The First Day
In
addition to Luz’s growth as a witch, it’s important to see how this show
highlights her growth as a character.
For that, the biggest benefit to this episode is how it features her at
her most developed at this point as she finally begins official enrollment at Hexside magic
school.
Following
an amusing entrance exam which Luz passes despite undeniable awkwardness from
her two spells, she slowly experiences Hexside’s educational system. As she’s always been keen on becoming a
witch, she’s set to learn as all kinds of magic there is. However, there’s also a noticeable layer of
growth as she goes about her first day.
She looks back at her days at her human school and how she could never
make a good impression. Now that she’s
in an environment that suits her interests, she hopes to change all that while
being a part of a magic school.
Even
so, it isn’t long before she discovers a catch to her learning goals. As part of the strict magic system that’s
been frequently discussed, Principal Bump says that Luz can only choose one
track to learn from. At random
selection, he decides what track Luz will take, and it seems like that’s all
Luz will be doing. It’s nice that Luz
makes a commendable effort to stick with the plan and not cause trouble, but
her desires to do more are clear and make her sympathetic. I certainly don’t see anything wrong with
wanting to learn more. In fact, the
thing that gets her in trouble is probably the most innocent thing she’s
done. She takes interest in another
track by holding an oracle’s crystal ball when she’s supposed to be learning
potions, and Bump deems her a troublemaker for that. She doesn’t even break the crystal ball. When Bump responds by putting Luz in the
detention track where she’s not allowed to learn any magic, you can easily feel
for Luz, for this really doesn’t seem fair.
While
in detention though, Luz learns that she’s not alone in wanting to do more than
one magic. She meets a group of outcast
students also deemed troublemakers, Viney, Jarco, and Barcus, who ended up in
detention for similar reasons. A montage
shows that they’re in here merely for experimenting with different kinds of
magic, and that was enough for Bump to see the worst in them. With the atmosphere set up as unfair for all
these characters, they’re instantly a likable cast to follow. Plus, they have an enjoyable dynamic as they
find ways to make the most of their situation.
With their teacher falling asleep so easily, they’re free to study the
magic they wish and even explore secrets of their classroom. The latter element especially astounds with
secret chalkboard passages, and a room full of doors that serve as shortcuts to
various places in the school. Most of those doors lead to gags, but some lead
to interesting character reveals, like one Luz opens to find Amity wondering
how them going to the same school will change things. It’s a little thing that says a lot about
their already appealing dynamic and proves that even when Amity has very little
to do in an episode, she’s still very fascinating.
Anyway,
Luz being understood by this group of students seems very refreshing after what
she’s been through. However, before she
can really call herself one of them, Willow and Gus show up on cue revealing
they’re here to get her out and convince Bump she deserves better than
detention. The detention track kids
overhear this, and like Bump, assume the worst in Luz. This is a very unpleasing story direction and
frankly a forced way to bring about drama.
They overhear one comment about Luz’s initial feelings about the
detention track, don’t consider that they changed, and don’t give Luz a chance
to explain herself. All it does is make
the atmosphere feel unfair for Luz, for now it seems that she doesn’t belong in
the school environment, or even this one group of rebels.
Fortunately, the story offers a good and frankly exciting way to redeem everyone. On this day, Hexside is to host an inspection to get grant money from the Emperor’s Coven. However, this turns out to be a ruse as the inspector turns out to be a monster known as a Basilisk. Its power is to go completely rogue and suck magic out of unsuspecting students no matter who they are. This gives the episode a chance to pick up in fast-pace, stakes, and tone, and Luz to take action when she and detention track kids are the only ones standing. Commendably, when Luz assesses the situation, they drop their grudge and listen to what she has to say. In her own ways, Luz boosts morale by convincing the group that what they do may be against the rules, but they’re the best thing to do while everyone else is getting hurt. There’s a great display of talents from all the students as their magic mixing beats the Basilisk and gets everyone their magic back.
Plus, out of this is a rewarding payoff afterwards. Bump is
ready to give the detention track kids an even bigger punishment as he still
holds to the ways of the coven system, but Luz stands up for them with one big
point. The efforts to maintain order
don’t seem worth it if other students get hurt, or in the detention gang’s case
feel hurt by starting their own secret group. When you think about it, this is a subject that can be said for the grand scheme of much of this entire show.
Also in good fortune, Bump understands this and agrees there’s nothing
wrong with them wanting to learn more than one type of magic. Luz even gets her wish to learn a little bit
of everything, complete with a pleasing magical transformation into a
multi-colored uniform. Admittedly, it
doesn’t feel natural that Bump would turn around after one speech, but after
everything that’s happened, it’s the best thing one can ask for. You might even argue that this is the start
of a broader wakeup call to the flaws in the coven system.
Aside
from some uncomfortably unfair moments, this is a worthy start to a new area of
Luz’s time on the Boiling Isles. She
herself is true to her passions as well as determined to move past earlier
flaws, other characters have endearing moments, the climax is fun, and there’s
even solid comedy all throughout, particularly from a few scenes of King as a
teacher. It all comes together as a
well-told episode about new beginnings, positive developments, and genuine
promise for the future.
A
Fan Art
The Ranking
1. Lost in Language
2. Adventures in the Elements
3. The Intruder
4. Covention
5. Escape of the Palisman
6. The First Day
7. I Was a Teenage Abomination
8. Witches Before Wizards
9. Something Ventured, Someone Framed
10. A Lying Witch and a Warden
11. Sense and Insensitivity
12. Hooty’s Moving Hassle
13. Once Upon a Swap
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