A Night at
the Inn
It’s pretty impressive that much of these cartoons can work in dark atmospheres to their stories but also keep within the principle light-hearted character-driven tone. This cartoon follows this setup very well, and it comes together to satisfying effect, particularly for the main character followed in this scenario.
After a long day of traveling to a pass that could potentially help Anne get home, which ends up still being blocked off, the Plantars run into snail trouble out on the road. In the process, there’s build up to the character getting the most attention this time around. For the most part, Polly hasn’t really gotten many starring roles or development this season. This isn’t a huge problem since she’s still very likable and well-defined as a character, being very charismatic and self-aware for just a young tadpole. However, it’s her status as a little tadpole that makes her feel looked down upon here. She wants to join Anne and Sprig for adventures, but Hop Pop says that’s not for kids her age. When the family is stranded on the road, her offer to go under Bessie to find the problem is shot down. This feels very believable and natural when it comes to things the youngest in a family have to deal with, although it does devalue past events where others feel she has good sense.
These feelings continue when the Plantars are offered a place to stay for the night at a local inn, the frogs running it appearing warm and inviting. As another show of a desire for independence, Polly wants her own room, but once again, Hop Pop feels she isn’t old enough for that. Honestly, Polly seems easier to side with here, as even little kids deserve their own space. It seems like Polly is about to finally get her chance when she finds another room connected to Hop Pop’s, the experience helped by Hop Pop falling asleep fairly quickly. This makes Polly free to enjoy her own space for once, her very joy being a particular delight.
However, she begins noticing frightening things while alone. This may make a waste of her sympathy earlier, but this turns out to lead to something bigger, i.e. legitimate frights. She goes to Anne and Sprig and finds that they’ve both mysteriously disappeared.
Then she finds one of the frogs running the inn about to kill her, which certainly is not a normal occurrence. Finally, she escapes through the vents and overhears the truth. The inn is actually a trap where frogs’ vehicles are purposefully broken down and they’re invited in where they’re fed cookies that knock them out, freeing them to be eaten by cannibals. That’s a major dark turn to this simple setup which certainly provides welcome weight.
It also makes Polly’s actions stand out more. As she didn’t eat those cookies, she’s able to save her family before the cannibals have a chance to cook them. There’s a mad dash out of inn along with Anne beating the cannibals with the good old vinegar and baking soda chemistry experiment. As for Polly, the conclusion balances perspectives where she proved her independence when saving everyone, but decides to spend the night with Hop Pop for emotional reasons. She’s fully capable of doing big things, but is willing to stick with her family, which is only enhanced by Anne and Sprig joining her and Hop Pop after the traumatic adventure.
For a good mix of character charm and dark
elements, this cartoon really fits the criteria for something great.
A
Wally and
Anne
One of the most appreciative elements of this series’ continuity is how it’s consistent with Anne’s respect amongst the frogs. She first came as a natural outsider based on her species, but events got her a good reputation amongst the unique community. Naturally, she would want to do everything she can to maintain this reputation, but here she gets a beneficial lesson through an adventure with the first frog she met, One-Eyed Wally.
To start the cartoon, she sees a figure walking around simply known as the Moss Man. However, when she tells of her findings, no one believes her, and this includes the Plantars. Now, the Plantars not believing her is a particular sore spot for me for this cartoon. I mean, they’re the ones who understand and respect Anne the most, yet when she tells of the Moss Man, they’re quick to dismiss her. In fact, at times they feel downright relentless with their teasing which really doesn’t sit well. Maybe they have a point with Anne focusing too much on little things like Moss Men, but they should still have some understanding of where she comes from. At least her frustrated reactions are pretty funny.
As for how Wally fits into this, the Plantars believe that if Anne keeps her Moss Man claims up, she’ll be labeled a total weirdo, like Wally. Having just gotten respect from the town, Anne refuses this fate, and goes to get photographic evidence of the Moss Man with Wally coming along, claiming he’s seen it too.
Along the way though, both characters have a healthy bonding experience. Anne may be focused on her reputation and Wally may be a highly eccentric vagabond, but they do have good chemistry. Wally is active when saving Anne’s life and phone along dangerous cliffs, and they both have civil conversations about matters of judgement. Wally’s advice to Anne on that even comes with something meaningful where how he shouldn’t worry so much about what other people think. I know from experience that can be a hard thing for anyone to do, so even a grown person like myself can find value in his words.
Then comes the big moment where Anne finally spots the Moss Man and is ready to get a photo of it. In the process, she lets slip that she’s ready to do this so no one will think she’s anything like Wally. Understandably, Wally is hurt by these words, but luckily Anne is quick to realize her fault. She really did enjoy her time with him, and her apology comes from the heart.
Plus, with a callback to an earlier elaborate handshake, Wally sees that she really meant well. They still try to photograph the Moss Man, but then Wally is knocked off a cliff. To seal her development from the adventure, Anne chooses saving Wally’s life over her reputation. She’s legitimately realized what’s more important, and it’s rewarding to see her befriend Wally as well as she does considering how they first met. People end up saying she’s odd in the end, but this time, Anne isn’t letting that bother her, which is a good place to come to. The Plantars egg on the possibility of her just playing brave, but it at least comes with an amusing moment of her faking monstrous rage to get them going.
Still, it feels like something was gained
from this unlikely bond, and one that can benefit everyone watching, presenting
this show as universal.
A
The Ranking
1. Toad Tax
2. Anne vs
Wild
3. The Domino
Effect
4. Prison
Break
5. Contagi-Anne
6. Best Fronds
7. Family
Shrub
8. Hop-Popular
9. Wally and
Anne
10. A Night at
the Inn
11. Lily Pad
Thai
12. Dating
Season
13. Anne or
Beast?
14. Snow Day
15. Civil Wart
16. Stakeout
17. Croak and
Punishment
18. Taking
Charge
19. Flood,
Sweat, and Tears
20. Trip to the
Archives
21. Anne Theft
Auto
22. Hop Luck
23. Hop Pop and
Lock
24. Plantar’s
Last Stand
25. Girl Time
26. Breakout
Star
27. Grubhog Day
28. Cane Crazy
29. Sprig vs
Hop Pop
30. Cracking
Mrs. Croaker
The next Amphibia review covers a simple family fishing trip that's important to Sprig, and Anne and Sprig attend a bazar that could offer long-awaited answers on Anne's music box.
Next time on MC Toon Reviews is the iconic episode of The Owl House, "Enchanting Grom Fright."
If you would like to check out other Amphibia reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.
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