Adventure Time - Season 5 Episode 32 - Recap - Earth & Water
Adventure Time - Season 5 Episode 32 - Recap - Earth & Water
This week on Cartoon Network's Adventure Time, there's plot upon plot of esoterica for fans of the show. The episode is nearly impenetrable for anyone who doesn't follow the show, but a quick lesson: Finn the Human, a 14-year-old boy, is the last human in the world. He lives in the land of Ooo, a magical post-apocalyptic Earth covered in all manner of the impossible and whimsical. He and his best friend, Jake the Dog (a magic dog with stretchy powers), go on all manner of heroic adventures against enemies such as Ice King, The Lich, and Magic Man. Finn used to have a crush on Princess Bubblegum, ruler of the Candy Kingdom, but got over it and started dating Flame Princess. A few episodes ago, Finn and Flame Princess had a big falling out. Got it? Okay! Good.
Finn and Jake are playing some B-MO video games, but Finn is too bummed out about his breakup with Flame Princess to enjoy it. The pair discovers Ice King has moved in, an unfortunate side effect of Flame Princess's recent rampage. He explains the situation, saying he's left his penguins in charge of rebuilding the Ice Kingdom... which is probably a bad idea, considering his penguins are pure evil.
Meanwhile, we catch up with a brooding Flame Princess, who is being secretly observed by Princess Bubblegum. When PB is discovered, Flame Princess agrees to continued being observed. Back at the lab, PB is called away to help Finn and Jake fight some snow snakes ("snowa constrictors", haaa). She puts Cinnamon Bun in charge, like a dummy. CB removes FP from the lab, of course, because he's not all there. Flame Princess then learns that Princess Bubblegum had kept her locked up as a toddler, to contain her immense power. This flashback sends Flame Princess into a rage!
Back at Cinnamon Bun's house, Finn and company find a note from FP saying they've gone to the Fire Kingdom. Once reaching the Fire Kingdom and encountering some oddly forthcoming guards, Finn and PB find that Flame Princess has usurped her father's throne! Furthermore, her displeasure at being on the butt-end of so many secrets and manipulations has caused her to institute a strict policy of honesty (hence the behavior of the guards). The episode ends with FP telling Finn they won't get together, but that he can visit as long as he's always honest with her.
This was a weird episode! I mean, weirder than usual. The structure felt like the episode should've been at least twice as long. The plots don't resolve in a particularly satisfying way, which is usually fine for this show, but considering that this episode was all plot and not so big on action and jokes, it's kind of a sticking point. Hopefully, the writers can get back to some one-off adventures before returning to this plot, as we're now on three episodes in a row focusing on the relationship between Finn and Flame Princess. A break would be nice! Come back next week to see if we've gotten such a break!