Frank15's Winx Reviews: 1x25-1x26
May. 23rd, 2026 07:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spiderbraidsIn which Frank15 ships Flora with Mirta, and doesn't care for most of the canon couples, especially Tec/Timmy (!) as we come to the end of season 1 :-)
The Great Witch Invasion
...or The Tic Tac Dough Bonus Round
At Cloud Tower, the Army of Decay is marching outward, and the flying monsters are flying around the school. The Trix sisters, somewhere unseen around Cloud Tower, are talking about their battle they are about to win with Alfea. The sisters create three tall thrones, made from the little buggies, to travel to Alfea. They hop into their seats and start their march toward Alfea.
At Alfea, it is pretty quiet. The Winx girls, minus Bloom, are in their room. Flora feels she can't change pumpkin Mirta back. Yay! Mirta hasn't been forgotten! Musa and Stella tell Flora that she should give up, since changing Mirta back human is impossible. Stella says if they put her in a nice sunny pumpkin patch, then she'd at least be around friends. Not one of Stella's more acute observations. Isn't Mirta around friends now? Wouldn't she be, like, not around friends if she were put in a pumpkin patch? She means well, though: Stella is tearing up like she was close to her. Flora hushes their doubts. Flora tries to muster up as much winx as possible in another attempt to change Mirta back human. Mirta starts glowing brightly, and in a vision, Flora and Mirta reach for one another. The room flashes ultra-bright as pumpkin Mirta disappears. The girls wonder where Mirta went, as she tells them she's here, across the room--in human form! Flora and Mirta give a great big hug for one another. They both believe the change back worked because they tried harder than in other attempts, and they both fully believed it would work. Words really don't do this scene justice. It's just so lifting, so great to see Mirta changed back to her normal self. And so sweet to see how happy Flora and Mirta both are.
Stella notices Riven walking outside the building, all pouty, and tells Musa she should go see what's bothering him. Musa shouts that she doesn't care, but she's going to to just take a walk outside.
Musa: Oh, hey, Riven!
Riven: Oh, um, listen, they don't teach us how to do this in heroics class, but I've got to say I really like you, and now I've got to go, bye!
Musa: Huh?
Riven's awkwardness with Musa is cute. The trouble is, since when did he ever like Musa in the first place? The only sign given that he cared about Musa, before this episode, was a scene that was cut from Grounded. That's part of the trouble with cutting random, seemingly unimportant bits from episodes--some parts are more important than they may appear at first glance.
In Magix, Prince Sky is walking around, yelling for the attention of someone, saying he's one of the good guys. Sky spots a person covered in rot, seemingly dead. Prince Sky starts yelling louder for help. Apparently in an effort to attract monsters to him. Smart.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #1
A bug soldier threatens Prince Sky in Magix, who's still yelling for help. The monster knocks Sky's sword out of his hand, and he goes to retrieve it. After he calls it a "little slug," the thing doubles in size. Slug? Sky and the monster proceed to hold a staring contestant, until the monster finally attacks Sky, and he defends with his sword.
Outside Alfea, the four Winx girls and Mirta are walking. Flora asks Mirta if she knows any inside secrets for defeating the Trix sisters. Mirta tells her that the the witches are hell-bent on destruction. In other words, she doesn't know. Stella tries to lighten up the mood with a joke, which Tecna doesn't appreciate. Pepe is also trying to cheer Kiko up, without success. Tecna says Kiko's worried about Bloom, and the other girls say they are as well. Miss Faragonda, appearing out of nowhere, says she hopes Bloom is all right as well. Miss Griffin, standing beside her, gives a "hmm."That was creepy on Faragonda's part, just kinda' spying on them, then coming from nowhere to pipe up.
At Lake Chrysalis, Bloom wades in. Bloom talks to Daphne while walking. Daphne's being cryptic again. Daphne tells her to come beneath the water. Bloom complains that she can't breathe, but Daphne tells her to believe, and she'll be able to come under the water. Bloom recognizes the lake as the same one Faragonda brought her to on her astral journey, but Daphne says that they're not at the bottom of a lake, but rather, Daphne is inside of Bloom, and has been the entire time. Daphne shows Bloom a vision of Daphne's sending her to earth, and her parents with her, and bratty Mizti. Bloom's still a bit confused as to whether she's an Earth girl, or the princess of Sparx. Daphne goes on to tell Bloom that she's both, that who she is is the sum of all her parts, and all that's in her heart is who she is, and can never be taken from her. Daphne tells her that the journey is over, and disappears. Bloom puts her words together, and finds the dragon fire within herself, emerging from the lake, in her winx form, with an image of the dragon behind her. A pep talk. You're kidding me. All this time, Bloom trying to figure out how to reattain her dragon fire, and all it took was a freaking pep talk?! Why didn't Daphne just give Bloom this pep talk several episodes ago?! Would've made things that much easier for our heroes. Sheesh....
COMMERCIAL BREAK #2
Around Black Mud Swamp, the Army of Decay is marching forth, with the Trix sisters still sitting in their thrones, moving along with the Army of Decay.
Icy: You ladies want to hear something funny? The quiz in last month's Teen Witch said "What would you do if you got to take over the whole universe?
Darcy: What did you put?
Icy: I wrote "You'll find out soon enough, loser," and sent it in.
Stormy notices and asks why they're not taking King's Bridge to Alfea. Icy says the path their taking leads to the Invisible Road, the route they're taking to arrive at Alfea without warning. The miniature water nymphs of Black Mud Swamp, listening to the Trio's conversation, decide to go to warn those at Alfea.
Outside Alfea, Saladin and Codatorta are playing some sort of hover chess/checkers game. Codatorta says he's anxious to get on with the battle, already, that he hates the waiting. Saladin tells him to remain calm. Codatorta says he always has a plan. Saladin tells Codatorta that he made a mistake in their game, and Codatorta immediately beats him afterwords. Saladin turns out to be a sore loser.
Riven, Brandon, and Timmy are walking toward the girls. They're worried about where Bloom and Sky, and if Bloom is all right, wondering how she and Prince Sky are.
The undines, arriving at Alfea, contact Miss Faragonda, to warn her about the Army of Decay coming for Alfea via the Invisible Road, and the Trix themselves are coming with the rest of the army. Miss Faragonda tells the undines to rest inside, as Faragonda prepares the others at Alfea to prepare for the upcoming battle. Kiko and Pepe hide in Kiko's little dug-out hole.
Back in Magix, Prince Sky is still fighting the bug soldier. Shortly, a giant soldier arrives, and another bug soldier forms behind Sky. As the three surround Sky, he prepares to fight, but Bloom appears above everyone, with the image of the dragon fire around her. Bloom blasts powerful fireballs at the three monsters to take them out.
Bloom: Nobody messes with my boyfriend!
Bloom checks to see if Prince Sky is OK, which he is, and thanks Bloom for saving him. Sky questions Bloom on her "boyfriend" comment, but Bloom says it was just trash talk. Sure, Bloom. We believe you.... Bloom says her powers actually never left her, but just didn't realize it until just now, and hopes it isn't too late. Bloom asks what happened to all the people, now just rot, and Sky doesn't know. Bloom asks if they can be revived, and Sky doesn't know that either. Bloom worries if her friends back at Alfea are OK, as she and Brandon hop a ride to Alfea via Bloom's dragon. Not just an image of a dragon, apparently. Makes for a nifty ride!
COMMERCIAL BREAK #3
The Trix sisters are all still headed for Alfea in their thrones.
Stormy: I know we're traveling in grand style, but I've gotta' ask: are we there yet?
Darcy: You're kidding, Stormy; you're actually going to start witching now?
Icy: You don't like your throne, I suggest you hop down and walk, otherwise, stay focused.
Darcy: I agree with you Icy, but, um... do you have any ballpark sense of how much longer this is going to be?
Icy: Fifteen minutes or so, now pay attention, all right?!
Gotta' love the sisterly bickering. Icy seems more concerned with making the "Ultimate Villainess Entrance" than her sisters do, who'd rather just do what needs to be done.
At Alfea, the boys are all talking about the upcoming battle, and preparing for the battle. Miss Faragonda and Miss Griffin are standing beside each other. Miss Griffin realizes Faragonda is worried about Bloom, who says she's always felt Bloom was their only hope. But without Bloom, she has to believe there's another way to win. Miss Griffin starts to say something, but Faragonda stops her, agreeing that she's glad Griffin is there. Except it sounded like Miss Griffin was going somewhere else entirely. Like she was about to apologize for not realizing the danger the Trix sisters posed, or something. But no, Faragonda just had to interrupt. Griffin refers to Faragonda as a pixie. She doesn't seem to be using it as an insult, either. More of a "friendly teasing" sort of way.
All this time, a mutated raven--a craven bird, as Stormy calls it--has been watching the two teachers. Icy translates the bird's squawks, and tells her sisters that the bird is telling her that Alfea is ready for them, as expected. Miss Griffin and Miss Faragonda both hear the craven bird, and realize it to mean that the army, as well as the Trix sisters, have arrived.
Other Stuff
Honestly, the episode was somewhat empty-ish. Well, that's not quite true: Bloom did get her dragon fire back. The way she got it back was a cop-out, though, but this is the first we've seen Bloom able to use her dragon fire with such control! The Trix sisters were classic, in their brief moments. And Mirta's back! The entire scene with Flora finally able to change Mirta back is just so sweet.
Since it is a children's cartoon, nothing will probably ever come of it... but Flora and Mirta might make a cute couple. On the other hand, for the fan fiction writers out there, please disregard that comment.
Speaking of Mirta, it was somewhat unusual to see her walking with the Winx girls, outside, in public. Lori says the witches and fairies have probably become a little more tolerant, since this whole Trix sisters conflict. Makes sense to me.
8 out of 10 on the old scale.
Fire and Ice
...or The Many Faces of Bloom
Outside Alfea, still gloomy, Miss Faragonda gives a final pep talk for all the fairies, warriors, and witches, to get them ready for the upcoming battle with the Trix sisters. Kiko and Pepe tremble.
Meanwhile, the Trix sisters are still sitting atop their rot-made thrones, being carried by the Army of Decay to Alfea. Icy says when they're done, that Stormy can be in charge of Alfea, and Darcy can be in charge of Red Fountain. They arrive before Alfea, and Icy orders the army "Attack." What's neat is the nonchalant way Icy tells the army to attack, almost as if it were boring. As the flying monsters swiftly swoop in, Miss Faragonda and Miss Griffin put up a magical shield surrounding Alfea to keep the monsters out. Stormy soon blasts the shield away with lightning, though. Flora tries blasting Stormy with some pollen, but Stormy just collects it in her hand.
Stormy: What's this? A joke? How pathetic.
Miss Faragonda orders everyone to attack, and all the fairies and warriors attack the monsters. The witches are still oddly absent. Stormy declares having the dragon fire rules, right as Bloom flies in, to tell her that she is the one who has the dragon fire. Technically, they both have the dragon fire. Icy's upset realizing Bloom has the dragon fire again. Stormy shudders. Darcy gives a worried "Uh oh." Cute on Darcy's part. Course, she was the one smart enough not to simply discount "powerless" Bloom in the first place. Bloom blasts Icy's throne. Icy orders her sisters to give them her share of the dragon fire to take care of Bloom, while they handle her friends. Bloom chases after Icy and eventually blasts a fire stream at her. Flora, looking surprisingly cocky, blasts Darcy and Stormy with more pollen, this time blowing Stormy and Darcy away.
Flora: Still think it's pathetic, Stormy?
Meanwhile, everyone else at Alfea is dealing with the monsters attacking. Prince Sky and Riven are attacking monsters together. Sky talks about how great Bloom is, and how he'll take her out on a good date when the battle is over. Gag me. On the ground, Kiko and Pepe are running from little buggies, when suddenly, Kiko flies to the roof of Alfea, with Pepe hanging on for dear life. Kiko can fly? Who knew. Guess that explains his species having lived on Sparx years ago, anyway.
In the sky, Bloom blasts Icy with her dragon, but Icy freezes it, then sends an ice stream chasing after Bloom.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #1
Icy threatens how she'll take Bloom's dragon fire again, and Bloom just says no. Icy blasts icicles her way, as Bloom just blocks them with a fire shield. Bloom's got a particularly vicious scowl on her face doing this, too. Love Bloom's vicious look.
Meanwhile, Darcy replicates herself. Why? I don't know. It doesn't seem to serve any real purpose. Stormy sends an electric twister toward Stella, Tecna, Flora, and Musa. Tecna uses her world wide web to shield them from the tornado. Stella blasts a sunburst at them. Flora shoots ninja daisies at them. Musa surrounds them with boogie blaster. Making them deaf, I guess.
Back with Bloom Vs. Icy, Icy forms a spiked-ice ball trapping Bloom, then sends it hurdling toward the ground, where it shatters. Icy laughs, until Bloom appears right behind her, looking cute, giggling. Very cute on Bloom's part. I guess with her powers, she's able to do some teleportation. Bloom knocks Icy into a lake, but Icy has the lake grab Bloom beneath the surface, and Icy, out of the lake, freezes it.
Back on the ground, the Specialists are trying to show one another up, on how to defeat the large soldiers. Prince Sky, Riven, and Timmy all attack, all being unsuccessful. Knut tries lifting it up and throwing it down. Faragonda, Griffin, and Saladin all blast at a flying stingray. Miss Faragonda mentions their fighting doesn't really matter, though, that as long as Icy has the dragon fire, the monsters will keep coming until they're all wiped out.
With the Stormy and Darcy battle, Tecna charges straight into Stormy, sending her away. Darcy tries blasting Flora and Musa, then looks around nervously trying to find them, as Musa blasts her from behind.
With Icy and Bloom, Bloom stares straight at Icy. So angry. Yet cool and confident. Bloom is very cool here. Icy summons all her dragon fire power for one final strike against Bloom, trapping Bloom in a wall of ice.
Over on the Stormy and Darcy arena, Stormy forms into a powerful tornado after the four Winx girls, and Flora gets sucked in.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #2
Stella grabs Flora's hand, as Musa and Tecna hold on to Stella. The girls perform a spell that changes the Stormy tornado yellow, and chases after Darcy to suck her in. Darcy seems so terrified. You could almost feel bad for her. Faragonda and Griffin perform a spell that trap Stormy and Darcy in a metal dungeon. All of Stormy's and Darcy's monsters disappear upon being trapped, though Icy's are still attacking. The four Winx girls rest on the ground.
Icy gloats about her ice mountain, with Bloom trapped inside, claiming victory. But Bloom's fire dragon cracks open the ice mountain, with a furious Bloom, looking as if she's about to blow up again, heads toward Icy.
All the monsters start disappearing. Saladin says it must mean that "Bloom's kicking Icy's booty." His words, not mine. Strange way with words for an old geezer. Riven walks up to Musa, with Musa happy to see him. Tecna says hi to Timmy. Very seductively. It does not suit her very well. She even looks like she has "things" on her mind. Dirty, dirty Tecna. Could've at least found someone better than Timmy. Stella and Brandon are happy to see each other as well. The sky clears up, and all is sunny again. Bloom flies to the ground, holding Icy, limp, in her arms. Prince Sky, happy to see Bloom, congratulates her, telling her how awesome she is. She and Sky share a small kiss. Small kiss. Emphasis on small. The people in Magix who were turned to rot return to their normal, healthy selves.
Miss Griffin tells Miss Faragonda how she feels bad about allowing the Trix sisters into Cloud Tower, how she should have known their transcripts were fake, and how she's thinking of retiring. Faragonda says while she doesn't agree with all her teachings, that she can't quit, that she's the best in her field. Griffin says she does like her job, but needs to change campus security and the admissions process. Saladin comes up to say that the Council pledged funds to restore Red Fountain.
Knut frets around the Winx girls. Stella and Bloom both encourage him to ask what it is he wants to ask. Knut nervously goes up to Miss Griffin, telling her how Alfea is so nice, and how he'd like to stay at Alfea. Miss Griffin agrees, saying it would be a good intercultural experience. He seems to be a janitor there. Musa tells him how he's done a nice job helping them, and they're going to set up lights in the quad.
As the Winx girls are flying off to the quad, Musa mentions to Mirta that she heard that Mirta is going to be attending Alfea next year. Mirta, sitting beside Lucy, tells Lucy that she'll be at Alfea next year. Lucy's disgusted at the thought, telling Mirta that witches don't hang out with fairies. Apparently, the time helping with the Trix sisters has taught Lucy nothing. Mirta hopes they can still stay in touch, but Lucy wants nothing of it, calling Mirta a loser, and walking away. Flora walks up to Mirta, telling her to ignore Lucy, that Mirta is amazing. Mirta thanks Flora.
It's baffling, honestly. Mirta was the only real friend Lucy ever did have. Of course, then Lucy wanted to hang out with the Trix sisters--the popular girls--and Lucy did not believe Mirta about the Trix sisters only using her, that they didn't like her. Mirta was obviously right--and Lucy is still putting Mirta down? Methinks Lucy has problems other than just the popularity bug.
Faragonda tells Griffin that they can stay for prom.
Miss Griffin: We don't do prom, we crash prom. So enjoy it. This will be the one year we don't try to ruin it.
Griffin opens the sky portal for the witches to travel through, back to Cloud Tower. She opens another portal for the Trix sisters to be sent to, leading to Do-Gooders' Boot Camp, where the entire place is infinitely cute, and all the evil will be driven from them. The sisters enter wearing what appear to be straitjackets, as well as little crowns. Likely the crowns keep the witches from performing any sort of magic. Before Icy enters, she glares at Bloom, threatening her. Bloom gives her a confident glare back. Bloom's so wonderfully expressive this episode. Pepe runs into the portal after Icy, crying for his "Mama." Kiko cries, as Bloom comforts him, telling Kiko that's just how ducks are.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #3
Griselda calls all the girls, as Faragonda tells the girls how well they all did against the Trix sisters, and how they will not have final exams this year, and that it is now time to party. At the teachers' table, Saladin mentions how he loves milkshakes. Milkshakes my butt. That's beer. The beer steins, the beer foam--those ain't milkshakes, no matter what the dubbers claim it to be. Wizgiz, obviously very drunk, spills his beer--I mean, his "milkshake"--all over Griselda, who just laughs it off. She's drunk too.
Bloom, outside the party area, sits by the fountain. Sky walks up to her, asking if she's all right. Bloom thinks about how she'll miss her friends, and how she'll miss Sky. Sky mentions to Bloom that there's still time left to dance at the party.
At a large table, the Winx girls, the Specialists, Knut, and Mirta are all eating and talking. Bloom proposes a toast to friends. Brandon proposes a toast to princesses.
Stella: Let's toast to non-royalty people too. We can not forget about them, 'cause, you know, they can be pretty cute.
Something so cute about that line. Might be hearing Stella mentioning non-royalty people like that, so realizing how great non-royalty people can be. Tecna proposes a toast to Bloom. Stella mentions how Bloom couldn't even use her wings when she first got to Alfea, and how she saved all of Magix today. Flora mentions how they'll all be sophomores next year, and how that's more exciting than the freshmen year. The others all agree happily, as the undines fly through the sky, glittering the sky, as a bit of "Feels like Magic" plays.
Other Stuff
Decent episode. Special in that it was the last episode, at least for the first season. Nice to see everything resolved. It could have been a bit better, though: it seemed the Trix sisters did not put up much of a fight, Darcy in particular.
As for the couples... well, Stella and Brandon are all right. But we could do without Musa and Riven. We could do without two-timing Sky and Bloom. And we could certainly do without Tecna and Timmy. Or more to the point, we could do without Timmy. Mirta and Flora, now... that I would not be opposed to.
As for Lucy's behavior... you can form your own theories about that one.
Will the Trix sisters be back? We can only hope.
7 out of 10 on the old scale.
The Great Witch Invasion
...or The Tic Tac Dough Bonus Round
At Cloud Tower, the Army of Decay is marching outward, and the flying monsters are flying around the school. The Trix sisters, somewhere unseen around Cloud Tower, are talking about their battle they are about to win with Alfea. The sisters create three tall thrones, made from the little buggies, to travel to Alfea. They hop into their seats and start their march toward Alfea.
At Alfea, it is pretty quiet. The Winx girls, minus Bloom, are in their room. Flora feels she can't change pumpkin Mirta back. Yay! Mirta hasn't been forgotten! Musa and Stella tell Flora that she should give up, since changing Mirta back human is impossible. Stella says if they put her in a nice sunny pumpkin patch, then she'd at least be around friends. Not one of Stella's more acute observations. Isn't Mirta around friends now? Wouldn't she be, like, not around friends if she were put in a pumpkin patch? She means well, though: Stella is tearing up like she was close to her. Flora hushes their doubts. Flora tries to muster up as much winx as possible in another attempt to change Mirta back human. Mirta starts glowing brightly, and in a vision, Flora and Mirta reach for one another. The room flashes ultra-bright as pumpkin Mirta disappears. The girls wonder where Mirta went, as she tells them she's here, across the room--in human form! Flora and Mirta give a great big hug for one another. They both believe the change back worked because they tried harder than in other attempts, and they both fully believed it would work. Words really don't do this scene justice. It's just so lifting, so great to see Mirta changed back to her normal self. And so sweet to see how happy Flora and Mirta both are.
Stella notices Riven walking outside the building, all pouty, and tells Musa she should go see what's bothering him. Musa shouts that she doesn't care, but she's going to to just take a walk outside.
Musa: Oh, hey, Riven!
Riven: Oh, um, listen, they don't teach us how to do this in heroics class, but I've got to say I really like you, and now I've got to go, bye!
Musa: Huh?
Riven's awkwardness with Musa is cute. The trouble is, since when did he ever like Musa in the first place? The only sign given that he cared about Musa, before this episode, was a scene that was cut from Grounded. That's part of the trouble with cutting random, seemingly unimportant bits from episodes--some parts are more important than they may appear at first glance.
In Magix, Prince Sky is walking around, yelling for the attention of someone, saying he's one of the good guys. Sky spots a person covered in rot, seemingly dead. Prince Sky starts yelling louder for help. Apparently in an effort to attract monsters to him. Smart.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #1
A bug soldier threatens Prince Sky in Magix, who's still yelling for help. The monster knocks Sky's sword out of his hand, and he goes to retrieve it. After he calls it a "little slug," the thing doubles in size. Slug? Sky and the monster proceed to hold a staring contestant, until the monster finally attacks Sky, and he defends with his sword.
Outside Alfea, the four Winx girls and Mirta are walking. Flora asks Mirta if she knows any inside secrets for defeating the Trix sisters. Mirta tells her that the the witches are hell-bent on destruction. In other words, she doesn't know. Stella tries to lighten up the mood with a joke, which Tecna doesn't appreciate. Pepe is also trying to cheer Kiko up, without success. Tecna says Kiko's worried about Bloom, and the other girls say they are as well. Miss Faragonda, appearing out of nowhere, says she hopes Bloom is all right as well. Miss Griffin, standing beside her, gives a "hmm."That was creepy on Faragonda's part, just kinda' spying on them, then coming from nowhere to pipe up.
At Lake Chrysalis, Bloom wades in. Bloom talks to Daphne while walking. Daphne's being cryptic again. Daphne tells her to come beneath the water. Bloom complains that she can't breathe, but Daphne tells her to believe, and she'll be able to come under the water. Bloom recognizes the lake as the same one Faragonda brought her to on her astral journey, but Daphne says that they're not at the bottom of a lake, but rather, Daphne is inside of Bloom, and has been the entire time. Daphne shows Bloom a vision of Daphne's sending her to earth, and her parents with her, and bratty Mizti. Bloom's still a bit confused as to whether she's an Earth girl, or the princess of Sparx. Daphne goes on to tell Bloom that she's both, that who she is is the sum of all her parts, and all that's in her heart is who she is, and can never be taken from her. Daphne tells her that the journey is over, and disappears. Bloom puts her words together, and finds the dragon fire within herself, emerging from the lake, in her winx form, with an image of the dragon behind her. A pep talk. You're kidding me. All this time, Bloom trying to figure out how to reattain her dragon fire, and all it took was a freaking pep talk?! Why didn't Daphne just give Bloom this pep talk several episodes ago?! Would've made things that much easier for our heroes. Sheesh....
COMMERCIAL BREAK #2
Around Black Mud Swamp, the Army of Decay is marching forth, with the Trix sisters still sitting in their thrones, moving along with the Army of Decay.
Icy: You ladies want to hear something funny? The quiz in last month's Teen Witch said "What would you do if you got to take over the whole universe?
Darcy: What did you put?
Icy: I wrote "You'll find out soon enough, loser," and sent it in.
Stormy notices and asks why they're not taking King's Bridge to Alfea. Icy says the path their taking leads to the Invisible Road, the route they're taking to arrive at Alfea without warning. The miniature water nymphs of Black Mud Swamp, listening to the Trio's conversation, decide to go to warn those at Alfea.
Outside Alfea, Saladin and Codatorta are playing some sort of hover chess/checkers game. Codatorta says he's anxious to get on with the battle, already, that he hates the waiting. Saladin tells him to remain calm. Codatorta says he always has a plan. Saladin tells Codatorta that he made a mistake in their game, and Codatorta immediately beats him afterwords. Saladin turns out to be a sore loser.
Riven, Brandon, and Timmy are walking toward the girls. They're worried about where Bloom and Sky, and if Bloom is all right, wondering how she and Prince Sky are.
The undines, arriving at Alfea, contact Miss Faragonda, to warn her about the Army of Decay coming for Alfea via the Invisible Road, and the Trix themselves are coming with the rest of the army. Miss Faragonda tells the undines to rest inside, as Faragonda prepares the others at Alfea to prepare for the upcoming battle. Kiko and Pepe hide in Kiko's little dug-out hole.
Back in Magix, Prince Sky is still fighting the bug soldier. Shortly, a giant soldier arrives, and another bug soldier forms behind Sky. As the three surround Sky, he prepares to fight, but Bloom appears above everyone, with the image of the dragon fire around her. Bloom blasts powerful fireballs at the three monsters to take them out.
Bloom: Nobody messes with my boyfriend!
Bloom checks to see if Prince Sky is OK, which he is, and thanks Bloom for saving him. Sky questions Bloom on her "boyfriend" comment, but Bloom says it was just trash talk. Sure, Bloom. We believe you.... Bloom says her powers actually never left her, but just didn't realize it until just now, and hopes it isn't too late. Bloom asks what happened to all the people, now just rot, and Sky doesn't know. Bloom asks if they can be revived, and Sky doesn't know that either. Bloom worries if her friends back at Alfea are OK, as she and Brandon hop a ride to Alfea via Bloom's dragon. Not just an image of a dragon, apparently. Makes for a nifty ride!
COMMERCIAL BREAK #3
The Trix sisters are all still headed for Alfea in their thrones.
Stormy: I know we're traveling in grand style, but I've gotta' ask: are we there yet?
Darcy: You're kidding, Stormy; you're actually going to start witching now?
Icy: You don't like your throne, I suggest you hop down and walk, otherwise, stay focused.
Darcy: I agree with you Icy, but, um... do you have any ballpark sense of how much longer this is going to be?
Icy: Fifteen minutes or so, now pay attention, all right?!
Gotta' love the sisterly bickering. Icy seems more concerned with making the "Ultimate Villainess Entrance" than her sisters do, who'd rather just do what needs to be done.
At Alfea, the boys are all talking about the upcoming battle, and preparing for the battle. Miss Faragonda and Miss Griffin are standing beside each other. Miss Griffin realizes Faragonda is worried about Bloom, who says she's always felt Bloom was their only hope. But without Bloom, she has to believe there's another way to win. Miss Griffin starts to say something, but Faragonda stops her, agreeing that she's glad Griffin is there. Except it sounded like Miss Griffin was going somewhere else entirely. Like she was about to apologize for not realizing the danger the Trix sisters posed, or something. But no, Faragonda just had to interrupt. Griffin refers to Faragonda as a pixie. She doesn't seem to be using it as an insult, either. More of a "friendly teasing" sort of way.
All this time, a mutated raven--a craven bird, as Stormy calls it--has been watching the two teachers. Icy translates the bird's squawks, and tells her sisters that the bird is telling her that Alfea is ready for them, as expected. Miss Griffin and Miss Faragonda both hear the craven bird, and realize it to mean that the army, as well as the Trix sisters, have arrived.
Other Stuff
Honestly, the episode was somewhat empty-ish. Well, that's not quite true: Bloom did get her dragon fire back. The way she got it back was a cop-out, though, but this is the first we've seen Bloom able to use her dragon fire with such control! The Trix sisters were classic, in their brief moments. And Mirta's back! The entire scene with Flora finally able to change Mirta back is just so sweet.
Since it is a children's cartoon, nothing will probably ever come of it... but Flora and Mirta might make a cute couple. On the other hand, for the fan fiction writers out there, please disregard that comment.
Speaking of Mirta, it was somewhat unusual to see her walking with the Winx girls, outside, in public. Lori says the witches and fairies have probably become a little more tolerant, since this whole Trix sisters conflict. Makes sense to me.
8 out of 10 on the old scale.
Fire and Ice
...or The Many Faces of Bloom
Outside Alfea, still gloomy, Miss Faragonda gives a final pep talk for all the fairies, warriors, and witches, to get them ready for the upcoming battle with the Trix sisters. Kiko and Pepe tremble.
Meanwhile, the Trix sisters are still sitting atop their rot-made thrones, being carried by the Army of Decay to Alfea. Icy says when they're done, that Stormy can be in charge of Alfea, and Darcy can be in charge of Red Fountain. They arrive before Alfea, and Icy orders the army "Attack." What's neat is the nonchalant way Icy tells the army to attack, almost as if it were boring. As the flying monsters swiftly swoop in, Miss Faragonda and Miss Griffin put up a magical shield surrounding Alfea to keep the monsters out. Stormy soon blasts the shield away with lightning, though. Flora tries blasting Stormy with some pollen, but Stormy just collects it in her hand.
Stormy: What's this? A joke? How pathetic.
Miss Faragonda orders everyone to attack, and all the fairies and warriors attack the monsters. The witches are still oddly absent. Stormy declares having the dragon fire rules, right as Bloom flies in, to tell her that she is the one who has the dragon fire. Technically, they both have the dragon fire. Icy's upset realizing Bloom has the dragon fire again. Stormy shudders. Darcy gives a worried "Uh oh." Cute on Darcy's part. Course, she was the one smart enough not to simply discount "powerless" Bloom in the first place. Bloom blasts Icy's throne. Icy orders her sisters to give them her share of the dragon fire to take care of Bloom, while they handle her friends. Bloom chases after Icy and eventually blasts a fire stream at her. Flora, looking surprisingly cocky, blasts Darcy and Stormy with more pollen, this time blowing Stormy and Darcy away.
Flora: Still think it's pathetic, Stormy?
Meanwhile, everyone else at Alfea is dealing with the monsters attacking. Prince Sky and Riven are attacking monsters together. Sky talks about how great Bloom is, and how he'll take her out on a good date when the battle is over. Gag me. On the ground, Kiko and Pepe are running from little buggies, when suddenly, Kiko flies to the roof of Alfea, with Pepe hanging on for dear life. Kiko can fly? Who knew. Guess that explains his species having lived on Sparx years ago, anyway.
In the sky, Bloom blasts Icy with her dragon, but Icy freezes it, then sends an ice stream chasing after Bloom.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #1
Icy threatens how she'll take Bloom's dragon fire again, and Bloom just says no. Icy blasts icicles her way, as Bloom just blocks them with a fire shield. Bloom's got a particularly vicious scowl on her face doing this, too. Love Bloom's vicious look.
Meanwhile, Darcy replicates herself. Why? I don't know. It doesn't seem to serve any real purpose. Stormy sends an electric twister toward Stella, Tecna, Flora, and Musa. Tecna uses her world wide web to shield them from the tornado. Stella blasts a sunburst at them. Flora shoots ninja daisies at them. Musa surrounds them with boogie blaster. Making them deaf, I guess.
Back with Bloom Vs. Icy, Icy forms a spiked-ice ball trapping Bloom, then sends it hurdling toward the ground, where it shatters. Icy laughs, until Bloom appears right behind her, looking cute, giggling. Very cute on Bloom's part. I guess with her powers, she's able to do some teleportation. Bloom knocks Icy into a lake, but Icy has the lake grab Bloom beneath the surface, and Icy, out of the lake, freezes it.
Back on the ground, the Specialists are trying to show one another up, on how to defeat the large soldiers. Prince Sky, Riven, and Timmy all attack, all being unsuccessful. Knut tries lifting it up and throwing it down. Faragonda, Griffin, and Saladin all blast at a flying stingray. Miss Faragonda mentions their fighting doesn't really matter, though, that as long as Icy has the dragon fire, the monsters will keep coming until they're all wiped out.
With the Stormy and Darcy battle, Tecna charges straight into Stormy, sending her away. Darcy tries blasting Flora and Musa, then looks around nervously trying to find them, as Musa blasts her from behind.
With Icy and Bloom, Bloom stares straight at Icy. So angry. Yet cool and confident. Bloom is very cool here. Icy summons all her dragon fire power for one final strike against Bloom, trapping Bloom in a wall of ice.
Over on the Stormy and Darcy arena, Stormy forms into a powerful tornado after the four Winx girls, and Flora gets sucked in.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #2
Stella grabs Flora's hand, as Musa and Tecna hold on to Stella. The girls perform a spell that changes the Stormy tornado yellow, and chases after Darcy to suck her in. Darcy seems so terrified. You could almost feel bad for her. Faragonda and Griffin perform a spell that trap Stormy and Darcy in a metal dungeon. All of Stormy's and Darcy's monsters disappear upon being trapped, though Icy's are still attacking. The four Winx girls rest on the ground.
Icy gloats about her ice mountain, with Bloom trapped inside, claiming victory. But Bloom's fire dragon cracks open the ice mountain, with a furious Bloom, looking as if she's about to blow up again, heads toward Icy.
All the monsters start disappearing. Saladin says it must mean that "Bloom's kicking Icy's booty." His words, not mine. Strange way with words for an old geezer. Riven walks up to Musa, with Musa happy to see him. Tecna says hi to Timmy. Very seductively. It does not suit her very well. She even looks like she has "things" on her mind. Dirty, dirty Tecna. Could've at least found someone better than Timmy. Stella and Brandon are happy to see each other as well. The sky clears up, and all is sunny again. Bloom flies to the ground, holding Icy, limp, in her arms. Prince Sky, happy to see Bloom, congratulates her, telling her how awesome she is. She and Sky share a small kiss. Small kiss. Emphasis on small. The people in Magix who were turned to rot return to their normal, healthy selves.
Miss Griffin tells Miss Faragonda how she feels bad about allowing the Trix sisters into Cloud Tower, how she should have known their transcripts were fake, and how she's thinking of retiring. Faragonda says while she doesn't agree with all her teachings, that she can't quit, that she's the best in her field. Griffin says she does like her job, but needs to change campus security and the admissions process. Saladin comes up to say that the Council pledged funds to restore Red Fountain.
Knut frets around the Winx girls. Stella and Bloom both encourage him to ask what it is he wants to ask. Knut nervously goes up to Miss Griffin, telling her how Alfea is so nice, and how he'd like to stay at Alfea. Miss Griffin agrees, saying it would be a good intercultural experience. He seems to be a janitor there. Musa tells him how he's done a nice job helping them, and they're going to set up lights in the quad.
As the Winx girls are flying off to the quad, Musa mentions to Mirta that she heard that Mirta is going to be attending Alfea next year. Mirta, sitting beside Lucy, tells Lucy that she'll be at Alfea next year. Lucy's disgusted at the thought, telling Mirta that witches don't hang out with fairies. Apparently, the time helping with the Trix sisters has taught Lucy nothing. Mirta hopes they can still stay in touch, but Lucy wants nothing of it, calling Mirta a loser, and walking away. Flora walks up to Mirta, telling her to ignore Lucy, that Mirta is amazing. Mirta thanks Flora.
It's baffling, honestly. Mirta was the only real friend Lucy ever did have. Of course, then Lucy wanted to hang out with the Trix sisters--the popular girls--and Lucy did not believe Mirta about the Trix sisters only using her, that they didn't like her. Mirta was obviously right--and Lucy is still putting Mirta down? Methinks Lucy has problems other than just the popularity bug.
Faragonda tells Griffin that they can stay for prom.
Miss Griffin: We don't do prom, we crash prom. So enjoy it. This will be the one year we don't try to ruin it.
Griffin opens the sky portal for the witches to travel through, back to Cloud Tower. She opens another portal for the Trix sisters to be sent to, leading to Do-Gooders' Boot Camp, where the entire place is infinitely cute, and all the evil will be driven from them. The sisters enter wearing what appear to be straitjackets, as well as little crowns. Likely the crowns keep the witches from performing any sort of magic. Before Icy enters, she glares at Bloom, threatening her. Bloom gives her a confident glare back. Bloom's so wonderfully expressive this episode. Pepe runs into the portal after Icy, crying for his "Mama." Kiko cries, as Bloom comforts him, telling Kiko that's just how ducks are.
COMMERCIAL BREAK #3
Griselda calls all the girls, as Faragonda tells the girls how well they all did against the Trix sisters, and how they will not have final exams this year, and that it is now time to party. At the teachers' table, Saladin mentions how he loves milkshakes. Milkshakes my butt. That's beer. The beer steins, the beer foam--those ain't milkshakes, no matter what the dubbers claim it to be. Wizgiz, obviously very drunk, spills his beer--I mean, his "milkshake"--all over Griselda, who just laughs it off. She's drunk too.
Bloom, outside the party area, sits by the fountain. Sky walks up to her, asking if she's all right. Bloom thinks about how she'll miss her friends, and how she'll miss Sky. Sky mentions to Bloom that there's still time left to dance at the party.
At a large table, the Winx girls, the Specialists, Knut, and Mirta are all eating and talking. Bloom proposes a toast to friends. Brandon proposes a toast to princesses.
Stella: Let's toast to non-royalty people too. We can not forget about them, 'cause, you know, they can be pretty cute.
Something so cute about that line. Might be hearing Stella mentioning non-royalty people like that, so realizing how great non-royalty people can be. Tecna proposes a toast to Bloom. Stella mentions how Bloom couldn't even use her wings when she first got to Alfea, and how she saved all of Magix today. Flora mentions how they'll all be sophomores next year, and how that's more exciting than the freshmen year. The others all agree happily, as the undines fly through the sky, glittering the sky, as a bit of "Feels like Magic" plays.
Other Stuff
Decent episode. Special in that it was the last episode, at least for the first season. Nice to see everything resolved. It could have been a bit better, though: it seemed the Trix sisters did not put up much of a fight, Darcy in particular.
As for the couples... well, Stella and Brandon are all right. But we could do without Musa and Riven. We could do without two-timing Sky and Bloom. And we could certainly do without Tecna and Timmy. Or more to the point, we could do without Timmy. Mirta and Flora, now... that I would not be opposed to.
As for Lucy's behavior... you can form your own theories about that one.
Will the Trix sisters be back? We can only hope.
7 out of 10 on the old scale.
