A/N: So if you have read "Octoblob", you will know that this fanfic in terms of new original chapters will be on break until mid to late summer of 2022. Like I said before, I will not give up on this fanfic, but this time I will continue giving reviews for each episode of Miraculous Ladybug Season 4 that I haven't talked about yet in a previous author's note. In addition to each episode review I will add about what I would specifically change for each episode (if the previous notes have not already indicated it). I will review 3 episodes at a time (with the exception of the 2 part finale) and the way I review will be like I reviewed the previous episodes I talked about just more in depth. So I would have likes, dislikes, notes, and episode changes.
Season 4 - Episode 5: Psycomedian
Likes: The entertainment factor of this episode, Ladybug being affected by a mind controlling villain, Harry Clown's character, the message Ladybug gives to Harry after giving him a magical charm, this being a good filler episode, Cat Noir getting a chance to shine
Dislikes: How at the end of the day it is a filler episode, some of the comedy is cringe, Marinette trying to pursue Adrien again
Notes: To be honest many people (myself included) thought this episode would never be released before the finale episodes but it is finally here. I thought it would be bad since it was definitely a filler episode. Turns out this is definitely the best filler episode of the season, it's definitely better than "Simpleman" (which I will talk about eventually). I like how for once Ladybug is affected by the villains mind-altering powers and Cat Noir has to step up to save the day. If this happened more often than most of the fans and the show itself wouldn't treat Cat Noir as an afterthought. Too bad this episode, despite being good, is still a filler episode.
How I would improve the episode: Have the episode focus on how important positive emotions are now thanks to Shadowmoth with Harry Clown eventually learning the lesson as well. I guess the Marinette pursuing Adrien is fine this time around (at least she isn't being a creepy stalker), but to to be frank I they should have either get Marinette and Adrien together a long time ago or embrace the fact that both our protagonists are dating other people. Too bad they abandoned that plotline after the first 2 episodes of season 4.
Overall rating: 5 out of 7
Season 4 - Episode 8: Queen Banana
Likes: Seeing how the magical charms repel normal akumas, Chloe with her hair down
Dislikes: The complete destruction of Chloe's character, the fact that Zoe is treated both in and out of the show as the nice version of Chloe and so much better than Chloe, Chloe enjoying the fact that she got akumatized, Zoe being a replacement for Chloe, the way Adrien ended his friendship with Chloe, the fact that Zoe gets her Miraculous ONE EPISODE after her introduction while all other temporary heroes (Chloe included) had to wait at least 1 season after they are introduced before getting a miraculous, Zoe's superhero outfit, lack of Sabrina and Chloe interactions (like Sabrina helping Chloe), the ending card, how Chloe receives the magical charm, the fact that Zoe becomes an irrelevant character after this episode.
Note: Yeah… I am not a fan of this episode. Zoe is just a Mary Sue but unlike Luka she was just introduced as a way for Thomas to demonize a 14-year old girl. Keep in mind this is the girl who grew up with an emotionally abusive mother who could not be bothered to remember her name, someone who Chloe had to work for her love, and a spineless neglectful father who would just cater to her every whim instead of being a responsible parent. Yet in Thomas' mind she is worse than a man who commits terrorism daily (and no the handful of times Gabriel does the bare minimum requirements of a parent does not make him any less abusive to his son). Not to mention how Zoe just gets her Miraculous the episode right after her introduction in "Sole Crusher" while ever single other temporary miraculous holder did not have that luxury. Of course I keep talking about Chloe but this episode really did ruin her character more so than "Miracle Queen" ever did. Everything I said about "Sole Crusher" applies here but it has the added salt with Zoe getting the Bee Miraculous so suddenly. At this point the best thing that can be done for Chloe now is if she is written out of the show. However that didn't happen because not only is she just in later episodes just to show how bad she is, later on in the SAME SEASON Chloe will get akumatized again (this time willingly).
How I would improve this episode: My first option is to have Chloe keep the Bee Miraculous despite the secret reveal (because she didn't even know about the identity rule the first she got her Miraculous) and in turn become a better person with the help of the protagonists. But if I absolutely have to have Chloe give up her miraculous it should have gone to Sabrina as she helps Chloe realize how she treats Sabrina and the other classmates is wrong.
Overall rating: 1 out of 7
Season 4 - Episode 9: Gabriel Agreste
Likes: Felix's character, how Feilx found out that Gabriel is Shadowmoth, Nathaniel and Marc bonding, Gabriel's character, the akuma battle, consequences with Nathalie's use of the broken Peacock Miraculous
Dislikes: How this episode should have been a flashback episode, this episode only had a villain so Gabriel can get a Magical Charm, the sentimonster theory hints, Marinette trying to pursue Adrien, Chloe's role in the episode, Lila should have been in the episode instead of Chloe
Note: For what this episode was attempting to do I really like it. Felix as a character really gets to shine since I never really cared for him in his debut episode back in late season 3. It is sad how Felix did more to investigate Shadow Moth (especially after watching the episode "Risk") in a few episodes, than Ladybug and Cat Noir did in FOUR SEASONS. Seeing Gabriel attempting to be competent with the sentimonster copy is nice to see (also Marc/Nathaniel and the akuma battle). However Marinette/Chloe's side plot really hurts this episode as it just leads to nothing in the end. Also Lila should have been in the episode, everyone theorized that either Lila or Felix will find out and having Lila there at the party would make sense due her and Gabriel's interactions in season 3. Now the Adrien/Felix sentimonster theory…. I hate this with a passion. It robs Adrien and Felix of any agency when it comes to their characters, it makes no sense for Adrien to get away from Gabriel seeing he has complete control over Adrien at all times, and it muddles the storyline of Adrien's abuse. Frankly the sentimonster thing actually makes Adrien/Felix less compelling seeing as how they would have no complete free will (or at least their free will is dependent on an object). This theory started in season 3 but it really rose into prominence in season 4 with certain episodes really going that direction (Ephemeral, Risk). If the theory is 100% true it would ruin both Adrien and Felix for me (and make the love square even worse in my eyes).
How I would improve the episode: This should go without saying but the Marinette/Chloe subplot should be cut out entirely with Marinette only appearing in the very beginning of the episode (before the party), fighting the Collector again (and giving out the Magical Charm all as Ladybug), and at the end of the episode (after the party). The remaining time should be filled by flashbacks of Gabriel, Emille, Adrien/Felix (as younger kids), this would show Emille's progressing sickness and why the ring is so important, and most importantly much needed depth/development for Gabriel Agreste and especially Emille Agreste. In the present, Lila should be invited to the party thanks to the alliance established back in season 3 and interact with Felix (and probably find out Gabriel's secret alongside Felix).
Overall Ranking: 5 out of 7
A/N: So this is what I think of "Psycomedian", "Queen Banana", and "Gabriel Agreste". In two weeks I will review "Mega Leech", "Guiltrip", and "Crocoduel". Until next time…