Recap: GALAVANT is in Trouble
Episode 203: “Aw, Hell, The King”
[photos: ABC/Nick Ray & Liam Daniel]
When we returned to our story, we found King Richard’s castle is gone. This is (obviously) a problem not just for Richard, but for Galavant as well, who needs Richard’s army if he is to save Isabella.
Richard and Galavant wander into a town, which Richard finds familiar. Galavant is quickly recognized, but Richard … not so much. Peasant John tells the king of his castle’s fate. It had been knocked down in order to improve his people’s village. Richard demands his castle be rebuilt, but the villagers are less than impressed. The villagers explain how they run things now with the number “Build a New Tomorrow.” Richard is more than a little miffed by the whole situation.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, Gareth is having nightmares, particularly about his betrayal of King Richard. Queen Madalena is furious and demands that Sid do something about it. She threatens the squire with death if he doesn’t find a way to fix the problem.
Isabella is distraught after the apparent breakup she had with Galavant, and is doing her best to cope. Her mother and father interrupt and insist she meet the wedding planner. Isabella insists she doesn’t care if she won’t be marrying the person she loves, but her parents introduce the wedding planner anyway. Mr. Wormwood, the wedding planner, introduces himself and clearly has some shady interests.
Richard is having some serious trouble adjusting to not being king any longer. Galavant asks Peasant John if the village has an army, and is quickly shot down. Galavant insists, and Peasant John mentions that our hero could bring it up at the town meeting and see if anyone would join Galavant’s army.
Sid confronts Gareth about his nightmares. Gareth expresses his frustration and admits they are about Richard. Sid does his best to help, but Gareth is reluctant to accept. Madalena watches and once again threatens Sid.
Galavant is campaigning around the town to win his army. Richard storms off and sings a lament, “If I Were…” about all that he could’ve been.
Wedding plans are in full swing. Mr. Wormwood reveals his full plot to take over Isabella’s mind. Isabella is less than enthusiastic about the plans. The ensemble sings the number “The Happiest Day of your Life” during which Mr. Wormwood fully explains his evil plans. Once Mr. Wormwood places the poisoned crown on Isabella’s head, her attitude magically changes toward the positive about the wedding.
The meeting has begun, and it’s up to Galavant to convince the people of the village to join his army. His speech is somewhat underwhelming, and Richard steps in and does his best to support Galavant. Roberta stands and declares her intent to join with Galavant.
Gareth once again has a nightmare about Richard. Sid is able to comfort him and take away all of the new kings bad dreams.
Galavant is off on his way to Hortensia, planning on gathering an army on the way there. Richard announces that he will also be joining Galavant, as well as Roberta.
Isabella has set the date for her royal wedding and invited all of her subject to the affair.
(Late Authors Edit- I just understood the joke inside this episodes title. Clever writers. Clever.)
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Episode 204 “Bewitched, Bothered, and Belittled”
Episode 4 opens with Galavant doing his best to sell his cause to a group of mercenaries. Richard offers the Jewel of Valencia as payment, but talks a bit too much, suggesting that they could just take the jewel and kill Galavant and himself. They, of course, take the suggestion, leaving Richard and Galavant to run for their lives. Roberta is quick to jump into the fight, which triggers Richard’s memory that they grew up together. The three then make a quick escape.
While Isabella is busy with wedding practice, Jester and Gwen both seem somewhat worried about Isabella’s sudden change of heart. Chef and Gwen celebrate their newfound riches in Hortentsia with the song “Good as it Gets.”
In Valencia, Madalena is getting ready for a Sunday roast with some very popular queens. She looks back on a day in her youth when she was teased by the queens, when she decided she wanted to be just like them.
Galavant does his best to break up with Richard, and Richard has trouble accepting that. Galavant tries to suggest that there is something romantic between Bobby and Richard, but Richard quickly shuts that down. Galavant still pursues the pairing, ignoring Richard’s protests.
Chef does his best address the strange behavior of Isabella, and is snapped at when he attempts to touch her crown.
The Queens reveal their true plot: the Sunday roast is a roasting of Madalena herself. She becomes the target of some rather cruel teasing in front of many esteemed guests. Madelena is teased once again as she tries to leave, a repeat of the trick played on her as a child.
Gwen expresses her discomfort with living in the fancy castle: she wishes to leave, and Chef confesses his love and decides to leave with her.
Galavant does his best to encourage a romantic dinner between Richard and Roberta. He leaves at the very beginning of the dinner to give the two time alone. Galavant does his best to watch from afar, and begins to serenade the couple in his attempts to get them together. “Maybe You Won’t Die Alone.” It’s “Kiss the Girl” but without all the frills and more of a “Just get with her already” vibe.
After a ruined night, Richard accuses Galavant of trying to set him and Roberta up, and once again denounces any feelings for her.
Madalena returns in a state, but refuses to talk about what happened. She sings about “What Am I Feeling?”, questioning why she is so upset.
Gareth gives Madalena a gift of the mean Queen’s earrings, ears still on. She is thankful and finishes her song.
These two episodes were very revealing for all of our characters. We got to learn a bit more about Richard and his past. We got more relationship development between Sid and Gareth, as well as between Gareth and Madelena. I am enjoying Roberta’s character very much and the seeming disconnect between her and Richard. I’m looking forward more to see how things develop with Gareth and Madalena, and if perhaps she finds a change of heart. Hopefully, the rest of this season will supply some excellent character growth for everyone.
