Some Thoughts On the Series (Long)

i won’t spoil much but i’ll tag it as spoilers because i will mention a few specifics. also “some” might be a bit of an understatement because this is pretty long but yknow. if it’s considered too long i’ll take it down.

so, i recently watched all the series and the movie for the first time, and while i’m working on my script for a video essay on it all (probably multiple, one for each series and the movie) ive had no one to share my obsession with so figured i’d say some things here

the main series is fantastic! there are a few things i don’t personally like here and there but overall i think it was written so well and all the characters were enjoyable in one way or another. with the first watch, i was constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering what’s next, how they’ll get out of a situation, if they’ll get out of it etc. it kept me hooked the whole time, especially because even “filler” episodes had weight in the story. it never felt like i was being bogged down by cutting off a story at the wrong time (though i wish some plots had been given more time, nothing felt like it was unresolved for too long). with the second watch through, i wasn’t as on edge since i already know what happened, but it let me analyse it more and notice so many things that were foreshadowed beautifully. what could seem like a throwaway sentence when first watching can turn into an entire episode plot later on, and everything felt natural. it didn’t feel like they were just grabbing old ideas and expanding on them, it felt intentional.

the second biggest issue i have with the main series is some episodes had parts that were just so cringy (on purpose) that i had to skip them. not the whole episode ever thankfully, but some parts of some.

the biggest issue i had with the main series is partly subjective with what i feel is an objective small issue as well. what is it? the jealousy “subplot” with Douxie and Claire. Douxie being a flirt is fair enough, but personally, i don’t see why Claire kinda played into it a bit right in front of Jim. Jim’s jealousy was a bit much so it could just be that she didn’t like that and so she went with it a little, but even then it plays zero part to the story whatsoever. there’s no conversation about Jim’s jealousy or if Claire is actually interested in Douxie. he just shows up, flirts with her, and she blushes and indulges him, and Jim gets jealous, and then nothing happens out of it. it felt not only slightly out of character for Claire to me, but also so so so pointless. if you’re going to do a jealousy thing, make it have a bit of weight in the characters lives and story at least.

other than that, i feel like Troll Jim needed more screen time, some things felt a little rushed towards the end, i think all of it has a slight over-reliance on mcguffins. there’s always a new item they’re after that’ll “guarantee victory” though imo this is an example of it being written pretty well, there’s usually a story reason for its existence and use outside of the writers throwing it in as an excuse for not knowing how to write progress, and sometimes they don’t even actually work how the characters expected which is good, but i can see it being a problem for some possibly.

speaking of Troll Jim, that WAS one of if not the best thing about the ending to me. a sacrifice that felt real, tangible, and permanent. the biggest sacrifice Jim would ever make in his life. it showed he was willing to give up part of his humanity to protect those he loves, but without turning into what Strickler thought was the only way. it was still Jim, but also not, and it felt like a natural part of Jim’s course as the Trollhunter. it really hit on the emotions after spending so long with the characters, showing that run through of moments they spent together as he ponders the decision he’s making really helped convey the seriousness of it, showing what he’d be leaving behind, and showing that he’s still willing to do that if it means the world and Arcadia would be safe.

i’m definitely going to be going more in depth on the entire series in my videos whenever i finish those, but i felt like getting all this out somewhere for now. would love to hear anyone else’s thoughts on things i’ve mentioned, even if it’s disagreeing with me :) i love hearing others thoughts on things i enjoy

anyways, if you read all this i appreciate it!