There are two subplots at work, one of which is actually interesting and the other only existing to provide an obligatory service to its better.
Two glaring faults that the quest in the Digital World has exhibited thus far include lower quality animation and hampered storytelling; the subplot with the tamers sadly suffers from both. It's merely a case of stumbling upon a village of digimon that fails to engage because the inhabitants are, frankly, not interesting; they're just Frigimon painted brown. For a place that supposedly houses the discarded data of the network the setting is disappointingly dull, lacking expansiveness, density or a sense of melancholy. Furthermore, the Chuchidarumon's role is limited, so there is never any real attempt to get us to care about them, which may be why the disputes between Henry and Takato, over what course of action to take, are so insipid. Plus, did anyone else get annoyed whenever Henry shouted at Terriermon? The action also fails to engage, partially because the idea of a menacing motorcycle is out of place here (this is "Digimon" after all, not "Maximum Overdrive"), and partially because the characters spend just as much time talking about what's going on as actually doing something.
What saves this episode from failure is Impmon's encounter with Chatsuramon. Unlike the other subplot, this one furthers a part of the story, has better animation and actual emotional payoff. Between his desires to return home, become stronger and not have to destroy the tamers, you can really see the conflict this guy is going through. Not to mention, it's pretty sad to see him feel forgotten and replaced after being so battered and bruised. Of course, there's the obvious religious parallel, with the "lake of fire" imagery and "give up your soul" line. It does bring up the question as to why this ability to induce evolution was not used on the Devas after it was clear they couldn't beat the tamers, but the payoff to this subplot renders such a point unimportant.
Impmon's transformation by itself would have made an exceptional episode, but is unfortunately dragged down by the uninspired excursion of the tamers. By the end of the story, it will be clear that he is the most resonant character in the show.
Two glaring faults that the quest in the Digital World has exhibited thus far include lower quality animation and hampered storytelling; the subplot with the tamers sadly suffers from both. It's merely a case of stumbling upon a village of digimon that fails to engage because the inhabitants are, frankly, not interesting; they're just Frigimon painted brown. For a place that supposedly houses the discarded data of the network the setting is disappointingly dull, lacking expansiveness, density or a sense of melancholy. Furthermore, the Chuchidarumon's role is limited, so there is never any real attempt to get us to care about them, which may be why the disputes between Henry and Takato, over what course of action to take, are so insipid. Plus, did anyone else get annoyed whenever Henry shouted at Terriermon? The action also fails to engage, partially because the idea of a menacing motorcycle is out of place here (this is "Digimon" after all, not "Maximum Overdrive"), and partially because the characters spend just as much time talking about what's going on as actually doing something.
What saves this episode from failure is Impmon's encounter with Chatsuramon. Unlike the other subplot, this one furthers a part of the story, has better animation and actual emotional payoff. Between his desires to return home, become stronger and not have to destroy the tamers, you can really see the conflict this guy is going through. Not to mention, it's pretty sad to see him feel forgotten and replaced after being so battered and bruised. Of course, there's the obvious religious parallel, with the "lake of fire" imagery and "give up your soul" line. It does bring up the question as to why this ability to induce evolution was not used on the Devas after it was clear they couldn't beat the tamers, but the payoff to this subplot renders such a point unimportant.
Impmon's transformation by itself would have made an exceptional episode, but is unfortunately dragged down by the uninspired excursion of the tamers. By the end of the story, it will be clear that he is the most resonant character in the show.
