With Election day here, what would be more timely than looking into an episode from G I Joe that involves a very controversial subject matter...politics!
Originally aired 39 years ago, episode 30 from season one titled "Cobra's Candidate " the story begins with a Mayoral election with cand8date Ron Harper who is running on the promise to bring "Law and Order" to the urban city presumably New York.
Harpers speeches are interrupted by a rowdy gang xausing panic in the streets, Colonel Sharp assigns the Joe team to safeguard the election and restore order.
But unbeknownst to our real American Heroes, is that Harper works as an agent of Cobra who hired the provacutuers i.e. bad actors to stir shit so that the public will turn out in droves to support Cobras candidate.
Out of all Cobra's scheme, fixing elections is the more believable plan compared mass devices, a giant laser to paint Cobra Commander's face on the moon, or a weather controlling Cannon.
Scarlett and Lady Jaye share most of the spotlight in this character criwded episode with appearances from Tomax, Xamot, Zartan, Firefly, Wild Bill Quick Kick Spirit, Zap and of course, everyone's favorite Silent Ninja Snake Eyes.
Gorden Kent's script has its share of inconsistencies like the Crimson twins falling from a 100 story building without getting splattered on the street, Buzzer being illiterate when in fact he was a college professor prior to joining the dreadlocks, according to his file card bio written by Larry Hama.
Then there's the omission of Stalker who as a former Gang leader should have been the most qualified to handle the gang rabble rousers.
And how can you have b-boy pop lock break dance culture without the inclusion of black Americans?
This urban centric episode features a Hispanic supporting cast Pila in particular and its cool to see one of my favorite yet overlooked Joes, Zap Rapheal Melendez have more of a presence.
Then for a more dramatic 3rd act, there's Tito trapped in an exploding building orchestrated by Firefly and what's effed up is when Pila tries to save her little brother Ripper attempts to stop her.
Cobra Candidate almost comes of like a ABC After-school special at times but the premise of an outside opposing force fixing elections is not too far-fetched. Same goes for corrupt politicians!