Ep. 103 & 104: How Galavant Got Its Groove Back

It was a stormy knight, that didn't take much flight, with little hope in sight for Galavant. But midway through the night's first act, a song gained my attention back, and proved the writers weren't just hacks on Galavant.

Really, that theme song is very catchy.

Last night I decided to give Galavant another chance, even though I wasn't overly impressed with its debut episodes. Ten minutes in (which, for half hour episodes, is a lot of time) I was regretting my decision. But as my lyrics above show, I was arrested by a song, which led to some moments, which led to a show I now find myself liking and even looking forward to.

As they sing, tally ho!

Two Balls This episode almost did me in with its very slow start. In a perfect example of be careful what you wish for, it was almost entirely devoted to Sid, but not in a good way. Instead of more of his heartfelt charm and melodious voice, we got served a weird adopted-by-medieval-jews running gag (I really wish I was kidding) and a song that played like a lukewarm parody of Spamalot's big Fiddler riff, literally a parody of a parody (and a very strange stilted one at that).

Meanwhile, back at the castle, even the normally funny trio of King Richard, Gareth, and their little Chef friend couldn't do much to lift the mood. There was far too many attempts to get a cheap laugh and not enough singing. They scrapped the bottom of the low humor barrel, literally.

Just as I was about to call it quits the show, a scraggly group of squires saved the day with their song "Jackass In a Can." Forgive the language, and yes, I know it sounds like we just went even farther down the well in the humor department, but trust me, this single song made me sit up and pay attention. Why? It's actually funny, in a way that depends on situation, comic timing, irony, and quality performances not afraid to embrace it wholeheartedly. Rather than crudeness for the sake of being crude, it actually worked to make a point and forwarded the story in a meaningful way.

Up until now Galvant's come across as a boring, stock character who I cared for not in the slightest, with few truly funny moments to garner interest. But we learn in this episode that Sid's been a bit creative in his letters back home (even if his folks can't read) and in order to spend a quiet evening there Galavant must pretend to be his squire. He's at first typically dismissive while Isabella embraces the part fully. After the "Can" song, though, Galavant begins to realize that he really is what the title says, and shares a heartfelt yet winsomely fun moment with Side where we finally see what a powerful duo these two could be.

Everything picked up after that, including an executioner's trio and King Richard moment that finally let the cat off the bag where the villainous Madalena and her lusty Jester were concerned, allowing Richard to really show his nasty side. I actually looked forward to the next episode after this one's close.

Comedy Gold With a title like that, you'd better deliver, and Galavant did so in spades. Picking up from the second wind acquired in "Two Balls," this episode upped the ante in character and set up the next week in a way that leaves me eager for the looming showdown.

Coming off the growing camaraderie we saw previously, our three heroes opened with a song about "Togetherness" that began in a happy state of Kumbaya but quickly devolved into snippy, snarky moments at each other's expense. But low, their arguing only opens them up to surprise attack from none other than banditspirates!

But wait, as our characters duly point out, how are there pirates this far away from the sea? Turns out these black knights of the sea (but not of an actual sea) are marooned but still pillaging as they can. As the pirate king himself said, you'll understand better in their rousing sea shanty (just not of the sea).

This round of self-aware humor was exactly the shot in the arm Galavant needed, allowing the main characters to grow as actual people and the side guest stars to supply bluff tomfoolery. Richard got in some good moments as well as he decided the best way to woo his wife back from her lover was to get the Jester to teach him to be funny. Their titular song "Comedy Gold" wasn't quite as brilliant as the pirates' but still gleamed with that vital madcap sense of musical zaniness.

Suffice to say, through a series of laughably inconceivable events, Galavant and his crew not only defeated the pirates but proved their togetherness could extend even to their captors, setting sail for Valencia where Richard flails at comedy and Madalena proves what a royal pain she really is. Isabella also suffers conscience pains, Sid grows more snarky, and Galavant looks primed and ready for another kick to the ego he's only just gained back and overcome.

What Galavants? More songs, more character, more humor not based completely on areas of the anatomy, and blessedly, better timed commercial breaks. The show rounded out to the truly ensemble performance it was clearly trying for last week, making me root for the heroes while still appreciating the work of Richard and his posse. It became far less like a Spamalot wannabe and more like a story in its own right.

I left you with the theme song last week; while there were many good numbers last night, the one that started this show's come back wins out for special placement. So, with apologies for the lewd title, here it is one more time.

Check out Storify for my live tweets from last night, and be sure to check back next week for more reviews. Agree or disagree with my assessment? Comment below or tweet to me @Woodzette.