The Mighty Ducks team bonding experience leads to them finally doing well and reaching the finals against Team Dominate in the latest episode of “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.” Alex and Coach Cole continue to grow closer together while admitting they want more with their own children. And a suggestion of a trade leads to both team captains getting frustrated with their parents and their coaches and getting their teams hyped for the tournament final.

It’s another predictable episode, but this one was a lot of fun. We knew the experience with the professional Anaheim Ducks would serve as an inspiration for the Mighty Ducks. We knew there would be some type of obstacle that would lead to both Evan and Jase stepping further into their roles as captains for their respective teams. We knew the budding romance between Alex and Coach Cole would immediately hit a speed bump due to their devotion to their kids. While this was obviously telegraphed, it was executed better than the previous two episodes. Predictable isn’t always bad and they made it work for this episode.

Because of the events of this episode, I’m all in for the tournament final. We knew it was coming, but I want to see how it plays out. Will they repeat the events of last year and have the Mighty Ducks not actually win the tournament? That would be more likely than the alternative. In real life, Team Dominate would win, but shows like this thrive on the underdog story. The Mighty Ducks breaking through and winning it and getting the chance to play in front of NHL scouts without Evan, despite the fact that he’s the only one who cares to play in front of scouts, would be cruel. And the predictable outcome would be the Ducks getting through and then something happening that allows the original Ducks to play together for the scouts. I’m excited for the tournament final, but I’m wary about where the story goes after that game.

The worst part is still the entirely forced romance between Alex and Coach Cole. This really doesn’t need to happen. The pair can learn from each other and grow to respect one another and be friends without it becoming a romance. Plus, this being a kid’s show, the romance can’t really be explored properly, so it’s falling more into a trope rather than character growth. We already saw this with Coach Bombay and Charlie’s mom in the first movie, and we saw a glimpse of it with Alex and Coach Bombay in season one. This really isn’t necessary.

Surprisingly, the best part for me was the commentary from Rich Eisen. There is no point for him to be there since the games aren’t televised, but it’s still a lot of fun. I really enjoyed his comment about the budding relationship between Sophi and Jase where he says he won’t comment on a teenage relationship because he’s a 52-year-old man. That was a great laugh.

This show has not been great, but it’s had its moments. This season has not been great, and it’s had fewer moments than the first season, but when it finds the back of the net, it’s a goal. Sorry for the hockey pun. I’m excited for episode nine, but not sure if I will be for episode ten.

Rating: 3 stars

What did you think of the most recent episode of “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers?”

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

View all posts