The Owl House (TV Series) Understanding Willow (2020) User Reviews

I LOVED this episode SO MUCH!

[topquadrado · 8/10 · 1 August 2020]

It wasn't one of the episodes I expected the most, but it was super docile and incredible to watch. Alongside "Really Small Problems", this was another episode of The Owl House that contributed to its characters' development, in this case between Amity and Willow. I already expected the episode to be more or less like this, as I theorized that it would address something about Willow's past, since in that episode she lost her memories, or that she would be jealous that Amity and Luz are doing so well now.

I admit that the treatment of using Memory Lane to talk about Amity and Willow's past and friendship was a great idea, although I expected more about it. I really loved how Amity and Willow got along so well in childhood, and how their "amity" (unnecessary pun) went down because of Amity's parents (I still hope their faces show up on the show). And besides, I loved some scenes between Luz and Amity (they are cute together). Other than the fact that Willow's parents were both men. (I just found it kind of weird because I'm not so familiar, but I liked it)

Anyway, "Understanding Willow" was a great episode for the quality of the show but I admit that I expected a little more about how the producers would deal with Willow's past instead of Memory Lane where over there, the conflict was legally and emotionally , but I kind of didn't get too involved or it was kind of simple to see (my opinion). Anyway, I really loved the episode and it was one of the most elaborate of the show in my opinion. Just don't really like Gus's side story interviewing Eda and King for a random reason, but overall, Disney nailed it in choosing two great and docible character-focused episodes to fill the morning of August 1st 2020. Really enjoyed!!

Disney's Best Stuff Since Gravity Falls

[rantherandomartist · 1/10 · 3 August 2020]

I will be honest when I say that I consider this episode to be one of the best episodes in the series, if not, the best so far.

This episode here starts off with Willow's memories in the physical form of Polaroids being burned up by Amity Blight, Willow's ex-friend, later on revealed to ex-best friend, concerned about one of the memories reaching out to others in the school. The effect of this decision turns Willow into a memory-less person who doesn't know anything about herself or anyone around her. Luz, the caring friend that she is, to both Amity and Willow, wants to help fix Willow's memories and fix Willow and Amity's long-lost relationship as best friends. She asks Eda to send Amity and herself into Willow's mind and the two go on a small adventure where a past is revealed, relationships grows, and so many Lumity moments! 😂😂

In all seriousness though, this episode has a lot of stuff that's going on in the background. First off, Amity's character. Amity at the very beginning was a character that many people seemed to understand right off the bat that she was going to be a straight-off rival to Luz and her friends. Now at this point in the season and the series, she has now become a close friend to Luz, probably even more based on what will happen in next week's episode, and is showing to Willow that she wants to try and make amends with her from where they left off in their friendship. We have never seen Amity in a position where she has done something wrong, fully admits to it, and wants to try and fix things. All we have seen of her until this point was that she is a confident, intelligent, yet mean student who rightfully works her way up to the top of her class so she can join the Emperor's Coven. To think that this character from earlier episodes would go down to a point where she admits that she is weak with something that she believes she has no control on is honestly so amazing to the point that it makes me love this episode so much more. It also should be noted that with realizing this weakness, she is willing to fix that, and make it something better, showing that confidence that was seen before, but in a better light. Speaking of light...

Second point, Luz and Amity's (close) relationship. These two have had an interesting history on their friendship. First they were battling each other with anger, then they helped each other out in adventures in the library and on the Witch Arena in the "Knee" saving their loved ones, high-fiving each other on Luz's first day, and now... hand holding? There has been a big ship between these two characters ever since the episode "Lost in Language", one that could possibly be canon due to Dana Terrace, the creator of the show, who responded very positively too. I would be lying if I wasn't part of this ship too, but besides the ship, it is interesting to see how these two characters or people have grown towards each other. These two have been able to understand each other in certain ways and have been able to appreciate the others company and their personalities. Even in ways, they help each other become better and do care for each other. It is most notably seen here with Luz helping Amity slightly rekindle their friendship and encouraging her that not only can they do this together, but that she believes in Amity that she "can do this", with Amity blushing in response. With Amity, it is shown how she cares for Luz with how she puts her in a protection spell to make sure she doesn't get hurt from the Slither-Beast, including her choice of words that she says to Luz before doing so, with the line being "and because of you it also has my brother and sister! Now stay put... you'll only get hurt." She could've easily have said "you'll only make things worse", but she doesn't. She shows a caring side of herself in just this small moment with Luz, and she shows her fun and interesting side of herself as well with Luz as they go through Willow's memories. Who knows what will happen with these two, but all I know so far is that there is something interesting between them and I can't wait to see what happens in the next episode.

Last, but not least, the one thing I want to talk about is just about how much I love the staff's dedication and heart that they put into this series at this point. From the pilot to this episode, the cast and crew have made an entertaining journey that I don't want to see end partially with the first season being almost done. I have only watched the whole series over the course of two days to get myself prepared and on track with the show as this episode and "Really Small Problems" and through that short amount of time, I had an experience that I have only had twice, until I came across the Owl House. All of these characters are amazing, the story is so engaging to the point that I wish that reality could have a bit of fantasy in it so we could all visit the Boiling Isles and be with the characters that we know and love. Dana Terrace, you and everyone at Disney are doing such a great job!

10/10