Galavant: Curtain Call

Last time on “Galavant:” Chef and Gwynne found themselves in the center of the battle as the armies of Valencia and Hortensia converged right where they had settled after leaving the palace. Galavant and Richard arrived with their zombie army, allowing them to reunite with Isabella and Gareth. Madalena betrayed Gareth by using her magical powers to turn the battle to her favor. As most of the main cast sought refuge in Hortensia’s courtyard, Madalena made them one last offer. When they turned it down, she faced Gareth’s betrayal and left to finish the battle.

Who wins? Who loses? Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

(Sorry. I haven’t been able to stop listening to the Hamilton cast recording).

But before we begin, I just learned that Joshua Sasse and Kylie Minogue (the Evil Queen back in Episode 1) are engaged! I’m not sure if they met on set or before that, but it’s kinda sweet. So congrats you two!

Back to our story…

We start in the past with a young Richard and a young Gareth. He goes to play with the kids his parents paid to be his friends. I know I was trying to spot young Roberta but I don’t think they had her, which is a total missed opportunity. Because I’m pretty sure she liked him even then and probably was a true friend to Richard, like Gareth. Come on, show!

Anyway, Richard realizes that everyone is just praising him because they’re scared of Gareth, not because of anything he really does. He wonders if he’ll ever make something of himself and sings about it. Older Richard comes in to sing a duet and reveal that, no, they don’t really make anything of themselves. But he can alongside Galavant.

(Richard and his inner child have a depressing realization)

The song is interrupted as the others remind him they are in the middle of a battle and have zombies trying to break down the gates. He’s like “But I was communing with my inner child.” They tell him to knock it off and focus on trying not to die.

Galavant: Rally!

Last time on “Galavant”: Madalena sold her soul in order to get the dark powers of D’Dew from Wormwood, despite the fact Gareth didn’t want her too. Isabella tried to rally her troops. Galavant realized his zombie army responded to true love. Richard and Roberta finally got together but broke up when Richard insisted on fighting with Galavant. She knew he wouldn’t survive and decided to go live on Spinster Island.

Time for the exciting conclusion!

Hey, remember the Mightiest Earworm to Ever Try and Take On “It’s A Small World”? You know, the song that opened Galavant that you were humming until ABC killed it by using it for several commercials?

It’s back.

The Jester recaps everything using the song that opened the show and, to be honest, it’s now a very nice callback. He finishes, standing between the forces of Hortensia and Valencia as they applaud. Madalena and Gareth express their appreciation for the Jester’s voice yet again.

(All hail the Jester)

Galavant: Off to War

Last time on “Galavant:” Though he was rushed to greatest healer in the land, Neo of Sporin, Galavant died. But Richard was able to provide an ingredient for a potion that could bring the man back to life. While dead, Galavant learned about the impending battle between Isabella and Madalena. He also learned that Isabella thought he hated her. Determined to right everything, Galavant returned to life…just as Roberta and Richard were going to kiss.

Wormwood helped Gareth and Madalena plan their war and wondered if a wedding was also in their future. This freaked Madalena out but in the end, she and Gareth agreed they were in love and would proceed from there. They rallied their troops and headed out to Hortensia.

Isabella ended up being the one to lead Hortensia into battle and she was distraught to see she had barely anything to work with. But she remained determined as she prepared to go out to war.

Neo of Sporin provided an army when he revealed he had a bunch of zombies wandering around his abode. So Galavant led them out to save Isabella.

Will he succeed? Let’s find out!

The zombie army marches on with Galavant at the helm. Sid is still feeling guilty about his part in killing Galavant and not even Galavant himself can help him forgive himself. As they break for the night, Richard and Roberta decide to pick up where they left off in Neo’s lair—it’s time for their kiss. And maybe more.

Go, Richard. And go, Roberta. You’ve waited long enough for this!

(Sorry there wasn't a better shot. It was night time)

Galavant: Welcome to Purgatory

Last time on “Galavant:” After wandering the woods, the main trio came upon the lands belonging to Galavant’s father. He wanted to keep going but was outvoted. He learnt his father was taking in young boys and training them to be knights. Galavant and his father made up and it was sweet.
Isabella returned to Hortensia, rescued her parents from the dungeons, threw out Wormwood and finally got Harry to call off the arranged marriage.

Sid escaped Valencia and ran into Wormwood. He found out what happened between Isabella and Galavant and set out to right things. Wormwood went to offer a war to Madalena and Gareth.
When Sid found Galavant, he tried to give Galavant a sword. It ended up in his stomach.

Oops.

(Sign post)

Sid, Richard and Roberta rush Galavant to the greatest healer in the land—Neo of Sporin. (Get it?). When they get there, Neo sings about how he can save everybody instead of, you know, healing Galavant. So by the time the song is over, Galavant is dead.

Uh oh.

Galavant: Daddy Issues!

Last time on “Galavant:” Galavant and Richard fought. Again. They ended up on opposite sides of a feud between giants and dwarfs, who were fighting over a bridge. In the end, Bobbi made everyone see commonsense. The dwarfs and giants made up while the other three rode out to Hortensia.

Wormwood continued to exert power of Isabella using the magical tiara, even having her send her parents to the dungeon. He made a mistake, though, when he sent Isabella to see why Princess Jubilee didn’t RSVP. During the rough-and-tumbled Jubilee’s number about being a rebel, the crown was knocked off and Isabella was freed from his grasp. And boy was she pissed.

Meanwhile, Gareth confided in Sid that he was starting to fall for Madalena. Sid tried to talk Gareth out of it but Gareth just told Madalena all the bad things Sid said about her. So Sid had to run for his life.

Sid takes refuge out with the peasants of Valencia. However, Madalena has already had wanted posters printed up and the people want to turn Sid in. He pleads with them not to and reminds them that they are victims of Madalena and Gareth as well. He rallies the people to the side and they prepare to storm the palace. Sid even carries a red flag, which I like to believe was a shout out to Les Miserables.

(Do you hear the people sing?)

Unfortunately, it was all a ruse. The people run off once Sid’s in the courtyard, pretty much leaving him gift wrapped for Madalena and Gareth. He realizes he’s screwed.

The Red Dress: A Psychological Thriller

I know, I know. I said I would give Sean Maguire a break. But LMN (Lifetime Movie Network) aired this movie on Sunday, January 24th, and of course I watched it, despite some hesitation because I know the fair LMN airs. So, how was it? Let’s take a look.

Beware sneaky husbands, supposed friends and SPOILERS!

Galavant: There Aren't Giants in the Sky

Last time on “Galavant:” Richard continued to make trouble for Galavant and learned that Roberta was a childhood friend of his. When Galavant learnt this, he plotted to get the two together in hopes that Richard would then focus on Roberta rather than him. Dinner, though, was disastrous and it didn’t seem to work on Richard. Roberta, however, did fall for Richard. Or rather, she was already falling and realized that he was dense.

Or agreed with my theory that Richard is gay and in love with Galavant.

Madalena was invited two a roast held by two powerful queens and was horrified to learn that she was the one being roasted. She then walked home and when Gareth learned of her humiliation, he exacted revenge. Touched, Madalena and Gareth realized they might have deeper feelings for the other.

Isabella was still happily making wedding plans but Gwynne was having a hard time adjusting to life in the palace. So she and Chef left.

Aww.

Richard wakes Galavant to introduce his friend to Tad Cooper, his lizard. I’m sorry, his dragon. Galavant tries to get the king to see reason and that Tad Cooper is probably an iguana. But definitely not a lizard. In the end, he loses his cool and unleashes on Richard once again. This time, Richard takes Tad Cooper and goes off to sing a sad song. It ends with him being captured.

(Is there a problem?)

OUAT: Season 5A Wrap Up

So, the first half of season 5 is over. How was it?

Overall, not bad. There were many good episodes in fact. But at the same time, it was a bit of a letdown. I don’t think this storyline fit the half-season arcs they’ve been doing. The Dark Swan deserved a full season.

Why? Let’s count the ways:

Character development

We got a lot of character development…for Hook. Over eleven episodes, he fought for Emma and then had to fight for his very soul. He sunk to his darkest as the Dark One and nearly did in every hero on the show. But then his love for Emma and his desire to be a better man for her won out. He sacrificed himself for her and her family, dying a hero.