Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Season 2 Episode 2 — "Eye of the Beholder"

How to Watch How to Download

The journey continues in Ben 10: Ultimate Alien with an emotional and action-packed cosmic adventure. In Season 2 Episode 2, "Eye of the Beholder," Ben's relationship troubles take a backseat to an urgent interstellar rescue mission when Julie's alien pet, Ship, suddenly runs away to save his original master.

When Julie finds out that Ship flew into outer space to protect Baz-l on a distant planet, she enlists the help of Ben, Gwen, and Kevin. However, the mission forces Ben and Julie to confront the severe communication breakdowns in their relationship while fighting off a hostile alien faction determined to steal ancient weapon technology.

“I'm trying to save your life! ... Well, try harder! And stop yelling at me!”

Episode Summary

The episode opens with Ben and Julie in the middle of a massive argument, as Ben's arrogance and superhero fame have caused him to neglect Julie. The domestic drama is cut short when Ship senses that his creator, the Galvan mechanic Baz-l, is in mortal danger on the planet Sentinel. Distressed, Ship morphs into a spacecraft and leaves Earth, prompting a worried Julie to demand Ben's help to track him down.

Arriving on the desert planet Sentinel, the team discovers that Baz-l has been captured by a group of religious zealots known as the Sentinels. These beings worship a massive, sacred monument that turns out to be a piece of ancient Galvan technology that Baz-l accidentally activated while scavenging. The group tries to rescue him, but Ben's impulsive behavior as Humungousaur only escalates the hostility with the planet's guardians.

As the conflict peaks, the ancient guardian monument activates, threatening to destroy everyone on the planet. Ben must push his limits, transforming into Lodestar and later utilizing Ultimate Cannonbolt to dismantle the mechanical threat. Amidst the chaos, Ben and Julie manage to work together to save Baz-l and Ship, though their victory comes with a bittersweet reality check about their future together.

Themes & Character Development

Relationship Dynamics: This episode shines a harsh spotlight on Ben's immaturity and ego, showing how his newfound fame impacts his personal life and causes friction with Julie.
Loyalty and Devotion: Ship's unwavering loyalty to both Julie and Baz-l acts as a parallel contrast to Ben's struggles with commitment and focus during this period of his life.
Cultural Misunderstandings: The plot highlights how advanced technology left behind by careless scavengers can be misinterpreted as divine artifacts by developing alien cultures.

Production Details

First Aired: February 11, 2011
Created By: Man of Action (Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle)
Written By: Ernie Altbacker
Directed By: Dan Riba
Produced By: Cartoon Network Studios
Art Style: Features vast cosmic desert environments and complex mechanical designs for the Sentinel temple constructs, utilizing the standard sharp aesthetic of UA.
Voice Cast:
- Yuri Lowenthal as Ben Tennyson / Eye Guy
- Vyvan Pham as Julie Yamamoto
- Ashley Johnson as Gwen Tennyson
- Greg Cipes as Kevin Levin
- Rob Paulsen as Baz-l
- Dee Bradley Baker as Ship / Lodestar / Guardians

Fun Facts & Trivia

Did You Know?

The title "Eye of the Beholder" is a clever multi-layered pun referencing both the emotional focus on Ben and Julie's relationship and Ben's alien transformation, Eye Guy, who appears early in the episode.
This episode marks the first time that Lodestar is used in the Ultimate Alien series, having previously debuted in Alien Force.
The planet Sentinel features architectural patterns and automated defense guardians that are highly reminiscent of classic ancient Egyptian ruins mixed with Galvan tech.
Despite working together to save the day, Ben and Julie officially break up at the end of this episode due to Ben's inability to balance his heroism with being a supportive partner.
Baz-l's careless nature as a scavenger is a recurring plot point, showing that not all Galvans share Azmuth's strict moral code regarding technology.

Legacy & Impact

"Eye of the Beholder" is frequently remembered by fans as a critical turning point for Ben Tennyson's character development. It directly addressed the consequences of his rising ego following the exposure of his secret identity to the public, proving that being a hero involves more than just hitting the Ultimatrix and fighting monsters.

The emotional weight of the episode, combined with high-stakes sci-fi action on an alien world, makes it one of the most grounded yet cosmic entries in the early seasons of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien.