This review was made possible by Popped receiving advanced screeners of the first 7 episodes of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake
Years after the ending of Adventure Time, fans got the chance to travel back to that world, well a world within the apparatus of the other world that they knew and loved. Yes, HBO Max brought the land of Ooo with Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, a series that revived the characters of Fionna and Cake and plopped them down in Ooo as it may have once been, a land devoid of magic and brimming with normalcy. The first season was a resounding success, resenting heavily with it’s now fully-grown fanbase and elevating the franchises storytelling to tell an emotional story set across the multiverse to find the magic that once was, both physically and metaphorically. So just how does this sophomore season level up to its predecessor?
A Tale of Two Universes
Like it’s first season, Fionna and Cake Season 2 offers a story that spans multiple universes, mostly rooting itself in both Fionnaworld and Ooo. An incident from Season 1 is what really causes the ball to get rolling Season 2, being propped up mostly by what’s going on in Ooo but bleeds into Fionnaworld when Huntress Wizard comes looking for something. the two of them really lean on each other but one certainly sticks out as much more interesting than the other. As the headline may hint, the stakes are certainly lower this season and there is no mysterious assailant blipping through universes looking to purge them of crossovers. No, the issues here are much more personal.
This season, it can feel like there are just a few too many irons on the fire and it can feel like there is a struggle to really focus on the story it wants to tell. We just keep jumping back between both worlds and it can get a bit overwhelming, there’s so much going on in Fionnaworld and we keep being dragged back down by what is going on in Ooo. It’s great to have characters like PB, Marceline and Simon back but at what cost? If you want them you can watch Adventure Time, what’s more interesting is what’s going on with Fionna, Cake and Huntress Wizard. HW should be enough, she should be the most we need to pull from Ooo and to cutback on jumping back there.
Unfortunately Ooo is made intentionally integral, I think the biggest issue is that this feels like a story that should just be set in Ooo, but of course with the way things unfold Fionna and Cake are of course pulled into the matter. It just feels like two different plotlines for two different shows are getting mashed together and forced to work when they probably could’ve been two equally as good, and unique separate seasons of television.
This of course isn’t to say that there is no enjoyment in these stories, while I think they could’ve been balanced better, there is still a whole of fun, awesome, and action packed moments that suffice. When the show really manages to focus on something it does really work quite well. Unfortunately I cannot go into many details of the chaos to ensue but be sure in the fact that this is by no means bad work, just a bit chaotic and devoid of focus.
Everybody, Everywhere
Of course the returning Adventure Time actors do a great job, I know I just complained about their inclusion but these are voice actors who’ve been with these characters for over a decade now, to them this is probably their second skin. Now that that is out of way, lets talk about the real good stuff of the show that could be focused on more. Fionna continues to be an equally as funny as she is stubborn character, this time around struggling with the fact that saving the world did not solve all her problems (Very Peacemaker of her.) A lot of those feelings weigh heavy on her and cloud her judgement, acting hastily as usual and digging herself deeper into the hold that she is already trapped in. Fionna finds herself trapped in cage of her own making, chasing that feeling of saving the day again without taking a second to look around and see that isn’t the person her friends need.
What may be a shock and an upset to some fans is the news of the recasts for both Marshall Lee and Gary Prince. Both Donald Glover and Andrew Rannells do not return this season, with Kris Kollins and Harvey Guillén stepping into the roles. The couple gets quite a bit of screen time this season and their relationship really grows. The two of them are just the best compatriots to Fionna and Cake, even if Fionna doesn’t act like the best friend she could be.
Huntress Wizard was a great addition to Season 2. A character from Adventure Time with such a mysterious background. That is the kind of character that should be used and prioritized in this show. Being able to take a lesser known figure and explore their backstory and interweave it the main narrative of the series. While Simon is no where near the small character that Huntress Wizard is, the show had a chance to do something similar with her and give her a really meaningful story as they did Simon and Betty. I wouldn’t say what is explored with her is anything of that caliber, but learning more about her and seeing her in action again is really fun.
Where Do We Go From Here
Like mentioned previously, this review is only based on the first 7 episodes of this season, so there is a chance for things to be wrapped up neatly. At this point it just feels like there is still so much ground to cover and like this season has moved at such a slower pace than its predecessor.
‘Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake’ Season 2 Final Thoughts
The sophomore season return for Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake unfortunately does not live up to it’s trailers promise of being bigger, but it sure is crazier, for better or for worse. Fionna and Cake remain incredibly lovable and fun protagonists and I hope to see their adventures continue but living in the shadow of Season 1 will always be something that follows this show, being able to achieve that high of a high again could be impossible with the current trajectory of Season 2.
Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake releases on HBO Max on October 23. Check out the trailer below:
The Review
'Fionna and Cake' Season 2
The sophomore season return for Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake unfortunately does not live up to it's trailers promise of being bigger, but it sure is crazier, for better or for worse. Fionna and Cake remain incredibly lovable and fun protagonists and I hope to see their adventures continue but living in the shadow of Season 1 will always be something that follows this show, being able to achieve that high of a high again could be impossible with the current trajectory of Season 2.
