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Is
Another Mystery
With how much the status quo has been shaken up, other
subplots introduced this season start taking a backseat. One of them is the theme of the prejudices
that the monsters get from Mewmans. It’s
very admirable that Star has noticed what’s wrong with monsters’ treatment
which no one else ever has. That said,
it’s also pretty frustrating that the prejudices exist through no strong reason to be this harsh on monsters and turning against them even after legit bonding. This episode being the last
time the theme is a direct focus for now features believable after effects to how
bad the prejudices have become despite Star’s efforts.
A few episodes back, it seemed like a step in
the right direction when Star appointed Buff Frog as the new royal monster
expert. I mean, it goes without saying
that an expert on monsters should be an actual monster. However, concerns arise when it’s discovered
that Buff Frog has left his post without warning. A letter of the news being legible when
that’s not the case from Buff Frog and his home being a mess get Star to fear
the worst. For that, she spends much of
the episode searching for him and trying to find out who may have captured
him. On a side note, the dynamic is
shaken up a bit with Tom joining her on the mission. Even if it’s clear that part of the reason
he’s joining her is to be a better sidekick than Marco, it hardly matters
because Tom still puts in a strong effort to be a good help. There are also a few times when he’s set up
to lose his temper, but he impressively has his emotions under control. This even applies to when he freaks out when
he and Star are caught in burlap sacks due to claustrophobia. It’s interesting that this situation is still
not enough to make Tom lose it the way he usually would.
However, it’s after this scene when both Star
and Tom finally find Buff Frog and learn what’s really going on with him. The prejudices have become so bad that he and
all the monsters feel that the best thing for them to do is leave Mewni. This is among the biggest of all possible
after effects of how worse their treatment has gotten and the idea of feeling
an entire race or species needs to disappear is sad by itself. Tom does give a passionate speech about how
the monsters shouldn’t run away from their problems since things are getting
better as well as show some understanding.
After all, Tom has some monster in him too. This is certainly him at his most helpful,
but it doesn’t affect the monsters at all because of the ridiculous standards
that rich monsters get a free pass. That
said, this decision could have been even more emotional if we saw what Buff
Frog’s position as royal monster expert was like in previous episodes. He mentions that people are still scared of
him, but showing it is far more powerful than saying it. The fact that he’s just abandoning his new position
without time to see what it’s like makes the decision feel pointless in spite
of all the promise it had.
Basically,
the monsters being led to leave is a believable emotional outcome, but certain
decisions hold it back from being as emotional as it could have been. Still, I admire the efforts of showing the
harsh outcomes of a serious issue and the
enjoyable character chemistry throughout.
Overall, it’s a pretty strong story for what it is.
A-
Marco Jr.
This episode is the only other time this season where the
main setting is Echo Creek. While much
of the cast who live there have more or less been cast aside, it’s good to know
that there are still some characters there who have stories to tell.
In this case, the characters are Marco’s
parents, Rafael and Angie, who express believable behavior over their son suddenly leaving home and never visiting until now. As a matter of fact, it’s very apparent when
Star and Marco arrive at the Diaz household holding a baby shower. The real kicker comes when it’s quickly
revealed that the reason for celebration is that Marco’s parents are the ones
having the baby, whom they name Marco Jr.
It’s pretty huge that Marco’s departure was so big that Rafael and Angie
were actually moved to mate again. While
this move is a kind of crazy to take in, it is somewhat of a welcome wake-up
call for Marco. For all his time as
Star’s squire among other official business in Mewni, it honestly wasn’t a good
move to be this neglectful with checking up on his family.
He does, however, have a good plan to make up
for this by getting the new baby the perfect gift. By that, I mean one to ensure Marco Jr. will
always remember his big brother who may not be around much. Then apparently, one episode at Quest Buy was
not enough for this season as Marco goes there to find a gift. I question the
logic since several past experiences now have showed these gifts are far too
dangerous. Anyway, he finds an artist
who does self-portraits which seems to be the perfect gift to ensure Marco will
be remembered as well as one that doesn’t seem too dangerous. The practice involves Marco filling out a
questionnaire so the artist can work off the answers, and apparently, Marco’s
answers make for a very odd-looking painting.
I personally can’t say it’s bad since, when all is said and done, art is
subjective, but it makes sense that everyone is creeped out by the final
product. However, it doesn’t stop there
via after effects suitable for Quest Buy’s shady past.
Not only does Marco’s self-portrait look very
strange, but the real Marco soon starts resembling it, right down to losing his
depth. It’s a very creative outcome for
sure, but even nicer is that for how effected they are by their firstborn’s
absence, Rafael and Angie do what they can to change him back. They go back to Quest Buy to get
the artist to fix him, only to realize that only the right answers on that same
questionnaire can save him. Marco has a
chance to do it since he did kind of rush through it the first time, but he
can’t control his hands, so someone else has to take it for him.
You’d thinks his own parents can do it, but
it really goes to show how out of touch they really are with their own
son. They’re unable to give a good answer
to any of the questions. In fact, only
Star can answer everything about Marco flawlessly which successfully gets him
back to normal. Still, Marco’s parents
not knowing much about him is pretty sad, kind of like a dysfunctional family
you have to look deep into to see the issues.
While it is nice that the Diazs promise to stay in touch more at the
end, the promise isn’t followed up on, at least for the rest of this
season.
This is another plot point
introduced here but has to rely on future seasons to truly develop it. Maybe it would be better if both the new baby
and Marco checking up on his family was slightly mentioned a bit so it would be
easier to look forward to what becomes of these events. For this episode, even if following events
hold it back, it’s still an interesting story of estranged family dynamics.
A-
The Ranking
- Butterfly Trap
- Total Eclipsa the Moon
- Moon the Undaunted
- Deep Dive
- Stranger Danger
- Sweet Dreams
- Return to Mewni
- Rest in Pudding
- Night Life
- Demoncism
- Toffee
- Monster Bash
- Is Another Mystery
- Marco Jr.
- Club Snubbed
- Puddle Defender
- Sophomore Slump
- Starfari
- Lint Catcher
- Princess Turdina
- Ludo, Where Art Thou?
- Scent of a Hoodie
- King Ludo
- Marco and the King
- Death Peck
- Book Be Gone
- The Bogbeast of Boggabah
- Stump Day
- Trial by Squire
- Lava Lake Beach
- Holiday Spellcial
- Ponymonium
The next Star vs the Forces of Evil review showcases Meteora's first attack, and being trapped in a photo booth gets Star and Marco to share their true feelings for each other.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews are two great Hey Arnold cartoons "Monkeyman" and "Buses, Bikes, and Subways."
If you would like to check out other Star vs the Forces of Evil reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
