J. Jonah Jameson commissions the creation of the Scorpion to hunt down Spider-Man, but gets more than he bargained for when the Scorpion turns his sights on him.
"Never Step on a Scorpion" provides examples of:
- Cardboard Prison: The Scorpion is arrested halfway through the episode, but he breaks out of prison that same night by bending the bars to his cell window.
- Dirty Coward: Jameson isn't above throwing Spider-Man under the bus to get the Scorpion off his back:Jameson: There's the one you want!
Spider-Man: Spoken like a true hero. - Gone Horribly Wrong: Jameson wanted somebody who would be powerful enough to defeat Spider-Man, but he didn't realize the Scorpion would come for him next.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Jameson, well known for his hatred of Spider-Man, starts rooting for the wall-crawler as he defends him from the Scorpion's wrath.
- Ship Tease: Peter attempts to ask Betty out on a date, but is interrupted when he hears that Jameson has a secret weapon to use against Spider-Man.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Dr. Stillwell, who created the Scorpion, died in the original story when he tried to get rid of the Scorpion's powers. Here, Stillwell never confronts the Scorpion after he's set loose and is last seen warning Jameson that he might be his next target.
- With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: As the Scorpion's strength increases, he gradually becomes more vicious and starts attacking anyone who gets in his way. Unfortunately, Dr. Stillwell only figures this out after he and Jameson sent him to take down Spider-Man.
Spider-Man is framed for the theft of the Goliath Diamond and must track down the real criminal, the shape-shifting Sandman.
"Sands of Crime" provides examples of:
- Clear My Name: As the Sandman sets off the security alarms, the police find Spider-Man checking up on the diamond and immediately suspect of him attempting to steal it. This allows the Sandman to escape and Spider-Man having to work double-time to find the real crook.
- Deadpan Snarker: Spider-Man made a particularly good quip when Sandman inadvertently revealed his vulnerability after being knocked into it.Sandman: [In trough] Agh! Water! I'm soggy - I can't do anything!Spiderman: [Carrying a hose] Thanks for telling me your weakness!
- Ironic Echo Cut: The Sandman arranges an exchange of the diamond for a million dollars. Jameson realizes the sack containing the diamond only contains a rock, before the scene cuts to the Sandman learning that the Briefcase Full of Money only contains shredded paper:Jameson: A rock! I've been tricked!
[cut to the Sandman opening the briefcase filled with shredded paper]
Sandman: I've been tricked! Jameson is more of a swindler than I am! - Not What It Looks Like: Spider-Man retrieves the sack supposedly containing the diamond from the Sandman, only for the police arrive and spot him holding the bag. Since they already suspect Spider-Man of stealing the diamond in the first place, this only confirms their suspicions.
- Swiss-Army Superpower: During the final fight, Spider-Man uses his webbing to create a baseball glove, a shield, a net, and a giant slingshot.
- Treasure Is Bigger in Fiction: The Goliath Diamond certainly lives up to its name. In some shots, the gem appears to be larger than a human head.
- Weaksauce Weakness: The Sandman seems to be unstoppable until Spider-Man knocks him into a trough filled with water. He ends up becoming too soggy to use his powers and Spider-Man sprays him with a hose until he surrenders the diamond.
