Recap / Superman: The Animated Series S2 E9 "Action Figures"

Metallo emerges from the ocean with no memory of who he is. He is befriended by two children and saves a truck driver from a crash. As Lois and Superman arrive to see what's going on with the reports of a strange robot, two dangers gradually escalate: the local volcano builds up for an eruption and Metallo's memories begin to return.

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This episode contains examples of:

• Amnesiacs are Innocent: Metallo is friendly and even heroic before he starts remembering who he is.
• And I Must Scream: Metallo ends up stuck in solidified lava, unable to see, hear, or move.
• Arbitrary Skepticism: When Jimmy reports the trucker's claims of being rescued by a robot, Ron dismisses the guy as a wacko, despite footage of Metallo's well-publicized fight with Superman leading off this very episode.
• Big "NO!": Metallo when Superman rips the kryptonite out of his chest.
• Chekhov's Volcano: The children's father is a scientist monitoring a nearby volcano. Sure enough, it erupts before the episode ends.
• Continuity Nod: Angela's segment opens with photos of several previous opponents (Lobo, Toyman, Parasite, and Brainiac) before getting to Metallo.
• Didn't See That Coming: The scientists learn the volcano is going to erupt faster than they had calculated it would.
• The End... Or Is It?: Metallo is buried and trapped, but he's still fully conscious. He focuses all his energy on remembering his true identity.
• Free-Range Children: Two children, on a volcanic island - which is suffering from frequent earthquakes - running around with no more supervision than the admonition to return to the camp if the volcano erupts. Where the hell are social services when you need them?
• From Bad to Worse: After Superman learns the kids are missing, he finds a drawing of "Steel Man" and realizes who's with them.
• Hope Spot: Bobby appeals to "Steel Man" to stop trying to kill Superman. Metallo hesitates for a beat, as if to consider what Bobby's saying, only to declare that Steel Man is dead.
• Identity Amnesia: After spending a year alone walking along the ocean floor, Metallo has gone so long without social contact that he's forgotten who he is, and at the end of the episode he focuses all his energy into not letting his mind wander again.
• Locked Out of the Loop: Since Metallo was still locked up in prison during the events of "Feeding Time" and has been traveling underwater for a year now, he's not familiar with Superman's S.T.A.R. Labs-built Anti-Kryptonite Suit. He initially (albeit sarcastically) mistakes it for a spacesuit.
• Manipulative Bastard: After Metallo's memory returns, he takes advantage of the children's trust by spinning a story about being an alien robot whose mission to deliver an important message to Earth's leaders is threatened by enemy agents. The children help him disguise himself and keep his presence secret.
• No-Sell: Superman slips on his protective suit before facing Metallo in order to ensure this.
• Oh, Crap!:
  • It's brief, but Metallo noticeably gasps when he sees the Kryptonite isn't affecting Superman. Justified as between his original prison stint and the last year underwater, Metallo doesn't know about Clark's new Anti-Kryptonite Suit.
  • Metallo again just as Superman grabs the exposed kryptonite with the intent of pulling it out of his chest.
• Recycled Animation:
  • The gas truck explosion features reused footage from "My Girl", specifically the scene in which Mr. Eelan blows a vat of hot lead off its support.
  • This episodes features reused footage of the fight between Metallo and Superman in "The Way of All Flesh".
• Redemption Rejection: Metallo ends up befriended by Bobby and Serena due to his memory loss and they encourage him to save others and do some good. But after he regains his memories he immediately returns to his old ways, and manipulates the two of them and their friendship in an attempt to destroy Superman.
• Sequel Episode: To Season One's "The Way of all Flesh", picking up Metallo's storyline from where the cliffhanger ending left off.
• Survival Mantra: At the end of the episode, after Metallo is trapped in solidified lava and unable to see, hear, or move, he resolves that he must never let his mind wander and forget who he is again and continually repeats "I am Metallo" in his head.
• That Man Is Dead: Metallo rejects his "Steel Man" identity given to him by Bobby and Serena after he regains his memories, saying that "Steel Man" is dead.
• This Is Gonna Suck: Clark has this look on his face when he hears about claims of a robot on an island. He immediately suspects Metallo is back and makes sure to have his protective suit on hand.
• Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Serena gives "Steel Man" her makeshift Superman toy. Though he experienced some flashes a couple times before, this is what prompts him to remember his true identity.
• Villainous Crush: Metallo also remembers his interest in Lois.
  Metallo: Lois Lane, I'd give you a kiss, if I still had my lips.
• Wham Line:
  Bobby: Who are you?
  Metallo: I... don't know.

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