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The Owl House Episode 2 Review

I’ve seen a lot of great stories that revolve around a special Chosen One meant to fulfill an important destiny. I think, from a cultural perspective, they’re meant to make everyone feel special and capable of being a chosen one. However, the last few years of TV seem to be going in the opposite direction, acting like prophecies and chosen one’s are bunk. Now The Owl House is following that route in its second episode. An episode which, I may end, seemed like a step down from the premiere.

Expecations vs. Reality Scenario

It’s now Luz’s second day in the Boiling Isles, and Luz can’t wait to start her witch training. In her eyes, being the only human on the Boiling Isles makes her someone special “with a predetermined path of greatness.” In other words, she thinks she’s a Chosen One!

Her enthusiastic idealism’s endearing, but it conflicts with Eda and King’s more realistic look at things. As King bluntly puts it, “The Boiling Isles are nothing but a cesspool of despair.” It sounds mean-spirited, and it is, but I think it’s a realistic way to look at things in a world that can eat naivete for breakfast. Thus, when Luz seems to get a “chosen one, prophecy quest” from a wizard dressed like Yen Sid, the two know something’s up.

ROFLMFAO

The next part of the episode goes into parody territory with your stereotypical chosen one quest with all the tropes. A village of adorable creatures to help out Luz? Yes, and they’re adorable. Awesome battle accessories? Par for the course. A hot, brooding angsty teenager with abs? Meh, after Marco’s time in the Neverzone, not impressed. Though I’m more curious if that guy’s voiced by Yuri Lowenthal or Billy Kametz when I’m not laughing.

I’m serious, this whole “quest” was so cliche I debated whether or not it made me feel nasueas or want to roll around on the floor laughing. Like Eda and King, I knew the whole thing was bunk from the start. Too bad it took a dark turn when that “wizard” turned out to be one of Eda’s rivals. The whole thing was a scam to get to Eda for taking his customers. Fortunately, once Luz breaks the illusion, they make short work of him. Then Eda eats him. Dark.

Don’t Wait For Destiny to Pick You.

So, Luz is not a chosen one, she wound in the Boiling Isles by complete accident, and she just got a major dose of reality. Which is hard to watch, because we know that Luz couldn’t fit in at home, and had trouble fitting in on the Boiling Isles. Fortunately, Eda and King lift her spirits with a bird’s eye view of the Boiling Isles. Kudos to the artists who designed the setting of the show, because this looks amazing.

So, what was the point of this whole experience? I think the moral can be chalked down to two points. First, you shouldn’t let your enthusiasm blind you to when something’s obviously too good to be true. The second and more important moral is the one Eda gives to Luz, that you shouldn’t wait for someone to tell you you’re special or a chosen one. Otherwise, you’ll spend your whole life waiting.

So, this episode wasn’t as good as the first one. The story, while funny, lacked the appeal that the first episode had. Hopefully, next week’s episode will be better.

I Give “Witches before Wizards” A 3/5. Shaky Second Episode

Stray Observations

• Did anyone else find King’s tantrum dance to be adorable?
• What goes in Apple Blood?

Favorite Quotes

• “All that mean spirited laughter made me sleepy.”
• “Being a witch doesn’t happen overnight. Also, you’re wearing a bathrobe and the dirtiest traffic cone I’ve ever seen”

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One Piece, Chapter 968 Review/Recap

Well, Roger, Oden, Rayleigh and everyone else did the impossible. They made it to the end of the Grand Line and learned the secrets of the world. However, this also means that Roger and Oden’s voyage must come to an end. As we reach the end of this momentous flashback, it’s time to brace for the end of Oden’s voyage.

Recap

Once the news of the Roger Pirates making it to Laugh Tale went public, everyone started calling Roger “King of the Pirates” and his treasure “the One Piece”. It didn’t matter much to Roger, though, as he was going to die soon. Thus, he officially disbanded the Roger Pirates, and they dropped him off someplace away from the Marines. After that, the rest of the crew returned to Wano to let Oden off, finally completing his long voyage.

To his surprise, everyone in Kuri gave him a warm welcome, courtesy of the Nine Red Scabbards and Toki’s good leadership. However, Oden soon learned how bad things had gotten for the rest of the country. With Kaido’s backing, Orochi had already begun his reign of terror on Wano. When the Scabbards tried to stop him, he sent assassin’s to kill Momonosuke and Hiyori. Thankfully, Toki saved them at the cost of injuring herself. As a result, Oden goes ballistic, and against Kin’emon’s wishes, heads to the Flower Capital to confront Orochi. The slithering coward warns Oden that Kaido will come after him if he tries to harm Orochi, but Oden’s hellbent on killing the usurper.

Review

This chapter did a lot of reiterating things that we already knew or suspected. On the world stage, the World Government’s reactions to Roger reaching Laugh Tale, and how they hide his real name, confirms what I already knew. The truth behind the Void Century, the D, and how the World Government came to power can be found in Laugh Tale. In regards to this arc, Laugh Tale revealed why Wano shut its doors to the world, and why Oden’s became more determined to open them. It has something to do with the return of Joy Boy in 25 years.

Unless Joy Boy’s somehow still alive in the present, I’m going with the theory that Luffy’s Joy Boy reincarnated or inheritor of his will.

What I didn’t expect in this chapter is how the people felt overjoyed to see Oden return. Based on their reactions, the lies Orochi spread haven’t begun yet. Sadly, though, I can also tell that Oden attacking Orochi will be what seals his fate. My guess is that Kaido comes, the two have a fierce fight, but in the end, Oden’s captured and executed as a traitor. It’s a bittersweet ending, but we all knew it was coming.

I think there will only be three, maybe four chapters left in Oden’s voyage. I enjoyed the flashback, but I want to get back to the present and see how Luffy pulls off another miracle. We all know he’s going to find a way to win, don’t deny it. Death to Orochi and Kaido!

I Give “Oden’s Return” a 3.75/5. Good falling action, but we already knew what’s happening next.

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