Naomi Review: Worst Prom Ever (Season 1 Episode 11)
Naomi Season 1 Episode 11, “Worst Prom Ever,” finds our titular protagonist grappling with the concept of fate while coming into her own as a superhero. It experiments with weaving flashbacks regarding the origins of Naomi and Nathan’s romance into the present narrative. Does it execute these things successfully?
Naomi has traveled a somewhat bumpy road in terms of consistent pacing and plot. Additionally, the action sequences are few and far between. However, the series’ bread and butter is its characters, namely the endlessly charming Kaci Walfall as the lead.
ANNABELLE: What if prom turns into a Carrie situation? Or worse — what if it gets boring?
That said, “Worst Prom Ever” finally gives Naomi her heroic moment. The show brilliantly delves into Naomi’s psyche concerning her abilities. For most of the series, she doesn’t view herself as a superhero. It takes saving her loved ones from a life or death experience to boost her confidence.
“Worst Prom Ever” successfully parallels Nathan’s belief in fate and Naomi’s faith in superheroes. Naomi mines for similarities, stating that both can essentially exist. But by the episode’s end, they reverse sides. Nathan finally believes in the existence of superheroes, while Naomi understands that her destiny awaits.
NAOMI: I thought you didn’t believe in superheroes?
NATHAN: I do now.
It’s a lot to take on for a 17-year-old. While Naomi and Nathan’s breakup slow dance is a punch to the gut, and Walfall and Puig deliver their best performances yet on the series, one can’t help but wonder if it would’ve been more interesting if the writers pursued a different route with the couple.
Nowadays, splitting up the couple because “it’s not safe” is the safe choice. Admittedly, it’s tired, uninspired, and overdone, especially when you know it won’t be long until the lovebirds rekindle their romance. What if the Powers That Be kept Naomi and Nathan together and saved more interrelationship drama for a different scenario?
“Worst Prom Ever” is inconsistent, whether it’s the overabundance of exposition, the too-short fight sequences, or the writers taking predictable routes that we’ve already traveled for previous shows. Despite that, the performances keep it entertaining, with Walfall and Puig stealing the show and bringing so much heart to their characters.
ANNABELLE: You’re Naomi Freaking McDuffie. You just have to believe it.
With the imminent threat of Brutus’s arrival hanging on the horizon, we can only hope the last two episodes of the season kick things up a notch. We’ve seen glimpses of where this show can go — it just needs to commit to the envelope-pushing and take us there.
The endearing characters might be enough to satiate viewers for the time being, but if the story becomes stagnant, audiences might turn elsewhere for their superhero-fueled entertainment. We know Naomi can soar; it can break the sound barrier. So, writers, let it fly.
Stray Observations:
- Whatever happened to Anthony? He never shows up for prom! He vanished into the ether.
- Can you believe Naomi and Nathan invented heartbreaking prom dances?
- Hopefully, we’ll meet the infamous Brutus in the finale next week. We need proof he exists.
- Give us a Barry Allen/Naomi McDuffie super-speed race, please!
- Disappointed to discover Jacob’s surprise snow cone didn’t have alcohol of some kind, à la tequila sunrise. There are even cherries in it!
What did you think of this episode of Naomi? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Naomi airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.