The Tick S2E2 – “A Government Funded SHIELD”

This episode mostly served as a more detailed introduction to AEGIS, but was an overall enjoyable episode.

As Arthur and Tick get the AEGIS tutorial we also get caught up on Superian, who has recently discovered the “joys” of being a public persona on social media. Meanwhile, Dot and Overkill discuss where they stand both with each other and in the world of superheroes. There is a lot of plot set up in this episode but I feel there is little actual progression. However, the more informative nature of the episode worked well with the episode being about our heroes learning the ropes at AEGIS.

I feel that this season so far is doing a great job in asking what makes a superhero. From Arthur still getting his bearings as he transitions from civilian life to superheroing, to the lives of Tick and Superian who live lives as near godly beings, down to the whole theme of AEGIS preforming literal tests to decide whether or not individuals are “super” enough. Most of the current plot points in this season seem to somehow link back to the question of what it means to be a superhero.

I feel one thing that needs mentioning, as it could easily be overlooked, is the return of Miss Lint. I feel that she may end up being the real threat of this season. While Lobstercules is a hulking juggernaut that can go toe-to-to with Tick, I feel Lint is taking it slow and playing it smart this time around and setting herself up to be a true threat.

I feel that though this episode feels somewhat uneventful, it actually does a lot to foreshadow what is to come; a lot of interesting groundwork is being laid for this season.