The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers slows its pace down this week as it hits the midpoint of the series. There’s less hockey going on, as the focus is shifted away from the ice and onto more personal issues.
Evan’s father is in town, which puts Evan off his game, leaving him distracted. His father isn’t around much, being a musician who constantly lets him down. Luckily Coach Bombay knows how to help Evan with his distractions. We’re starting to see a warmer side to him as he grows closer to Evan’s mum, Alex.
Having more focus on the adults’ relationships gives the series an extra edge, making it more relatable to adults and keeping it from being solely for kids. Elsewhere there is issues with Maya and Lauren who struggle with being from different friendship groups outside of practice.
There is clearly a route being taken to which Coach Bombay is being a father figure to Evan, whose own father isn’t around enough. It is done in the right way though with Bombay seeming genuine in wanting to be there for Evan.
Having the room to explore the characters more and having their relationships off the ice grow is one of the plus points to the series format, rather than a movie. I feel like we are really getting to know these characters more each week.
A slower-paced episode this week allows for more character development which will no doubt have some nice payoffs during the second half of the series.
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers Episode 5 is streaming on Disney+ this Friday.