October 27, 2020 – Gomez's Vintage (& New) Movies, Music, Games & More

Yes, I know that I haven’t been watching this show for quite a while (and it’s mainly thanks to College). However, the show’s on a hiatus right now, so I’d thought it would be fun to cover episodes 8-10 of Amphibia’s second season (I’m saving the 11th one for a separate review – that will be a Halloween treat over here). For these 6 segments, it’s rather impossible if all of them get a 9 or above (since I have very high standards of myself). However, I will give the bull seal of approval if the average rating for all 6 episodes is at least a 9/10. Also, for future reviews about the show, I’ll only give the bull seal of approval if both episodes scored a 9 at least. With that said, let’s a go!

Lost in Newtopia:

Air Date: 8/29/20
Guest Starring: Haley Tju, Keith David, On Braly, Jack Ferraido

I really enjoyed this episode overall. Basically, it’s Anne and Polly doing random stuff across the city of Newtopia. However, we’ve never seen Anne and Polly team up before so this is quite refreshing. One highlight for me is Anne not being very tolerant to spicy food. Given that I live in California as well (like Anne), I too cannot handle spicy cuisine unlike my ancestors (most are from Pakistan). This is yet another reminder of why I love this show so much and that ending just keeps me coming for more.

Also, we need to see more about the robot.

Sprig Gets Schooled:

Air Date: 8/29/20
Guest Starring: Flula Borg, Kari Wahlgren

First off, Anne and Polly are way off the mark about college since they don’t watch the right kind of movies. It’s extremely stressful and there’s a lot of unexpected assignments to take care of. College parties are also nowhere to be found given the pandemic (I’m going all online this semester and it will stay that way the next semester since the Trump administration failed to stop the virus big time.).

Anyway, this was another great episode of this show. TheGamerPainter from the show’s wiki described it perfectly – it’s “Monster’s University” but it takes place in Newtopia University. Sprig learns that he has potential to be in said university and gets enrolled into a young learners plan. Soon, he quickly realizes that this university is quite evil and he isn’t ready to go there just yet. It then turns into a sneaky stealth mode thingy at one point, but everyone’s safe. It’s also really heartwarming, but the last line makes no sense.

Little Frogtown:

Air Date: 9/12/20
Guest Starring: Maurice LaMarche

Now this episode was a banger. It plays like the old detective movies (or a film noir – Anne was watching one on her phone in the beginning) in which half of the episode turns into black-and-white, which is a really cool effect (although it’s seen in other episodes as well – remember MLP:FiM’s “Rarity Investigates”?). Anne, Sprig and Polly are all pushed out of the spotlight for this one (they’re all at the line for the Arcade) and Hop Pop gets the starring role here.

Basically, the story is that Sal’s (an old friend of Hop Pop; played by Maurice LaMarche) sandwich shop (the sauce is to die for) is shut down and his iconic fedora is left behind in that shop. Hop Pop investigates at many places including a gala and a factory. The mystery reveal is quite surprising and is something that I would have never expected in the first place. It’s message at the end is quite inspiring – always keep moving forward in your life (and apparently this country will NOT be moving forward thanks to Amy Coney Barrett, a super conservative judge who’s now a Supreme Court justice). The ending was quite hilarious to top it off.

Also, I have two observations. First off, that chef sounds a lot like Buff Frog from “Star vs. the Forces of Evil”. And apparently, it’s legal in Newtopia to tase a minor.

Hopping Mall:

Air Date: 9/12/20
Guest Starring: Misty Lee, Romi Dames

As you guessed, this episode does take place in a mall (it’s outdoors). Hop Pop gives Anne, Sprig and Polly a couple of coppers to spend here (which is far from enough). Anne and Sprig see a teapot that they really want, but that’s the trophy for the shopping cart derby. It’s quite a mayhem (and it’s packed with some video game references like “Super Smash Bros.”, but Anne and Sprig win in the end. The runner up, Priscilla the Killa (Misty Lee), remembered that the teapot belonged to her mother and we see a really touching moment between the two.

Perhaps the one segment that I will always remember is when Anne and Sprig were reminiscing about their mothers at the Hotel in Newtopia. It nearly made me cry and further proves that this show can be quite a master in conveying emotions. It also has a special end credits tune here, so that was quite a treat.

The Sleepover to End All Sleepovers:

Air Date: 9/19/20
Guest Starring: Haley Tju, Michelle Dockery

Honestly, I feel like this episode shouldn’t be that out of place for Halloween, because this is quite the scariest and most disturbing episode this show has so far…and I freaking love it! We see more of Marcy and her antics with Anne, Sprig and Polly. It takes place within the castle of Newtopia and the gang is just messing around here, annoying Lady Olivia (Michelle Dockery).

What really scared the hell out of me was when Marcy and Anne summoned a ghost (or a Shadowfish) by capturing a selfie in a haunted basement. Yep, this show’s not just for kids anymore! Anyone that is a single digit age will very likely be spooked the hell out of this episode. Also, Sasha is basically really brave and extremely bossy (though we don’t see her this episode). Another one of the show’s best episodes!

A Day at the Aquarium

Air Date: 9/19/20
Guest Starring: Haley Tju, Keith David, Michelle Dockery, Tress MacNeille, Nicole Byer

Welp, last day at Newtopia, so let’s make the most of it…or maybe not since this is a really sappy episode.

As you may have guessed, this episode mainly takes place in the aquarium and there were a lot of references back in Wartwood seen in the first season that made Anne and the Plantars really cry their eyes out. There were a lot of references seen in previous episodes, so that was a nice treat as well.

It all depends on the frog box that needs to be charged. The king (Keith David) needed someone to watch over it…and Marcy was the one to supervise the recharging. Anne’s heading back to Wartwood! Funny how a road trip ended midway the first season too…

The ending leaves a lot to ponder about and I can’t wait for more to come in the second half of this season.

Lost in Newtopia: 9/10
Sprig Gets Schooled: 7/10
Little Frogtown: 9/10
Hopping Mall: 10/10
The Sleepover to End All Sleepovers: 10/10
A Day at the Aquarium: 9/10