Fantasy trend asserts itself this season

OCHOA. Delicate tightrope act.

THE NEW TV season is turning out to be “fantasy-oriented,” with a new “Encantadia” series being whipped up by GMA 7, and ABS-CBN’s “My Super D” already on the tube weekdays before the evening newscast.

The new superhero action-drama topbills Richard Yap as its resident super-do-gooder—but, if early developments are to be believed, he may not be around for very long: On the show’s second telecast, he was severely injured in an explosion fully intended to kill him by his vicious foe, an alien in human form played by Ronaldo Valdez.

Indeed, it could all too soon further transpire that the injured crime-buster will bestow his mantle, cape and superpowers to an “ordinary” man played by Dominic Ochoa.

But, that’s for later. For now, we can further share that Super D (for “Delta”) has been tricked into bleeding capitulation by his main nemesis with the hapless help of a young woman (Lara Quigaman) he has come to love.

We say “hapless” because she’s been forced to do the villain’s bidding, who has held her poor mother hostage and threatens to kill her if his horrible instructions aren’t followed to the letter.

This early, we can further share that the performances turned in by Yap as the hero and Valdez as his Numero Uno nemesis provide an interesting and instructive study in contrast. The heroic mode suits Yap just fine, and Valdez obviously loves being over-the-top nasty and evil—so, a good time is had by all.

But, what happens as Yap’s character takes time out to lick his literal and figurative wounds, and the super alter-ego played by Ochoa takes over? Well, let’s just hope that Ochoa will know how to keep up with Valdez, who’s sure to go to town with his super-evil character, matira ang makulay—at mataray!

This early, too, we can observe that the new series rates well into the special visual effects department, with Super D’s feats of derring-do having their intended “amazing” effect.

This is as it should be, since the new “Encantadia” on GMA 7 is expected to “up” the visual fun, frolic and fireworks ante even more when it starts telecasting soon.

Unqiue edge

But “Super D’s” unique edge isn’t really its sci-fi and special effects factor, it’s the fact that its superhero is a young boy’s dad. That “human” touch makes this particular TV series warmly “accessible.”

If it’s handled properly, it could win the new show plaudits for making kids admire, look up to and love their fathers—who need all of the “highlighting” they can get, because local shows tend to be fixated on mothers.

What’s “properly?” “Super D’s” heroics shouldn’t be too super-amazing to be true, and the father character should be shown to be admirable and inspiring even when he isn’t in his “super” costume, and is “just” being a dad.

That could be a delicate tightrope act to pull off, so the show should be “on its toes.” Yes, make it dazzling and amazing—but also keep it real whenever possible—and plausible!