Recap / Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) S 1 E 20 "Fox on the Run"

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Synopsis:

"Gamora attempts to make amends for her past misdeeds starting with returning the Gravity Matrix that Ronan the Accuser made her steal from the planet Soonevh. Upon arrival and confronting the planet's inhabitants, she is attacked by Nebula and brought to Ronan the Accuser on Conjunction so that Grandmaster can broadcast her trials across the galaxy. Her first opponent is Wraith whose father jumped into a black hole with his invention upon being brought to Ronan the Accuser. Then she fights Jarhead who Gamora reduced to a brain in a jar. Her final opponent is an Elemental Beast whose species used to be numerous across the galaxy. Now the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy must rescue her and reclaim the Gravity Matrix."

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Tropes featured in the episode:

• Artificial Gravity: The Gravity Matrix controls this and essential for Planet Soonevh.
• Buffy Speak:
  Star-Lord: Guys, take out the thingies on their shoes!
  Rocket: By "thingies," you mean them gravity packs?
• Catchphrase Interruptus: When Nebula finds Groot and Rocket:
  Groot: I am...
  Nebula: Groot. Yeah. We all know.
• Chekhov's Gun: The gravity matrix and anti-gravity pack prove useful to the Guardians' fight against Ronan.
• Coincidental Broadcast: The other Guardians are wondering how to find Gamora. Groot then notices the live broadcast of her "trail" on Conjunction.
• Continuity Nod: Drax mentions the last time Gamora appeared to betray the Guardians.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: The song the episode is named after appeared in the trailers and soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
• Easily Forgiven: Planet Soonevh's people were forced to isolate when Gamora's theft of their Gravity Matrix was stolen, causing the world's environment to go unstable. She brings it back, but they aren't quick to forgive her. She brings it back again after Nebula captured her, but they are realistically grateful they can finally clean up the mess she caused.
• Enemy Mine: After the Guardians escape Ronan once more, Wraith, Jarhead, and the Elemental set their sights on him, realizing that Gamora was Just Following Orders from him.
• Hard Truth Aesop: Undoing a past misdeed isn't always enough for the people you screwed over to quickly forgive you, and it may be too late to atone for others.
• I Know You Know I Know: Nebula knew Gamora would steal the Gravity Matrix and try to return it to Soonevh, so all she had to do was to follow her.
• Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: Rocket wants to sell the Galaxy Matrix. When Gamora says no, it is going back where it originally came from on Soonevh:
  Rocket: Okay. Well, what if we sold it and gave 10 percent to the smelliest orphanage we can find? (off everyone's looks} Huh. Fine. I guess I'm the only one who cares about orphans.
• Last of His Kind: Gamora's third and final opponent is an Elemental Beast, whose species was considered a scourge of the galaxy until Gamora helped wipe them out.
• Literal-Minded: Gamora, after being caught by the others, asks them what they are doing there.
  Gamora: Quiet! What are you doing here?
  Drax: (whispering) We are following you.
• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Gamora's Redemption Quest doesn't go well at first. The people she stole a valuable device from had suffered years without it, and aren't quick to forgive her, if at all. Then, Nebula captures her, allowing Ronan to put her through a trial-by-combat against other enemies she had wronged in the past under his name.
• No Gravity for You: The Gravity Matrix affects the characters' combat abilities.
• Noodle Incident: How did Gamora's second opponent, Jarhead, end up as a Brain in a Jar?
  Grandmaster: Let's just say he blames Gamora.
• Ratings Stunt: In-Universe. After Star-Lord joins Gamora in her televised fight, the Grandmaster is thrilled, as "Nothing brings in ratings like royalty in peril!".
• Redemption Quest: For Gamora. She stole a gravity matrix from the planet Soonevh when she was with Ronan. She steals it back so she can return to the now-desolate world, though they aren't easily forgiving.
• We Need a Distraction: The guards stop Drax, recognising him from his fighting days, and want his autograph. Star-Lord uses the opportunity to sneak himself, Rocket and Groot into the arena.
• Xanatos Gambit: Ronan sees Gamora' s "trial" as this: It would be enough that she dies against any of the three enemies from her past. If she beats them all, however, he would have the pleasure of ending her himself. Too bad for him, her fellow Guardians have other ideas.