Whether or not welcoming a brand new child to the household or welcoming a brand new Fraggle vacation particular, change—and dwelling as much as the expectations that change creates—is tough. “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” tackles this problem with Again to the Rock’s attribute coronary heart, humor, music, and a wink to the viewers.
First, a quick recap of the particular. Spoilers are in impact, so in case you haven’t watched “The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” but, head over to Apple TV and provides it a view or two, after which come again right here! We’ll be ready.
Because the Fraggles get hyped for the primary snow, Gobo is meant to have written a brand new tune to kick off the vacation season. Sadly, the Doozers have been solely capable of make one single snowflake, and Gobo hasn’t written one single phrase. Whereas Gobo wanders off in search of inspiration, the opposite Fraggles bemoan the shortage of snow, caught of their expectations of how the vacations ought to be.
Gobo follows Uncle Matt’s instructions to Outer Area, the place he shares a magical second of bonding over vocal stims and musician struggles with some YouTuber not one of the ToughPigs employees had ever heard of. (Are we outdated? Oh no, I believe we’re outdated.) With this new inspiration—however was all of it a dream??—Gobo returns to the Rock to assist everybody embrace the second and create one thing distinctive collectively.
Over within the Gorgs’ fortress, the much-anticipated child introduced on the finish of season 2 lastly arrives! (And sure, whereas it’s very cool that Gorgs look like monotremes, I’ll solely settle for the headcanon that Gorg eggs are birthed small after which proceed to develop exterior their mom as a result of in any other case MY GOD POOR MA.) “Princess” Child-Sinclair-explodes her manner into the world and everybody’s hearts, although it takes Junior a while to recover from his anxiousness round changing into an enormous brother so immediately.
In the meantime, Sprocket is upset after they can’t go on their traditional snowy mountain journey as a result of Doc apparently has to unravel a science drawback proper now. Doc suggests Sprocket can get the vacation he desires one other manner, and he or she rigs up some sort of snow-making machine. This permits not solely the delight of Doc and Sprocket dancing collectively within the snow, a burst tube sends the snow into Fraggle Rock for a very magical-feeling denouement.
Look, the vacations are actually totally different for lots of parents this yr, and it’s okay to mourn that. Bear in mind, #Justice for the Unhappy Model, #F*** the very best bough, it’s Muddling Season.
A mantra that’s been making the rounds within the final a number of years is “It’s going to be okay, but it surely’s going to be totally different.” Even Gluey Rudy’s insistence that Boober doesn’t want snow for cooking is a reminder that Fraggle Rock is at all times our altering setting and the way it connects us. That factor you suppose you want? You don’t. You’ll survive with out it till it will definitely comes again.
Change may be genuinely terrifying, particularly when you could have quite a bit to dwell as much as. “I’m simply questioning what sort of tune I’m gonna write after I’m in a second I’ve by no means been in earlier than.” Happily for Gobo, Lele, Junior, and the remainder of us, the reply stays the identical: Belief the method, follow gratitude for what you have already got, and cautious of the icy patch.
“The First Snow of Fraggle Rock” match so simply into my common Henson Holidays lineup. With the brand new Gorg child, we’re completely arrange for a 3rd season, however whether or not or not that occurs (pours out some eggnog for Muppets Mayhem and Age of Resistance), I really feel just like the Again to the Rock staff has achieved us proud.
Strongest Second: Junior lastly embracing his child sister completely made me tear up.
Weakest Second: What the heck is that this gender essentialism with Princess? The Gorgs all count on the brand new child to be a boy after which get stunned when it’s pink. What yr is that this?? I believe Junior’s worry of change from simply the child arriving early (and strolling early, and speaking early) was robust sufficient to hold this arc by itself. Including the gender side feels prefer it contradicts Junior’s superb box-stomping scene.
MVF (Most Useful Fraggle): Apparent reply: Gobo. Runner up: Pogey.
The Grand Return Of…: Gluey Rudey! Little Rago! Uncle Matt’s worry of his personal facial hair!
Basic Musical Second: We get two legacy songs! “Face Details, Pack Snacks, Make Tracks” will get redone with a sluggish construct that helps Gobo go from scared to excited, and it’s so enjoyable. However in fact the musical spotlight is the return of “Our Melody”, first between Gobo and Lele Pons, then once more with all his Fraggle Rock buddies. The lyrics to Lele’s Spanish verse are a fairly shut translation:
Ven a cantar nuestra melodía (Come and sing our melody)
Formamos parte de la canción (We type a part of the tune)
I’ve at all times interpreted the phrases “belong to the tune” (which seem in each “Our Melody” and “The Rock Goes On”) as being about dwelling and the sensation of belonging someplace—you can’t depart the magic, in spite of everything. However this translation of “we type a part of the tune” makes it really feel like extra of a bodily factor, like our our bodies and souls are made from music, which I completely love.
New Musical Second: “Can You Really feel It?” is an immediate smile-making, toe-tapping, licensed vacation bop.
Particular Look By…: John Tartaglia! Gobo will get to talk together with his personal performer, and that is my favourite sort of meta second, like Jim and Sprocket doing the dishes.
Coolest Puppetry Impact: For me, nothing beats Mokey making a snow angel. (I’m uncertain how Fraggles know what angels are, but when Mokey ever met one thing with a thousand eyes and a thousand wings, she’d in all probability vibe with it.)
Darkest Second: Instantly after Matt says he received’t depart Gobo alone in Outer Area, he will get dragged away on somebody’s motorized scooter and shouts “You’ll have to do that alooone! Keep strooong!” Alone in an odd new world, Gobo’s self-doubt creeps again in when he remembers the tune he didn’t end.
Fraggle Lore: Yeah yeah, new vacation, new Gorg, cool, no matter—REDMOND. JANE. FRAGGLE. And right here I assumed they solely known as her “Crimson” as a result of she’s Irish.
One Extra Factor…: A brand new Fraggle Foodie recipe to attempt! I’m wondering if I can mix radish roast from “The Nice Radish Caper” (parboiled, stuffed, and roasted en croute) with this one (radish roast + strawberry sauce). And sure, if we get snow this yr, I’ll have linguini standing by.
Okay, One Extra Factor…: Merch I’d pay precise {dollars} for: Architect Doozer’s (Foolish Creature-sized) work pajamas and slippers, Junior’s nut-headed Fraggle dolls, and a Moss Faces motivational espresso mug.
Click on right here to affix the medley on the ToughPigs Discord!
by Beth Prepare dinner
