"Return to Wartwood" is the second segment of the thirty-second episode of Amphibia. It aired on March 6, 2021.
Synopsis[]
After realizing they forgot to get anyone a gift from Newtopia, the Plantars come up with a risky plan to keep the town from finding out.
Plot[]
The Plantars return to Wartwood, much to the delight of all the townsfolk who welcome them with open arms. They decide to throw a celebration with food for their return. However, Stumpy mentions that he cannot wait to try a Newtopian coral hand fragment that Hop Pop supposedly picked up on his journey. Mrs. Croaker adds that the party should also double as a special gift giving from the Plantars from their trip. A nervous Hop Pop and Polly drag Anne and Sprig back into the fwagon and reveal that before they left, they promised everyone that they will come back with gifts from Newtopia and made a list and hid it underneath the floorboards of the fwagon, but forgot about it. While Anne wants to be responsible and tell the truth, Sprig agrees with his family as they apparently promised Ivy a red sunshell to match his blue moonshell.
They collectively decide to create fake gifts and have them burned through some terrible disaster before the eyes of the townsfolk. Using a strange monster book made from skin, given to Sprig from Maddie, they settle on summoning a Chicka-lisk, a terrible golden gift-eating chicken beast capable of breathing fire and turning people to stone through its gaze beam, but doesn't eat amphibians and won't attack unless threatened. They collect the items to summon him, which ironically took little to no effort despite the ridiculous lengths to get them, and successfully perform the ritual before heading out to the party. Anne and the Plantars stall everyone until the Chicka-lisk arrives with Sprig feeling even more guilty when Ivy expects her gift.
The Chick-alisk appears, in a rather magnificent display, and immediately goes for the presents (which through subtitles reveal that he comically thinks they are for him). The townsfolk, not wanting to lose the "gifts" the Planters "worked hard to get" for them, team up and battle the creature with Anne and the Plantars ultimately joining in after the Chick-alisk retaliates. The gifts end up getting destroyed anyway the Chicka-lisk becomes offended by their "Chicka-lisk formation" and leaves ("Okay, that's just offensive, you guys. Chicka-lisk, out!"). Despite the plan working, Anne coaxes the Plantars to come clean. Everyone is angry and disappointed that they did not get any gifts, but admit that they are glad to see the Plantars being themselves again as life in Wartwood was boring without them. Ivy tells Sprig that he can make it up to her by going on a date with her and kisses him, much to Anne's delight.
Cast[]
- Brenda Song as Anne Boonchuy
- Justin Felbinger as Sprig Plantar
- Bill Farmer as Hop Pop Plantar
- Amanda Leighton as Polly Plantar
- Katie Crown as Ivy Sundew
- James Patrick Stuart as One-Eyed Wally
- Stephen Root as Mayor Toadstool
- Laila Berzins as Sadie Croaker
- Brian Maillard as Leopold Loggle
- Jill Bartlett as Maddie Flour
- John DiMaggio as Stumpy
- Jack McBrayer as Toadie
- Matt Braly as Chuck
- Kaitlyn Robrock as Felicia Sundew
- Mona Marshall as Sylvia Sundew (uncredited)
Trivia[]
General[]
- This episode, as well as "Night Drivers", chronologically take place after the events in "A Day at the Aquarium" and before "The Shut-In!".
- This episode, along with its sister episode, aired on February 16, 2021 in Greece, the Middle East, and North Africa. It was leaked online shortly afterwards.
- The Chick-alisk actually originated in the pitch pilot for the series, which would eventually get turned into the episode "Best Fronds". It was going to be the monster Anne and Sprig battled. In the final version of the episode, they battle a giant water snake.
- At the beginning of the episode, Hop Pop partially recreates the "Just Right" meme, which originated from The Emperor's New Groove.
- Sadie is more welcoming to Sprig, but finds his voice "irritating" referencing the episode "Cracking Mrs. Croaker".
- Rosemary, Lavender, and Ginger, having previously made appearances in the theme song and "Civil Wart" are confirmed to be part of Maddie's family as of this episode.
- One-Eyed Wally's history is still a secret to the rest of Wartwood.
- There are tulips outside the Plantars' house as Chuck grew them ("I grew tulips").
- The book of monsters that Maddie gave to Sprig resembles the Book of the Dead from the Evil Dead film series.
- The Chicka-lisk is a combination of a Basan, a fire-breathing bird from Japanese folklore, as well as a basilisk and a cockatrice, both dragon-like creatures with a petrifying gaze from European folklore (all of which resemble chickens). Many of its actions are lifted straight from the Godzilla and Dragon Ball franchises. His theme, which is a chanting of "Chick-alisk", sounds similar to "Sephiroth's Theme" from Final Fantasy VII.
- Mayor Toadstool claims that they have a formation for every predator. They previously showed off their mantis formation in the very first episode "Anne or Beast?"
- Felicia Sundew and Chuck's voice actors are only listed under additional voices while Mona Marshall as Sylvia Sundew is not listed in the credits at all.
- After the Chicka-lisk leaves, Anne says “Finger Licking Gone”. This is a reference to the Kentucky Fried Chicken slogan, "Finger Lickin' Good".
Continuity[]
- Sprig tells Ivy when he got eaten by the Ant Queen from "Marcy at the Gates".
Gallery[]
International Premieres[]
- February 16, 2021 (Middle East)
- June 25, 2021 (Australia and New Zealand) (Premiere on Disney+)
- July 28, 2021 (United Kingdom & Italy) (Premieres on Disney+)
- January 10, 2022 (Portugal)
External links[]
- Return to Wartwood at the Amphibia Wiki
