Ben Talks About His Past Truthfully
“Betrayal,” the fifth episode of the first season of Spider-Noir, begins with Ben and Cat sitting side by side in a diner. Cat wants answers and Ben finally starts to tell the truth of what happened to him in the war.
In a flashback, Ben is shown serving in a military unit assigned to liberate a town in Eastern Europe from German occupation. While there, his team finds prisoners of war tortured in horrific experiments with animals and genetic mutations.
One of the victims, a male who has become a human-spider hybrid, bites Ben on the arm. The bite leaves Ben dazed and weak. Ben struggles to remain conscious as Addison and the others take a picture in the background.
Ben, back in the present, admits that he had to relearn how to be human after the war. He was interested in Flint’s case, he explains, because he was hoping there might be a way to undo what had happened to both of them. Ruby died and Ben just wants to be Ben Reilly again.
Robby Regains His Powers at the Daily Bugle
Back at the Daily Bugle, Robbie is handing to Walters a story about The Spider defeating the man with electrical powers. Walters agrees to publish, but Robbie has stipulations. He wants the article printed just as it is, a retraction of the false story about Lonnie and Flint and his old desk back.
Meanwhile, Flint hooks up with Lonnie and tells him that Silvermane has a place for him. Lonnie hesitates, but Flint presses him to look into the offer.
Later Ben, Robbie and Janet meet to compare notes. Janet and Robbie reveal that all those with powers gained them after meeting a doctor called Alethea Faber. They also find out that Faber knew about the German POW camp and later found the survivors.
The Key to the Mystery Proved by Dr. Faber
Flint and Lonnie show up and the cat is in the Alcove with Silvermane. She’s obviously stunned to see them but she keeps her cool. Flint makes clear that he will protect Silvermane. Before leaving, Silvermane coldly tells Cat to find a new band and a younger singer.
Robby goes to a Queens hospital and interviews Dr. Faber. He asks about the men she cared for who later developed powers after her treatment. Faber becomes defensive, claiming that she has a reason for everything she does.
Ben meanwhile, walks into Faber’s office and begins going through her files. He finds a secret compartment with documents. Faber and her secretary Ogden come back and Ben fakes being a confused patient and runs away. But Ogden knows him as one of the men from France.
Silvermane Gathers His Crew
That night, Flint and Lonnie break into the police station and find Mr. Leyden, the man with electrical powers. They help Silvermane to meet him and Silvermane offers Leyden a place on his side. Leyden agrees, and they release him from his bonds.
Later, Ben and Robbie discuss Faber’s work. They believe she was trying to save the men but inadvertently caused their latent mutations to activate. Ben tells Robbie not to publish the full story yet as he wants to tell Cat the truth about Flint himself. Robby gives him one day.
Silvermane calls Ben shortly afterwards. When he arrives he finds Silvermane with Flint, Leyden and Lonnie. Silvermane tells Ben to warn The Spider to stay out of his war against the Mayor. Ben nods. As Ben leaves, Flint tells him he knows the truth about Cat and warns him once because Ben once saved her.
Ben and Cat are planning to run away
Ben goes to Cat and tells her that every time Flint uses his powers, it could be killing him. Ben, Cat is heartbroken and tells him to leave. Instead Ben tells her that Ruby and Flint are both ghosts from the past, and he and Cat still have a chance at something real.
He brings up her dream of visiting Santorini and suggests they run away together. “Cat agrees.
The next morning Ben has breakfast with Janet. She sees quickly that something is wrong. When Ben tells Janet he is leaving with Cat, she says she is happy for him but it is a bittersweet moment.
Ben Betrayed By Cat
Flint gets worse, so Lonnie seeks help from Cat. Cat visits Flint at the hideout. They argue. Flint says he would’ve killed Silvermane for her, but she never gave him a real shot. He rushed out.
Cat asks Lonnie if there’s any hope for Flint. Lonnie tells her that Dr. Faber believes there is only one choice left, The Spider. Ben’s mutation seems to be more stable and Faber believes he might be able to cure the others.
When Faber and Ogden are packing to leave at the hospital, Cat comes in. She asks Faber to promise that if he helps Flint and the others, that they will not harm The Spider. Faber concurs. Cat makes the episode’s biggest move and reveals Ben as The Spider.
Review: Spider-Noir Season 1 Episode 5
Spider-Noir Season 1 Episode 5 has a few strong developments, but the central romance isn’t one of them. Ben and Cat’s relationship still feels rushed, and their decision to run away together doesn’t quite seem justified. The performances are emotional and layered but the writing hasn’t given their romance enough room to feel believable.
Still, the episode is far better when it deals with Ben’s past, Dr. Faber’s experiments, and the increasing threat around Silvermane. The war flashback provides some depth to Ben and finally connects directly to the larger mutation mystery.
Cat’s betrayal is a good twist too. It’s obvious from the title that someone is going to turn, but her choice still matters, because it means she has to choose between Ben and Flint. Her choice may come from desperation, but it also lays down serious consequences for Ben.
Dr Faber’s introduction gives the story a sharper direction. She ties together the war experiments, the mutations and the possibility of a cure. Robbie’s scenes at the Daily Bugle are also satisfying, particularly as he pushes Walters to give him some control back.
But it still feels underdeveloped that Lonnie would be joining Silvermane’s side. It had to make sense, his decision had to have more emotional weight.
The series has definitely moved from the detective type mystery of the start. Now it’s about mutations, power, politics and survival. Some of the noir atmosphere is lost, but it works with the larger story.
Overall, Episode 5 isn’t perfect, but it really brings the story forward. But Cat’s betrayal changes everything and Ben’s identity is now in grave danger.