'The Middleman': Muchas Luchadors

Have an affinity for masked wrestlers and fights to the death? Then this episode of The Middleman is for you!

Spoilers

The Middleman is super nervous and antsy about Sensei Ping's arrival. He makes Dubby memorize three rules: a) never ask why he wears a Mexican wrestler mask, b) never ask his age, and c) never, ever bring up the Clan of the Pointed Stick. There's even a special ceremonial greeting she must memorize. All respect must be paid to one who has mastered the Wu-Han Thumb of Death.

Before MM could go pick him up, there's a robbery that must be looked into. Someone has stolen a diamond so complex, it's said to reflect light in the form of a cage. As Ida helps process the crime scene remotely, Wendy must go pick up the Sensei. But she has to take her car which is small, not in the best shape, and has already broken down on her once that day.

Wendy tries to be respectful and get along with Sensei Ping (played by the underrated Mark Dacascos), but one might think that she's not trying hard enough. After bopping her on the head a couple times and insulting her car again on the drive back to Middle HQ, Dubby's finally had it and proceeds to break all three rules at once. Sensei doesn't appreciate this and takes it upon himself to pull the car over.

While all this has been going on, Ida and Middleman have discovered that the robbery was done by a group of lucha libre wrestlers, ones that have it out for Sensei Ping. But he hasn't found out in enough time to warn Wendy. As soon as her car has stopped and the two of them get out, they're surrounded by said luchadors who use a diamond-powered light bean to capture Sensei Ping, knock Wendy out and escape.

Middleman arrives and uses smelling salts to wake her up. When Wendy discloses her inappropriate behavior, MM is very disappointed and benches her, deciding to find Sensei Ping alone. Because if he doesn't check in a couple days, the Clan of Pointed Stick will send assassins after the Middleteam. Determined to help, Wendy investigates on her own and, with some convenient help from Lacy, discovers that the luchadors are eating at "The Booty Chest" - a pirate themed sports bar who's waitresses are scantily clad. Their basic working mantra is "slutty but sweet." Good times.

Disguising herself in Lacey's uniform (she went to work there that morning and quit before the end of the day), Wendy manages to discreetly put a gun to one's back and find out that they took Sensei Ping to stand "trial" with his people in the Yucatan Peninsula. She also finds out that they're out to capture Middleman as well. Lured there by a false clue, MM is captured in the alley behind the restaurant as Wendy unsuccessfully tries to warn him.

Wendy enlists Ida's semi-reluctant help in tracking down the luchadors base - The Dread Pyramid of Itzilichlitlichlitzl - and flies there in the Middlejet (her father taught her how to fly - how convenient). Meanwhile, Middleman had been reunited with Sensei Ping in captivity. Sensei attempts to diffuse the blood feud by telling them the true story of what happened between himself and the luchadors' master. They fought for 25 days in a series of honorable duals (including Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots). Before they could finish, the lucha libre master died of a heart attack. Sensei Ping wears the mask to honor him.

But they don't believe the Sensei's story. So he challenges them to one-on-one combat with the Middleman serving as his champion. He must fight "Cien Mascaras" who originally was a single man who wore 100 masks, but was cursed and became 100 men wearing the same mask. MM does admirably, taking out at least 75 of them before getting in trouble.

Wendy shows up in the nick of time and destroys the machine powering the light cage. Freed, Sensei takes off his mask, flexes his shirt off, and dispatches of the remaining luchadors, using the Wu-Han Thumb of Death to take out the leader. Wendy had regained the respect of Sensei Ping and has agreed to teach her. As a gesture of acceptance and in a show of thanks, MM gives Wendy her first official paycheck and a special bonus - a new, eco-friendly car.

Assorted Other Bits & Pieces:

• When Wendy's car breaks down, she meets an awesome struggling musician who helps her fix it. He's cute, similar in personality and quirkiness, appreciates her piece of crap car, and, as it turns out, he was supposed to have interviewed at Middleman HQ. His name is Tyler and she runs into him again at The Booty Chest. He tries helping her in the alley but gets knocked out. Visiting him in the hospital, Wendy finds out from the doctor that he doesn't remember anything from the past two days so, sadly, she leaves. I like Tyler much better than her dink boyfriend. I'm sensing a switch coming.
• We find out that Wendy and Lacey promised each other two things before graduating from college: no more underwear stealing boyfriends and no more waitressing jobs.
• Speaking of Lacey, I liked her a lot better this episode. She didn't whine at all...and there was this really odd part where she dressed up in a yellow teddy bear costume.
• All the times in the show today were listed in various and occasionally odd zones (ex: Pacific, Newfoundland, Moscow, Charlie).
• Unfriendly names Sensei Ping called Wendy before she earned his respect include "My Little Pit Viper" and "My Impudent Young Weasel."
• Lacey calls MM "Sexy Bossman," which disturbs Wendy.
• I loved Mark Dacascos (Brotherhood of the Wolf, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, Iron Chef America) as Sensei Ping. He played it with just enough cheese and we even got to see him break out a bit of his real martial arts skills at the end. Plus, I appreciate characters that refer to themselves in the third person.

Favorite Quotes:
"You must be mistaking the Clan of the Pointed Stick with one of the rational societies of paranoid, celibate martial artists." - Double M to Wendy when she reacts to the potential consequences of not rescuing Sensei Ping

"Sensei Ping is still in this cage, that is all Sensei Ping is saying." - Sensei Ping to The Middleman after he says he'll find away out of the laser cage

Did I miss your favorite part/quote? Has the shown earned your permanent love or scorn? Any other thought/comments/questions?

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