First two episodes of Week 10!
Episode 46 - Despite not really having even one outright superhero battle (the Pinoys call this a 'kilig' episode, which means it evokes a strong romantic feeling from the viewer) this episode does not disappoint.
One of the most straightforward things about this series is the acknowledgement of the beauty of the two main characters, although it's not talked about a lot in previous episodes. Here, it is emphasized. Regina herself revels in the fact that she feels (and looks) sexier since she has accepted her alter-ego as Valentina. She even says so, in one of several soliloquys (or conversations, if you count the repartee amongst her snake heads) in front of her mirror.
There's also a clear acknowledgement of how stunning Narda looks in her dress, as well. That's when the love quadrangle does their soap opera turn-and-look before going out on a double date. Brian literally does a double take.
Xandra looks fantastic walking around in her tight black leather outfits, even when she gets throatlifted (again!) by the General. And then, of course, we have the newest entry - an unassuming nerd-girl with glasses who becomes the first female Extra when she impales her attackers with spikes. Alas, Porcupine Woman (which is what I was hoping for, since it would dovetail well with the recent She-Hulk episode) is not to be (and in case you ask, yes, there is a species of porcupine native to the Philippines). Instead, the TV guy decides to nickname her Human Urchin (not even Street Urchin). Oh well. Her transformation is still hot, and I'm looking forward to seeing Urchina transform several more times.
Anyway, there's a lot to be thankful for how this show prizes beauty in a classy way.
Episode 47 - Regina remains extremely beautiful. But she's still jealous of Darna because of the connection Darna has with Brian.
Urchina kills another thug, but this time only because he cut in line at the grocery store (what?). Her costume is nice, though: a tight black spandex catsuit with a built-in corset. She could probably get lots of attention she wasn't getting as a nerd, if only she wasn't shooting spikes at everyone. Unfortunately, we don't get to find out much about her yet, because Darna literally defeats her with one punch, while sharing a brief embrace with Brian while she is protecting him from the spikes.
But then later on in the episode, Urchina gives some kind of angry speech in prison on a television broadcast. Since I don't speak Tagalog, I couldn't suss exactly what it was about, but it seemed to be some kind of Extra Liberation Manifesto? Let me know, Red 5, if I'm close or not.
Looks like we'll see Urchina in the next episode again in her tight outfit, so maybe we'll get a more protracted battle with Darna.
Also...if you are a Darna fan, I highly recommend you follow this fan page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/marsravelosdarna/
It gives even more of a blow-by-blow of the new show's episodes than I'm giving, plus the writer is rather critical on a regular basis.
He'll ask questions like "why are there still crystal shards from the Cyborg blowing around the city months after the Cyborg was defeated?"
Meanwhile, here's a milestone: the very first Darna action figure available from Loose Collector.
(You mean to tell me they've been producing Darna TV shows and movies for decades, yet they've never made a doll?)
If you have $74.00 to spare, go for it! Only 500 made.
https://loosecollector.com/products/cop ... ion-figure (yes, I know the URL is weird but it's Darna)