Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 13 -- "Bon Bon the Birthday Clown"

HOLY. MOTHER. OF. CHRIST.



I had no idea what to expect in this episode, and now I have some many more questions waiting to be answered.

But first, let's talk a bit about Bon-Bon himself.
He's such an adorable, lovable, happy-go-lucky clown. Too bad his luck ran out with some trick candles. Before he passed on, he promised he'll be back in 100 years.
Too bad he got the short end as the episode continued.

Star and Janna want to go to a seance to see Bon-Bon rise for the dead, while Marco wants to go to the school dance with Jackie Lynn. Things get hazy from there.

During the scene when Jackie and Marc met in their fanciest duds, my heart melted and teared up a bit. But (as my Jarco/Marckie side) as happy as I was to see them together for the dance (and later date, as Jackie wanted to blow the dance), I (as my Starco side) felt super sad for Star. And this happiness and sadness continued later on during (respectively) Jarco's date and Star and Janna's Bon-Bon seance.
Seeing Star use her powers to sneak a peek, and then make Jarco trip made my jaw drop. And when they kissed, my happy/sad emotions intensified (to the point I nearly had both a moment of ecstasy and an ulcer). And ain't no telling what Star would've felt had she watched a bit longer. I really felt heartbroken for our heart-cheeked heroine. She had just had feelings for our cool-as-a-cucumber co-hero, and now they're towards. Now I wonder what her feelings for Oskar Greason will be like going forward (what will be his reaction). Also, the Blood Moon shone for the first time since "Blood Moon Ball"; when I saw it, my eyes widened. Remember when the moonlight shined on Starco, it was like it was meant to be. And now, it seems like they may be the Official Couple. (I'm very happy; but I wouldn't hold out my breath if it doesn't last.)

When the seance seems to have worked...in comes Ludo. (may I curse here, please? Thank you.) Holy Shit. (I know when I saw his rat army, it had to be him, but still...) His surprise return to Earth was really that, and the ensuing fight with Star has to their best yet. It was heavy, it was intense, it was eye-opening; and--thanks to peeking at Jarco's night out, it was emotional.
Then when Star was close to ending up in the void, I was clenching my teeth to point of almost breaking them. When Marco, Jackie and Janna saved her, he picked her up, asked if she was okay...and then quickly moves over to Jackie Lynn.
That face she made will make almost anyone vulnerable. Half as vulnerable as she was.

I never realized I had so many feel from a show of any kind in a long time, and this episode unleashed them for me. And I say this considering the fact that we were supposed to be looking forward to the rising return of Bon-Bon the Birthday Clown. I mean his name was the title of the episode, and he was supposed to be the first thing to look out for. But because of the forming love triangle, the resulting feels, Glossaryck's shade-y mouth, Janna's craftiness and the return of Ludo, all of that pushed Bon-Bon to the end of the list, just like the fight pushed him to the void. Damn. I feel so guilty.

Random Thoughts:
--Principal Skeeves and Miss Skulltroll--uhh, Skullnick return briefly during the dance scene. Nice to see them again. Oh and, don't dance close, cause Miss Skull won't have it.
--Recognize that piece of music playing while Marc is sulking with tortilla chips in "Blood Moon Ball"? It's played here as well during his grooming session, and someone else is sulking. (By the way, I need to try out that deodorant phrase he said).
--Since Janna is featured more, I can't wait for more stalking and breaking into people'
s things. seems perfect as the group's safe cracking member.
--There are comments in the fan page saying that Marco was more positive to Star's outfit for a dance than he was for Jackie's. Really throws me for a loop.
--This episode was a real ship-fest. But I feel this was a troll's work by the writer's staff to screw over both ship-bases to focus on the story. If so, then...well done, writers. You sure schemed a good twist of the knife. Now please, on behalf of us all...stop.

Fave Moments:
Hard to say which ones over others, so the whole episode

Oh yeah, and because Ludo now has Star's spell book (to her painful sadness) and him in his possession, Glossaryck has now gone to the dark side. HOLY. FUCK.

This episode left me so emotional and conflicted, that I'm gonna stop the review-a-day stunt for now. I know, I wanted to review Star. vs. Season 2 every day during the month of July, but getting these reviews done and posted at the very end of the day took some strength out of me. It's the hardest working I've been in a long while, and I've been wasting the time barely getting them done and posting them. And since this episode was the winter finale, it seems like the right time. So starting next week or so, I'll review the last nine episodes in sequence, just like I've been posting them across this month (and just so you know, episodes 1 (already posted) & 2 (not posted yet) will be in the list as well. Thank ypu for your understanding.

And to end it here, thank you all for joining me here. Special shout-out to the SvtFoE Wikia page for everything here. Much appreciated.

I hope you guys join next week for the next nine Reviews of the last nine (or ten) episodes of Star vs. The Forces of Evil Season Two. Hopefully, those reviews aren't as mind-numbing messes.

For now, This is Andrew, saying
"Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up! ...at your [whatever is your] screen."

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 12 -- "Page Turner / Naysaya"

Hello, friends. Star vs. Review time!

Let's kick it off with an episode with our favorite 500+-year-old magic-spell-book genie with no shortage of shade and smarmy and a shortage of robe covering too little, Glossaryck. It's

Episode 12a - "Page Turner"
Our good pal Glossy's going to a major appointment.
I was ready to dismiss it as filler with a character either not a lot of people like or lots of people like in small doses. (I'm in the latter camp.)
But then, it surprised me in being really good towards the end. Glossy gave some important info,  he gave a big speech in which he'll do his job his way (he sure did by breaking the), we got a nice fight scene with kicking major butt against one of the members of the HMC, and a big glimpse of: Toffee, some corn (definitely involving Ludo), Queen Moon showed up and showed worry in her daughter,,

Glossaryck has shown to be a more better character than ever before, and it's given him much more respect from me.

Star's subplot was fine. Aside from her doing what Glossaryck told her not to do, she learned a major spell by having Marc do it for her. And seeing Marco perform the spell was...well, you know. (ba-dum-TISS)

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a lot to look out for later on. And it's thanks to this really good episode based around a character we're mixed about.


Random Thoughts:
--That Sean character definitely looks like he should be on Happy Tree Friends. He was pretty charming though; must be the voice.
--Marco has his first chest hair. Whoo-hoo
--

--

Fave Moments:
--Glossy's Ascent into the Top Floor
--Glossy's Fight Against Lekmet (and handing him his ass0
--Glossy's "I Do Things My Way" Speech
--Marco's Learning a Spell Successfully

--

And now from one surprisingly good episode to another.

Episode 12b - "Naysaya"

Marco wants to ask out Jackie Lynn, but a magical vestigial twin called Naysaya has been ruining his plan by openly blurting out his most embarrassing personal secrets and tics. Thanks to a dick move by Tom after "Blood Moon Ball" (and before they got on equal footing), Marc now has to get used to (for now) .

Now, we all have some tics and secrets we find embarrassing. I have several believe it or not. And in any sense, we keep them secret at all costs. And there's always that one time it's spilled by someone we know. So I guess this is relate-able in that sense. Especially when there's a girl or guy you like that you want to take out; those can be very hard.

Naysaya  is very campy, very funny character--even though his purpose was to slip out Marc's insecurities. His demeanor is akin to a mean high school girl, and his delivery akin to Stewie Griffin circa after he became gay (yes, the one-year-old). But it was still entertaining to watch. Even when he ate cereal for the first time, gross as it was, it was still funny.

Seeing Marco fight Naysaya's urges to reach Jackie Lynn by revealing his embarrassing secrets was sweet and humbling. He really likes Jackie and really wants to take her out, so his determination was top-notch (and seeing Star [whom may still have that crush on him] and Janna [whom may still be stalking him] cheering him.

And so, Marco finally gets a date with Jackie and we go

This was a real good episode. I enjoyed a lot more than "Page Turner" (in the fact that I didn't hate it at first, THEN love it). It was much funnier to me, and had a plot I could relate to (in that we all have insecurities and secrets we need to be gone, not that most of us have a magical vestigial twin that reveals such insecurities and secrets like a more female Wendy Williams), and also has a satisfying ending (for both casual fans and especially Jarco/Mackie shippers--me included...at the moment).

This was a fine episode overall. Very entertaining throughout, some good character development here and there, and some more exciting plot build-up more of this season.

Thanks again for popping in.
I'll be back tomorrow with my thoughts on Episode 13, and the first half-hour episode of Season 2:
"Bon-Bon the Birthday Clown".

See you then!

I'm Andrew, saying
"Reach for the Star, and {like Glossy reaching the top of the Bureaucracy} Keep Looking Up! ...at your [tablet] screen."

TT is for Toony Tuesday Twenty17: F is for Family -- S2 is for Season Two

WARNING: This review contains major spoilers. Please do not read if you haven’t watched even half of this season yet. If you do and you complain to me, I will find you, grab you and put you through that f*ckin’ wall! (okay, not really. ...maybe.)



When I began watching this series, I was irritated...and then surprised. I actually enjoyed this show. At times very raunchy and really funny, at times very moving and VERY heartbreaking.
Since watching Season One in January 2016, I’ve become a fan. And even though I can breeze through the whole thing a lot, the fact that I had to wait about a full 18 months for the next season annoyed me so much, I wanted to put myself through a f*ckin’ wall.

And now, finally, it’s back for another season. And I’m pleased.
What it turned out to be is another story.

It’s F is for Family - Season Two.

There were a few storylines in this season that interested me the most:
--After losing his job on Christmas Eve night, our foul-mouthed, short-fused, but loving and caring(ish?) protagonist Frank is down and out -- depressed, hurt beyond all belief and pretty much close to an invalid, especially after seeing a commercial for his former employer Mohican Airways. But after being replaced in his former position by Roger Dunbarton’s mentally insane nephew Scoop, his ex co-workers want him back, even Bob Pogo--whom I thought his super-fat ass would freeze to death at the end of last season. Well, after losing weight from his camel hump full of leftovers. Oh well. Fortunately, Frank gets his buds to talk to him again.
--Sue is now a high-seller at Plast-a-ware. But because she packs products to herself and sends them to crazy, hostile  annoying people...and she hates it. Then she creates a new device to dry wet salad, like the salad spinner. (In fact, it's literally the salad spinner.) And her friend Vivian gives her what could be something to change her and family's lives forever: a meeting with the company's founder. And it all goes bad from here.
This storyline highlights the real-life problem of sexual harassment in the workplace. It was at times funny, and at times heart-wrenching to see our favorite housewife turned courageous businesswoman break down from the shitstorms of her chauvinistic male co-workers. Then there's a hope spot for her but I'll get to that later on.
--Bill is just a shy, timid little boy, thrust into the world only to be beaten, embarrassed, humiliated, heartbroken and traumatized by it with things he really didn't need to see. He tries his best to grow a spine, but it never works for him. And in this season, it gets worse. He's still a laughingstock and a magnet for bullying and getting hurt. He's still Jimmy Fitzsimmons’ main target and is mocked by other characters. Nothing goes his way.
--Vic has a new girlfriend named Cutie Pie. At first all is great, until it’s revealed she’s sleeping around with everyone behind Vic’s back. And it gets worse from there.

There are also some story-lines I didn't care as much for.
--Kevin is still a dumb smartass. After having enough of trying in school, sharing a room with Bill and putting up with Frank (despite him trying to help), he moves into the basement to start a music career. While funny at times, he can be a dick to people who really don't deserve it, especially Bill. (I honestly couldn't stand this one the most)
--Then there's Ginny, an annoying cunt of a woman who whines her tits off about why her life/marriage is crap or why people won’t be around her. then, her story gets more interesting when we meet her husband Greg, who is gay. Ginny won't accept this, and wants him to stay with her...by (unintentionally) emotionally abusing him. This was a harsh (but entertaining) take on homosexuality in the 20th century. I really couldn't care for this bitch from the moment we first met her (and since she was supposed to be disliked, that's quite an achievement). But since this story-line ended, I couldn't stand this cunt even more, and I felt super sorry for Greg. I wish they’d divorce so Greg can finally be free, and we’d never see Ginny’s irritating flat ass anymore.

There are a few pieces of foreshadowing early on this season that I picked up on right away.
-Frank and Sue are conflicted. Frank wants to have sex, and Sue doesn't. Because of their newfound poverty and risk of raising their family on one income (Sue’s), they can't risk boning. I guessed they were gonna have another child. I was proven right (seemingly) halfway through, and when Frank grabs some condoms that turned out to be the same ones his new boss Smokey pops randomly for shits and giggles (1, 2, 3, BABY!).
-When I first saw Bill almost about to get hit by a car, I knew someone was gonna get hit. I didn't expect it to be Bill’s bully Jimmy Fitzsimmons though. Since I don't like or care for him, I smiled my ass off. Also, him going off to military school made me smile my ass off. Too bad it didn't last, because we--Bill can't have nice things. (Although, I do feel sad for him now; he didn't steal the hockey puck and didn't deserve to go to military school either).

Also, these characters go through major changes and consequences this season:
-Bill becomes more aggressive and harsh as a result of everyone everyone treating him horribly...and (of course) it blows up in his face when he loses his only friend Phillip for a while, gets in more trouble and ends up having his bully run over. He does gain Jimmy’s respect and the affection of his sister at the end, so all may be pretty well for the character based on the creator.
-Kevin has sex with Vic’s girlfriend Cutie Pie, causing him to suffer psychological issues that come from this. While a male teenager may think it’s seemingly cool for him to sleep with a hot older woman, at most times it's statutory rape--which cause problems for both parties involved. And no telling when the significant other finds out. Oh wait…
-Vic is a very nice neighbor and cool, laid-back dude who'll go out of his way to help you out. Unfortunately, he's also into grass and blow, which leads him to losing his job his former format-changing local radio station. And if that wasn't enough, after he learns that Kevin had sex with his girl (from an extremely guilty Kevin himself via a 30-minute-long admission song), he snaps and shoots up his own house (fortunately no one was hurt). Fortunately, things seemingly cool down (in Vic’s case, literally, as he freezes later on).

When this season ended, it felt like things wrapped up, but not all the way.
-Frank and Sue are about to safe bang, but we’re gonna get another little Murphy out of it (...probably). Bill has his friend Phillip back, and some newfound respect with Jimmy Fitzsimmons (plus he [and we] get some deserved payback at Maureen), but nothing still goes good for him. At least he gets a girl’s likeness out of it. Kevin and Vic may be on good terms, but we don’t know what’s next.
It is obvious that some new storylines are coming out of this, and when I left the finale, I wasn’t all the way enjoying it like I did the first season. That season closed with open intent, and I'm left wondering what our favorite far-out family will forgo in season three. It's not gonna get better that's for sure, and if anything I might actually cry from a few moments of the next group of episodes. But I know something: A lot of swearing, some shockingly random and crude moments to fry your brain, and some heavy hitting moments to make your heart hurt and warm (some simultaneously).

I love this show, and I can't wait for what Bill Burr and the rest of the staff have for us in Season 3 next year.


Fave Characters:
Frank - his depressed state after losing his job was a powerful thing to see; so much so that getting a new job--and then a plan to get his old job back--really makes you excited for him.
Sue - her determination to get a job succeeded last time. But her determination to keep the job while dealing with sexist assholes for co-workers and her old-fashioned husband was the real challenge. To see her break down from the pressure and climb up to create the Salad Spinner (although later losing the credit) felt cathartic and redeeming (if only for a while).
-Vic - Still one of my favorite characters, I expected to end up off the deep end for taking his love of coke to the extreme. I just didn't see him getting fired from his job coming.
-Bill - He’s still getting screwed over and being called a pussy. But you can't help but root for him for trying grow a spine.
-Rosie - Still another of my favorite characters, he gets his likeness by becoming friends with Frank again and helping him out in the job department by referring him to his friend Smokey, who gives Frank a job with his delivery service. And then for the plan to explode.



Random Thoughts:
-Cutie Pie should count her blessings she wasn’t shot. If I found my woman cheating on me...well, I still wouldn’t shoot her. But I’d look like I did to scare her. Then I’d kick her out.
-Dunbarton (or should I write, Dumbarton) got what he deserve when he died via a sharp tray to his neck, thanks to dumb borderline invalid Scoop stepping on a bomb and getting blown to bits (well, halfway).
-I would feel sorry for Kevin for sleeping with Vic’s girl (in Vic’s house)... not really.
-I wouldn’t be surprised if Sue (with Vivian) and Henrietta von (Not-a-Mister-Rogers-character) Home come to blows if the lawsuit goes nowhere.
-Whatever crap I got as a kid, I should count my blessings. I'm ever so lucky I'm not like Bill.

Since season 1 was six episodes, it was obvious not a lot of character development and wiggle room to expand was to be found. Since this season nearly doubles the episode count, we get that expansion and some damn good development.

-Frank is less loud at times, and shows more of his love for his kids. He gets a new job with Rosie's friend Smokey, and takes
-Sue moves on up in her employment, and is ruined by sexual. She then creates the idea for a kitchen appliance like the Salad Spinner.
-Kevin goes through some traumatic moments this season. He fell into a frozen river (based on an incident in which he almost drowned in a motel swimming when he was a child),
-Bill is much more aggressive and jerky, to the point where he;s more of a bully to his friend Phillip. This change would later lose his friend (fortunately, he gets Phillip back and gains cool points with his bully Jimmy and cute points with Jimmy's sister.)
-Maureen shows more interest in decidedly less girly activities than last season, showing herself as more of a tomboy. If she wasn't wearing a skirt all the time, I'd see it more and more.
-Vic is still one cool dude and a very nice neighbor and friend, but after his radio station changes formats--and his girlfriend Cutie Pie changes lovers, he gets the short end (and no, not his dick) and finally shows negative emotion and snaps. Fortunately, it doesn't last long.
-Vivian isn't as plastic and vapid as she was in S1, and does show care and compassion for Sue when she jumps up to corporate. And she's a great friend when Sue's Salad Spinner is stolen by the founder Henrietta von (not Pussycat) Horne.


This was a super groovy season. The strengths were picked up, the weaknesses were mostly removed, and some great development. Like Season One, I highly recommend it. It's funny, sad and humbling. Another must watch for Netflix.

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 11 -- "Into the Wand / Pizza Thing"

Hello. Welcome back.

Wow, this episode sent me both chills...and pissed-ivity.

Let’s start this Review with the one that gave me so many chills and more questions than answers…

Episode 11a - "Into the Wand"
This episode starts off with Star’s wand suffering from a power drainage; her Narwhal Blasts are weak with disgusting narwhals. Glossaryck reveals that Star’s wand is an extension of her memory, and the plan to fix the wand is to go inside it and remove what doesn’t belong. This kicks off a very tense, drama-filled and awesome plot.

We sat and watched our heroine travel into her wand--and memory-- to find item that doesn’t belong. After many clues tied to Marco and her parents--the King and Queen, Star finds the item in the “Grandma room”, which also revealed some information about Star’s
The plot also gets complex as past versions of Star appear with the reveal that her stay in the wand would overwrite her memories and existence.

The dark animation and haunting music made things perfectly tense and made the build up to the big moment was organic and well-done. The reveal itself almost took my breath away. To see the rest of Toffee (his finger) along with a quilted animation of him in a tapestry left me shook. I knew I’d see him again (to my constant excitement), but they way they brought him back still stunned me.

This half-episode left me with so many questions and feels.
One of them: Since Ludo has half of Star’s wand’s power (and his wand [aka Skelbowtor {to me}] is based from Toffee’s arm...and talks to him, could Toffee be corrupting both wands and influencing both characters in different ways? Probably.

It was also revealed that one of Star’s grandmothers had a romantic relationship with a monster. This proves that her family lineage from her mom (name revealed to be Moon) is part monster. Wow. And since Toffee seems to be involved, this gets even more shocking.
I’m both excited AND afraid to see where it all goes from here.

Fave Moments:
--Star going on the journey.
--When Star learns that the thing that doesn’t belong...is Toffee’s severed finger (her and the later versions of her’s reactions too)
--Star Narwhal Blast-ing Marco (only because her wand works again).
--Glossaryck revealing a tapestry in the making for Star. (Yep, Star will be joining her mom and grandmas in the Grandma Room with her own tapestry.
--When Star throws Toffee's finger in her closet. (I don't know yet what will happen from there, but I have a feeling that either Toffee will return with a vengeance with the finger coming to him, or the finger will be the place to start a new Toffee. Either way, I'm teething.

I love this episode, and definitely one of my favorites this season.


This last half-episode on the other hand kinda pissed me off.

Marco and Pony Head were supposed to go to Emilio's Pizza to pick up a pie so they--and Star--can watch a telenovela. But the easy task gets sidelined for other stuff.

Where do I begin??
This plot served to explore the vitiolic relationship of of Marco and Pony Head. The problem is they weren’t like this before. Marco was way too harsh and Pony Head just takes it. They argue--well Marco yells while Pony Head responds;
they end up wearing skinny jeans--actually one of them had a pair tied to her neck;
they had a $650 ride from a ;
they watch a car get compacted (well, it does go back to its fat owner later, so not all a loss).
All of this was just pointless.
And when they finally reached Emilio’s Pizza, I was about close to breaking stuff. They had their pizza, but Marco’s perfectionist nature ruined it by (somehow) counting 99 mushrooms, instead of the 100 he wanted. Because of this, Emilio himself lost all confidence in making pizza and quits the business. (Why did you speak up??)
It took for a little boy to tell them how pizza brings people together (one of the few favorite moments of the halfer) for them to make their own people (which if he didn’t pay already, they just stole) and this one ended with a bad taste in my mouth like the bad taste of the pizza in Star’s.

There are some ways to explore Marco and Pony Head’s relationship and get them to be friends, but this shouldn’t be one of them.

The first time they met made more sense, because Pony Head was jealous of Starco’s new friendship, and wanted to stop it. It made sense because they just met then.

Random Thoughts:
--Wait, $650 sounds like the same amount Marco blew on merchandise at Goblin Dogs, and didn’t want it back on principle. Idiot. There’s no way he’d spend it on a ride in a dump--

Idiot.
--If you can’t make your own pizza, just TAKE THE OLD ONE OUT THE TRASH AND PUT IN ONE MORE MUSHROOM!!! (Yes, gross, and Marco is something of a clean freak; but what would you have done??)
--After that pizza speech, I think that little boy could make a great motivational speaker.
--I’m starting to miss Star being a focus in these episodes. Here I am thinking the less Star the better.But that’s so unfair, as she has gotten some better plots and has improved as a character. So I think I’ll cut off on being annoyed at her (sure, you don’t notice it, but it's there).

--This is how I act when I'm out of cereal.

Fave Moments:
When the little boy gave his speech about pizza.

This halfer was all over the place, but it did get Marco and Pony Head on a better understanding. Eeuch.
"Into the Wand" was much better than "Pizza Thing", and that's where I'm ending it.

That's it foe--for this edition of Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review.

I'll be back tomorrow to review Episode 12,
"Page Turner" and "Naysaya".

I'm Andrew...and thank God you're not.
"Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up! ...at your [TV] screen."

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 10 -- "Friendenemies / Is Mystery"

Willkommen, Stargazers!

Schön dich zu sehen
(Good to see you).



TOM IS BACK!!
And he wants to be friends...with MARCO??

Marc is understandably not delighted about it. But he does go when Tom snaps up tickets for a movie marathon starring Jackie Hand, an old, long-dead action star Marco adores. I was both suspicious and excited (you know, as you are). But with a episode between two people we love, a show is going to be done. And boy did we get a show.

This episode was awesome.
For a moment, we saw Marco and Tom actually having some things in common. And for that long moment, you never noticed Tom’s true intentions--that this was all a ruse to gain a badge from an anger management group to become a nicer, less angrier demon...person, and that for once he was that new person. (But you did still have those feelings throughout, right?) So, yeah, you had to feel sorry for Dear Marc after being so deceived. And who could blame you? You had the right not to trust Tom, thinking he'd (Tom) take him (Marco) to his (still Marco) doom. But it was nice to see ten sweet solid minutes of Tomco.

Also, Star wouldn't agree to this. Remember when she agreed to go with Tom to the Blood Moon Ball in "the eponymous episode"? She had her suspicions at first (and Marc definitely had his all the way), but she did go because she trusted him as a better guy. (Then again, he did tell him about his life coach Brian [who does also return here; and I'll gleefully get to him in a moment] to prove he's changed, so there's that.) She wouldn't accept this because he did blow up at Marco and almost killed him, so down go his "changed man" plan and her trust in him.

But then again, I supremely enjoyed what came out of this. The two unlikely friendenemies (title drop) did have fun, they enjoyed some boy band music, ate some good cereal, and rode a white tiger. I don't know about you, but that is a majestic way to have major fun. And I couldn't get enough of all of it.

Then came the moment when it all was a ruse. Tom wanted to be friends with him for the day just to get a badge celebrating a major milestone of being a good, calm person...demon. My heart broke for Marco, seeing as he's been deceived by someone whom deceived someone he liked (you know who). He really felt hurt, and you can hear it in his (actor's) voice. seriously, I almost cried from that. Heck, even for a moment, I wanted Tom to be a better person and achieve this milestone, because I actually like him! (Just 4 more minutes with him and it'll still be on time.) And because of that I actually had difficulty feeling the most sorry for one over the other; both had a reason to feel like crud for himself and at the other. But Marco had a more reasonable reason to be pissed at Tom.

Other than that, it's good to see, despite them still hating each other, that Marc and Tom have some middle ground between them.

Random Thoughts:
--Marco’s reaction to not getting “Mackie Hand” Festival tickets is me when I can’t get something I’d want online. Replace time too late with not enough money (...if at all). Hitting my head with the screen is less than optional.
--When Star said “hammer”, it reminded me of that time she needed a hammer. It was the same episode Marco and Tom played to-the-death Ping-Pong. (I don’t know why; I didn’t like that plot.)
--I actually tried cereal and soda once. It wasn’t bad. ...Unhealthy, but not bad.
--When the show releases a Love Sentence compilation set, I’mma cop that almost immediately.
--Star wasn’t the focus of the episode. ...Good. (I’m just kidding. Lol ...or am I?)

Fave Moments:
I’d say the whole episode, but would be cheating.
So here are several of them.
--When Tom appeared again
--When Tomco actually have fun together
--When Marco challenged the two Hall & Oates cosplayers to a race (and their smiling faces equivalent to flipping the bird when they get their wrists slapped).
--When Brian returned as Tom’s white tiger (you don’t know how much I love this guy)
--When Marc kicked down the bolted hearse door. (If that doesn’t show you how pissed he was and how awesome he is at karate, nothing would (...yet).
--When Tomco sang together. Great googly-moogly, it was magic. I didn’t expect it, but it was glorious. When I tell you that when Marco himself Adam McArthur and Shawn freakin Hunter himself Rider Strong can sing, my goodness, they can siiiiiiing. I even sang along (even if I had literally no idea what the lyrics were in the first place. They were that good!
--When Tom brought Mackie Hand back from the dead.

I LOOOOOOOOVE this episode. And I’d replay it many times and I’d won’t get annoyed. Sooo many feels about it and I can't explain them all! You know what? I think I’m a Tomco fan now. Sounds about right.

--


Thanks for being here, Stargazers!

Sorry for one episode, I couldn't do both I was too busy today with other things. I'll finish with "Is Mystery" tomorrow.

Also,
I’ll be back tomorrow with Episode 11:
"Into the Wand" and "Future Thing"

Can’t wait to see what I’ll say about that.
Just as much as I’m sure you can wait.

Also, a reminder:
The 2-hour TV movie “The Battle for Mewni” airs this Saturday. Of course, I’ll be watching, and I’ll reviewing it. Not sure if I’ll be posting a review between this Season 2 marathon or at the end since this is between 2 and the upcoming Season 3. I’ll let you know.

Until then, And I’m Andrew, saying
“Reach for the Star, and ♪ And I knew right from the start ♪
♪ Nothing could tear us apart ♪
Keep Looking Up! ...at your [DVR].”

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 9 -- "Sleepover / Gift of the Card"

Hello, friends.

I am grateful for your continued presence on this segment. It means so much to see you spending time with--
STAR HAS A CRUSH ON MARCO!!!
I repeat…
sTaR hAs A cRuSh On MaRcO!!!

*hyperventilating*

I’m sorry, I gotta go through the half-episode first.
Let’s begin this review with...


At first, I was going to enjoy at best the titular sleepover storyline. Some nice little laughs (especially at StarFan13 shoving and chomping down the brownies) and some humbling moments. But the “Truth or Punishments” game took interesting, exciting and entertaining up a notch. Seeing all these truths revealed (the girls' dislike of Star's brownies, their true crushes--Marco's especially) rocked me a bit, but that ending was like WO.

Speaking of true crushes, I expected the most surprising to be Marco, but since his crush has always been Jackie Lynn (it was one of my possibilities tho), I did not expect the liar to be Star, since we knew at this point her crush was Oskar Greason. And her successful plan to destroy the ToP toy by flipping things around muddled things. So at this point, this was even more surprising. As much as I want Starco go from “Starco” to “STARCO” as the next guy, I want to see the two continue their crushes on Jackie Lynn and Oskar respectively before they realize their like for one another.

Another thing I did not expect was Janna’s favorite color being pink. That was the big shocker for a while.

I loved this one. This was a great way to watch Marco finally open up his crush of Jackie Lynn to Jackie Lynn and the rest of the girls. And seeing JL herself smile at that makes me happy, because the boy she knows and likes as a friend finds her more than that, and she definitely is a great character to watch (with and without Starco around).

I'm also excited to see the other girls again too:
Loud but opinionated Pony Head
Sweet but scary Janna, and
Bright and manic, but lovable StarFan13.
They certainly helped make this episode entertaining, and gave the ToP plot more weight and purpose.

This once was entertaining and memorable. Just like this next halfer.

--



For the first time this season since the two-part “St. Olga’s Reform School for Wayward Princesses”, Miss Heinous (the former headmistress of the titular reformatory) returns in a new setting with henchman Gemini. They are not moving on after Starco ruined her job after they (and Pony Head) stopped the process of turning free-flowing, creative (and rambunctious) princesses into dull, quiet, obedient future leaders of the throne.
Seeing her again made me smile (and cringe). Her actions back then (and now) are devious, but entertaining. I missed her and Gemini.

At first I thought Rasticore was Toffee reborn. But sadly, he isn’t. But he still was awesome. Like Toffee, he’s crafty and menacing. Unlike Toffee, he’s bloodthirsty as Starco sees him towards the end of his debut episode. And he’s also hilarious. His tries to start his Interdimensional Scissors (which is a CHAINSAW, by the way. Truly b@dass--like, Bruce Campbell b@dass) and his grumbles while looking for Starco might make him look like a messy, uncoordinated villain minion (much like Ludo’s season one henchmen), but don’t let that fool you; he’s truly scary. I think he’s one of my favorite villains so far in this series; he’s up there with Season 2 Ludo, Ms. Heinous and (especially) Toffee.

And as for Miss Heinous, it seems she hasn’t got over Starco’s saving the other princesses from lives of the monotony and order at St. O’s and wants revenge. Her first attempt has failed, but it did set into motion a bigger plan for the desolation of Starco. I cannot be any more excited of seeing that.

Random Thoughts:
--Janna somehow got into Marco’s wallet...and then broke into his new one. Is Janna is, like, stalking Marco?
--Hold on. Janna had Marco’s old wallet in her hand in one frame, and then Marc himself had it in his pocket in another. Talk about an error.
--Sucks that Rasticore didn’t last. But since he has his arm still...like Toffee, I have a feeling he’ll come back in one piece (after the time of many of them)...just like Toffee will.
--This episode reveals Star and Marco have been friends for six months. Felt more like two years.
--This episode was kinda like Supermarket Sweep but kinda like “by-the-death”.
==
Fave Moments:
--When Rasti appears
--When Rasti tries to start his IDS
--Janna breaking into Marco’s wallet...for no reason
--Gemini being his orderly yet dippy self
==
Fave Lines:
--”"Billie's Ballet Shoe Emporium. Our discounts are on pointe."” -Janna
--”Can't a guy get any privacy?” -Marco
“Noooope.” -Star
-(And this is why I don’t date a lot.
=
Marco [sighs] “Okay. Fine. Just, uh, nothing in this section.”
Chicken in a bottle “Good, 'cause I don't like you either.”
Marco “I see why you're on sale.”
-(the shade is strong in this one)
=
Star “See anything you like, Marco?”
Marco “No.”
Card “Nine minutes until expiration.”
Star “What about gourmet hair gel?”
Marco “No.”
Card “8.5 minutes until expiration.”
Marco “Who designed this card⁈”
=
--”This is all my fault. I should've let you know there was an expiration date. [sobs] And I wasn't being lazy when I bought that thing, I promise. I genuinely thought you would love to pick out what you wanted.” -Star (Aww. Finally. Star genuinely admitting what she did was wrong, and she wants to try to fix everything. Again. That’s great.)

This was a great episode overall.
I enjoyed everything about it. The funny moments, the moments of drama and tension, the moments I’ll remember more than tomorrow, the development that makes me smile and tear up and the characters I can’t wait to see again later on this season.
This episode is truly one of my favorites right now. I can’t make it any clearer from that.

Thank you joining me once again. Sorry for the late posting, I was so busy doing other things for this week. Namely more of the Star vs. 2 Reviews and what’s on Toony Tuesday.

See you tomorrow when I review episode 10. Hopefully, it’s much earlier.

I’m Andrew, and
STAR HAS A CRUSH ON MAAAAAARRRRCOOOOO!!!!

*ahem* sorry. ... and “Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up! ...at your [computer] screen”.

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 8 -- "Game of Flags / Girls Day Out"

Hi, Stargazers!

Another day, another episode, another review.

Let’s kick off with…
Episode 8a -- "Game of Flags"

This episode introduces us to the extension of the royal Butterfly family. The two sides of Star’s family tree have come together for a reunion.
The maternal Butterfly family are prim and proper, well-mannered and erudite.
The paternal Johansen are loud, obnoxious, sloppy and irritating.
Together, they’re celebrating their reunion by playing a game called Flags. It’s much like “King of the Hill” on Earth (and no, not the animated series; although it would be a fun game to mimic selling propane, ride lawnmowers, get used to an annoying self-absorbed wife and shout “HU-AHHH!” on occasion.)

The Flags game itself was very entertaining. Seeing the Butterfly’s and Johansens clash (especially after watching them in their natural habitats) was a must-see. Star taking part was also entertaining for two reasons:
1) She plays to win in her own way (even if she disobeyed her mom), and
2) she wanted everyone to win so they won’t continue fighting each other.
Seeing everyone go medieval on each other (oh duh.) Was both funny and painful. Painful cause it hurts to see everyone hurt each other for the winning bragging rights.
Funny cause their reactions.

Marco was also great here: He was surely quick on his feet (that’s the talent of a red belt karate master! “Chiii-op!”) and was kind to save the life of Star’s uncle Heartrude’s butler. Sure, the game of Flags is pretty much “all for one / go big or go home“ and people will suffer, but what he did was still nice.

When Queen Butterfly revealed her magic powers to save her daughter (most definitely thanks to Mewberty), it stopped me dead in my tracks. It was a beautiful sight, and made me happy to see her get rough for once. (I should also note, as someone said at the SvtFoE Wikia page said, since the King did take the Queen’s last name in their marriage, the is the more powerful of the two [as in wears the pants in the relationship]. Seeing how River acts the way he does in the past couple episodes, that makes so much sense now.)

Seeing her scold Star was also cathartic. I’m getting real tired of Star doing what she wants, and see her get taken down a peg to be more responsible (even if this time it was Marc who convinced her to be more compassionate) was refreshing.

Random Thoughts:
--Heartrude? Weird name. Well, he’s rice and prim, so that explains a lot.
--Manifred is one bad@ss announcer. His word usage, mannerisms and faces make him an entertaining and gansta narrator. I wish someone was like him to announce a sport in real life. I’d instantly watch.
--How Starco got a second pair of clothes for their corn dummies is beyond me. Toon logic at its best.
--There needs to be a limelight episode based on the Butterfly and Johansen families. (If there is one already made, lemme know. I’ll watch that immediately.)

Fave Lines:
Everything Manifred said (that ish gave me LIFE).
--

Fave Moments:
--The Corn Mashing
--The Corn Spitting
--The Flags Game
--Star's Performance
--Queen's Mewberty powers (Yass Queen)


Loved this one. Very entertaining throughout,
nice development toward conclusion
and really humbling in the end.

--

Now to an episode I didn’t care for as much…
Episode 8b -- "Girls Day Out"

I’m very happy Ms. Skullnick and Janna are back, and it’s great that they got some major screen-time here. Too bad it’s for a plot I wasn’t here for.

Star was still her reckless delinquent self, and that annoyed me. I get it--class is boring. Not good enough to help a well-aware hamster escape--wait what??

The other characters were really funny. Especially Ingrid--cute little highly morbid chick.

Marco’s subplot wasn’t memorable.

Oskar made a wave in this halfer, giving me a bit of joy to wade though.

Anyway, this was an okay episode. But not something I’d watch again.

This was an alright episode overall. Loved “Game of Flags” but didn’t love “Girls’ Day Out”. Hopefully the next episode will be better all the way. Here’s to hopin’. See you tomorrow (or the next day, depending on what I'm doing) when I review Episode 9...

Thanks for being here. I’m Andrew, and as always…
“Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up! ...at your [cell phone] screen”

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 7 -- "Goblin Dogs / By the Book"

¡Hola, astrónomos!

¿Como estas hoy?

Hope your day was good. Cause I'm here to help make it a little better (or less so, depending on how you like this review, or tolerate my opinion and jokes).

So let's empezar with...


Ehh...
I wasn’t here for this episode (at least at first. It did have some funny moments, but it was mostly boring. (And yes, it mostly took place at an unidentified place in a line. Get of my chiz.)

It was great to see Pony Head again (yeah, I actually missed her...and her irritating-at-times voice and obnoxiously distracting star-pupil eyes). But she’s changed. She’s more buddy-buddy with Marco, and they do share some lines that are absolutely the opposite of their dialogue in “Party with a Pony”. Also, Kelly is a lovely character (even if most of the time, she was quiet and under all that hair).

I honestly thought the Goblin Dog story would follow other sitcom/animated series in using the same trope where the item of food the main characters waited so long and fought so hard for doesn’t taste as great as they thought. (“Every Meat Burritos” from Regular Show definitely comes to mind.) Then it’s revealed that they had to fight the guy, have the guy admit to it being a secret rite of passage, and then give them the dogs they later (after a few seconds) like. I...uhh...well, I liked this switch-up (and I don’t). I’m happy we have something the characters love and finally have something that came up to the expectations. And I’m sad that I had to wait all that time to notice this.

Random Thoughts:
--The Koala character is something. She’s like Princess Azula meets Lola. Or...just Lola--depending on your view. The fact that she’s voiced by Grey DeLisle Griffin doesn’t hurt (or does it??)
--Roy is voiced by guest star Jerry Trainor (formerly of Nickelodeon’s iCarly and TUFF Puppy). I didn’t notice it was him at first because he wasn’t hammy as f**k like he was in that episode of Bunsen is a Beast. Then again, I didn’t notice it was him there either, despite the yelling. That’s because I haven’t heard that voice in years. A voice a mother could love.
--Apparently, the Goblin Dog is like a quick acid trip. No wonder people wait in lines for them.
--Oh Marco, kind, sweet soul. I’d rather take the money. $600 for hot dog merch?? And you WON”T take it back??? C’mon, bro.
--Since there was a guy on top of Kelly...I’m led to assume he’s just sitting on her for some weird (and wild) custom wherever they’re from.
--The microwave (and the ding) bring back so many memories at the local 7-Eleven. (Funnily enough, I was there yesterday, so that explains the vivid flashback.)

Fave Moments:
--The fight
--The rite of passage

Ehhh. It was alright. I enjoyed several parts of this half, but I don’t think I would remember it tomorrow. Especially against this next half.

--



So... Ludo has learned how to use Skelbowtor (my nickname for his new wand). But… he doesn’t know how to control it right. Interesting. And it also speaks to him telepathically. Even more interesting.

Meanwhile, Gloss, Dutch of of Terms isn’t being as interested in giving Star the help she needs as he was (last season). And since she needs to control use and conservation of her wand, it’s a problem. In my opinion, it was more Star than Glossy who was more detrimental to the problem. Instead of learning and practicing ng her spells like she’s supposed to, she instead gets bored and wants to goof off. It’s time she stops this (at least most of the time), and become more responsible. Sure, she can still have fun, but it’s time to be more aware of her surroundings and be more proactive about what’s to come should Ludo return with reinforcements and a new army. Fortunately, this all stopped now--as I’ll get to below.

I did not expect Ludo to return to Earth to fight Star this early. I honestly believed this would happen halfway through this season at the most. But now I realize, this teaser at this moment was a perfect taste of what’s to come later on. Their fight was a bit more tense and mind-numbing than pretty much all the fights in Season One (until Toffee came along of course). Sure, most of the time, there was a lot of misses between them both, but seeing things get destroyed, their shameful conjurings and the race to save Glossaryk from a tight trash-truck trap of terror was a nail-biting and painful (and entertaining) watch. Fortunately, he’s A-OK, all of his self-banishing to the donut box was all a brilliant act, and his instructions to Star to save the day was just awesome! Plus, Star’s applying the spell was also awesome (and another example of its influence by Sailor Moon)! Her apology was sweet, and her promise to take spell training much more seriously was great to hear. With this surprise bout, she needed to wake the heck up and up step her game against a more-reformed Ludo. Now that she can, it’s a big sigh of relief and a great

Now that Ludo is now aware that Star has a magic spells book, the stakes couldn't get even higher. I’m very curious (and excited) about what he’ll do to get that book. (I’m sure he knows where Star lives, and will try to sneak into her expansion pack bedroom [Gosh, I miss typing that] and get the book or at least read a few pages of it; but just when Star comes in, they fight again, this time for possession of the book) This oughta be awesome.

This one was another great one. I was at the edge of my seat (both kinds) the whole time. Seeing our main heroes and villains fight for the first time this season was bound to be amazing, and it didn’t disappoint. There’s more to come later this season, and I’m damn sure these next fights are going to blow the roof off (I’m sure both ways).


Random Thoughts:
--Maybe the telepathic speak of the wand was all in Ludo’s head because of his power trip and wanting more.
--If only Glossy wore a bigger robe. The joke of his poses in a small robe is wearing thinner than the size of the hemline.
--Aww, I want a tiny purple warnicorn as a pet. I don’t know what it eats or where it poops, but I want it!
--And Boom Nuggets. I don’t care if they’re little cookies under a bland brand name; I wish they were reeeeaaaal.

Fave Moments:
--Ludo’s too-strong wand practice
--Glossy’s retreat in the Donut Box
--Ludo’s return (and Starco’s same responses)
--Star vs. Ludo Round 1
--Marco’s Captain America-inspired trashcan dash

Fave Lines:
--“Girls, pack your things. It's time to catch a butterfly!” -Ludo
-(clever wordplay, Birdman.)
--”Oh, Star. Look. This one's got pictures. Can we do it?” -Glossaryk
-The shade is strong in this one.
--”And the squid lady dies in the end.” -Glossaryk
--His delivery during the fight.

I don’t know about you, but it’s amazing how I keep finding these favorite episodes from this season so early. I wouldn’t be surprised if the list changes as we go along.
Oh well.

Thank you fellow Stargazers for stopping by once again.
I’ll be back tomorrow (maybe Sunday) with my thoughts on Episode 8…

Hope you’ll back as well.
Enjoy your weekend and the week ahead.

This is Andrew, saying “Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up! ...at your [computer] screen.”

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 6 -- "Starsitting / On the Job"

What up, fellow Stargazers!

Today I am giddy to present to you another of my favorite episodes of Season 2 so far. In Review form.

Before I begin, I wanna mention that this episode features the Two Lines, No Waiting plot-line-- where two different stories take place at the same time, with the same characters.
Remember that show Chowder? They did this too with one of their best episodes.
And so did that classic episode of Community (and that did that to the MAX!).
And that slightly-reviled fourth season of Arrested Development too.
I definitely remember watching episodes like this when I was a kid, and I thought it was cool for this to happen. And I STILL think this as we get into today’s episode…

So, let’s begin with the first half of the story,


So, Buff Frog returns to our collective groans and squees after switching occupations from Ludo’s loyal (and fired) Number 2 to even-more loyal Number 1 to his cutie little babies as a stay-at-home single dad. Seeing him again alone made me squee, and seeing his little taddies at this early stage of their lives made me squee even more. But since this is about Starco watching his kids/product of a great idea for a Muppet Babies-inspired fanfic...just as much made me squee.

To see Star’s increasing delight of what to do as babysitter made me smile so wide. Pretty much her adoration at the babies is pretty much how I act around them...until they cry...and poop...and talk...and badmouth me. Basically it all stops when they turn 8 (sometimes lower.
Then again if she did what Buff Frog’s binder told her, we wouldn’t have an episode.
Meanwhile, seeing Marco being a responsible babysitter also makes me smile, as he does what he can to take care of the taddies and be a model big brother. We should know; his family was a foster family for pretty much his whole life. Plus him speaking like BF (fake Russian accent, of course) was hilarious.

The taddies later growing their legs surprised me. I didn’t expect this, so to see them grow and walk made my heart expand. Seeing them and Star climb up and slide down the banister was hilarious.

When BF returned to his little taddies, it made me tear up. (No seriously) Seeing father and daughters...and son...and conjoined offspring...reunite makes me more humbled inside that any “You Are the Father” story on Maury. And boy were there so many emotions! Happiness when family returned together, sadness when BF misses when the taddies grow their legs (literally) and their first steps, and delight when he sees late bloomer Katrina grow hers (I see future of her being Daddy’s favorite.


Random Thoughts:
-Next time I have kids over, I’ll just have cake. You know...for me celebrate when those little tykes leave. I mean, Star had that idea. The general cake idea...not feeding the taddies. That was horrible.
-Seeing Starco put the babies to sleep was one of the most sweet-dreams fuel things I've ever seen. Such beautiful Russian names too.
-I'm not gonna say anything about Star's reaction to how cute BF's taddies are without people looking at me like a creepo so moving on...
-If I ever have children (and I’m talkin’ toothpick slim a chance), I wish I could be as good a dad to my kids as BF is to his. (No joke.)
-No lie; throughout the episode, any other time BF (or Marc) speaks in the former’s accent, I say the same things the same way too. It's funny. Cause I’m weird like that.
-Gosh, I miss that sound when someone goes through an inter-dimensional portal. I hope there'll be more this season (oh wait, 22 episodes; of course they'll be more).

Favorite Lines:
-“Punch! Punch! Chiii-oop!” -Marco
--I don't know why I like that. Hopefully, not my Marco bias.
-"If the rules get in the way of the fun what's the point?" -Star
--Amen, sister. If only life was like that sometimes.
=
Marco "[whispers] You've never baby-sat before, have you?"
Star         "Noooo. But I was a baby once."

A real adorable baby.
=


Fave Moments:
--When BF brought the taddies.
--When Starco played the game
--When Starco laid the taddies to sleep
--When the taddies blasted Starco (especially Star) with her cake lunch
--Sliding down the banister
--BF's return
--(I guess all of this episode)

This episode was so goooood. BF was back, and he was much more likable than ever before. (Then again, who could hate this strong-willed, yet chubby-skinned number two of a bad baddie? Nobody, that's who.) Starco's adventure to take care of the tabbies was entertaining (although how they got there kinda annoyed me [but then again, what kind of episode would it be without it?]) And the taddies are soooooo cyuuuuuute! (Yes, they're tadpoles with eyes; still get off my жопа!)

--

And now to the other half of this successful at-the-same-time episode...


While the first half focused on Starco taking care of his babies, this last half takes a look at Buff Frog on a random day in his life after being a dad.

This halfer was very good.

Buff Frog loves his kids a lot, and will do so much as bend over backwards (or, looking at him, attempt to) for them to prove it. But since their cupboards are bare, he does prove the back bend by getting them some quality food. Seeing BF being this proud of having kids, loving his kids and dealing with dickish co-workers to get corn (and later saving them with his kickass earthshaking jumps) made this episode.
Also, it’s clear his heart was on his sleeve throughout; he misses the taddies and wants to see them grow, but wants to work to keep them fed (that's definitely what being a real dad is all about).

 Also, his boss Boo Fly actually cares about his grind and did a great job lending him a hand in feeding the taddies with a job, and does defend him twice. And BF (...Buff Frog) really did try to commit the deed of swiping corn , and when he feels guilty not doing it because of his continued worry of his kids, you just can’t help but feel sorry for AND proud of him for growing to a(n almost) completely different person.

Those dickish co-workers were pretty funny and did have some moments I’ll remember well too.

Also, we see how all the corn was stolen and who's behind the evil plot...Ludo.
(I keep it as short as the scene, because that was brilliant and another development to continue his reforming to become a better adversary.)

Favorite Lines:
Dogbull "Buff Frog?"
Boo Fly "Buff Frog."
Dogbull "Buff Frog Buff Frog?"
Boo Fly "Buff Frog Buff Frog."
Dogbull "The Buff Frog?"
Buff Frog "[arriving] Actually, it's Yvgeny Bulgolyubov."
Dogbull    "What?"
=
Dogbull "He's just like me. Ah, whatever. Last time he got his hands dirty, he was changing diapers. Heh-heh."
Buff Frog "[grabs Dogbull] You want me to change your diaper?"
Dogbull [gasps, growls]
=
--"Thumpie-bumpies!" -BF & BF (uhhh, Buff Frog & Boo Fly [sorry])
=
-Everything Buff Frog said that reminded him of his kids
=
"Know what? I'm gonna call my dad." -Dogbull
=
"Corn, corn, corn. Ha ha! Corn! Corn! Corn! [hears something] Huh? [looks outside, sees monsters] My corn!" -King Butterfly

So...this episode was really good. Some more memorable moments and development from Buff Frog, another devious attrocity from his former boss, some new characters to love to root against, and another definite favorite episode of mine this season so far.

Well, that ends it for Episode 6.
Thank you all for your appearance.
I will return tomorrow for Episode 7...


I will see you in about 24 hours for that. NO EXCUSES! NO EXCEPTIONS!
This has been Andrew, saying "Reach for Star, and keep the look up!...at [personal electronic device].

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 5 -- "Starstruck / Camping Trip"

Salut, Stargazers!
Welcome back to my Review of Star vs. the Forces of Evil.

Let’s talk about Episode 5.
This episode surely tugged at the heartstrings, and also poked at the funny bone as well. This was perfectly written and acted, and gave some good character development to two characters; both related. Sure, there some parts I didn't, but I swear it's only a few.

Let's begin with...


In it, "When Star's biggest hero Mina Loveberry, a rogue magic-wielder from Mewni, loses her mojo for battle, Star attempts to help her get it back."

This episode introduced Mina Loveberry, a powerful battle-brained magic-holder from Mewni, who is now down on her luck. When she meets her idol, Star does everything within her to get her back to who she was. But Marco sees her nut she shouldn't be close to.

Mina is mixed duffle for me.
Marc is right in that she is a crazy lady. But I did find some of her antics hilarious. It also made me wonder how and why all of these people (and animals) from Mewni are popping up on Earth. At first, I thought "If they had the Interdimensional Scissors, that I can understand. I mean that explains Ludo, Pony Head and Buff Frog [and we’ll get to him tomorrow].) I just wish they had alluded to that." Fortunately, they did at the end, which I'll get to in a moment.

Anther problem I have with her is that we don't learn a bit more about Mina. We just hear it from word-of-mouth from Star on a "take my word for it" manner. I wish they had given Mina a fuller backstory, like what she was before and how she got on Earth. Like a quick minute of moving images with narration. Not that it would've helped her be liked in my book, but still.

Star was really weird in this halfer. You would think she would remember everything that happened in “Mewnipendence Day” to realize Mina’s “ideals” are just what she would be dead-set (yes, ironic) against. But, since she was hanging on every word of Mina’s creepy “ideals”, that has to be a “no”. Marc was right to see her as--and call her--a crazy lady. Too bad Star was stubborn to sniff the butt of her “idol”; at least she saw the light towards the end.

This episode reminded me of “Mewnipendence Day”, where Star (with assistance of Marco, of course) learns that her ancestors of Mewni began a brutal, horrible and heart-wrenching act of violence and worse against the monsters that didn’t deserve it. And this influenced her as shown in the start of the series (and Mina in this episode). And watching Mina descend into this madness by planning to--and almost committing to--wiping out the people of Echo Creek (and later on, if successful, the people of Earth) definitely springs that to mind. And Star definitely feels the same way now, especially after that episode, leading her to that epiphany and her agreement with Marco. (Also, gotta shout out that striped-tie guy for unwittingly [or at least almost entirely aware] saving everyone with the Congress vote.)

This was a really good episode. I came in with a different feeling of boredom and irritation, but the progression to the climax really woke me up.

Random Thoughts:
--This episode is the first in all of the series in which Star does not have her wand with her the whole time. Seeing as whom she with at the time, I don’t blame the producers for this decision.
--If it was more of a thing to take day-old donuts, I’d rather take them to a shelter. I’m sure the homeless would appreciate them. It’d be a waste to just throw them away.
--Again, thank Mewni for that red-tie guy for having everyone vote.
--Mina's introduction (as shown in image form in the bumper above) continues the series major influence from Sailor Moon. And it looks beautiful.

--The faces the two Paul Blarts made during the climax made me laugh more than other jokes. Then again, most of the episode was more sobering than usual, so can you blame me?





--Also, in the end, Mina disappears through the trashcan back into Mewni. I have a feeling she’ll be back with an unwanted (and unneeded) vengeance. And I’m sure she meet up with a certain someone for a crazy alliance. And they find a perfect passageway to get from their world to Starco's. (Could be wrong, though.)

Fave Lines:
Pete         "Evening, Marco."
Marco     "Evening, Pete."
=
Star     "You're Mina Loveberry!"
Mina   "Ya caught me! Are you a cop?"
Star [to Marco] "That's Mina Loveberry."
Marco "I have no idea who that is."
=
Star         "Wh-wh-wh-what are you gonna do on your vacation?"
Mina "I will let the soul be my guide and wander off to the depths of this unseen planet."
Star         "Wow!"
Marco "That's what you say when you've lost your marbles."
=
Park Ranger "Welcome to the Echo Creek Mud Pits. Here, we will answer all your questions about mud."
Woman "Finally"
=

Fave Moments:
--When Star Realizes Marco Was Right
--Star and Mina's Torpedoing the Park
--When Mina she-hulks up (admittedly)
--The Paul Blart Mall Cop...Cops

Now, to dim out the darkness a bit
and add in some more fun, here's…



Oh look, River’s back!!
Seeing King Butterfly return was great enough; but for some reason, he also brings a more hyped-up, gung-ho, looney knock-the-poop-out-of-everyone attitude (aka, borderline senility) that hasn’t been in him regularly (You know what, he was something like this in “Royal Pain”) and I love this! But when we learn why he acts this, it’s much less funny and more really heartbreaking. He’s reached the mid-life crisis stage; plus his little princess isn’t little anymore. So he wants to spend as much time with her as possible. Honestly, it’s a very relatable topic. And to see it executed so well here, it makes me smile (and cry a bit).
But hey, at least he looks a little bit younger; that’s great. (or he looks younger and the geyser wiped out his beard and cleansed his pores. Either way, this was nice.)

Another sweet, humbling moment I loved was when Marco revealed he wanted Star to see Old Youthful. SInce he’s seen it himself many times, he wanted Star to see it as a way to give back to her, after the many astonishing sights she’s shown to him over the seasons.
It’s super sweet and another example of why I love the Starco friendship dynamic.

This episode mixed weird and wild (ba-dum-tiss) with sad, humble and heartfelt, and it’s a sweet healthy, frothy perfect mix (like getting a chicken strip salad & sipping with a Frosty at Wendy’s). We also got much more from King Butterfly in this halfer, and because of that, he’s become more fleshed-out and more relatable as a character (and one of my faves).

This episode did have its belly-laughs (which were good) and its heart-tuggers (which were great), and was a perfect watch for me. I think this one is one of my favorites this season so far.

Random Thoughts:
--Rafael is one fast painter (even for animation, lol)
--That featu
--I bet that Bald Eagle looked jealous seeing King River jumping over the forest. Bet that's endangered to him too, amirite??
--Even though they were in it for a second, seeing Mami and Papi Diaz taking part in (weird but nice) painting slideshows still made me smile because of their still-burgeoning love for one another.
You know…

Fave Lines:
-Everything River says
-”What's up nature? You're gonna get tamed!” -Star
=
King    "Since when are you too cool for piggyback rides?
Marco "Well, I'm not too cool for a piggyback..."
King   "That would be weird Marco."
=
-”I’m not her boyfriend!” -Marco
--...yet. (heh-eh-eh-eh-) -Me

Fave Moments:
-River and Baldy
-River knocking the crud outta his leg
-Marco Wanting Star to See Old Youthful
-River’s Geyser Run
-River Wanting to See Star
-Star Still Seeing Dad as Her Hero
-Star Actually Enjoying the Camping Trip

--

Yep, definitely one of my favorite episodes this season so far.

So tune in tomorrow when I review another favorite of Season 2.


I think you guys are going to love this one.

See you tomorrow, Stargazers. Until then,
I'm Andrew, saying: "Reach for the Star and Keep looking up! ...at your [tablet] screen."

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 4 -- "Star vs. Echo Creek / Wand to Wand"

Konnichiwa, Tomodachi-sans! Rebyū e yōkoso!
(Welcome to the Review!)

Another (seemingly) par-for-the-course discussion of a (seemingly) great episode.

Kicking it off…



In it, “Star goes on the run after accidentally crushing a police car“.

This episode was...ehhh...alright. I wasn’t exactly satisfied with what I saw, but there were some parts I did enjoy:
-Star creating then eating her sugar-rito (sugar on a burrito).
-Star meeting Brigid (even if her hair aspect was pointless to me).
-The underwater scene with the talking dragon.
-Marco looking hard for Star, showing his ever-growing care for her.

As for Brigid: as of posting this review, there’s a chance I won’t remember her. She’s so slow and odd. And, again, her grabbing hair aspect is pointless. Although, she was really nice--shown when she took in Star for a while, and has a really cool abode. Her aspect of also taking in other people’s hair was kinda gross (especially when we learned she uses it to make pancakes...).

Anyway, here is a better plot I would've enjoyed more:
Star breaks uses her wand/magic to make fireworks, and then breaks the cop car. After she learns what jail is like, she gets caught by someone who sees it happening, and they reprimand her for the crime. She then runs away, and starts to feel guilty (and I mean REALLY guilty), and then meets Brigid . Brigid later reveals to Star that she was once like our heroine--being a reckless, shameless recluse doing bad things, and her most major crime (revealed to also be involving a cop car being destroyed) got her to run away out of fear, but after seeing what, out of guilt, she convinces to turn herself in to police


Random Thoughts:
-Brigid, you do know that you can sell hair, too, right? You could make a lotta coin for all that. Weird to think of, but yeah.
-Here’s (possibly) a meta one for you.
Brigid, our one-shot of the week, is voiced by guest star Yvette Nicole Brown. She’s best known for classic roles on Drake & Josh, The Odd Couple and Community. Speaking on the latter series, notice the name of the taco shop at the start of the episode? It’s Britta’s Tacos, which brings to mind the hot and gutsy, yet ditzy and hungry character from that show, which Ms. Brown previously starred in! What a connection!
-I’m honestly delighted to see Star beginning to be more resourceful and aware with her powers and responsibility. It's still a long ways (and some relapses) to go, but she's trying now, and that's a good thing.


Fave Lines:
-”Food is anarchy, Gotta live by your own rules.” -Star
--Amen, sister!
-”Keep your sacrilege of my taco!” -Marco
--...pansy.
-”Hey...My eyes are down here.” -Star (the lady was looking at her hair/band, I swear! Which is still kinda creepy, tho...)

Alright, moving on.

--

And now, ending it...on??



In it, “Star and Ludo struggle to get their new wands to work properly.”.

Holy Cheese… LUDO is BACK!!!

Okay, okay, okay...calm.

So, after the epic season 1 finale showdown and the season 2 premiere aftermath, our heroine and our major adversary both have a new Wand with half the power from Star’s original(?) Wand. And this halfer shows them dealing with how to work their altered extenders. As the ep continued, they begin to learn what makes them tick
(-pure anger towards some[thing/one] turns the glow green
-worrying and calm turns it pink and stops the craziness), and then use their lessons to work their wands much better. And it’s a fantastic watch--admittedly moreso with Ludo.
While Star’s sub was meh at first (my opinion, remember), it got more interesting--AND entertaining--when her lazy self got her one-shot roommate Cloudy to take care of the trash. His being in the episode was not only humbling to help Star realize more that it’s better to do things on your own (without help or using her Wand), but also hilarious--I’ll show why in my Random Thoughts in a moment. Their fight was pretty cool, as was to see Star begin to use her powers better on half speed.
And to end this one on Ludo now showing his alpha-male dominance at the rat trap (“Now...serve me some porridge.”) got me amped up, like licking on a D battery, but with a good feeling afterwards.
And with this, I’m more excited about what’s to come as this season progresses with both our favorite hero (ehh) and our favorite villain (yeah). Both will learn more about their Wands powers and how to use them better and I’m gonna enjoy it all much more.
I’m expecting a FIGHT at the end, and I will not be disappointed.


Random Thoughts:
-You don’t know how overjoyed I was to see Ludo in an episode again. And his new appearance was everything. Hipster beard, new much better stronger and powerful henchmen, simple-yet-more-threatening outfit (of a potato chip bag), more huskier, raspier and vulnerable voice (shout to VA Alan Tudyk for the kickbutt change in sound) and a brand-new half-power skeletal Wand (I’ll call it Skelbowtor; geddit? Like elbow meets Skeletor? [Oh my and my corny brilliance.])
-I love Cloudy. He’s such a ditzy dick. That scene of swinging around trash made me laugh so long and so hard. I don’t know why, it didn’t seem so hilarious. (Must have been the “Must be all that Iced Tea” line.)
-Hey, Glossy’s back too! Hmm, I guess Jeffrey Tambor wasn’t too busy with Transparent at the moment. Probably has to do with those Emmys.
-Just leaving this here…


Fave Lines:
-”Sure can. I guess princess hands are too delicate to touch garbage [chuckles]” -Cloudy
-”I don't know why I have so much energy today. Must be all that iced tea.” - Cloudy
--Heck, almost everything Cloudy said.
-
-”Now... serve me some porridge.” -:Ludo (that got me amped up)
(--’Extra sugar. And no lumps, bitch!’ -what I would’ve added. lel)

I thought Episode 4 was a great episode. I enjoyed the slight--but growing--character development, memorable one-liners, kickbutt fights and a sense that this season could only get better from here (at least that’s what I think).

Check back tomorrow where I review Episode 5 - “Starstruck” and “Camping Trip”. It’s gonna be mighty wooden.
See you tomorrow! I’m Andrew saying...
“Reach for the Star, and Keep Looking Up! ...at your [computer] screen.”

Sayonara....

Star vs. The Forces of Evil Review 2: Episode 3 -- "Star on Wheels / Fetch"

Hey there. Welcome back, Stargazers.

Apologies for the months-long absence. I hope I can make it up to you guys by returning to Reviewing Star vs. The Forces of Evil with all of Season 2...one episode a day.

Let’s kick off this review with...


This was a very fun and humbling episode.
To see Star learn more and more about Earth customs and likenesses makes me smile.
The trust between Starco took a good hit--yes, because Marco neglected to teach Star how to use the brakes, but it did mend again later on before both of them almost met their doom,. And so, it’s great to see Starco’s bond and trust strengthen with each episode...even under strange yet sweet auspices.
Meanwhile, it’s great to see Oskar again; his character is simply one of my favorites last season (even in a wide group of favorites), and his contributions to help Marco out was really sweet...even if he was seemingly almost out of it most of the--the whole time. But we can’t forget Glossaryck! He was as low-key goofball yet high-key hilarious as ever; his help seemed pointless, but made a lot of sense later on, and his random team-up with Oskar was comedy gold. I would love to see these two again sometime. Plus, the invisible goat was just hilarious.

I came into this one with a different disposition, but left more positive. This episode was really a turnover for me. This was an episode with a problem that would’ve easily been figured out halfway through--or even at the start, but it was still fun to watch.

Random Thoughts:
--♪ Got sloppy hot rhymes like a meatball sub. Little book dude he is my bud. Drivin' through signs 'cause we doin' our thing. Marco lookin' chill like he relaxing ♫
-Looks like someone’s born to host a revival of “Pimp My Ride”!
Speaking of ride, Oskar needs to take his West Coast Customs. Or Gas. Either way, he needs to get himself pimped.
--You know, that little scene with Oskar, Marc and Glossy would’ve helped make for a great gender-flipped version of a great certain movie classic…

--I wish that song Oskar and Glossy made was a downloadable song...
or a song I can listen to standalone…
(http://brianwithanh.tumblr.com/post/147964608661/from-star-vs-the-forces-of-evil-star-on-wheels) YAAAAAAAY!! (Ahh, Star vs. composers--always looking out for the little guy).
--I love that the wings from Mewberty are back to help save Star in her almost peril.
--I wish I could have a ferret as a pet. I wouldn’t name it Gene, but I definitely could name it something simple, but more than nice like…

...Wow...

Hnehek/kdvnkl…

Uhhh...Let’s just move it on along to the B-side.



It was a weird (and less wild) episode (oh right the theme song), but even with that admission, it was all pretty clever and added up in the end. Sure, it starts out slow and a little tedious, but it gets there. Some parts were boring, other parts were funny. But it still felt like a mediocre mix. And the “Marco trying to poke the hole into his juice pouch” gag was really funny.
Every time Willoughby talked was also pretty humorous. And it did add up to a nice moment when Lydia finally did talk; that tugged my heartstrings a bit.

Random Thoughts:
--Hey, Marc. If you’re having problems with that juice pouch, just get some scissors and cut at the tip. Problem solved.
--Hey, Star. Just ask the questions about dogs about why he wants your wand. I’m sure it’ll give you something of an answer. Problem solved.
--Hey, me. I’m sure there were some parts of the episode you would’ve liked. Just post a few. It’ll make you look less of a dipwad.
-I did, dipwad! They’re lowkey, but that’s all I can find. This episode isn’t a favorite of mine, and that should be okay. Okay? And that’s after a very fun and enjoyable episode at the top for me.
--I want a dog that's loyal, caring and can talk like Lydia. As long as said dog doesn't bite any of my things and won't let go. (especially those that aren't a part of my body.)

And after the bunch of sentences stating the obvious and yet trying to avoid such, I’m ending the review here.

It was a noticeable mish-mash of funny and boring. I’ll keep watching “Star on Wheels” more and more and get to “Fetch” sometime later in life(It’ll be a while).

Thanks for checking in, everyone. Hope you enjoyed this review, and I hope to get your attention back by reviewing every episode every day. And since the TV movie " " is coming up on the 15th, I'll review this as well.

I’ll be back tomorrow with my thoughts on Episode 4…


Hope you’ll join me then.
And I wish you all a very happy and safe Happy 4th of July.
For now…
This is Andrew, saying “Reach for the Star, and Keep looking up! ..at your TV screen.”