With just two episodes remaining, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has positioned itself as one of the best-written animated adaptations of the character to date. With Spider-Man back in his classic suit, Scorpion still causing chaos, and Lonnie Lincoln torn between his choices in the gang world, the final stretch of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man promises an epic finale.
As Norman Osborn’s carefully crafted image of a benevolent philanthropist continues to crumble, his true nature as a ruthless, manipulative businessman becomes more evident. His visit to a newly imprisoned Otto Octavius is a prime example—openly mocking his former Oscorp employee and gloating over a deal he struck with Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross to seize and repurpose Octavius’s inventions for his own gain. If Osborn is willing to betray a former colleague so completely, driving him to a life of crime, one has to wonder—could his protégé, Peter Parker, be next on the chopping block?
Meanwhile, Peter—who’s just recovered from literally being stabbed in the back by a robotic scorpion tail—is putting his brand-new suit to the test in a thrilling action sequence that lets him settle some unfinished business. The chaos kicks off when the 110th Street Gang, still reeling from their losses at the hands of Mac Gargan, makes a move to even the odds. With Gargan now fully transformed into the Scorpion, thanks to Octavius’s technology, the gang sets their sights on an Oscorp truck transporting Otto’s stolen inventions, hoping to claim some powerful gear for themselves. But their plans take a turn for the worse when Gargan and his Scorpions arrive, determined to end this turf war once and for all.
Peter risks everything to save his best friend, Nico, while Lonnie Lincoln has a dangerous encounter with a mysterious nerve gas created by Octavius. However, the biggest challenge for Peter isn’t just the fight—it’s the choice he has to make. Will he take Osborn’s advice and abandon his restraint, unleashing his full power? And if he does, how far will he go? More importantly, if he crosses that line, is there any way to come back?
Credits: Disney+
One of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s greatest strengths is how well it balances its characters and plot threads, making it truly exciting when they inevitably collide. In this penultimate episode, no fewer than four main characters are on the verge of becoming their most recognizable comic book selves.
Of course, Spider-Man is at the forefront—no surprise there. But his transformation into the “real” Spider-Man goes beyond donning the classic red and blue suit. He’s still grappling with Norman Osborn’s influence as his so-called mentor pushes him to stop holding back. Meanwhile, his rematch with Scorpion—the second character to fully evolve into his most iconic form—pushes him to his limit. After a brutal fight, Peter finally takes down the vicious gang leader. Still, in the heat of the moment, he nearly crosses the line, ready to end the battle permanently by stabbing Scorpion with his tail—until an unexpected figure steps in to stop him.
While Peter stays true to his values, it’s Lonnie Lincoln who ultimately convinces him to spare Gargan’s life, which is surprising considering Lincoln’s comic background. Despite getting closer to his villainous fate, Lincoln still holds on to his sense of good, even with the harsh hand life’s dealt him. Not only does he inherit the 110th Street Gang from Big Donovan, who steps down after facing off with the Scorpion, but after exposure to a mysterious gas from Octavius that makes him invulnerable, Lincoln is on the brink of becoming the ruthless character he’s destined to be.
However, the most captivating character development is that of Norman Osborn. With each passing episode, his ruthlessness becomes more apparent, and his cutthroat nature emerges more clearly, as seen when he visits Octavius in jail to gloat over taking control of his rival’s inventions and folding them into Oscorp.
While some corporate power plays might not fully prove that Norman is as bad as he seems, the final scene reveals that Osborn is deeply involved in some shady activities – one of which includes experimenting with more genetically altered spiders, hoping to create more individuals with powers like Peter’s. In fact, the title “Hero or Menace” itself could apply to several characters, showing that even the episode titles are thoughtfully crafted.
With just one episode remaining, I’m curious about how the show will conclude. Will it be a gradual wrap-up where Peter reconnects with his friends and allies, or will we get another big supervillain showdown like we did with the Scorpion? It’s nice to say that the show is so well done that whatever the writers have planned next, it will be amazing.
“Hero or Menace” delivers thrilling action as Spider-Man, back in his classic suit, faces off against Scorpion while Norman Osborn’s villainy escalates. With multiple characters nearing their iconic comic book transformations and Peter grappling with difficult choices under Osborn’s influence, the episode masterfully sets the stage for an epic season finale.
‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Season 1 Episode 9: Classic Suit, Epic Showdown
“Hero or Menace” delivers thrilling action as Spider-Man, back in his classic suit, faces off against Scorpion while Norman Osborn’s villainy escalates. With multiple characters nearing their iconic comic book transformations and Peter grappling with difficult choices under Osborn’s influence, the episode masterfully sets the stage for an epic season finale.
