#confirmed mr noceda is named manny

[diamondpython00]

Ah, and season 3 of The Owl House begins with an excellent opener. Thanks to Them is out! And despite the fact that no one asked, you get to listen to my thoughts anyway, o mysterious readers of the void. Spoilers - I had a lot of thoughts. Also spoilers - this post is about TOH S3 premiere, Thanks to Them. Don’t read further if you haven’t seen it yet.

First off, the opening sequence was a great reminder of where we were coming into S3, and extends the rain scene enough to give us a sense of how it becomes the post time skip status quo. Speaking of, watching the kids be normal teenagers in the human realm is fantastic, and I love that they’ve gotten quite a bit closer with time. The Owl House has always been good at working within time restraints to still give us the stuff needed to properly tell the story, and this time skip is no exception.

I also love the dive into Luz and Hunter’s relationship Were I to sum their relationship in this episode up, they sometimes enable each other’s worst impulses, but they’re also there for each other’s darkest moments. It’s a satisfying place for them to end up after the relationship building they went through over S2. They’ve both seen the other at their worst, and then decided, grudgingly at first but more readily over time, that they won’t judge each other for it, and that they like each other despite it. They end up as confidants and family by this episode, as verbally confirmed by Luz, and it’s just sweet to see these two care about each other.

And then there’s the dirty goop boy himself, Mr. Phillip “Belos” Wittebane. Still devoted to his plan of witch genocide to save the souls of humanity, and still being a manipulative asshole to just about everyone. He’s certainly hit a low point here - he carries very little of the gravitas and intimidation that he had in seasons 1 and 2, but I don’t terribly mind it. He’s still vindictive, manipulative, and sadistic, despite his reduced power. However, what I do mind is the buildup for him, which segues nicely into my last point.

Ah Disney, you fools. Despite all the positives of this episode, one glaring flaw is evident, and that is this feels like it was supposed to be a full season. No slander intended to Dana and her team, the episode is fantastic full stop. But it’s clear that both the relationships between the main cast and the looming threat of Belos were supposed to be a much more gradual buildup. What we do have ends up feeling a bit rushed - I would have loved to see Amity and Willow rekindle their relationship, Hunter slowly come out of his shell, Vee and Luz explore their new” relationship as sisters, and so much more. It also would have been awesome to get Belos as a creeping horror slowly making himself more and more known, until he finally appears at the mid season finale for S3, possessing Hunter and escaping back to the demon realm. Disney really squandered a lot of potential with this, and I’ll probably be mad about it forever.

Still, no fun going out on a downer note - so I’ll talk about my favorite part of this episode: CAMILA NOCEDA! Hot damn, I knew I was gonna love her as soon as the teaser, and boy my expectations were blown outta the water! Steps right up to hosting six (SIX) teenagers in her house, immediately tries to make them feel like they’re at home, is as patient and kind with her daughter as she can be, watches her daughter and friends fight an honest to god demon (in an excellently animated fight scene btw), and then decides “Uh uh, my daughter is not fighting that alone, I’m going with her to the demon realm, and I’m taking my bat!” What a badass! Man, I am excited for Camila to explore the Demon Realm, meet Eda and the rest, and open a gigantic can of whoop ass on Belos with her bat. See you all for the next episode!