Episode 14: Turf Wars And Paratrooper Knights
- This episode is apparently about the Glasses Fairy. I am looking forward to that since she seems to me to be one of the most mature characters in this show. She actually narrates the introduction this time and mentions doing a parlor trick. I decided to look up why such tricks were called that and found out that apparently "The phrase [parlor magic] is often used as a pejorative to imply that an effect under discussion is not suitable for professional performance." Also, many magicians consider the term "parlor" to be old fashioned and limiting, since this type of magic is often done in rooms much larger than the traditional parlor, or even outdoors. A better term for this branch of magic may be "platform," "club" or "cabaret."
I actually agree with that sentiment, partially because I have little idea what a "parlor" even is and partially because I agree that "parlor trick has negative connotations. Yeah, that was reasonably random, but I suppose I have to do something to make this seem more interesting (for other people at least, I actually do not dislike this show).
- Glasses fairy is resting at an animal hospital in a bed of flowers. That actually sounds like it would be more comfortable than sleeping in Sugar's bed. Somehow she gets a reaction out of a baby nearby which honestly puzzles me.
- Anyway, the teacher from Saga's school brings in a sick turtle named Lancelot.
- Actually Lancelot is not sick, but he just wants a favor from Pepper. I think he seriously looks sad after saying this though. I have to say that Pepper's ability to talk to animals is pretty neat. I wonder if she is the only season fairy with a special ability like that though. I mean Salt and Sugar have not shown signs of having and powers
- Okay, so Lancelot wants to be able to fly and Pepper is really determined to help him out. I feel like this dream of flying is pretty popular, whether it be with people or fables about animals *. I wonder why that is. I suppose part of it could be the freedom that flying grants or the ability to overcome many different obstacles. I think it would be interesting to be able to fly, but my impression is that such a feat would require having a completely different system of organs and bones in order to be able to actually fly.
- The fairies call Saga stubborn for suggesting that one cannot achieve the impossibility of a turtle flying just by wishing for it. She is right, of course, but I doubt this episode would have much of a plot without this adventure so it probably is good for the show that the fairies ignore Saga's words of wisdom here.
- Pepper and the others free Lancelot from his cage at the animal hospital and then seem to take him a good distance away from the place. They intend to bring him back to the animal hospital in a set amount of time, but given the speed at which turtles typically travel and the likelihood that the veterinarian will come back, I have a feeling they might get in trouble this time.
- Now the fairies begin to test out ways of getting the turtle to fly. I doubt this will go well.
- Plan #1 is mimicking a season fairy. Salt believes that by simply thinking one is lighter one can fly. This does not work since Lancelot clearly lacks wings.
- Plan #2 is getting advice from a bird. The fairies tie a few feathers to the top of Lancelot's head and legs. I realize that will not do him much good, but would it not make more sense to actually give him some kind of wings so he could at least look the part? Right now I think he looks like he is wearing some hair decoration. He does not reassemble a bird to me. Needless to say, the results this time are even worse as Pepper is run over by the speeding shell of Lancelot and the other fairies do not feel much better, sustaining very minor injuries.
- Going back to what I said earlier, there is confirmation that Salt and Sugar cannot speak to animals as they fail to understand what Lancelot says. He tells Pepper that he knows of some dove that is new to town and that she is his inspiration for wanting to learn to fly. He also says that there is something important that he would do if he had the ability to fly and given the fact that he blushes after saying this, I am guessing he has romantic feelings for the dove. I think this portrayal of inter-species romance seems rather "progressive" for a children's show.
- Salt thinks he wants to race the dove for some reason though. Saga, in the meantime, worries if the fairies are going to be okay.
- Pepper wants to use wind to make Lancelot fly. I think that makes a lot more sense than anything other suggestions that have been offered.
- Saga decides to go to Phil for help in getting something to fly. I am a bit surprised she is even bothering with this, but I guess she really is getting close to the fairies. I am just glad that Phil is getting attention again.
- Pepper nearly collapses after using too much energy trying to get a strong wind for Lancelot. Lancelot is concerned about her as anyone probably should be.
- It looks like there some trouble again as Joe the Crow is fighting some kind of turf war with the new dove. Lancelot tries to help her out again, this time Pepper's wind triggers a complicated system of chain reactions (like a more simplified Rube Goldberg machine) that eventually results in a kid sending Lancelot flying after he lands on a teeter-totter. The turtle goes flying, snatches the dove out of harm's way, makes a safe landing, then smacks Joe as he attacks Lancelot, knocking out that bird. Overall, I think this is probably the most awesome scene in all of A Little Snow Fairy Sugar.
- After his heroics, Lancelot has some trouble getting out of a high tree. Saga gives a parachute to Sugar who is launched from a space shuttle toy into the tree. The fairies somehow fasten this to Lancelot's back and he safely parachutes back. I wonder what the kids who were at the playground where this all takes places were thinking at the time.
- Well, I was wrong earlier, it turns out the Lancelot only wanted to be friends with the dove. Anyway, Saga's teacher comes to claim her turtle and things seem to end happily. Pepper's magic flower even grows a little. This might have been my favorite episode so far as dumb as thay may sound. I think Lancelot is in the running to be the best character in this show along with Plantman.
Comments
SKJAM
Since: Dec, 1969
Dec 14th 2010 at 5:02:57 AM
A parlor is a special room in your house for receiving guests, separate from say the living room. Obviously, this was generally a middle-class and up thing. Back in the day, it was the custom to entertain one's guests with your family's talents if any. So for example, the family piano would be in the parlor so that whichever member of the family had some piano playing talent could show off.
Thus, "parlor trick", a simple bit of magic that an amateur could pull off, and "parlor games", designed to involve any number of players with very different skill levels.
LouieW
Since: Dec, 1969
Dec 14th 2010 at 8:19:35 AM
Thanks for the background information there. I have no idea what I would do if I had to entertain guests with a talent of mine. However, I figure that Pepper, being a fairy, probably could do a lot of pretty interesting things (flying for one).
SKJAM
Since: Dec, 1969
Dec 14th 2010 at 12:44:53 PM
Oh, I don't think it spoils anything to say that we will see Greta's parlor later on.
Some more miscellania: Since the parlor was for guests, it usually had the most expensive furniture and decorations in the house. A down-at-the-heels family might have a beautiful parlor and basically bare walls and orange crate furnishings for the rest of the house. In older literature, it's often noted by characters that a particular parlor is overly glitzy or in appalling but expensive taste, which means that the family is nouveau riche or social climbers.
And if you were invited beyond the parlor, it meant you were considered family.
