Episode 4, which I didn’t review, offered up a lot more context for the set-up of the story, so I think I’m mostly on track by now. As we start the second half of the season, Fionna, Cake, and Simon are on a quest through the multiverse.
Fionna and Cake, accomplished by Simon, are being chased by a relentless hunter known as The Scarab. Because theirs is an unsanctioned universe, the Scarab is determined to eradicate them. In order to safely hide their universe from him, and restore its magic, Simon searches the multiverse for another version of his magic Ice King crown. They finally find one, but the parallel Simon who wears it seems to have both life and magic figured out in a way that our Simon never has. Meanwhile, back in Fionna and Cake’s world, her friends Gary and Marshall make an unlikely connection.
Fionna, Cake, and Simon have been on this multiversal search for a couple episodes now, which always makes for an entertaining premise. Each new universe is a chance to do something different creatively in the story, and meeting parallels of major characters gives us an opportunity to view our versions differently. Not to mention, it also affects the characters’ view of themselves. Simon’s crown is cursed, and although it gave him wondrous powers, it also drove him mad. But the Simon in this new world, who’s known as the Winter King, doesn’t appear to have any of those problems. He can easily control both the crown and its magic, he’s not haunted by the tragedies of their past, and he’s eternally self-assured. When Fionna approaches him, admitting, “This is gonna sound nuts, but I think I’ve been dreaming about you,” the Winter King cavalierly responds, “I wouldn’t be at all surprised! I’m radical.” Naturally, seeing a version of himself who has it all figured out only makes Simon feel more inadequate in his own life.
When Andrew Rannells/Gary first appeared in the episode, I thought it was just going to be a quick “yep, things are happening in Fionna and Cake’s world” cameo, but this episode probably has his most screentime so far. Gary stops by Fionna’s place when she flakes on accompanying him to buy baking supplies (not realizing she’s in a different universe,) and while there, he runs into Marshall, who’s casually using her shower.
Gary and Marshall are wildly different characters; Gary is anxious and scrupulous, while Marshall is laidback and free flowing. As Marshall nonchalantly does things on the spur of the moment, Gary’s out here with his “64-step business plan” to produce and sell his own pastries. As such, it’s inevitably interesting to put them into scenes together.
I really like how Rannells’s tightly wound vocal performance contrasts with Donald Glover’s lowkey one. Their different energies clash at times but complement each other at others, and the two characters fall into a weird, surprising rhythm together. It’s fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment