It Begins

We are introduced to a dystopian world as soon as the show starts.

Here we meet the hot-blooded hero Caleb, who is apparently trying to steal black powder for use in a rebellion. He is forced to retreat and we get to meet some of our main cast, before returning to the dystopian world again.

We make a return to the main cast again and we get to learn a bit about how they interact, and we get some tensions in the group immediately.

Then we get treated to a short introduction of the villain.

Now we truly get into the meat of the episode- we learn about the threat the villain poses and what is so important about our main characters... They are the only ones who can stop him from taking over the world, as he has already done his homeworld Meridian.

In Meridian, Caleb runs into danger, while in the real world the girls are testing out their new abilities... and do pretty terribly. Suddenly, Caleb tumbles into the real world, chased by the giant snake monster.

Our heroes try to help Caleb, but with their lacking abilities, they can't even aim correctly. They are forced to seal the portal Caleb came through with Cedric and Caleb on the other side.

The episode ends on a really negative note, with the characters quarreling.

The execution of this episode is pretty dang good.

There is some great juxtaposition between the dark and gloomy Meridian and the lighter and much cheerier earth.

The characters all get some time to bounce off each other(and there actually are a lot of them in this episode), and there is some pretty funny dialogue here. Caleb probably gets the most love, but that's clearly intentional, so that we care when he gets taken by the villain at the end.

The exposition is done well and sets up the whole season, while the settings of Earth and Meridian are made very distinct. The humour is solid overall, but a bit lackluster at times.

Also, I love the Phobos Moon ending. Because you know, there's an actual moon named Phobos.

It Resumes

We get some things established: Caleb is alive and is to be questioned , but is imprisoned when he refuses. The main five is still a bit shellshocked at the event itself. Oh, and it will be picture day in school soon. Gee Willikers.

As we return to Meridian, we get our first indication that not all of Phobos minions are loyal... and we're are introduced to Blunk, the ugly cute comic relief character. He'll be a fantastic source of unfunny humor and gross-out jokes. Joy. Thankfully, even he gets some character development later on in the show.

Back on Earth, Will is kidnapped in short order. The girls decide to go to save her. Meanwhile, Will is introduced to Caleb and Blunk, and they... don't get along. The girls go to save Will, but without their full power, they are very badly equipped against the dangers that await them on their journey.

They still manage to sneak into the dungeon and unite with Will, and they get their first proper fight scene, and it's pretty well done.

From here on out it's mostly action and suspense. In the end, Cedric is thrown of a cliff and only barely saved by Hay Lin. Finally the girls end up fighting a giant stone monster(we will later learn that it's name is Gargoyle) blocking their route. They manage to get past it but very barely.

This episode ends on a much happier note than the last, with all the characters safe... for the moment.

This is a really strong end to the two-parter, with some good action, character moments, some solid humor, and such. It's sad that it still falters here and there.

Cornelia was the only character in the first episode to portrayed in completely negative light... and this episode is even worse- seriously, Picture Day is more important to you than Will's life? Not cool.

Also, continuity error in the beginning of the episode. Phobos found out that the girls where the new guardians in It Begins by using a spell to spy, but here he has forgotten that fact and has to be informed.

All in all, It Begins and It Resumes is a fantastic two-part pilot. Far from flawless, but certainly very very good.