Over the Garden Wall

Over the Garden Wall, created by Patrick McHale, is honestly one of my favorite shows to date. I wanted to take a break from all of the discussions from class. I love the topics and comments that are going on in the blogs, but I really just want to make a different type of post for now and share why this miniseries is one of the best.

If you haven't seen Over the Garden Wall, I and probably many students in the DMA department will recommend it. The story follows two brothers, Wirt and Greg, who start out in a mysterious forest called 'The Unknown'. Greg hears a little cry of help from a bush and sees that there is a little bluebird that is stuck in its thorns. He rescues her and wants to do a good deal for the boys in return for them saying her. Since, they're lost, Beatrice the bluejay says that she will take them to Adelaide of the pasture. Adelaide would be able to help the boys get back home. So, the trio journeys through The Unknown and run into many interesting and sometimes creepy situations.

Patrick McHale takes his concept and conjured up a fantastic and whimsical world that can be hard to wrap your head around. He made a show that can be for any age. Children can watch this and experience what Wirt and Greg are going through and want to be there with them. We talked today in class about how fairy tales need to have some elements of terror even if it's aimed for children. Over the Garden Wall has this element and gave us this great sense of terror. Patrick also takes Wirt, a character that is so... boring and not someone that most people would want to hang out with, and gave us a connection to him since as the audience, you don't want anything bad to happen to Greg and him, and developed his character to where he's this great guy and he's such a big dork that you can't help but love.

This miniseries is by far, one of the greatest animated shows that has aired recently. Over the Garden Wall is a show that you can watch multiple times and not get tired of going through these whimsical adventures with Wirt and Greg. I highly recommend this show to anyone who likes mystery and darker elements.

P.S. It'd great if one day in class we just watched this the whole time... I know that won't happen. I just love this show.