Make a Wish/Attack of the Octobot

"Make a Wish/Attack of the Octobot"
Spider-Man (1994 TV series) episode
Octopus with the mind controlled Spider-Man
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 29-30
Written by	Part One: Written By: John Semper Teleplay By: Mark Hoffmeier, Elliot S! Maggin, & Meg McLaughlin Part Two: John Semper Meg McLaughlin
Production code	216-217
Original air date	Part One: 1996-05-04 Part Two: 1996-05-11
Episode chronology
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List of Spider-Man episodes

"Make a Wish/Attack of the Octobot" is a two-part episode from season 3 of the Spider-Man animated series.

Summary

In a battle with Dr. Octopus a medical research building is destroyed. Blaming himself, Peter is considering giving up being Spider-Man, when he meets a mystic figure named Madame Web and his biggest fan, a little girl called Taina. Spider-Man shares his origin with her. Dr. Octopus attacks with his new invention the Octobot. After a battle Spider-Man is captured when he is gassed. After the battle with Dr. Octopus Spider-Man is captured and brainwashed by Dr. Octopus using a 'neuro neutralizer ray'. Dr. Octopus uses the ray to wipe Spider-Man's memory and convinces him (along with some news clips from Jameson) that he is his partner in crime. While the two 'criminals' plan to steal an alloy from the Wellington Foundry, a young girl (Taina) along with the help of a kind cab driver (Mousie) try to stop Spider-Man and help him realize who he truly is. Mousie contacts other cab drivers to track Spider-Man. However during a robbery she is found by Dr. Octopus and Spider-Man, who binds and gags her with his webbing. She is kidnapped, but Spider-Man releases her. He finally regains his memory, however Dr. Octopus tries to kill him. Tania gets control of the Octobot and saves Spider-Man, after which Doctor Octopus is arrested. Spider-Man reveals his identity to Tania.

Production

The episode was loosely based on "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man," from Amazing Spider-Man #248 (1984). In this storyline Spider-Man went to visit a dying child who was a big fan of Spider-Man. Spider-Man told him his origin, like to Taina, and even revealed his secret identity to him, like he would do to Taina in part 2. The child had a disease and at the end of part 2, it shows Taina lives at the Hardy Foundation for Terminally Ill Children, implying she was dying as well, like the kid in the comics. The only notable difference between the comics and the series is that in the comics, it was a boy Spider-Man visited, while, in this episode, Spider-Man visited Taina who was a girl. The episodes take elements from Amazing Spider-Man issues #53, #55, and #56.

References to other media

When Taina asked Spider-Man if he came from a dying alien planet, she is obviously referencing to the popular DC comics superhero Superman. The Superman reference may not have been coincidence as the episode was written by Superman writer Elliot S. Maggin.

Cultural reference

In part two, the sign above the theatre Taina goes to for help says: 'Ed Wood Film Festival'. This is most likely a reference to Edward D. Wood, Jr the film maker.

Cast

• Christopher Daniel Barnes — Spider-Man/Peter Parker
• Sara Ballantine — Mary Jane Watson
• Ed Asner — J. Jonah Jameson
• Linda Gary — Aunt May
• Rodney Saulsberry — Robbie Robertson
• Joan Lee — Madame Web
• Dimitra Arliss — Anastasia Hardy
• Scott Cleverdon — Michael Pingree
• Stephanie Eustace — Maria Taina Elizando
• Jonathan Michael — Jack
• Michael Rye — Dr. Farley Stillwell
• Efrem Zimbalist Jr. — Dr. Octopus
• Anne Marie Johnson — Mousie
• Gary Imhoff — Harry Osborn
• Majel Barrett — Anna Watson
• Anthony Marciona — Additional Voice
• Nick Jameson — Additional Voice
• James Krieg — Additional Voice

References

• Cast Credits [1] from tv.com