

6:09 - Oh no. I think we have an intentional "tempting fate / forshadowing" thing going on here, but wait a minute...

6:15 - Donald: "I wasn't talking to you." Well, that's different...

6:56 - Once again, this could be either or (the "million questions" bit).

7:22 - Mrs. Beakley: "Please do not leave the designated play area." Okay, I was afraid of something like this. The writers seemed to have given her an attitude of some kind...

9:17 - So far, so good. So Webby is researching HD&L's family history. Okay. I just hope she isn't too different...

10:09 - Calling your own great-nephews has-beens? Not cool, Scrooge.

10:50 - Hopefully, he'll change his mind later on. Hopefully.

12:52 - HD&L are in disbelief over Donald ever having done anything worthwhile (which we all know he has anyway), and Webby tries to convince them that Donald is the greatest. That was kind of predictable, but hopefully it doesn't mean anything...

14:23 - Question: "What can be worse than this?" Answer: Scrooge McDuck showing up. Oh brother. Here it comes...

15:58 - There, you see? They said one thing, but then they said something else. That's just the garage? Give me a break. Were they trying to be funny here? Well, they failed miserably.

16:28 - Predictably, we have more sarcasm at this point

16:34 - What's the matter, Scrooge, truth hurt?

21:10 - Surprise! Donald is suddenly working for one of Scrooge's most hated enemies: Flintheart Golmgold. Hopefully, that will change. Hopefully.

End of part 1. Opening sequence, and then, part 2

24:50 - That wasn't funny. Besides being more sarcasm, that line was clearly written as a parody of the "lying is wrong" (which it is; just saying) moral lesson, or at least that's what it sounded like, possibly as a spur-of-the-moment attempt to somehow relate to the viewers who are tired of moral lessons on family shows (which is not necessarily a bad thing, but yeah, everything in moderation, etc.) I'm tempted to say "strike one", but I can't be sure of that.

25:57 - I'm pretty sure they could have done better than the "doesn't know our names" gag. I'm also beginning to suspect "wrong genre savvy" as well, which was only occasionally done in the original show.

34:04 - Did this show really need any of the nephews, let alone Dewey, criticize Scrooge's use of British/Scottish terms by mocking him for it? If it's not a parody, then this bit was made based on the idea that the viewers wouldn't understand the whole "Scottish" thing (i.e., to the point of trying to tell them what to think). Whatever the reason, I think it was unnecessary. I'd probably call this a foul ball, though...for now, anyway.

35:17 - "Hire some family"? They were probably trying to be funny with this one, but to me that was kind of uncalled for, and unnecessary, especially since we know he'll come around (right, writers?)...

37:06 - I guess this means they're already Junior Woodchucks?

37:13 - So they've decided to make running gag out of the whole "Webby lies to her grandmother" thing. I'd pretty much call that dark comedy, although I can rule out the possibility of this being a deconstruction of the "original" Webby, but only for now...

37:24 - This is immediately followed by Louie saying she won't back up that lie, only for Launchpad to somehow "coincidentally" do it for her.

40:37 - Oh, so now Scrooge knows Dewey's name...

41:43 - So Mrs. Beakley knew the whole time. (sigh) Here it comes...

41:55 - "No more lies, and you can go with him wherever you like". That's what I thought, writers. That's what I thought...

42:56 - The show is being self-referential again. That could be either or, but anything can happen.

End of part 2 and credits

Okay, this pilot episode was shaky at best, but it was (barely) watchable. HOWEVER...that was just the pilot episode. I'm sorry, everyone, but this show isn't off the hook just yet. The pilot episode was okay, but the entire show has to be watchable as well. Look, as they say, first impressions are not always correct, which works both ways. I've seen shows that start out okay, but start taking shortcuts later on, to say the least. The fact is, this pilot episode had a number of opportunities to patronize the viewers, and/or otherwise tell them what to think, etc (again), but I am glad they didn't do it. In any case but it has to be said. For all we know, later episodes could start doing it. That said, it's also possible that none of the episodes might do it at all (I hope). In any case, one thing is certain. Just as Hordak once told She-Ra that "one battle does not win a war", one pilot episode does not make a series, either. Going back to Webby, I didn't like how they made her lie just to show that even she isn't perfect. If not a deconstruction, then it otherwise sounds to me like either a personal vision or a personal commentary ("The original Webby is such a girly goody-goody. Let's make more like "real" people and have her lie so that she has at least one 'imperfection'"). That was never meant to be the point of either her, or the original show one way or another. To me, it looks like it may be possible that the writers (and/or the two guys who developed this version) might not get her or the original, except when they do. This also has to be said: as long as they don't go all "Friendship is Magic" on this show, it should (repeat: should) be alright. Unfortunately, this show doesn't premiere for more than a month. I just hope that everyone involved knows what they're doing...

 

[trance2009]

Well they kinda said they were going to update their personas and frankly that is how kids after these days.

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[Triant]

Spoiler

Hey, I loved the original series when I was a much younger person. But, I liked this as a show in its own right.

Mrs. Beakley kept saying she wasn't Scrooge's secretary. I think one day she's going to say that to someone and amend. "I'm his bodyguard." Her voice made me think of Haley Atwell as Agent Carter, which I am on board with.

Also, the last line? I audibly gasped. I think we found our first season 'Overarching Mystery.' Considering how the topic has been deftly avoided in the original comics and other Duck-verse media, the fact that they're actually going to pull the trigger on it surprised the heck out of me. In a good way.

 

[D-nice is the man.]

I don't know if this is already mentioned, but the first episode is also available on the ABC App, ABC.com, and the Disney Channel App and DisneyChannel.com, it's not just on Disney XD.

 

[superkeegan9100]

ABC App, ABC.com

I think the reason why it's on ABC's app/website is because of cross-promotion.

 

[PinkieLopBun]

it's not just on Disney XD.

Now it's on the Disney XD app.

 

[Mandouga]

frankly that is how kids after these days.

That's your opinion. You make it sound like everyone is like that, but everyone is unique, etc. "True to life", and "realism" can only go so far either way. The reality is that anything is possible, including the possibility that any of the viewers (regardless of age) can learn by example, and not have it shoved down their throats (by, among other things essentially telling them what to think). For these reasons, among others, I truly hope that this show can avoid the kind of ignorant, arbitrary, and patronizing writing that other Disney Channel and Disney XD originals (such as MECH-X4, for instance) had ultimately resorted to. I don't know about anyone else, but I came to watch DuckTales, not another "reality check" production that assumes I don't get it even when I already do (nor did I come for another tribute/parody that assumes certain viewers won't "know the difference"). Yes, there might be some viewers who actually don't get it/know the difference, but that doesn't mean that those who do should end up getting caught in the crossfire as a result.

 

[TheUnderMiner]

Thought it was a great opener. Really excited to see more.

That reveal at the end was awesome. I'm a little surprised they're going that route but I love it.

Loved all the references to the Disney Afternoon.

 

[zoombie]

Okay this was a very good pilot, only complaint no Beagles Boys. Still a solid start to getting its foundation.

I liked that Donald is not a complete idiot, that is why has been reduced over the years heck in the old classic shorts days, I have see Donald this smart. What world am I living in.

The nephews they gain some individual personalities here and their own voices, Webby is much improved, even Mrs. Beagly here is improved, I liked how she is not afraid of Scrooge, and Launchpad he is hilarious as always.

So Glomgold is the first villain which surprised me, I thought we would start with the Beagle Boys, but he is Scrooge's arch nemesis, and I love how Donald said he can't keep track of Scrooge's enemies. He is treating but hilarious. Though if the show had a big bad villain, he just be the underling.

Besides the usual suspect of characters that we know and love, a character I liked was the female henchmen, if Daisy doesn't show up in the series, I am not oppose to her and Donald having some kind of relationship. I hope we see her again.

All and all a good start, the world looks interesting to me, though someone tell me what happened to Duckworth, it seems Mrs. Beagly and Launchpad have taking all of his previous jobs.

And how could i forget, the nephews mother, Donald's sister, could she be alive?