This episode begins with a Star Wars-like intro:
It is a dark time for the Servants of the Forsaken Orb. Team Blextrophy's Nerd war win and the devastating loss of Brandon have cast a dark shadow over the Orb team, as Joshua and Danielle continue to wage their own battle…
This week's challenge is superhero trivia, titled "The Caped Debate." Celeste seems particularly concerned about this event because she knows nothing about comics (what?) and also has stage fright. Conversely, Joshua claims he's in his element (again) because has hosted a geek debate show. Danielle doesn't take well to this, particularly because Joshua "steals" the easy topic from her. The judges are:
- Director of Debate and Forensics at USC: Gordon Stables
- Jay: Jason Mewes
- Silent Bob: Kevin Smith
The first round featured the topic: It is preferable to be born with superpowers (ala X-Men, Superman or Thor) than to be genetically altered later (ala Hulk, Captain America or Spider-Man). Ivan was for:
Heroes who are born into their powers inherently have a chance to have their skills honed much more than if they were genetically enhanced. Superman is moral because of his upbringing. Thor, Aquaman and Wonderman – they are all born into this world and as a result they stay true to their colors. Genetic powers are erratic. Spider-Man can lose his powers purely because of his own mental state (ala the Spider-Man 2 film). Also, the amount of villains that are created genetically are staggering. Life lessons create stable heroes. Genetically-created heroes are playing God.
Alana was against:
It is not preferably to be born with superpowers. Superheroes like Spider-Man learn early on about their responsibilities and powers because they never had them before. Captain America will throw himself in front of a bullet to save his fellow man because he once was the weaker and knows anyone can become great. We need people who know what it feels like to be weak, who know what it feels like to lose everything. We need our heroes to come from us.
Gordon voted for Alana, Jay and Silent Bob voted for Ivan, granting Orange team a victory. The second topic: Superheroes by their nature attract super villains, thereby creating more problems for society than benefits. Joshua was against:
To say that superheroes attract super villains is ignorant. Evil will exist whether good is there or not. For example, if you try to take all the superheroes out of a city, crime will skyrocket exponentially. For example, in Mark Millar's "The Dark Knight Returns," Batman goes into retirement and what happens while he's gone? Gotham City becomes a gangland. Evil prepares when superheroes aren't there to kick some ass.
Genevieve was for.
First of all I'd like to point out that it wasn't Mark Millar, it was Frank Miller who wrote "The Dark Knight." It is indisputable that heroes directly lead to the creation of villains. Superman himself is a wonderful person, but Mr. Mxyzptlk comes to Earth just to terrorize Superman. As a result we have to deal with inanimate objects coming to life, inverted laws of physics, and chicken feet. It's only too bad that mortals must suffer when the gods in heaven war. This mortal is tired of living in the aftermath.
Gordon voted for Genevieve, while Jay and Silent Bob voted for Joshua. The third round's topic was: Having super powers should give superheroes the right to intervene in global politics as well as immunity from prosecution under "human" law. Celeste was against:
Genetic differences should not determine or impact our ridghts as itizens. Different humans have different levels of intelligence. No one thinks that being gifted gives you immunity from human law. Super powers are just another gift. With absolute power comes absolute – sorry – with absolute power um – sorry – uh…with absolute power should come absolute accountability.
Danielle was for:
It is downright irresponsible to prevent a superhero from intervening by threatening with prosecution, when realistically they may be the only hope to save the world. In the case of the military, soldiers are protected from being charged with murder. If these super humans are using their abilities for the good of the world why would they not be held to abide by a different set of laws, accounting for both their abilities and their responsibilities?
Gordon, Jay and Silent Bob voted for Danielle. We never did get to hear the debate from Virgil (for) and Moogega (against) on the question: To benefit society, mutants such as the X-Men should be injected with serum to eradicate their power.
The Orange team won and Blue team suffered another crippling loss, leading to Genevieve weeping on her bed while Orange team dressed as superheroes and experienced indoor skydiving. Danielle and Joshua finally get over their rivalry by getting drunk and Danielle slapping Joshua so they're even. As Joshua described Danielle thusly:
It's this little pink ball of fury. It's gonna hurt a little bit…and…go for it?
That settled, it's time for a Nerd-Off. Blue team votes for Alana, Orange votes for Genevieve. It's a battle of superhero trivia. For each question answered correctly the contestant breaks through a barrier – whoever knocks down four barriers wins the game.
Question 1: Which of these names does NOT belong to a prominent Batman villain?
- A: Basil Karlo (A)
- B: Simon Maddox (G)
- C: Thomas Elliot
- D: Roman Sionis
The correct answer was B.
Question 2: Which superhero first appeared in Action Comics #1, along with Superman?
- A: Plastic Man
- B: Aquaman (A)
- C: Captain Comet
- D: Zatara (G)
The correct answer was D.
Question 3: Which of these doctors actually has a medical degree?
- A: Dr. Mid-Nite (A)
- B: Dr. Destiny
- C: Dr. Impossible (G)
- D: Dr. Occult
The correct answer was A.
Question 4: In what year did Superman first appear?
- A: 1951
- B: 1938 (G)
- C: 1929 (A)
- D: 1941
The correct answer was B.
Question 5: The Avenger Hawkeye has a brother who is a villain:
- A: Trickshot (G)
- B: Deadshot
- C: Deadeye
- D: Bullseye (A)
The correct answer is A. Genevieve wins and Alana goes home:
My motto in life is that it's fine to be the superhero that you are. It's okay to wear your nerd or geekiness on your sleeve and I'm gonna keep going because that's how I roll. Natural 20 every time. I'm going to quote a parody movie of a nerdy movie: "Never give up, never surrender" and part of that—
Then the hosts blow Alana up mid-sentence. The next episode features giant Rubik's cubes.
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