1x09 To Thine Own Elf Be True

[7.6/10] Whoa, this was quite the mythos episode! It kind of overshadows the other stuff that goes on here, which is a shame, because the comic stuff isn’t bad! The weird presence of “Old Man Touchy” and his thread count grasp, Bean’s first fiancée still not being dead (only to firmly and finally die), and King Zog’s random nudity and indifference to the casualties of his quest are all solid laughs.

But this episode is way more about reveals. The first major one is that Elfo is not a full-blooded elf, with the implication that his mother was a human, or at least some kind of full-statured being. I don’t know that it changes all that much, but it might at least explain why Elfo never felt at home in Elfwood. It also obviously motivates the plot, both because it means Elfo’s blood can’t create the Elixir of life and because it spurs our heroes to go visit Elfwood.

The adventures in Elfwood are pretty mild from both a comic and dramatic standpoint (though Shocko and Watcho are amusing one-note characters). But again, it advances the plot, as the King’s advisor only frees Bean so as to be able to trace and track her to where he can find more elf blood. In their effort to save the elves, our heroes manage to win the day, but Elfo gets shot in the back, to Bean’s dismay.

That moment doesn't quite have the impact it’s supposed to, if only because I’ve yet to really buy the tightly-knit friendship of the main trio, which feels like it hasn’t been fully earned yet. This is also a show with tons of magic, so it doesn't seem like Elfo’s death is likely to be permanent. That definitely takes some of the pathos out of the moment, and makes it feel like false jeopardy.

Still, that leads to an avalanche of reveals. The first is that King Zog didn’t want the elixir of life for himself, but that he wanted it so as to revive Bean’s mom. That was a pretty predictable one, but I still like it, as despite his general crumminess as a ruler, Zog seems to genuinely care about his daughter (note his concern about her quest and joy when she returns), and in private moments seemed to genuinely mourn his wife.

The second, is that Bean’s mom isn’t dead (or at least, wasn’t killed), but rather she was turned to stone. This both makes it more possible that she can be revived, and creates an intriguing connection to the civilization from the last episode that was turned to stone via an enemy potion. It’s some good lore connection, which I appreciate.

The third, and most emotionally impactful, is that her death was (indirectly) Bean’s fault. Bean was playing around and switched the wine glasses around, unwittingly sending the poisoned glass that was meant for King Zog to her mom. It’s devastating for Bean to her, enough to make her ask herself whether she’s a bad person. That does feel earned, given how much Bean has yearned for her mom this season, and the armchair psychology that suggests that growing up with only a well-meaning but emotionally-stunted dad like Zog helps explain some of her problems.

The fourth is that the elf blood on Bean’s handkerchief, combined with the pendant of immortality, really can bring someone back to life. But possibly bigger than that is the fact that Bean has to choose whom to revive: Elfo or her mom. Good character development is about characters having to make choices, and being revealed by them. Bean choosing her mom is, perhaps, predictable. After all, she’s known Elfo for what, a few months at most? That’s hard to hold up against someone’s mom whom they haven’t seen since they were a kid. Still, I’m curious to see the consequences of the decision, and what tumult and joy it causes in everyone’s lives.

Overall, there’s way more drama and mythology in this one than straight comedy, but it’s cool mythos and impactful drama, so I’m on board.