Friday, January 10, 2020

Escape from the Pie Folk (Star vs the Forces of Evil Season 4 Episode 2) - 'Toon Reviews 38

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Escape from the Pie Folk


It’s certainly an imaginative scenario that pies are involved in the search for Moon, and it makes for a thoroughly entertaining as well as heartwarming episode. 
As the last episode showed, the Pie Folk, living on a distant island called Pie Island, are not to be trusted as shown through the disdain of certain characters, particularly River.  This explains why everyone must where pie-themed disguises in order to blend in and make everyone believe that they’re Pie Folk too.  That said, it’s always hard to tell if they’re genuine or just want to rip other people off when certain Pie Folk offer to help.  Even a pet monkey Marco gets for help constantly has you guessing if he’s here to help or only cares about Marco’s wallet.  This could work as a good sense of mystery to the story, but given the legitimacy of the emotional turmoil, especially for Star, it doesn’t feel appropriate. 
Out of the time spent in the Pie Island square is a connection to one of the established characters in the cast.  When Star, Marco, and River are tricked by the Pie King into being sold to a resident of the island, they’re rescued by former Butterfly Castle jester, Foolduke.  She actually originates from here, and is open about her dislike for the place.  The lead she provides is that the pie crust pattern that led Star to come here is native to Pie Island and not just to Moon, suggesting that she’s not actually here.  Star’s breakdown as they leave reaches further emotional heights as a highly believable reaction to the worst. 
Still there’s hope when Star notices something in a pie scent from a nearby volcano.  It’s the type of pie she remembers her mom making, and sure enough, Moon is there without any trace of memory albeit blissfully making pies.  Star’s happiness of finally finding her mother is understandable, but it’s still hard to see good in just rushing in completely noticed and tying her in a sack.  Surely that can get across the wrong message.  As you could guess, this act gets them spotted as the Pie King brings out a huge pie explaining game changing backgrounds.  One of the Butterfly ancestors, Festivia the Fun, was born a member of the Pie Folk but left behind on Mewni during a carnival.  She ended up being the baby the Magic High Commission swapped Meteora with and gave the royal wand to.  This makes Moon of Pie Folk and she has the right to choose to be with them although given their tendency to lie, it’s hard to tell if this background is true even if it does make sense. 
Anyway, when it looks like Moon chooses to stay making pies, there’s another emotional highlight as Star comes to accept that this is where her mother belongs now.  Out of this though is her sadly singing that pie-making song she remembers from her mom, and for all her amnesia, Moon remembers the lyrics too.  The harmony between mother and daughter as they bake is beautiful, maybe the most beautiful of the series.  Selling the heart is how this little moment gets Moon to see more value in the family she hardly remembers than baking at this random island.  So, following a chase from the unaccepting Pie folk and help from Foolduke, it’s refreshing to see everyone escape safely. Moon confident that she made the right choice in sticking with this family is also perfect for the last scene after everything that’s happened. 
Despite a few questionable moments, this is a strong way to wrap up the missing Moon subplot without having it go on too long powered by emotions and imagination.
A

The Ranking

1.      Escape from the Pie Folk

2.      Butterfly Follies
 
 
Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode which showcases Moon's reactions to Mewni's new regime, and obstacles that get in the way of Star's first attempt at a beach day.
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.

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