The Book of Rannells: Sofia the First: Season 4, Episode 16 – “The Mystic Isles: A Very Mystic Wassailia” (2017)

The titular Mystic Isles holiday here isn’t called Christmas, but as the name “Wassailia” suggests, it’s very much the Mystic Isles version of Christmas, and so, the episode brings with it all the hallmarks of a Christmas special, from holiday traditions to the overall theme of love and family (whatever form that takes.)

The beloved Mystic Isles holiday of Wassailia has arrived.  The other Protectors are ready to call it a day and get home to celebrate, but Sofia’s mentor Chrysta volunteers to take on a few last-minute Protector duties.  Sofia decides to help, so they can finish earlier and both get back to their families, and together, they travel across the Mystic Isles, sorting out various troubles.  But as the day stretches on, Sofia can’t understand why Chrysta isn’t more eager to get home to her family.

Another one where the ultimate resolution is pretty obvious, but a kids’ show can’t really be faulted for that.  Sofia learning a little more about her mentor is handled nicely, and some of the slight Mystic Isles twists on yuletide traditions (like the magic-sleigh-riding “Elfalfa” who delivers gifts or living tree decorations) are amusing.  While nothing happens here that you wouldn’t expect for a Christmas special, it’s pleasant enough.  Also, the Protector voiced by Ming-na Wen makes an appearance here, which is cool.

What the episode doesn’t have is a whole lot of Skye.  This is something that can happen with recurring characters – a guest star is probably going to be used to good effect, but when a character recurs, they’ll have the occasional episode where their appearance is more strictly functional.  And that’s what we get with Skye here.  As Sofia’s Protector Steed in the Mystic Isles, he joins Sofia and Chrysta in their tasks, so he’s onscreen a lot, but he doesn’t do too much beyond fly Sofia from place to place.

Andrew Rannells gets in the occasional good line (Skye can’t resist showing off just a bit when the light from his horn is needed to guide someone’s sleigh tonight,) but on the whole, Skye is more present than involved.  He doesn’t even get in on the episode’s song, which feels like a waste of Rannells; whose idea was that?