Tablet of Time

Tablet of Time is a season two episode of the Spider-Man animated series.

Plot

This episode begins with three men, dressed in explorer's clothing, staring at the pyramid before them. They explain that it is ten centuries old, and that inside it is the Tablet of Time. A news segment describes the Tablet of Time, which supposedly grants the person who properly uses it eternal youth. It will be studied at Empire State University. The Kingpin watches the news, and when the news reporter informs the public that offers as high as fifty million dollars for the tablet have been rejected, the Kingpin decides that he must have it. Meanwhile, Peter realizes that all of the criminals who will be trying to steal the artifact. Meanwhile Silvermane's also watching the same newscast. Silvermane picks up the phone and says to an unknown party that he "must have that tablet."

Later, when the Tablet is being lowered down by a machine from the ship that it came from, a helicopter comes and drops two knock-out gas bombs. Hammerhead and three of his henchmen exit the helicopter, and force the man with the crank to let them lower it to Hammerhead. Spider-Man shows up, kicking the three henchmen and a battle between Hammerhead and Spider-Man starts. Later Hammerhead head-butts Spider-Man and he is sent flying into the ship's fishnet. After Spider-Man gets out of the net, he sees the helicopter taking off with the Tablet. He throws a razor from the fish-shredder, which cuts the rope. He then, jumps and catches the Tablet.

Meanwhile, The Kingpin contacts Alistair about the new project that he's working on, asking if it's complete. Alistair tells him it's ready and functioning. We then, see Dr. Connors, who gives Spider-Man his neogenic treatment, which he's been having everyday once every twenty-four hours. Spider-Man's Spider-sense suddenly goes off, and a giant robot begins attacking Spider-Man with its lasers, though Spider-Man constantly dodges them. The robot knocks out Spider-Man and steals the Tablet, and takes them to Alistair. Alistair demonstrates to Kingpin that the Tablet reacts violently to light, as when he turns on a light switch that the Tablet is directly under the Tablet begins giving off strong radiation. He tells the Kingpin that the Tablet may become dangerous, so the Kingpin tells him to kidnap Dr. Connors to help him decode the Tablet. Alistair sends a robot.

The scene changes to Dr. Connors house. Dr. Connors explains to Spider-Man that his transformation has been coming out again, whenever he is under extreme stress. Suddenly, the robot breaks through the wall and Spider-Man jumps in to defend them. The robot knocks Spider-Man through the front door and into Dr. Connor's car. The robot launches a missile at Spider-Man, who jumps out of the way just in time. This stress turns Dr. Connors into the Lizard. The Lizard manages to take the robot to the floor, though the robot shoots a laser out of its fingertips, which knocks him out. Alistair explains to the Kingpin that he can no longer see Dr. Connors, so the Kingpin tells him to kidnap his wife, which he does. The Lizard regains consciousness, and then climbs into the sewer, forcing Spider-Man to follow him.

The scene cuts to Silvermane's office, in which Tombstone is instructed to steal the Tablet of Time from the Kingpin, as well as kidnap Dr. Connors. The next scene shows a limousine in which Vanessa Fisk is kidnapped by Tombstone, who believes that if he captures the Kingpin's wife, he will gain the Tablet of Time.

After that, we see Spider-Man and the Lizard in combat. Spider-Man grabs the Lizard, and slaps his tail on to the electrical subway track, which knocks him unconscious. Spider-Man takes the Lizard to his lab, where he gives him treatment and turns him back into Dr. Connors. Just as the process is completed, Tombstone shows up and attempts to kidnap Dr. Connors. Spider-Man tries to stop him, though he's grabbed by Tombstone, who possesses incredible strength. Tombstone throws a smoke bomb which contaminates the air, and then grabs Spider-Man to prevent him from leaving. Spider-Man tells Tombstone to stop before they both suffocate, though Tombstone simply says "I don’t breathe." TO BE CONTIUNED

Production

The Mega-Slayer constructed by Alistair Smythe in the series was originally built by Spencer Smythe in the comics. Silvermane's desire to use the Tablet of Time to restore his youth is based on similar aspects from issues of The Amazing Spider-Man comics.^[1] The episode was originally intended to air after "The Immortal Vampire" episode, hence Morbius is not mentioned. However, it aired following the "Duel of the Hunters" episode.

Reception

The scene in which Spider-Man is trapped inside the fish shredder has received notable popularity as of actor Christopher Daniel Barnes' dialogue expressing his characters reaction to the smell of the fish. Actor Dorian Harewood (Tombstone)'s dialogue at the end of the episode has been praised in a review. The review also described the episode to have "fell" from the point that Alistair Smythe steals the Tablet. Also, scenes including Silvermane's kidnap of Margaret Connors and fight sequences featuring The Lizard were considered unnecessary.^[2]

References