The second season of Galavant came to a satisfying conclusion tonight — but we can’t help but hope for a third against all odds.
We’ve been building up to this particular moment of Galavant’s surprising reprisal since Sid let slip it was happening during the catchy opening number: the battle of the three armies. Conveniently, that was also the title of the first of the two season finale episodes.
With a newly resurrected Galavant leading his love-motivated zombie army alongside one-true-king Richard, Isabella’s woefully under-prepared and equipped Hortensian uprising, and Madalena dabbling in D’Dew (the Dark Dark Evil Way — but don’t forget that second dark), the final showdown was about to get… interesting.
(That would be the ‘interesting’ of Firefly standards. You know, ‘oh god, oh god, we’re all going to die.’)
There were reunions aplenty to be had on the battlefield too — probably not the most appropriate place, but just go with it — as former best friends Richard and Gareth came face to face, as well as Galavant and Isabella. Granted, they weren’t the smoothest, what with some pent-up rage and perceived betrayal fuelling Richard and Isabella especially, but it was nothing a couple of well-timed slaps couldn’t resolve.
With those relationship bumps removed, and Galavant and Isabella back on course for their Happily Ever After, it seemed as though the tide was turning in Hortensia’s favor. Well, right up until Madalena used her new dark powers (courtesy of Wormwood) to take control of the zombie army. Though, control may be too strong of a word, as they begin attacking everyone. Which was likely not the desired outcome, all things considered, but as they hadn’t turned on Madalena specifically, she could probably count that as a win.
Not wanting to wait around for the zombie army to eat their brains — okay, they don’t actually eat brains, but they are a little bitey — all three armies retreated into Hortenisa and barricade the gate. Having discovered she truly loved Gareth, Madalena came to Hortensia to collect him, not wanting to leave him for dead. As much as we’ve been rooting for this dastardly duo in their own terrible way all season, we have to admire Gareth for sticking to his (limited) principles — he was willing to be bad, but not evil, and Madalena was going too far. Oh, that sound? Yeah, that was our hearts breaking.
As the zombie army battered at the gate, the reunited heroes lamented their impending deaths. Well, except for the former King and Queen of Hortensia, who pointed out that this was only the first episode of the night. Smart. But they didn’t need to lament for long as Sid, who’d departed a little earlier in search of vague redemption for killing Galavant, returned with an army. A bigger army. A better one.
Made up of everyone they’d encountered during the second season — except for the high-budget, recognizable stars, because, well, they couldn’t afford them — it gave everyone the opportunity to advance on the real threat: Madalena and Wormwood. With Gareth and Galavant drawing Wormwood’s attention, Isabella and Richard managed to sneak up on the pair of them, and the final battle ensued.
Isabella and Madalena’s fight was largely uneventful plot wise, if impressive, but it was during his clash with Wormwood that Richard truly shone. If we were going to crown our MVP of season 2, it would undoubtedly be Richard. He has grown so much since he was introduced as Galavant’s adversary on the path to true love in the first season. Now, having found strength in himself and his friends, he incapacitated Wormwood and broke the spell over the zombie army — believing he’d lost his dragon, Tad Cooper, in the process.
Standing tall and overlooking the battlefield, he was finally recognized for the potential that’d been inside him all along — as the One True King to unite all of the land. Which, for Madalena, was a bit of a kick in the teeth as she was originally married to him.
Of course, there were still some loose ends to tie up before the second episode ended.
Still believing that he could convince Madalena to give up on her newfound magic, Gareth offered to take her away to a place where they could be terrible together. Despite loving him, she couldn’t ever see herself giving up her quest for power for him, and Madalena used her D’Dew powers to disappear.
Having separated from the group because she couldn’t bring herself to watch Richard die on the battlefield, Roberta was about to depart for Spinster Island. Richard wasn’t about to let that stand, and left immediately to stop her. He made it just in the nick of time, and she returned with him to rule the kingdoms by his side.
As for Isabella and Galavant? They finally got married, set to the vocal stylings of the Monks from season 1. Yeah, Weird Al was back, and we were pleasantly surprised! After the wedding, the loved up duo retired to a house by the sea, where they could live together with their seven children. (Or three, as Galavant kept interjecting. We’ll have to wait and see which of them wins that battle. Our money is always on Isabella, honestly.)
To season 3?
This wouldn’t be Galavant, of course, without them dangling a potential continuation in front of us — ratings be damned. Hey, we couldn’t trust them last time, just look at where we are right now.
So, here was what they teased could come if, against all odds, we found ourselves back here next year.
- “Through rampaging vikings and cannibal elves. Through hobbits, and bikers, and dolphins with lasers, and mutants, and lawyers and–” Was there more to these lyrics than just an elaborated version of Galavant and Isabella’s wedding vows? Could we really be seeing dolphins with lasers if the show returns?
- Gareth and Sid (in some nifty new armor) were about to head off on an adventure together to save Madalena from herself — and we got ridiculously excited for this potential team up. We loved their friendship earlier this season.
- Madalena showed up on the doorstep of the Del, the Dark Evil Lord, who had been expecting her. Her apprenticeship under him will turn her into the most powerful force in the seven realms — which could put a wrench in Gareth’s plans.
- In a flash forward to season 3 — yeah, they actually went there — Richard, Roberta and Tad Cooper were all living happily together in their castle. Oh, and Tad Cooper? Was now a fully grown dragon. Well, damn.