Brief Summary: Turnabout is fair play for turncoats.

Summary: We open in a desert somewhere, probably American Southwest. General Hawk and Storm Shadow are sneaking up on a secret Cobra weapons stockpile.

Hawk says that their attack cruisers will "let our joysticks to the walkin' and our missiles do the talkin'." The missiles the Joes use are basically smart bombs that can be directed by remote control to their target.

Storm Shadow says that he and Nunchuk will go after stragglers. As I recall, we don’t' actually see Nunchuk in this episode, but he's mentioned. Eitehr that or Hasbro used the name "Nunchuk" for both a character and the trippy looking vehicle that Stormy's sitting in.

The vehicle is green and black and kinda looks like one of those Tron cycles.

The Cobra forces in the stockpile attempt to retreat but Storm Shadow manages to capture Cobra Commander, who is not at all pleased to see this turbulent ninja.

Unfortunately, Destro also managed to capture General Hawk, so we end the episode's intro in stalemate.

We come back from the opening credits to find Storm Shadow delivering his prisoner to the new Joe base. Scarlett and Tracker escort Cobra Commander to a cell.

At the Cobra base, Hawk tells Destro that he'll never give away the location of the Joe base. Destro tells Hawk that it doesn't matter if he does or not, since Cobra Commander is carrying a radio transmitter disguised as a boot heel that allows him to radio his location to the Cobra base.

Doh.

Storm Shadow discovers Cobra Commander talking into his radio and takes it away from him. Cobra Commander reminds Stormy that he used to work for Cobra. Storm Shadow says he did that only until he discovered who it was who dishonored his ninja clan, which is more or less a reference to Stormy's reasons for joining Cobra in the Marvel comics. Cobra Commander offers Storm Shadow the chance to rejoin Cobra, if only he'll help get him out of this cell.

At that moment, Cobra shows up and attacks the Joe base and Storm Shadow leaves Cobra Commander to his own devices for a moment.

I need to go off on an aside here about the Joe base in this episode. Now, granted, we all are pretty much aware that the reason the cartoons and the comics existed was because of the toyline. The comics and the cartoons, when you get right down to it, were meant to help move the toyline. This is especially more prominent in the DIC series, where most of the characters are toys that were released or were going to be released between the years 1990-1992. DIC, unlike Sunbow, had a much shorter lead-time between when characters were released and when they could appear in the cartoon, so kids were more or less able to see characters and accessories appear in the show almost as they were appearing on the shelves.

Which leads, in a roundabout way to the 'new Joe base' in this episode. If this thing wasn't a toy, it should have been. It is easily the most toyetic thing I have EVER seen in a cartoon. Which, when you consider that nearly everything and everyone that appears in ANY GI Joe cartoon or comic is a toy or accessory, is saying something.

As the Cobras attack, Scarlett transforms the base from base mode to battle bunker mode and as it does so, it is clear that what we're seeing is based on how the toy transforms. I mean, even on Transformers, the transformation sequences weren't quite this obviously inspired by the real-life toy. (Or at least didn't seem that way to me, but that's not saying much, really.)

After the base transforms to the impenetrable battle bunker mode, Storm Shadow returns to Cobra Commander's cell, telling him that there is now no way to get out…unless he radios the Cobra forces outside and tells them to fire on a certain spot that Storm Shadow just happens to have the coordinates for.

Cobra Commander and Storm Shadow haggle, Storm Shadow demands leadership of the Cobra ninjas and one million dollars in gold bullion. Cobra Commander agrees, though he acknowledges that Night Creeper Leader isn't going to like this (not that he particularly *cares*).

Storm Shadow breaks Cobra Commander out of the Joe base, stealing a conveniently placed helicopter and shooting part of the base up as he leaves, despite Tracker's best efforts to stop him.

Can anybody tell me exactly WTF is on Tracker's Shirt? It looks to me either like "Joe 34" (likely) or maybe "John 3:16" (doubtful).

Storm Shadow and Cobra Commander arrive at a rundown urban neighborhood, which is the location of Cobra's new secret base. Storm Shadow makes a crack about how Cobra's stock must really be down if this is the best they can do. Cobra Commander tells Storm Shadow that, on the contrary, Cobra is doing rather well. He proceeds to demonstrate this by showing off the bright and shiny base being disguised by the rundown exterior of the building.

Cobra Commander leads Storm Shadow into the area where General Hawk is being held. Hawk at first assumes that Stormy is a prisoner and becomes enraged when he's told that Storm Shadow has defected to Cobra.

Meanwhile, the Joes are on their way to try and rescue Hawk from Cobra.

Cobra Commander commits the following Plan Killing Error by saying there's no way the Joes can find Cobra's secret base.

Cut to: the Joes are locked onto the location of the Cobra base.

Cobra Commander takes Storm Shadow down and reintroduces him to the other members of the Cobra High Command: Destro, the Baroness, Major Bludd and Night Creeper Leader.

Night Creeper Leader is NOT happy that Storm Shadow is being given control of his ninjas. He challenges Storm Shadow to a fight for the leadership of the Cobra ninjas and proceeds to do a series of flips over toward Storm Shadow, only to fall through a trapdoor that Cobra Commander opens.

Night Creeper Leader drops a spine-cracking distance only to land in a convenient pile of garbage and debris: "I hate it when he does that," he says, mournfully. Making me wonder just how often he's been dropped like this.

The Joes arrive at the secret base and attack. Cobra Commander wants to know how the Joes found the location of their base. Destro is also curious and reaches toward Storm Shadow's communicator, thinking that perhaps Storm Shadow sent a radio message to the Joes. Storm Shadow grabs Destro's arm, twists it up behind his back and shoves him away. He then points out that if the Joes wanted to know where the Cobra base was, all they had to do was follow him and Cobra Commander back. Cobra Commander grudgingly admits that Storm Shadow has a point.

Storm Shadow sets his communicator down on a nearby table; one light flashes. Storm Shadow then proceeds to tell Cobra Commander how to take out the Joe Battle Copters, transmitting his message to the Joes at the same time.

The Joes receive Storm Shadow's message and proceed to land their Battle Copters and get taken prisoner by Cobra.

Meanwhile, Bullhorn and Grunt are using a smoke machine to create big billowing clouds of grey-black smoke to cover a group of approaching Joe vehicles. Which is a good plan, in and of itself, but I'm not sure how smart it is to have your smoke machine billowing smoke out of a tenement building, even one that's abandoned. Somebody, even in a mostly vacant neighborhood like that would eventually call the fire department.

The captured Joes, including Scarlett, Snake-eyes, Tracker and (I think) Major Altitude, are locked into a cell next to Hawk. Scarlett tries, and fails, to explain to Hawk that Storm Shadow had a reason for what he did. Hawk refuses to listen to her explanation.

Destro taunts Hawk, resting his hands on the bars of the cell. Hawk pulls a pair of handcuffs out of Don't Ask Me Where and handcuffs Destro's wrists together so that he's stuck with his hands in the cell. Hawk then pulls the key to the cell from Destro's pocket and lets himself (but not the other Joes) out.

Note: Hawk pulls the handcuffs from somewhere on his person, rather than some strange nether region on his body. It's also interesting to note that Hawk, locked in the cell, still has two grenades pinned to the outside of his jacket where they're easily accessible and Snake-eyes is ushered into his cell with both swords still strapped to his back. Probably because it was simply easier (read: cheaper) to not draw the characters without their characteristic weapons. I'd say it was an animation glitch but it lasts too long to be a temporary flub. In terms of the show, the Vipers in charge of searching the prisoners should be shot.

Then again, in D-Day at Alcatraz, the Joes allowed Metal-Head on board the troop ship carrying the Cobras to prison with the missiles still in his rig so Vipers aren't the only ones who should be being shot.

Cut to: Storm Shadow on the roof of the Cobra base, counting Battle Copters. By his count, there should be enough. For what, we're not told, but anybody who's watched enough cartoons can probably figure out what's going to happen in the next ten minutes.

Night Creeper Leader, having rescued himself from the garbage pit, is spying on Storm Shadow, preparing to wreak his revenge on the man who stole leadership of the Cobra ninjas away from him like a big ol' meanie head!

Before Night Creeper Leader can wreak his unholy ninja revenge, however, Hawk shows up looking to seek his...er…unholy Joe revenge. Or would that be righteous Joe revenge? Either way, Hawk's pissed. Storm Shadow tries to explain to him but it's no use. Hawk's too mad and besides, Night Creeper Leader shows up then.

Hawk and Night Creeper Leader both advance on Storm Shadow, seeking to do him grievous bodily harm, but before they can get him, Storm Shadow falls off the roof, seemingly to his death (or at least grievous injury).

Since Stormy is out of the way, Night Creeper Leader turns his attentions to Hawk since he can't have the General tattling to Cobra Commander about what happened to the Commander's new favorite ninja. The fact that Hawk is the leader of the opposing force apparently never enters NCL's mind.

Just as Night Creeper Leader is about to get Hawk, Snake-eyes snags him with a bolo-like affair and drags him back allowing the other Joes to tie him up. Hawk asks how they got out of the cell and is told that a friend let them out. He asks what friend. "Bobby,' he's told. "Bobby?" he says.

"Bobby Pin," says Scarlett, holding up a bobby pin.

I think I'm gonna start wearing some bobby pins, either that or carrying them on my purpose. Not only can you bust out of Cobra cells, but hey, in the Sunbow series, Jaye took out a BAT with one. All hail the mighty bobby pin!

The Joes go to see what happened to Storm Shadow, only to find him hanging onto a window ledge a few stories below the roof. They get him back up onto the roof and quickly (via cut scene) explain to Hawk what's going on. Hawk apologizes to Storm Shadow for thinking he was a traitor. The Joes prepare to leave via Battle Copters but are stopped when Destro and a group of Flak Vipers show up and blow the Battle Copters into scrap.

What follows is probably one of the more heroic bits from the DIC series: Storm Shadow takes a rope, ties it around his waist and yells for Tracker to toss him his laser. Tracker does so. As the other Joes toss the rope over the side of the building and begin climbing down it, Storm Shadow uses the laser to hold off Destro's forces as his friends escape, backing toward the edge of the roof. As Destro's forces draw in, he jumps over the side, leaving Destro to muse that he chose death over capture.

What Destro doesn't realize is that the rope looped over a drainpipe and the weight of the other Joes on the other half of the rope holds Storm Shadow in place, keeping him from crashing into the ground. Sneaky Ninja!

Storm Shadow also gets off a sig worthy quote: "Deception is only one weapon in my arsenal...but if the truth be told,m it works every time."

The Joes hit the ground in the alleyway and run for it, being chased by Cobra vehicles.

Cobra Commander is actually surprised that Storm Shadow betrayed him again. Talk about your egos…

The Cobras, led by Cobra Commander, manage to corner the Joes…except that the Joes have instead run them into an ambush. They bring out their vehicles and blow the snot out of the Cobras, who bolt.

Back at the Cobra base, Destro is sitting outside on the curb, head in his hands, looking extremely pouty. Apparently, the Cobras have been evicted from their base for failure to pay on their last 10 mortgage payments. So now, the 51st National Bank is the proud owner of one Cobra base.

Cobra Commander and Destro run off, bickering about who's fault it is. There's a cut scene to Hawk telling the man from the bank that the Joes will be happy to help them rebuild the neighborhood…something that's well outside the authority of either the bank or the Joes but hey…

Storm Shadow is in favor of the idea, since this'll give him the chance to teach the first ever class in ninja basketball techniques. Hawk sounds dubious about the idea of ninjas playing basketball (hey, SEALs play volleyball!) so Storm Shadow demonstrates his technique using Major Altitude's helmet. Suitably impressed, Hawk gives Storm Shadow a high five and we end the episode.

Commentary: Shadow of a Doubt, like the movie Basic, has a lot of plot twists. And, like the movie Basic, you can see a lot of them coming a mile away. UNLIKE the movie Basic, Shadow of a Doubt's plot twists grow out of the story and the characters' relations to each other and, this is the important bit: MAKE SENSE!

Probably also helps that I actually gave a damn about the characters in Shadow of a Doubt too, whereas I wouldn't have walked across the street to spit on the characters in Basic if they were on fire.

Sorry, I just really hated Basic…whoever told John Travolta that he could play an Army Ranger needs to be smacked upside.

Scarlett Fans will probably want to check out this episode since it's about the only time Scarlett shows up in the DIC series where she doesn't act like a complete boob. She's actually more than middling competent here, which helps restore my faith in the series.

And to those who think I'm picking on Scarlett, Lady Jaye also comes across as boobish in more than a few of her appearances. I'd comment more on that but, well, Jaye wasn't IN this episode. Hell, she wasn't in the second season, as I recall.

Overall, this is one of the better DIC episodes. The plot twists grow naturally out of the story a