It would be an understatement to say that this episode is largely saved by Izzy and the final sequence. Without these, it would just be another "bridge" episode told on autopilot. Now, to be fair, "bridge" episodes can be done right, such as in multi-part stories, but they are required to cover a distinct phase. "Dark Sun, Dark Spore" and "Give a Little Bit" are particularly good examples of this. "City Under Siege" doesn't meet this qualifier, as the only parts that truly further the conflict are the reappearance of Wizardmon and the surrender of Kari.
The rest of the episode just briskly leaps from subplot to subplot, leaving us with multiple parts that fail to cohere or be very interesting in and of themselves. Izzy's part is an exception, naturally, and an affirmation that the Myotismon arc should have devoted more time to exploring the home lives of the kids. I laughed at his parents' reactions to the digimon and was moved when they conveyed their care for their son. This was all because this parent/child dynamic had been properly established and allowed to play out.
Joe and T.K.'s encounter with MegaSeadramon poses the biggest issue. Ikkakumon achieves his next form and it's arguably the worst introduction for an ultimate this season. No thought, no depth, and no imagination, there's no denying how misplaced this event is. Not only does it seem shoehorned in out of pure obligation, but Joe's actions that trigger the evolution shamelessly coast on technicality, and don't work on any other level. In addition to not demonstrating any progress in Joe's character, there's fundamentally nothing different between his actions here and in "WereGarurumon's Diner", so there is no reason that his crest should not have been activated then. Beyond that, the whole "saving T.K." thing is growing tiresome. It's unfortunate, because Zudomon himself is a great addition to the roster of partner digimon, and will prove invaluable during the final stretch of the series.
The rest of the episode just briskly leaps from subplot to subplot, leaving us with multiple parts that fail to cohere or be very interesting in and of themselves. Izzy's part is an exception, naturally, and an affirmation that the Myotismon arc should have devoted more time to exploring the home lives of the kids. I laughed at his parents' reactions to the digimon and was moved when they conveyed their care for their son. This was all because this parent/child dynamic had been properly established and allowed to play out.
Joe and T.K.'s encounter with MegaSeadramon poses the biggest issue. Ikkakumon achieves his next form and it's arguably the worst introduction for an ultimate this season. No thought, no depth, and no imagination, there's no denying how misplaced this event is. Not only does it seem shoehorned in out of pure obligation, but Joe's actions that trigger the evolution shamelessly coast on technicality, and don't work on any other level. In addition to not demonstrating any progress in Joe's character, there's fundamentally nothing different between his actions here and in "WereGarurumon's Diner", so there is no reason that his crest should not have been activated then. Beyond that, the whole "saving T.K." thing is growing tiresome. It's unfortunate, because Zudomon himself is a great addition to the roster of partner digimon, and will prove invaluable during the final stretch of the series.
