Ben 10 Omniverse Season 1 Episode 6 — "It Was Them"

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An iconic, brilliant classic villain returns from the shadows to unleash genetic absolute chaos! Ben 10: Omniverse reintroduces one of Ben's oldest, most persistent human adversaries in Season 1 Episode 6, "It Was Them," blending underground insect infestations with high-tech alien survival tactics.

The peace of Bellwood is shattered when the mad geneticist Dr. Animo successfully breaks out of his high-security Plumber containment cell. Bent on world domination through forced mutation, he goes deep underground. Ben and Rook are instantly dispatched to locate his secret subterranean lab before the unhinged scientist can alter the genetic makeup of the planet's ecosystem.

“You can throw a mad scientist in a cage, but you can't keep a brilliant, twisted mind from dreaming up a massive mutant nightmare.”

Episode Summary

The dynamic duo is alerted when giant, mutated ants begin tunneling through downtown Bellwood, carrying off mechanical components and causing sinkholes. Ben and Rook track the structural anomalies down into an isolated system of caverns where Dr. Animo has established a brand-new laboratory, using stolen tech to breed an unstoppable army of giant insects.

As Ben tries to break through the defensive wall of giant bugs, he relies on heavy forms like Diamondhead and Echo Echo. However, the mission becomes exponentially more complicated when Khyber the Huntsman's deadly pet arrives on the scene, utilizing the biological blueprints of the Nemetrix to transform into a Mucilator—the ultimate biological counter to Ben's chosen heavy-hitters.

Caught in a dangerous three-way crossfire between Animo's swarm and Khyber's apex predator, Ben must balance quick thinking with brute agility. By unlocking a highly agile, bouncing alien form called Crashhopper, Ben successfully maneuvers through the crossfire, enabling Rook to destroy Animo's mutation matrix and contain the immediate infestation threat.

Themes & Character Development

Rivalries Reborn: The episode highlights Ben's extensive history as a hero, showing Rook how Ben's childhood encounters with classic human villains like Animo shape his tactical instincts today.
Unpredictable Variables: Ben is forced to adapt on the fly when external threats (Khyber's pet) crash an independent mission, teaching him to expect the unexpected from his environment.
Agility Over Muscle: Through the introduction of Crashhopper, the narrative reinforces that sometimes raw physical force isn't the solution—speed and momentum can shatter heavy armor.

Production Details

First Aired: October 20, 2012
Created By: Man of Action, developed by Derrick J. Wyatt and Matt Wayne
Written By: David McDermott
Directed By: Christopher Berkeley
Produced By: Cartoon Network Studios
Art Style: Showcases detailed cavernous backdrops combined with vibrant insect mutations, leveraging high-speed bouncing tracking shots to display Crashhopper's momentum mechanics.
Voice Cast:
- Yuri Lowenthal as Ben Tennyson
- Bumper Robinson as Rook Blonko
- Dwight Schultz as Dr. Animo
- Dee Bradley Baker as Crashhopper / Rath / Swarm Ants

Fun Facts & Trivia

Did You Know?

This episode features the magnificent debut of Crashhopper, an Orthopteroid alien that possesses incredibly powerful leg muscles, allowing him to launch himself with explosive force.
Dr. Animo sports a brand-new, rugged look in Omniverse, featuring a mechanical exo-suit and his signature mind-control headpiece integrated cleanly into his design.
Khyber's pet utilizes the Nemetrix to turn into a Mucilator, a large, sticky alien creature that acts as the natural biological predator to the Appoplexian species (Rath).
Dr. Animo's long-standing obsession with mutations and taxidermy dates back to the very first season of the original 2005 series, making him one of the franchise's longest-lived foes.
A humorous moment occurs during the battle when Ben transforms into Rath, leading to his signature loud, aggressive, and highly entertaining comedic dialogue.

Legacy & Impact

"It Was Them" stands out as a phenomenal tribute to classic continuity while pushing the current narrative elements forward. By bringing Dr. Animo back into the mix, the writers successfully anchored Omniverse to the roots of the franchise, showing that classic threats are still incredibly dangerous when left unchecked.

The addition of Crashhopper to Ben's active roster provided a fresh, dynamic fighting style that perfectly matched the fluid animation mechanics of the series, leaving fans eager to see what other classic rogues would step up for a rematch next.