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The quality of this show has only gone up every week, and ABC decided to really go out on a bang. Last night had everything we could ask for to finish up the wild and crazy ride that has been Galavant: great songs, running gags, touching moments, hijinks, romance, and some genuine twists that I guarantee no one saw coming.
But those twists also led to an ending that ... well, I won't get ahead of myself. Let's dive in to the hopefully not last moments of Galavant.
My Cousin Izzy The episode didn't waste time rehashing anything but got straight into things. Galavant's finally stepped into his role as a hero, proudly announcing his "Moment in the Sun" but getting interrupted continually. The chemistry between Galavant and Isabella continued to sizzle, Madalena chewed the scenery in true villainous form, and everyone plotted to get out of jail.
After last week's cliffhanger the main question became how everyone would react to the return of the king's older brother. Through a series of strange events, we got the setup to a brilliant duel: Gareth as Kingsley's man while Galavant served as Richard's champion. It was unexpected and yet felt like a fruition of everything that's come before, brilliantly playing against form and setting up new character moments.
After the interruption of the cutest little third angle of a love triangle in the form of Isabella's ten-year-old cousin/fiance Prince Harry, we also got to the night's first comic song: "A Happy Ending." My favorite Chef (whose name was finally revealed) and his cynical crush Gwynne (who prompted me to invent the hashtag #peasanmistic about an hour after the episode) plotted their own happily ever after via the aristocracy's demise. It was a loving welcome wink at Sweeny Todd that still felt in character and furthered their own arc.
The Chef and Gwynne continued to share the best sweet and funny moments, but everyone's favorite henchman Gareth was the one really bearing the meaty weight of the episode (as he has from the get go). If any character was ready to have a character crisis it's him, putting his loyal dog status into question and pushing King Richard forward in his growth.
But when the Chef's life was threatened, King Richard took his faithful best friend's advice to "man up" and decided to enter into combat himself. Of course, as Kingsley pointed out, that meant said best friend was now his enemy, leading straight into the stirring conclusion....
It's All in the Executions Everyone started out together in the dungeon: Isabella, her parents, Galavant, Chef & Gwynne, even the Jester (who attempted to musically recapped before being silenced by one and all). Sid continued his welcome turn to snark with the one and only Disney quip that should make even the coldest hearts smile. Gareth interrupted, still attempting to serve the King despite his future combat with him, and Galavant seized the opportunity to demand an audience with Richard himself.
The former enemies bonded over their shared status as former Madalena lovers in some truly funny moments, culminating in a last ditch plot to save everyone by murdering Kingsley. The night's second turn of comedy gold ensued, "Secret Mission," a buddy drinking/plotting song the two frenemies belted out together. This GIF really doesn't even do justice to the full hilarity of these two prancing about the castle together.
Love this scene!! RT @GalavantABC #SecretMission #Galavant pic.twitter.com/keGsUlsThp
— Lyda (@Lyda_Scott) January 26, 2015Their plot may have been foiled (zing!) but Galavant finally let loose his feelings and Richard officially joined the good guys in the dungeon. This moment could have continued to be played for laughs, but instead the former King sang a Muppet-like quiet lullaby that touched everyone, even the restless and conflicted Gareth.
I had faith in this faithful henchman, and he didn't disappoint. Neither did anyone else in the final few minutes, which as they quickly sped by made me realize something very unfortunate: we were headed for a cliffhanger, with no renewal in sight.
It's a bold, bold choice, and it worked perfectly. There were shocks, feels, and laughs all in appropriate moments, and the show grew by lengths and bounds, never playing it safe but boldly marching forward to the very end. Even my request for a Gareth singing moment was answered, and in the best most heartfelt way possible.
What Galavants? I could try coming up with catchy theme song lyrics to match the show's final number like I did before, but someone else on Twitter did it for me:
#1 of 3 -
The end is getting close
Is there a seer who knows
If a renewal will come for #Galavant?
— Donna 0527 (@Donna0527) January 26, 2015# 2 of 3-
Our hearts are heavy here
Until the network brings us cheer
We want to hear we'll get more #Galavant!
— Donna 0527 (@Donna0527) January 26, 2015And # 3 of 3 -
So ABC hear our plea
We tried your show and see -
We love it and we want more #Galavant.
— Donna 0527 (@Donna0527) January 26, 2015I can only second this sentiment heartily. This is a show that really grew on me and even developed heart and soul beyond simple one-liners. I don't know what the prospects are for a second season (though rumor is the ratings weren't good: they even acknowledged as much in the lyrics). Thank goodness for fan fiction then, but I'd love to see what more the writers might have in store, explaining the whys and wherefores, a rousing stirring and in demand encore.
I guess I did create my own lyrics there, but what can I say? That theme, and its quirky endearing cast, really is catchy.
Want to relive the show? All my live tweets from each episode are up at Storify. The official ABC YouTube Channel has a playlist of Galavant numbers, and the official cast album is available for purchase on Amazon.