RJ Writing Ink

The Owl House Season 2, Episode 4 Review

Ah, parents; the one thing that every living creature in the Universe has in common. They raise us, they help mold our worldview, and, if they’re good at it, they teach us right from wrong. However, as many of us know, being a parent doesn’t exempt them from poor decision-making. Luz’s mom tried to send her daughter to a camp to teach her to be “normal”. Amity’s parents are total scumbags. Though, admittedly, Amity’s Dad has the common sense to realize that his daughter’s relationship with Luz is making her stronger. However, it’s this episode of The Owl House that brings the concept of the loving-but-flawed parent to the forefront as we come face to face with Eda’s Mom.

This episode dropped some big revelations regarding Eda and her family, as well as the world of the show. Thus, major spoilers ahead. Don’t read unless you live watched the episode!

Eda and Her Mom

The episode starts off with a flashback to when Eda was Luz’s age. Having only recently been cursed, her mother, Gwendolyn, is devastated by her daughter’s fate. Not helping the fact is that no experts from the Covens can help her. Ashamed by her curse, Eda ultimately chooses to run away to…someplace else, while her Mom vows to cure her. No matter what.

Cut to the present day, and Gwen shows up at the Owl House, claiming to finally be able to cure daughter’s curse. Eda’s response: hard pass. Eda wants to stick with the elixirs that she knows will work. Gwen, though, presses the issue, and even ropes Luz in on her plans with the promise of information on how to get home.

Very, Very Close To Home

It’s clear that Gwen means well, but it’s plain to see that her efforts are misguided. In particular, her disapproval of Eda’s elixirs hits very close to home. Especially since the world’s still in the grip of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Think of Eda’s elixir’s as like a vaccine. It doesn’t fully get rid of the virus, but it helps the body fight it off if it shows up. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but it’s proven to work, hence why Eda trusts it. In contrast, hearing Gwen decry the elixirs as “nasty concoctions” is a lot like hearing an anti-vaxxer. They may mean well, but not trusting the experts and trying unproven methods instead can make things worse. In this case, Gwen takes all her daughter’s elixirs and subjects her to “cures” that even Luz realizes are a scam. If Luz, of all people, can see them as fake, then it must be fake!

Lilith Almost Succumbs to the Curse

While all of this is going on, Lilith is dealing with her own problems, and they are bad. Very bad. As a result of her Mom focusing all her attention on Eda, Lilith rightfully feels neglected by Gwen. The fact that she’s the one who cursed Eda, and thus created the rift in her family, only makes things worse. And when their Mom comes back and dotes on Eda but neglects her, the stress proves too much for Lilith. Thus, she turns into her own version of the Owl Beast that’s even scarier than Eda’s!

Ultimately, it takes both Luz and King calling her out for Gwen to realize she’s being scammed. After teaching the scammers a lesson, Gwen, Luz, and King work together to feed the sisters their medicine. And in the process, Eda turns the tables on the curse and regains control. None of Belos’ magic required!

Okay, Eda may never be able to do magic like she did before. But, if she were somehow able to turn into the Owl Beast whenever she wants, that would be so cool! Here’s hoping!

Luz Wasn’t the First

In the end, Gwen finally accepts her shortcomings as a parent and vows to find a real solution to her daughter’s shared curse. Consequently, Lilith decides to move back in with her, much to Hooty’s dismay. But before she leaves, Gwen gives Luz a mind-blowing bit of info.

Firstly, though, the flashback at the start of the episode revealed how Eda found the portal to Earth. She literally stumbled across it as she was running away from home, buried in the dirt near her house. How did it get there? Who made it? These are some big questions.

But that’s nothing compared to what Gwen tells Luz. According to Gwen, a substance called Titan’s blood can cause leaks between dimensions. Eda’s portal is likely only one example. More importantly, though, Luz was not the first human to live on the Boiling Isles! According to Clawthorne family lore, another human lived on the Isles, before they vanished one day. However, it’s said that they left something in the library. At last, Luz has a lead on how to get home! But she may not like what she finds there.

About Luz’s Mom

When Luz realizes that summer camp must be over, she thinks her Mom must be worried sick about her, not knowing that someone’s been sending her fake letters. However, things get even creepier in the episode’s final moments when it’s revealed that someone, or something, that looks like Luz is now living with her Mom!

After seeing those fake letters, my theories were that the camp was sending them or something supernatural was afoot. After this episode, though, it’s clear that someone’s using magic to fool Mrs. Noceda. To what purpose, I don’t know, but it can’t be good. At the least, the imposter must be convincing enough to pass herself off as Luz, albeit a version that her mom would prefer. In other words, when Luz gets home and sees the imposter, it’s going to lead to a lot of revelations. For all we know, seeing her Mom prefer her fake could convince Luz to leave Earth behind for good. Either way, a reckoning is coming.

For now, I think that this was a really good episode. It didn’t have the most action, adventure, or shipping, but it focused on the main cast when it needed to. In addition, it gave us a bigger clue to getting Luz back to Earth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.

I Give “Keeping Up A-fear-ances” a 4/5

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

The Owl House Season 2, Episode 3 Review

Who, or what, is King? Ever since The Owl House began, fans have fallen in love with the diminutive little demon. Not the least bit because A.) he looks like a Cubone, and B.) he’s voiced by Alex Hirsch. But we actually know very little about who he is and where he came from, besides his ranting about himself. Well, after twenty-three episodes, we finally get some hints about the origins of King! And it. Is. HUGE!

Where Did King Come From?

While Luz and Lilith are busy learning how to combine glyphs to create new spells, King tries getting their attention while talking about how he was the King of Demons. When Lilith rightfully calls him out on how crazy his claims are, King ups the ante by taking them to a mysterious island where he claims he ruled from.

This also leads to the three seeing how Hooty can detach himself from the house, and it must be absolutely disgusting.

Surprisingly, the island King takes them to isn’t just a delusional joke. It’s filled with ruins, images, and writing that not even Lilith knows about. If bookworm Lilith doesn’t know about it, then that’s saying something! And the ruins are filled with images of what looks like King in the past conquering his enemies. That, and there’s a hideous fusion rock, bone, and abomination goo that attacks them until Eda comes to the rescue.

It’s at this point where Eda finally tells everyone, the audience included, the truth about King; at least, from what she knows.

BABY KING IS SO KAWAII

Eight years ago, Eda was running from the Emperor’s Coven when she came across the mysterious island. Within the ruins, she found a baby King living by himself. Feeling sorry for him, Eda took him back home with her, gave him his name, and played along with his infantile fantasies of being a King of Demons.

Naturally, the revelation that most of what he considered his past is a fantasy leads the little guy to have a brief meltdown. However, As Luz points out while consoling him, this revelation doesn’t answer everything. Where did King come from, and why was he left inside those ruins? These are some big questions that need to be answered! And it’s this desire to learn more that leads the group to discover something major.

As it turns out, that ruined temple wasn’t where King ruled from; it’s where he was born after hatching from an egg. And that bizarre abomination (who he names Jean-Luc) was created to be some kind of guardian for him. And the images shown weren’t of King. They were of other members of his kind, including his father, who may still be out there!

A New Mystery to Discover

At the end of the day, King ultimately accepts the fact that he was never a King of Demons. However, he seems to be fine with this since he has the residents of the Owl House to help him come to terms with it. Additionally, there’s the revelation that there may more like him out there and that no one, not even the Emperor’s Coven, may know about them.

I can already hear the fans coming up with fan theories about King and his people. Where did they come from, and what happened to them? Why was King left alone? Does the Emperor have something to do with all of this? It’s enough to drive fans nuts!

One thing is for sure, though: I am looking forward to see what The Owl House does with this mystery going forward. Since this comes from The Gravity Falls tree of shows, though, I expect it to be this big, mind-blowing revelation.

I Give “Echoes of the Past” a 4.5/5

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

The Owl House Season Two, Episode 2 Review

Remember the Season One episode “Understanding Willow,” and how it confirmed that Amity Blight has the worst parents on the Boiling Isles? It was at that moment that the fandom wanted nothing more than to tell Mr. and Mrs. Blight where to shove it. Then everyone went bonkers over Lumity, and the thing with Emperor Belos, and Amity’s awful parents were forgotten. However, that changes this week as Mr. and Mrs. Blight threaten to tear Amity away from her friends forever.

Amity’s Mom’s a Bitch

Ever since Amity started hanging out with Willow, Gus, and Luz, she’s been letting her grades slip. At least from her Mom’s perspective More importantly, though, she’s starting to resist her parents. And for a sociopathic control freak like Mrs. Blight, that’s unacceptable. So she does something drastic: she uses her clout to get Luz, Gus, and Willow expelled from Hexside.

We already knew that Amity’s parents were terrible people, but this episode is what cements who they are as characters. Despite prior evidence, it’s revealed that Amity’s Dad isn’t directly abusive. Rather, he’s merely so focused on his work developing Abominations that he neglects his children. In addition, he goes with whatever his wife says.

Amity’s Mom is an Alpha Bitch and she makes no attempts to hide it. From pressuring Hexside into expelling Luz and the others on grounds that even Bump finds flimsy to intimidating Amity into not standing up for her friends, it’s made clear that she’s a horrible woman. What makes things worse is the fact that she manipulates Luz into becoming a test dummy with the false promise of letting her friends back in Hexside.

This does not go well.

Amity Blight Defies Her Mom

Amity Blight is likely the most dynamic character in The Owl House. When we first met her, she was a miniature version of her mom. However, thanks to repeated encounters with Luz, Amity managed to grow as a person and learn that she doesn’t have to act tough all the time. And, I’m the moment that set the Internet ablaze with love, she fell for Luz. In other words, she’s come a long way, but she still has one more step to take. Amity has to stand up to her abusive Mom.

And the moment that Amity does, she does it in the best way possible. Coming in to save Luz (who she doesn’t hesitate to call “My Luz”) from an overpowered Abomination, Amity makes it clear to her Mom that she can’t control her anymore. It’s a truly empowering moment for her character, and it also doubles as a touching Lumity moment. Faced with the prospect of public humiliation, Mrs. Blight has no choice but to allow Luz, Willow and Gus back in Hexside. However, given how much of a control freak Mrs. Blight is, this won’t be the end of things. She may very well continue to try to find ways to get rid of Luz.

The Clawthorne Sisters Learn Some Valuable Lessons

As all of this is going on, Eda and Lilith begin their study of glyph magic in earnest. Lilith takes to it effortlessly, while the more free-spirited Eda struggles. As a result, this episode sees Eda’s pride dealt a heavy blow.

Eda has never been one to follow rules. It’s part of the reason why she became the most powerful Witch in the Boiling Isles. However, as her rebellious attempts to prove her way is still right backfire, it only serves to embarrass her even more.

One of the themes of this season seems to be the fallout of Eda and Lilith’s shared curse and how it affects both of them. It’s much like a person now coping with a disability trying to find a new sense of self-worth. But thanks to some encouragement from Lilith, Eda manages to get past this stumbling block. And in the process, the two make some interesting discoveries.

Firstly, they discover that by combining glyphs together, they get different results. For example, multiple glyphs of the same type, they become stronger. Combine different glyphs in certain ways, they create new, original magic. In other words, this opens the door for the Owl House residents to unlock even more powerful spells. With the Emperor’s Coven tightening it’s grip on the Boiling Isles, they will need all the power they can get.

A Great Episode for Amity

Amity Blight has consistently proven to be my favorite character in The Owl House, and this episode caps off just how much she’s developed. First she was a rival, then a reluctant friend, and now, she and Luz are closer to becoming a couple than ever! As the second season of the show gets underway, I’m hoping for even more Lumity. And I want to see Mrs. Blight get knocked down a few more pegs.

I Give “Escaping Expulsion” a 4/5

Stray Observations

• Notice how Gus’ voice sounds deeper?
• Principal Bump misses Luz, Gus, and Willow being around to discipline! How sweet!!
• Notice the Amphibia Reference?

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

The Owl House Season 2, Episode 1 Review

Dana Terrace, you are a lifesaver! Just when the second season of Amphibia ended with the episode that rocked the Internet, The Owl House geared up for it’s second season. For those unfamiliar, The Owl House follows Luz Noceda, a 14-year-old human girl who finds herself in the demon world. There, she lives in the titular Owl House as she trains to become a Witch under the powerful outlaw Witch, Eda the Owl Lady. That’s how the series started, anyway. However, as the first season ended, things shifted dramatically.

Eda was constantly hunted by the enigmatic ruler of the Isles, Emperor Belos, for refusing to join a Coven and for her portal to Earth. Thanks to her own sister, Lillith, Eda was captured and sentenced to death. Luz battled the Emperor and managed to rescue Eda and Lillith, but in the process, she had to destroy the portal to Earth to keep it out of Belos’ hands. In addition, due to a curse Lillith placed on Eda, the two could no longer use magic. As a result, the season premiere, “Separate Tides” sees us deal with the new status quo. And my God, is it good!

Struggling to Make a Living

The episode starts off with a humorous call-back to the series premiere before Luz recaps the events of “Young Blood, Old Souls.” Now that Eda can’t sell more human junk, the Owl House residents have to take up odd jobs to make ends meet; as of now, they’re working as bounty hunters. Yet the show makes it clear that things aren’t looking good for anyone.

Firstly, we see Eda and Lilith trying to come to terms that they can’t use magic like other Witches anymore. As a result, any respect they had is all but gone; I’m not even sure if Eda’s wanted anymore! To make matters worse, the two have to spend their meager money to provide for Luz, as there isn’t much food on the Boiling Isles her body can digest. In other words, times are tough, and its taking a toll on everyone.

The episode sees the members of the Owl House cope with the loss of income and their main provider’s handicap in their own way. Eda resorts to stealing, like she would. Lilith has an identity crisis whilst simultaneously trying to prove her worth to everyone, leading to a fight with flaming bees and an odd friendship with Hooty. And Luz? Luz handles things her way: by doing something reckless.

A Newer, Slightly More Serious Luz

At her core, Luz remains the same bright and optimistic person she was in the series premiere. As the episode continues, though, we see that part of that may be a façade. Nearly losing her mentor and losing her only means to return to Earth took a major toll on her mind. Thus, when she decides to head out to sea cosplaying as a Team Aqua grunt to catch the biggest bounty she can find, she only brings King to help her. Other than that, she’s alone.

This isn’t the first time Luz has done something dangerous on her own. However, this time it’s not about her being naïve and reckless, but her trying to keep her found family safe. In the episode’s climax, Luz and Eda have an argument over why the former did this behind her back. Luz frustratingly admits that she blames herself for the state Eda’s in. As a result, she’s starting to push her loved ones away to protect them.

This reversal of ways of thinking wasn’t lost on me, and I hope that other fans would recognize it, as well. Luz starts to become a loner like Eda, but thankfully, Eda talks some sense into her as she reminds her ward how she got her to open up to others. She even managed to start mending her relationship with her sister. In other words, Luz brought out the best in the Owl House residents. By the end of the episode, the two reconcile with what happened, and they find some resources that will keep them financially secure for a while.

I LOVE THE GOLDEN GUARD

There’s one other thing that merits discussion about this episode, and it’s Belos’ new right-hand man, that guy in the owl mask that got everybody talking. We finally know what to call him: the Golden Guard! According to Lilith, he’s a teen prodigy whose already made it into the Emperor’s Coven. With her gone, it’s likely that he’s now in charge, making him one of the main antagonists of the series.

I will be blunt: I LOVE THE GOLDEN GUARD! He’s voiced by an up-and-coming young voice actor by the name of Zeno Robinson. Disney fans may recognize him as the voice of Remy on their other cartoon, Big City Greens, while anime fans may know as Goh in the Pokémon franchise, Hawks from My Hero Academia, and more. In short, he’s someone to watch out for, and it’s clear he’s giving it his all as the Golden Guard.

In contrast to the no-nonsense Lilith and the menacing Belos, the Golden Guard is very much affably evil. He’s goofy, energetic, and a jokester who spends his time onscreen trolling Luz, Eda, and King. Despite his laidback attitude, though, he makes it clear why Belos trusts him so much. He manages to effortlessly curb-stomp Eda and Luz, the latter of whom demonstrates throughout the episode how skilled she’s gotten at glyph magic. In the end, the only reason the group even gets home is because he let them do so. In other words, this guy’s trouble.

The Owl House Off to A Great S2

To sum up my thoughts and feelings, The Owl House is already off to a great second season. It doesn’t waste any time with bringing us up to speed on the new status quo, it builds on the world of the show with a new threat, and has the characters deal with recent events in a meaningful and realistic fashion. It also makes clear that it’s not going to be as light-hearted as Season One.

The first season was meant to build up the world of the show. Now that that’s done, Dana and her team look ready to give us the meat of the story. And given how the final shot of the episode ends with Belos standing next to a repaired door to Earth, things are going to be big.

If you haven’t already watched The Owl House, then now’s the perfect time to get caught up with it. The entire first seasons’ on Disney+, and I cannot recommend it enough. Go watch it, you guys! It’s worth your time.

I Give “Separate Tides” a 4/5

Click here to see my other animation stuff.