truly outrageous jem primer

This essay was original published at Roxy Reviews and is reprinted here with permission.

VIDEO WARS

Summary: Clash tries to become the fifth Misfit by sabotaging the latest Jem and the Holograms video.

IMPRESSIONS

Which came first, the Aztecs or the War? There are many people who question the sequencing of this episode and Aztec Enchantment. I have read a fair number of arguments for both.

In terms of actual technical sequence, Video Wars was made second. How do we know? Well, during the "Last Laugh" video, a clip from "Welcome to the Jungle" from Aztec Enchantment is shown. In terms of canon and continuity, the situation is more difficult.

Clash isn't treated well in either episode, but this in itself isn't surprising. After "Father's Day," it is all over for Clash and the Misfits. Before this episode Clash takes a central role in several schemes and participates in many others. She's frequently shown hanging out with the Misfits at the mansion. They might never invite her to become a Misfit, but they do seem to trust her in their inner circle.

Once that trip to Mulberry happens, though, things change. Never again is Clash depicted as one of the gang or even a Misfits henchwoman—she's merely a fawning fan, trying desperately to hone in on the Misfits' plans. There are two possible reasons for this: one, once Clash's secret wish—to be a Misfit—is revealed, the group closes ranks. Two, I think that Pizzazz never really forgives Clash for the events of "Father's Day." In the subsequent episodes, it is always Pizzazz who is openly hostile to Clash, to the point of physical violence.

There are some strong indicators that Video Wars could come first in the canon. For starters, in VW Clash is hanging out at the Misfits' mansion; in Aztec Enchantment she is completely out of the loop, hunting for the Misfits. Pizzazz does openly insult Clash in VW, but in AE she actually shoves the girl out of the way, indicating a higher level of hostility. In addition, in VW Clash pleads to be allowed to make a Misfits video—something she does in AE. In AE, Pizzazz refers to Clash's previous video experience as a disaster--is she speaking of VW?

However, on the flip side, during the above mentioned VW exchange, Jetta alludes to the AE video, calling it a "disaster." In Aztec, the Misfits actually do give Clash a shot—they put themselves out by travelling all the way to the Mexico, and even put up with Clash's filming after she has made them walk through the jungle. They might have been less willing to take such a trip after being humiliated in Video Wars. Also, in the "Welcome to the Jungle" fantasy sequence, Clash has the Holograms burnt at the stake—something she might have been less apt to do after hanging out with them in VW. Also, Roxy and Jetta's sniping is a bit subdued here—later in the series, they seem to reach an uneasy tolerance of each other, if not a truce. Roxy's sardonic comment, "we hardly need four (Misfits)" seems to be half in jest.

So, what do I think? As much as I like Clash, I think the canon sticks to the airing sequence, with AE first. I look at Video Wars as Clash's last stand.

In one scene in this episode, the Misfits terrorize Clash, who is disguised as the nerdy Sarah Mergomont. I find this a little out of character. While the Misfits make some disparaging remarks about people throughout the series, they never openly ridicule someone in such a manner.

Here again is evidence of "Stormer the Genuine Misfit." She doesn't torment "Sarah", but she doesn't speak out against it either. Although she never knocks Clash the way the others do, and seems to feel sorry for her at the end of the episode, she never speaks to her or sticks up for her in any way.

The animation in this episode is quite poor. There's no other way to say it. It sucks.

SONGS

Like a Dream: It's one of the oldest JatH songs, but it's a new video? Laws! I will admit I like this song, so I don't mind hearing it again, but really. Originality, anyone?

The Last Laugh: The mean Jem and the Holograms song! They snarl, they scowl, and they show clips of the Misfits being trounced. This is totally out of character for the peace-lovin' Holograms, and, as others have mentioned, the video shows clips the Holograms wouldn't even have had. Interesting…