After proving himself as a true superhero by defeating the crazed Scorpion and sticking to his moral code by sparing his foe instead of listening to Osborn, Peter Parker is starting to get comfortable in his new red and blue suit as he awkwardly balances his school life with fighting crime. However, while his hectic life has reached some stability, some big questions still linger, like what exactly Norman Osborn has been having Peter and the other Oscorp interns create for him, and where the spider that gave him his powers came from in the first place.
Norman has made the reckless decision to combine all the projects his interns were working on into “Project Monolith,” an effort to create a cosmic gateway for exploring and potentially exploiting the universe for resources. Naturally, most of the interns and Dr. Connors are appalled by Norman’s unethical methods, but things really take a turn when Doctor Strange shows up, demanding that the machine be destroyed. Strange is ignored by Osborn, who powers the machine on anyway. What emerges is the same symbiote creature that fought Strange before, but now Peter, with his newly acquired spider powers, can join the fight.
Remember in the first episode when Doctor Strange appeared, battling what seemed like a symbiote, and it didn’t really add up? And how did the genetically altered spider that bit Peter appear out of nowhere? Well, it turns out that the spider came from Peter’s future (our present). Oscorp created the spider months later, intending to make more spider-powered individuals, and it ended up traveling through the same time portal that let Doctor Strange and the symbiote wreak havoc on Midtown High. While this twist might seem overly complicated or flashy, it explains the strange events from that first episode and catches you off guard, delivering an utterly unexpected finale.
Credits: Disney+
“If This Be My Destiny” leverages its action-packed narrative to transition into a series of compelling epilogues, skillfully paving the way for numerous potential storylines in the already confirmed second and third seasons. The big revelation is that Richard Parker is alive and imprisoned, which is a bold move considering The Amazing Spider-Man 2 already touched on this in a deleted scene.
Meanwhile, there are continuing threats, like the potential escape of Octavius and Lonnie “Tombstone” Lincoln turning wholly villainous (his skin is already starting to turn white). However, this is likely a long-term plot rather than something resolved quickly. There are also intriguing hints about the future, with Nico exploring her supernatural necklace and Peter’s intern friend, Jeanne, revealed as Finesse, an undercover vigilante working with Daredevil, keeping an eye on Norman Osborn due to his shady business practices. As for Osborn, despite his near-catastrophic involvement with the symbiote, he finishes the season in a surprisingly strong position, having obtained a sample of the alien creature, setting up dangerous potential for the future.
On a brighter note, Harry Osborn is preparing to step out of his father’s overwhelming shadow by launching W.E.B. (Worldwide Engineering Brigade), a new organization designed to unite young geniuses in an independent think tank and prevent them from being exploited or corrupted by Norman. This plot point holds a lot of potential for drama, as it not only promises to give Spider-Man access to more advanced technology but also sets up a direct rivalry between Harry and his father.
With two seasons already in the works, the future looks bright for this impressive series that skillfully breathes new life into familiar elements. With many of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains still in their early stages, it’s reassuring that Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man hasn’t exhausted its potential too soon.
In the action-packed season finale, Peter Parker confronts Norman Osborn’s dangerous “Project Monolith,” leading to a surprising, time-bending revelation about the origin of his powers involving Doctor Strange and a symbiote. While resolving some mysteries, the episode masterfully sets up future seasons with multiple epilogues teasing Richard Parker’s survival, developing villains, new alliances, and Harry Osborn challenging his father.
‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Season 1 Episode 10 (Finale): Symbiotes, Secrets, and Season 2 Seeds
In the action-packed season finale, Peter Parker confronts Norman Osborn’s dangerous “Project Monolith,” leading to a surprising, time-bending revelation about the origin of his powers involving Doctor Strange and a symbiote. While resolving some mysteries, the episode masterfully sets up future seasons with multiple epilogues teasing Richard Parker’s survival, developing villains, new alliances, and Harry Osborn challenging his father.
