#episode discussions

[koalathebear]

Video: Maxton Hall - Scene Discussion: The Dance (episode 3, season 1)

I've been doing a few short videos to discuss why I liked certain scenes in the series.

I did a really short one for when James sees Ruby at Cyril's party .. but this is a slightly longer one about why I really liked their actual dance scene together.

The dance scene in a teen drama is such an overdone trope and can be super cringe and awful .. but I really liked this one and thought it was done really engagingly and in a way that progressed their relationship.

Spoilers for episode 3 and a reference to episode 6.

[cursed-appleblood]

S1-E1: A Lying Witch and a Warden Analysis

A Lying Witch and A Warden demonstrates one of the most crucial aspects of The Owl House; Getting across a lot of information in a short amount of time.

This is the first of what will hopefully, eventually, cover every episode of the series. At least for now, this will be about interpreting each episode on their own, as one would a short story, and seeing what it has to say.

The opening scene shows Luz remonstrated by her mother and principal for a chaotic presentation about her favorite book, conveying how her passion for fiction and creativity are in conflict with the expectations from authority figures in her life.

This episode hinges on key symbols, as is traditional good storytelling in the medium of 20 minute animated shows. Creators want to express what the character is going through visually, and create literal situations and objects to represent internal and abstract conflicts. Gravity Falls did this too, almost to a formula, in a way that I find useful as a baseline. But I digress.

The book the presentation was about, The Good Witch Auzora, is a symbol for everything positive and joyous about fantasy and fiction. Throughout the show, Luz embracing Auzora are linked to moments of empowerment, liberation, joy and freedom (see: NOW EAT THIS SUCKA!!!), whereas discarding it is meant to show Luz giving up, her depression and resigned conformity. Luz is emotionally attached to the book, and it played an important role in her development. We learn later in the show that the book was a gift from her late father, which both re-contextualizes the book as a link to her father, and subtextually states that her father understood and nurtured his daughter's creativity. What Auzora represents throughout the series is really rich, and I appreciate its symbolic use throughout the series.

The other main symbol in this episode is the Reality Check summer camp Camilla intends to send Luz to, which represents, quite blatantly, the pressure to fit in to the crowd, abandon uniqueness, whether inherent or purposeful, and keep one's creativity in check. This serves both as a plot device to explain why Luz can disappear from the human realm as well as symbolizing the main problem in Luz's life. In the climax of the episode, the Conformitorium is a parallel to Reality Check camp- the logical extreme of that idea, a literal dungeon where individuals are incarcerated for harmless but unconventional traits.

"None of you actually did anything wrong, you're just a bunch of weirdos... like me." / "Let this be a lesson to all of you: There's no place in society for you if you can't fit in."

The climax of the episode allows Luz to battle a literal manifestation of her conflict, and in doing so proves her belief of the intrinsic value of weirdness and sticking with other outcasts. She then literally chooses between the two symbols, freedom of expression and authenticity vs the conventional route and pleasing the people who don't understand her.

In summary, I think this episode showcases how effective metaphor and symbols can be in short form storytelling. It allows the audience to understand what meaningful decisions Luz is making in a simple and deliberate way.

In the first minutes of the episode, it's showed through montage and dialogue that Luz does not fit in with her peers due to her weirdness. I would say it is not just that Luz is "weird", but it's a combination of these personality traits: Out of the Box Thinking, Commitment to the Bit, and Lack of Social Awareness. She gets an idea ("what if I made a baby griffin model?"), commits to it completely ("well, it'll need spider breath to be anatomically correct- I should fill it with living spiders!"), and doesn't understand/see what will make others uncomfortable (this point is just apparent in the entire montage- she doesn't consider a spider infestation might upset her class, like how she doesn't understand flipping her eyelids will gross people out, because she's so interested in what she finds interesting about it).

So Luz uses the escapism of fiction to deal with her social ostracization, because it's an outlet that 1. aligns with her passionate interests and 2. is free of judgement.

I find one line that Eda says particularly interesting: "Every myth you humans have is caused by a little of our world leaking into yours." Initially, PARDON? The canon implications of that are astounding-- but taking it on a narrative level, this kind of means Luz literally stepped into fiction itself, the place where everything fantastical originated from. And this makes sense, as The Boiling Isles allows her to live out her dream of being a witch.

I want to say I'll get better at writing these as I go, but for now this post is like a test of concept. Future episodes will also have more to talk about, of course. But generally, if I can do this for every episode, I'll have a cohesive interpretation of the entire show on stand-by. That's the goal for this project- The Owl House is dense and deliberate, so by looking at it piece by piece, I can see look at what it says without holding a massive amount of information in my mind at once. It will probably take a long time, and probably with long gaps between.

DEVELOPMENT ART:

Interestingly, The Warden's went through a lot of different versions before his final design. They seemed to generally know they wanted a big, broad shouldered, looming guy, but look at all the different mask types and different fashion styles. I think the design + voice combo in the final episode was really effective, as imo he's a really memorable character for such a short appearance. And I think the simplified outfit makes more sense given what he represents.

Scene Art:

losing my mind at these. they're so intricate!! The Boiling Isles art has so much in it, it conveys what I appreciate about the setting- It's not just a random land of various fantasy elements disconnected, it's it's own world with it's own verisimilitude to uphold. The composition of these shots too, really just show the knowledge and skill of the artists on this show.

I also really like that the title of this episode, because yeah, Eda lies constantly in this episode, and I like that it's foreshadowed in the title. I think that's neat.

[ask-the-rag-dolly]

hey guys can you watch over these critters for me thanks

[idiotsonlyevent]

it is completely understandable to be uncomfortable with the sexual assault in dandadan. it's important to discuss how it's framed, whether it's handled poorly, or if it could be been portrayed better. but the number of people - even fans - stating that it is only fanservice, irrelevant, or could be removed is frankly bizarre to for SO many reasons, starting with the fact that this parallel exists.

the anime made it even more obvious by interpolating cuts from the first scene into the second one.

i thought this scene showed that momo gaining her powers by believing in her relationship with her grandmother gives her the strength to fight back against what is basically a horrific, much more aggressive and abstract (maybe even absurd?) representation of her shitty gross ex - who was demanding she 'put out' and pay for the love hotel in very first scene.

while the escalation from one scene to the next is surprising, it's not something that comes out of nowhere. this first scene is meant to be a set-up to what will happen later. it sets the tone, though significantly more lighthearted at this point. it tells you that sex, sexuality, etc. is something dandadan will touch on - though you don't know what the scope and depth will be until later in the chapter.

i cannot recommend this video enough, as it discusses some interesting interpretations of what the serpoians and turbo granny represent in their respective assault scenes, as well as how right now the treatment of both scenes is unfortunately uneven.

more notes about plot and thematic relevance below the cut. spoilers for anime-onlies (up to chapter 8, will probably be covered in episodes 4/5).

momo was assaulted, and almost cut up by the serpoians, much like the other victims turbo granny appeared around. this is an intentional parallel. turbo granny goes to momo because that is what she does. again, SUPER unclear how that factors into turbo granny's assault of ken, but if we keep the video's interpretation of cynicism in mind, it could be related to that; maybe turbo granny has a cynicism toward men - similar to momo in chapter/episode 1 - and this is why she chose to attack ken. unfortunately, it's still too early to really understand and explain a lot of her motivations.

again, completely understandable to not like how the sexual assault was handled or portrayed, and it's important to keep discussing it. but this is what dandadan does for many different types of trauma and difficult life experiences. this is a huge part of dandadan's identity. if you don't like it, that is fine, but calling the sexual assault 'just fan service' is blatantly untrue.

[essektheylyss]

the visceral gut drop of "—and in his place is a gently floating male drow—" vs the absolute giddy high of "—who is no longer Seth. Instead you see, a dark elf—" like, Essek Thelyss really is narratively That Bitch and he sure knows how to make a fucking entrance

[notbecauseofvictories]

Watching this again, it becomes incredibly clear in s3 that Nate is teaching Parker how to run her own crew. He fully anticipates that she will be his legacy, and more than anyone else---more than Sophie or Hardison, more than Eliot (though I would argue that Eliot never even slightly wanted it)---he is teaching her how to take over, think like he thinks and plan like he plans. He fumbles some of the emotional stuff, never actually tells her explicitly...but by the time you reach s3 he's clearly all-in. He's decided. Parker is going to be Nate 2.0, with different more exciting bugs than the 1.0 version.

[egophiliac]

Hi it's just to let you know that the official romanization of Revaan's name is Raverne ! Also they have romanized Baul's name to Baur !

Twst coming back at us again with the least expected romanization! thank you everybody (oh god my inbox) (no it's great, I literally asked for this and the reactions have been INCREDIBLE, thank you all!)

I do like Raverne though, I think it's got a nice fancy sound to it! (I had kinda suspected it was going to be an R instead of an L, so the fact that it's SO close to Laverne except for that is hilarious to me personally.) and Dragoneye Duke is honestly probably the best translation for his title, I wasn't envying the localizers that one. :') Baur instead of Baul I was NOT expecting, but in retrospect I think his name's supposed to be a reference to the Bauru crocodile, so that actually makes way more sense!

someone else also said Meleanor has become Maleanor, which is the REALLY weird one to me, because I was so surprised it was written as Mel instead of Mal in the first place?! oh god no I can't decide which one I like better. 😭 (I wonder if they might change it to Mal...they have made romanization changes before) (like I remember House of Distraction being corrected to House of Destruction in Playful Land) (I did check and she's still Mel for now, but I dunno, they might Mal her up and some point and save me from having to make a decision about which one to use) (HECK I CAN'T DECIDE)

uhhhh thank you for letting me ramble about anime names, let's just say MONOGRAMMED SWEATERS FOR EVERYONE

[verdantglow]

So I just watched Etho's Double Life Episode 5 for the first time & I...

Like. My understanding of this session was from watching Grian's Double Life & I think I watched Pearl's video for it & then everything else is what I've absorbed from fandom.

& two things that I hadn't been expecting based on that knowledge that I got out of Etho's video:

First: Etho trying to extinguish the Relation. Like. They come up on its burning remains & Joel is saying that it's okay, it was really more of a metaphor, they'll be alright, & Etho's just. Stumbling over repeated questions of what they'll be & where they'll be without their Relation as he hops around the remaining blocks, picking up decorations not on fire & putting out whatever blocks he can.

Joel lets it go, accepts that the Relation is gone the moment they get to it & see the damage, & reassures Etho while also plotting revenge. & Etho's in shock & still trying to save it, trying to save this ship Joel built for them, by himself, while Etho was off taking huge risks after making Joel promise not to take any, that Etho came home to & was stunned by its beauty. Etho does not want to let it go, to admit that it was gone. Which brings me to...

Second: Once Etho realizes that's it, the Relation is gone, he's so 110% on board with everything burning, & quite frankly, from his point of view, he is very much the more unhinged one here. Joel might be leading them & announcing that everything burns, but Etho is right behind him, taking flint & steel to anything that'll go up, repeating those words like a mantra.

Joel seems focused on taking out everyone else's bases, but Etho is lighting everything on fire. Any hint of wood on a base? On fire. Trees? On fire. Mobs? On fire. Other red name players? On fire. The grass? On fire. The bridge made of deepslate that's not actually going to burn at all? On fire x6.

Also on fire? Etho. He's so desperate to make the whole server burn, he keeps setting himself on fire in the process & taking surprisingly long to actually extinguish himself. He lighting the ground in front of him & then jumping over the flames & they catch him in the process & he does this like six time in a row while trying to light up a burn proof deepslate bridge. & he only actually pulls out the water bucket a couple of times in the process, just letting himself be on fire.

This man is so hellbent on destruction that he seems to forget his own safety, forget that that is also Joel's safety, & is So. God. Damn. Reckless.

I've read a lot of fic about the Relation burning down & based on every single one of them, I expected Joel to be devastated by its loss, to be inconsolable, to be reckless while Etho comforts & follows along & joins in, because Joel needs this, so maybe Etho does too.

But no, from Etho's own point of view, it is the exact opposite. Etho is devastated, Etho is in shocked, Etho needs to be comforted & reassured. Joel suggests everything burning in response, & yeah, he wants revenge too, but gods. It really feels like he suggests it to give Etho a direction for all those feelings, to give Etho an outlet.

Because while Joel might want revenge, Etho needs it.

[codenameregnar]

Not to be too gushy and take silly gay aliens too seriously, but the fact that I get to type the phrase 'canon Garashir' is so powerful. Especially after decades of two very clearly queer characters being denied their personhood and forced to fit into a heteronormative mold that was so clearly ill fitting, all for the sake of the comfort of bigots. It's such a win and it is more gratifying than I can put to words. And the fact that they're allowed to be happy and comfortable and get to contribute in such meaningful ways withing their lives. It really does feel like every queer and neuro-divergent person who ever saw themselves in such rich and complex characters is now getting told "We really do see all of you. And you deserve a happy ending too."

[owlheartt]

Something I really like about timebomb is that Ekko actually knows what he's getting into.

I'm not really seeing it get talked about but in season 1 they mention that Ekko and the firelights help people addicted to shimmer get off it and lead more fulfilling lives within the community. I should probably rewatch the scene for the exact wording (might be misremembering tbh) but that comment implies A LOT.

First: Ekko's mission is helping people where he can, he would probably try and help Jinx even if he wasn't in love with her

Second: He has experience dealing with severe mental illness as that often goes hand in hand with drug abuse, namely depression/suicidal ideation like what Jinx was exhibiting

Third: He's probably mapped out best course of action FOR dealing with this and has already figured out his own limits/boundaries. Meaning he knew what he was getting into trying to talk Jinx out of suicide, and was thus more equipped to deal with the aftermath

Fourth: He's probably helped ex members of Silco's gang. The firelights seem to have a theme of healing and repairing and recovering, so they've probably also learned to forgive. If they're mission is to rebuild the lanes into a safe space, they can't exclude people they don't like, they have to make room for them. I think they fought Silco out of necessity, and I doubt Jinx would be the first person they help who's killed one of them.

These all might be a bit of a stretch but I think it really fits. Beyond that, it shows that Ekko can ACTUALLY help Jinx. As much as unconditional love can do, Ekko has the tools for Jinx's recovery and a path ready for her. He also probably knows that her "healthy" will look different from AU Powder's "healthy." On top of that, I expect he knows how to respect her even in the middle of psychotic breaks and won't agitate her already frail mental state

[errorkey]

wait i feel like i Need to say something re: the kantbison bondage scene in ep3 part 4

i've been seeing a Lot of people be like "yeah no that scene was really off-putting idk ://"... i think that was the point?

neither of them are actually in the moment. kant is very clearly not enjoying himself At All, and bison is inebriated (and drugged???) past the point of real comprehension.

but that's the thing – that scene isn't about the two of them having sex. it's about them trying to desperately get their hands on what they really want.

the show's established that kant isn't into this stuff in the least (as seen post-fadel's confrontation at the tattoo parlor), but he's willing to suffer through it, to grit his teeth and bear through the quite literal pain. he's willing to do anything, as long as he'll finally be able to get the evidence he needs to be free of these things forever.

on the other hand, we've seen bison state over and over how much he's wanted to do all of this, how he's never been able to find someone to actually hold power over. and now bison – younger brother, "never allowed to make a real decision of his own for even a day in his life" bison – is finally, finally able to take control over someone's life; something that's meaningful, something that matters.

that's exactly why i'd argue that the entire scene isn't meant to be "hot" or "appealing," but rather unsettling and weird (especially with the constant cuts to fadel digging(?) mysteriously in a field, but that's a whole other thing).

TLDR; kantbison's first time may have been passion and lust incarnate, but this one is so far removed from that. because, this time, neither of them actually care about the sex more than about what it means – a means to an end for kant, and a first glimpse at unadulterated power for bison.

[fuckyeahchinesefashion]

OP: Check out. The fully-sexual charged cinematic movement design.

Cnetizens: How did the director come up with the idea to have him kneel on a playing card, adding so much aesthetic energy, is that some kind of genius?

[noheteroexplanation]

– New still of Alicent Hightower and Gwayne Hightower in episode 2x03 "The Burning Mill" from the House or the Dragon Season 2 Companion Book

[spicyvampire]

He sure was using his mouth the whole time [Tharn's version]

THE SIGN (2023) EP. 10 + EP. 9

[drtbrennan]

BONES - 1.09, 'The Man in the Fallout Shelter'

[nellasbookplanet]

I know that after Downfall the perspective of 'the gods are a FAMILY' has permeated fandom on both sides of the kill-all-gods argument, but frankly that isn't all they are and acting as if it's suddenly their only motivation flattens both them as characters and the narrative they (and bells hells) are in.

The Wildmother and The Raven Queen didn't 'let' Lolth get away with nabbing Opal and killing Cyrus because she’s their sister. Come on man, we've already seen that the primes are plenty capable of opposing and fighting their siblings on the side of mortals (is the calamity a joke to you??). I'm not saying the primes aren’t capable of picking the lives of their betrayer siblings over mortals (downfall showed as much) but that's not what the situation with Opal and Lolth was about in the slightest.

They let Lolth 'get away with it' not because she’s family, but because this is the very rare instance of them not only having the same goal, but of them actively fighting for their lives. As far as we know that has only happened once before on Exandria, and that time they also entered a truce to defend themselves. The vast majority of the time, the primes picking their siblings over mortals won’t happen because mortals can’t actually threaten the gods (normally), making the 'they're family argument' a moot point. The primes won’t necessarily agree with Lolth's methods, but they won’t go throwing away both hers and their own champions in a meaningless struggle when they need all their strength to stop the fucking apocalypse.