Reviewed by:  Pugilist

Hero Envy is GlintofHope.com's on-line live action series that we have followed over the last couple of years.  Below is our review of the latest episode.

I approached episode 19 with a little trepidation as folks might know had they read my review of the 2007 Christmas Annual.  The 2007 Annual was not bad, mind you, it was just not what I had expected. 

Yeah, need not have worried. 

The very worst parts of the Episode 19 was bloody hilarious and it went nowhere but up from there.

So, how to start.  Hell, how to say anything that relays the depth of plot and character interaction and not trip all over the story with spoilers. 

Let's get something out that is obvious. 

In Episode 19 there's a new neighbor moving into the apartment above JD and Wally and it is soon revealed that the boys have a history with this person.  There.  That establishes the premise of the whole episode without giving a hint of anything that's not covered in the first minute.

Now, I can see your perplexed look and that quizzical tilt of your head.  "Someone moves into the apartment above JD and Wally and that's supposed to be funny?  Shit, it's confirmed, Pugilist is smoking crack."  Well, I don't ask you to trust me on this, Hell, I never ask you to trust me on anything.  I will, however, ask you to finish reading this short review and then get your ass over to GlintofHope.com and watch the damn webisode.

The premise is a new neighbor, the development of the plot supporting this premise involves beer, competing parties, mind melds, Klingon curses, games only an adult can appreciate, muffins, sake (the Japanese beverage for goodness sake), some truly disturbing Wii play, vodka, and a vendetta/subterfuge involving a certain amount of betrayal (of sorts) by a central character.  Not necessarily in that order and not the betrayal that's overtly stated.  Oh, and an excellent job of foreshadowing, foreshadowing you'll miss if you aren't paying attention.  Y'know, the good kind.

Piqued your interest yet?

Yeah, I thought so.  I had you at beer.

OK, so there's some truly funny things going on.  The plot is well formed and presented.  The actors nail their characters without a single stumble.  There are minimal production issues.  They even introduce a new character.  Damn, it's like they are trying to produce a series you can't bear to miss, like they know what the hell they are doing, like they are bloody professionals.

How about that?

Is 'It Started on Yancy Street' the best episode they've ever done?  No, I'm going to have to classify the 2006 Christmas Annual as my pick for that, but it is definitely a contender for a top spot.  I can't exactly say which spot that might be as of yet as this episode gives every indication of being a part one of a larger story.  I can say that it was a great episode, filled with laugh out loud moments, some incredibly disturbing images involving Dekker, a friend, and the Wii as I'd never imagined, and Orson showing that he has not yet mastered Surak's teachings, to the momentary detriment of Wally.

This episode puts the series on firm footing and will allay any feelings that they might have hit a wall with creativity and series style.  If it's the first episode you watch, it will hook you into the series, if it's just the latest episode you watch, it'll demonstrate you've made a wise choice to follow these guys.

All this add up to a score of 9.  That's a solid 9, no quibbling, no hedging.  If you watch this episode and think it's anything but great, move on to Cavemen because you obviously don't belong here.

Oh, and the production issue?  You thought I forgot?  Me?  HAH!  Gentlemen, it's obvious Mike loves his wife, hell, who doesn't (in the very best way, meaning nothing but respect and admiration) but you have got to get him to take off his ring for every scene and especially the close up scenes where he brings his hand to his face.

I know, probably me and three (3) other people noticed that but that's my job.  OK, not really my job, more like my nit-picking personality.

OK, we're done here, now get your ass over to GlintofHope.com and watch Episode 19.     

Now dammit!