The latter half of Star Vs. The Forces of Evil’s third season has plunged our beloved protagonist into a whirlwind of challenges. From unearthing sinister royal conspiracies to her ongoing struggle to unite mewmans and monsters, Star’s journey has been anything but smooth sailing. This week’s first episode, “Is Another Mystery,” zeroes in on her quest for unity between the two factions.
Tom Steps Up as Star’s Supportive Boyfriend
Eager to be more involved in Star’s life, Tom accompanies her on a mission to locate Buff Frog after Marco reports his disappearance. Their investigation leads them to discover that the monsters are planning to abandon Mewni and seek refuge in another dimension. Despite Tom’s impassioned speech about being a monster himself, the monsters decide to leave, vowing to return when Star becomes queen. Following a heart-wrenching farewell, Star feels her efforts to unite Monster and Mewmans have only exacerbated the situation. However, Tom comforts her, asserting that if they can make things worse, there’s still hope.
The episode’s themes are potent, though they only become apparent towards the end. The air of mystery surrounding the monsters’ disappearance builds tension, and when we finally learn that it’s due to the ongoing prejudice against them, their plight feels all the more genuine. Tom’s character shines in this episode, as he transitions from trying to outdo Marco to genuinely supporting Star by speaking from his heart. His relationship with Star also serves as a beacon of hope for the two species to coexist peacefully in the future.
Addressing Real-World Issues in a Smart and Accessible Way
While this episode effectively highlights one of the ongoing conflicts in the world of Star Vs., it falters slightly in its execution. As mentioned earlier, the theme only emerges at the very end, and the meandering journey leading up to it, though humorous, makes the episode feel somewhat unfocused. Despite this, it’s refreshing to witness Tom’s struggles in his relationship with Star, and the lesson he learns at the end compensates for the somewhat muddled plot. Overall, it’s a fantastic episode that tackles real-world issues head-on in an intelligent and accessible manner.
Marco’s Family Expands and the Struggles of Staying Connected
This week’s second episode transports us back to Earth, where Marco’s family is about to grow. Marco and Star attend a party at his house, only for Marco to realize it’s a baby shower for his mother—a fact he had overlooked.
The episode’s primary focus is the challenge of staying connected. Marco has been so engrossed in Mewni that he’s neglected his life back home. Riddled with guilt for not checking in and being absent, Marco endeavors to make amends with his unborn baby brother (named Marco Jr., courtesy of his endearingly quirky parents) by purchasing a gift at Quest Buy. He opts for a magical portrait of himself to serve as a presence for Marco Jr. when he’s away.
Unfortunately, Marco’s haste in creating the magical painting results in a disastrous outcome. To make matters worse, Marco’s appearance begins to morph to match the painting! Star and the Diaz family must reverse the process by completing a questionnaire about Marco. When Mr. and Mrs. Diaz realize they no longer know their son, Star answers the questions, restoring Marco to normal. Both Marco and his parents pledge to check in on each other more frequently.
A Powerful Emotional Core in “Marco Jr.”
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, particularly because it resonates with a universal experience we’ve all shared with our parents: their struggle to see us as anything other than their children. This theme is exemplified by the portrait of Marco, which captures a version of him, but not his true essence. His parents view him as their little boy, but he has evolved, and that frightens them. Conversely, Marco’s extended absence has rendered Earth unrecognizable to him.
“Marco Jr.” showcases Star’s dynamic world, where nothing remains static, especially the characters. The Diaz family’s commitment to visiting each other more often signifies their willingness to accept and adapt to change. This episode boasts a strong emotional core, making it a standout in the series.
Visitor Rating: 4 Stars