Galavant: The Mightiest Earworm Ever

It may even be more catchy than It’s a Small World.

Admit it: You’re singing it now.

Yes, that opening song to “Galavant,” ABC’s foray into musical TV shows. In it, we learn everything we need to know: Galavant is the greatest hero in some unnamed faraway kingdom. He falls in love with Magdalena and the two are quite happy together. Until one day the king, Richard, decides to kidnap Magdalena and make her his queen. We open on their wedding day as Galavant rides to rescue his beloved.

There’s just one problem: she’s decided that she’d rather have the fame and fortune Richard can give her over Galavant’s love. So she lets him down and marries the king. Heartbroken, Galavant retreats to his humble cottage and begins wallowing. And that’s where our story truly begins.

(Who doesn't want to be queen?)

As Galavant sleeps off another night of drinking and overeating, his squire is surprised when a beautiful young woman comes to call. She is Princess Isabella of Valencia and she needs Galavant’s help. He’s not interested. Even when she offers to pay him with a priceless jewel, the prized possession of her country. The very thing King Richard killed her parents for while she hid from his attack. Hearing about King Richard intrigues Galavant. As does a meal. Isabella tells Galavant of her troubles while he devours everything in sight.

(She's really second guessing this plan)

At King Richard’s court, the Jester tells knock knock jokes the Queen find hysterical. Her husband—not so much. He wonders if they are just over his head. Gareth realizes Magdalena is only laughing at the Jester because she wants to sleep with him. Richard remains oblivious.

Magdalena turns on her husband, demanding the priceless jewel of Valencia. Richard argues that he can’t get the king and queen to reveal anything. Magdalena huffs and says that Galavant would’ve done it already. She then storms off, taking the Jester with her for discussions about his comedy. Richard’s the only one who believes that’s what they’ll be doing.

(So far, he's my favorite character)

A young chef rolls a squeaky cart full of food up to the king and asks if he wants a snack. Richard wants to do away with Galavant. How much does he want it? Enough for a song! Complete with a dance number featuring the entire court. And judging by how Gareth just orders everyone to participate, I imagine they have a song and dance number every day at that court.

(All guards must know how to soft shoe)

Richard orders Isabella’s parents to be brought before him. He demands they give him their jewel. But they refuse and tell him that he’ll never find it. So he orders their deaths. From her hiding place, Isabella gasps and is discovered. She is pulled in front of Richard and ultimately hands over the Jewel of Valencia to him. So how does she have it to pay Galavant? Well, things get interesting on that front.

Magdalena appears to demand if Richard had gotten the jewel yet and doesn’t let him answer. Instead, she continues to go on about Galavant and how he would’ve gotten it already. Richard hides the jewel and tells his wife that the royal family still won’t budge. She storms back upstairs to her jester.

Richard devises a plan. He gives Isabella back her jewel and tells her she is to go find Galavant. She is to hire Galavant in a quest to avenge her parents. But if he hesitates, Richard gives her something to say to him that will get Galavant to agree to the quest. He then asks if she needs to write it down. Isabella promises she’ll remember. Richard isn’t too sure but the King and Queen of Valencia vouch for their daughter’s memory.

(Proud parents)

Isabella repeats Richard’s message as Galavant continues to wolf down his food: That while Isabella was hiding, she heard the king and queen in their room. She heard the queen crying each night and felt bad for the poor woman. At night, the queen would mutter about how she was sorry, gals. Galavant realizes that she is talking about him. He has to rescue her. So he agrees to Isabella’s quest, much to Sid’s joy.

Galavant prepares for his quest, Richard is giddy at the prospect of getting rid of Galavant and the court jester is revealed to be our singing narrator. He ends his song at Magdalena’s bidding and joins her in bed.

(Our narrator!)

So there was the first episode! I’m sure you all have the song stuck in your head. And ABC’s commercials did not help. I don’t know who thought it would be a great idea to sing about all their shows. Especially the dramas. But so far, I like Galavant the series. It has a very Monty Python-esque feel to it. So much so, I kept waiting for Eric Idle or John Cleese to pop out. Who knows? Maybe one of them will be a surprise guest later on.

Keep tuned for the next recap…tomorrow.

Screen caps from here.