Over the Garden Wall Review
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Over the Garden Wall is a modern day classic Halloween season series. Placing it up there with the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus, this series works it’s way into the annual fall watch list for many people and for good reason. Let’s take some time and dive into the series to see what makes it so special to so many people.
Created by Patrick McHale and first aired in November of 2014. This dark fantasy adventure comedy is a very unique experience. With only 10 short episodes, this show makes for easy watching during those cold rainy days of fall. The theme of the show makes it perfect for that changing of the seasons as we head into winter as well.
The Characters
Two children named Wirt and Greg (voiced by Elijah Wood and Collin Dean) get lost in a mysterious woods. The adventure is these two characters working to get home and all the characters that help them along the way. The show has other very notable cast members as well. Melanie Lynskey plays a blue bird that accompanies the children through their adventure. The Woodsmen, voiced by the famous Christopher Lloyd who most probably remember from back to the future, looks out for these children and the threat of the beast. Finally the beast himself, voiced by Samuel Ramey who really captures the role of a mysterious villain to the show.
The Plot of Over the Garden Wall
The story follows Wirt and Greg as they try to find their way home through the woods. It’s not explained early on how they got lost in the woods, but we know that their focus is on getting home and finding anyone that can help them get there. As the show progresses we begin to see that the forest that they have arrived in is no normal forest, with creatures that are able to speak and other mysterious things such as the town of Potsfield or the school of children animals that learned to play instruments. Each episode has its own unique spin on the next step of the adventure without feeling disjointed.
My personal favorite episodes are titled “Hard Times at the Huskin' Bee” (episode 2) and “Songs of the Dark Lantern” (episode 4) Songs of the Dark Lantern is full of little songs and quotes that are very memorable.
The Music of Over the Garden Wall
The music in Over the Garden Wall is fantastic. From the intro and outro songs to the fixed in background ambiance to the songs in the episodes. This show has a strong foundation of music. The intro by Patrick McHale and vocalized by Jack Jones are so well done and really give this show an extra shot of identity. Smaller songs in the show like the silly Potatoes and Molasse and the short but funny highwayman song.
Animation of Over the Garden Wall
The animation style of over the garden wall fits really well. IT has the cute cuddly characters while at the same time able to offer some more frightful characters and looming darkness. Such as the supposed beast in episode 1 or Auntie Whispers. The animation is smooth and crisp. IF you are watching a DVD it might be more fuzzy, but the show is on Hulu this year so you can get the full definition of the show there.
The Pacing
Pacing on this story is fantastic. There could not have been better pacing in my opinion. The 10 episode run was perfect and sets up the ultimate ending that is both grounding the story as well as giving a satisfying conclusion. We get to learn details in the final episodes about each character that removed the mystery that we had of them throughout the show and get a better idea of how they got into the situation that they are in. Placing this segment of the story at the tail end of the show was a fantastic decision.
Conclusion
At the end of the day should you watch this show? Yes, of course you should. This show is a gem and should be added to anyone's watch list for the Halloween season. From the characters and their brilliant voice acting to the music and the story. It all accumulates to an immersive and deep show that mixes in humor tastefully. So have you seen the show already? What are your thoughts? Comment below and let us know!
