Winx Club: 3x04: The Mirror of Truth
Oct. 7th, 2007 08:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spiderbraidsBefore I head into the summary, let me note that a couple days ago, I've posted the gallery for Fire and Flame. Go check them out.
Also, I'm on vacation for the next two days. Will probably have photos when I return.
Okay, summary.
Last time, the Winx (plus three of the Specs... still no sign of Riven or Helia though) began a journey to the Mirror of Truth to fix Stella. They avoided trouble from white giants and their ice, but we re-join as they're getting attacked by some more guardians of the mirror: Griffins.
Bloom tries to get Sky to pull up. Sky finds that that engines aren't responding. Tecna thinks they can slow down their fall, but Timmy also notes that the gravitational fields are gone, and the ship's structure won't hold up much longer.
Sky decides to switch to auto-level and has Timmy switch to manual overdrive. Brandon notes that the griffin won't let go, so Sky has Timmy open the hyperdrive valves. It's not working. Sky: "I can't believe the griffin is stronger than the ship's engine..." As Naruto might say, BELIEVE IT!
Bloom decides it's their turn now. Stella, being a monster and all, notes that she won't be much help, but Brandon reassures that it'll be okay.
Bloom: "Magic Winx!" And on cue, insert transformation sequences here.
Outside, and here come the Winx girls. Bloom: "Hey you, let go! Sphere of Fire!" The griffins aren't affected though, and now they're attacking together. Musa decides to stun them with her sound waves. Tecna: "They're running from us... but they're straight for the ship!"
Ship. Timmy is relieved that the griffins appear to have retreated, until Brandon notes that he spoke too soon, and now they're attacking from the front and smashing it with the side of the cliffs.
Outside. Griffins are also attacking the Winx, so Musa's giving them a sound wave attack. Flo: "Please! Don't hurt them!" Musa: "Fair enough. But we've got to defend ourselves!" Meanwhile, Tecna handles the other one with her digital attack.
Now, time to go free the ship. But the girls are too slow and so far behind, so Tecna decides to knock the bird off the ship all the way from downtown: "Magic cage!"
Tecna's shot makes contact, and both the girls and the boys are celebrating. Brandon reassures Stella, but now they're being attacked again. This time, it's really big.
Outside. The girls see that it's the griffins' mother.
Bloom: "Let's launch a combined attack."
Flo: "No, the mother is only trying to protect her chicks!"
Bloom: "But we've got to do something before she destroys the ship!"
Flo. Dude. You were ready to save the ship from ice-over with your Solar Sprouts, but now you're not willing to attack the griffins? Wha...? No wonder why you don't get much love.
Ship. Sky's trying to release the coolant, but it's deactivated, and there's nothing else they can do. Stella: "My friends need me, and I can't even transform!" Brandon: "Everything is going to be alright Stella. You'll see. We'll get out of this."
Outside, Musa is ready for Bloom's plan. Flora's not too sure about doing this because they've never tried this spell before, but Bloom insists, "We don't have much of a choice do we?" Musa heads under the ship's belly, while the other three head directly above.
Bloom signals that they're in position. Musa puts her powers on the turbine: "Ultrasound power!" Timmy detects some kind of ultrasonic energy surge. Stella sees bright purple waves emanating over the window: "Well then, that has GOT to be the work of Musa" Brandon: "Let's hope it works."
As the girls get ready, Tecna notices that the chicks are coming back. Flora: "They're trying to protect their mother." Bloom tells the two to keep position for a convergence spell. Now, you see that they're carrying over convergence, but there's something else from S2 that they're not carrying over. I'll rant on that later.
Ship. Timmy proposes an evasive maneuver, but Sky's giving the girls a minute or two.
Outside, and here we go: "Relocation spell!"
And there go the griffins. Flora asks where they went. Tecna checks her scanner: "They haven't been relocated very far since we're kind of new at this spell." Musa: "Well then. Let's get out of here before they come back."
Ship. The girls are still in their fairy outfits. Sky decides to have the ship fly low between the cliffs, and Brandon adds that the griffins won't even dare follow them. Timmy points out that it's really dangerous, because it's not even mapped.
Tecna: "Hey. I thought you guys were the best pilots at Red Fountain."
Timmy: "Well actually.. Alright, let's do it."
(Compare to the dub, where Timmy points out that the computer is down so it won't be able to map them out a route:
Tecna: "I'll help. Together we should have enough processing power for that."
Timmy: "Well, yeah I guess that's true."
I dunno, the dub version of the line seems a bit better in the comedy department.)
They start flying. Note that the back hatch is closed.
Sky: "Hold on tight you guys, it's gonna rock." No kidding, Sky. The flight is very rough and Stella gets bounced to the back hatch. For some reason or other, the hatch suddenly opens, and that can't be good for Stella, as Sky restrains Brandon. "We have to rescue her. C'mon, let's go back."
Timmy spots Stella hanging from a rock. Talk about your literal cliffhangers. "Alright, she's safe." "Let's get closer Sky, I'll try to pull her in." "It's way too risky. We need another plan." Flora says the griffins are coming back, so Brandon insists on his plan anyhow.
Stella is losing her grip, especially with those fins of hers. Don't make for an easy grab, do they? The ship hovers right next to the rock, and Brandon calls for Stella to grab him. Long drawn out sequence short, Brandon grabs Stella as she loses her grip. Sky thinks he's amazing.
Sky: "And now if there are no objections, I suggest we get away from these griffins once and for all." Time to head to the entrace for the cave!
Cave, as everyone gets off. Sky: "You have to admit, we do make a great team." Bloom: "Yeah, it's too bad they don't have high speed rescue ops at the Magic Games."
HEH!
And now, the entrance to the cave. Flora repeats for the Specs (and us) about the Mirror of Truth. Blah blah blah, they'll know it when they see it. Musa also mentions the Ice Spirits guarding the mirror and how they have to trust their word and all.
Tecna consults her digimap. She says the tunnel should widen out a bit further. And then it does.
Hello, really big fancy room. Stella: "It's amazing alright, but where are we exactly?" Disembodied voice: "You are in front of us, you were looking for us." Well, hello, Ice Spirits.
Bloom: "We need your help. Please?"
IS: "You overcame great dangers. The frozen winds of the Barrier, the fierce talons of the griffins; your motivation must be very strong."
Okay, Stella, that's your cue.
IS: "Ah, dark magic. An evil spell."
Stella: "Well, um, can you help me break it?"
IS: "You must look for the Mirror of Truth. You'll find it as soon as you find yourself. And it will break the spell only if you touch its heart."
Stella: "What does that mean, the mirror has a heart?"
Stella starts walking, and Brandon starts going after her. Bloom recommends that Brandon should stay outside with the other boys. The girls accompany Stella.
The girls are searching. Stella notices a side passage and splits from the others, and encounter what appears to be a mirror. Stella briefly looks away from her reflection, but then repeats to herself the Spirits' first cryptic clue: "You will find the mirror it as soon as you find yourself." Stella touches the mirror, and it opens to reveal more passageway.
Meanwhile, the girls have just noticed that Stella is missing, so Tecna and Musa call out. The boys also set out as well.
Stella: "I want to be myself again. This is not me." Brandon finds Stella, and we see that Stella is at a lake of some sort. "I bet that's what the spirits were talking about."
Brandon seems to want to talk with Stella, but Stella says, "This lake might be able to give me back my looks." Stella kneels down besides the lake and asks such of the mirror. "It's not working! What did I do wrong?"
Okay, so Brandon REALLY wants to talk to Stella.
Stella: "Brandon, don't look at me! Please!"
Brandon: "Why not?"
Stella: "You don't understand. You think I'm pretty because of a spell."
Brandon: "Stella, maybe this isn't the best time to tell you this, but, I can see what you look like."
Stella: "But, how is that possible?"
Brandon: "I don't know. The spell Flora cast on me never worked."
HUH. Flora's spell never worked? In the dub, it wore off on the ship. I'll let you judge if that makes it better or worse.
Stella: "And you, even though I look like this, you didn't run away?"
Brandon: "What, me run away from a beautiful person with a great big heart and a wonderful soul? C'mon girls, tell her what you see when you look at her."
Yeah, take it away, Winx.
Tec: "I see an awesome person who's never afraid to say what's on her mind..." (True.)
Flo: "...who is cheerful, light-hearted, and fun." (Double true.)
Musa: "A kind of crazy fairy who always makes me laugh." (Right on.)
Bloom: "And I see a loyal warm loving friend." (Can't argue with that.)
Stella: "Do you really think all that of me? I thought people just saw me as... pretty."
Well... that's true too. :-)
Anyways, Stella sheds a tear on to the ice-covered lake, and all the ice cracks up.
And look, Brandon's holding that present of his again.
Brandon: "I loved you before, and I love you now, maybe even more. Here. This is for you. For your birthday."
(Well, at least the dub remembered that it was for the princess ball and not such a generic occasion...)
Stella opens the box... and it's a mirror compact. How... fitting.
Brandon: "It's been in my family for generations, and well I want you to have it. I tried to give it to you at the party, but there were all these other presents, and there was so much going on, you were kind of distracted, and..."
Stella hugs Brandon: "Thanks Brandon. This is the most joyful present anyone's ever given me."
Stella sheds another tear on the lake. This time, much more happens. We see Stella's reflection in the lake turn back into her regular form, as Stella glows brightly as she turns back to normal. The girls are joyful that she's back to normal.
IS: "You did well, fairy of the sun and the moon. You passed the test. You proved that your feelings were deep and true."
Flo: "I find the mirror was quite difficult to convince."
IS: "The only reason the counterspell worked is because there was truth."
Stella: "Look, wow! Did you hear that Brandon? It was love that saved me."
Oh, Stella. :-)
Brandon decides it's time to head home. Musa: "I'm so tired, I could sleep 10 hours straight!" HEH.
AAAAAND we're back at Alfea. Hello, Griz and FG! The Griz is busy checking her list of new students: "Come on, come on, don't clog the corridor!"
FG: "Every year it's the same. When classes start, chaos breaks out at Alfea."
Griz: "Ms. Faragonda, these young fairies get more and more undisciplined every year!"
FG: "Oh, Grizelda, give them a break. They had a very short holiday. And they're facing a long and difficult year."
FG's not kidding about the very short holiday, and we're talking REAL short, because it apparently hasn't even been a month since Stella's sabotaged ball. Didn't think that through, huh, writing team?
For no apparent reason at all, we see Chatta talking to some random girl.
Chatta: "Hi there. Whatcha doing all by your lonesome?"
SRG: "I don't know anyone here. This is my first day, and..."
Chatta: "You're in good hands then. In no time at all you'll be the most popular fairy in the whole school."
I can completely understand 4K cutting that scene, because what the heck was that all about? I don't think we even see this random girl again, so what's the point?
And now, back to relevance. For the first time since the start of #2, we see Layla, as the girls, now back in casuals, are unpacking in their dorm.
Stella: "You should have seen me Layla. I was totally brave."
Musa: "Yeah, sure. 'Help please, let me have my face back.'"
(Everyone, including Layla of course, is laughing)
Stella checks herself out in a mirror: "Actually, that monster transformation softened my skin. Check it out!"
Musa: "I'll pass on that, but thanks."
*sigh* Stella, do you ever care about anything other than how you look? Seriously.
Anyways, Bloom notices that there are new fairies at Alfea. Flora even mentions that she just met a girl who's interested in tropical plants. She comes from a realm full of palm trees. Tecna leaves, because she promised Timmy that she would show him her new holo-programs.
Flora asks if Layla wants to see her new plants, and she says that she still needs to unpack. Layla seems a bit upset.
We see Layla, Stella and Musa leave the dorm.
So now, Bloom and Flora are alone, and they're talking about Layla. Bloom's worried about her, and Flora says that she heard that things are really bad on Andros and Layla won't talk to anyone about it. Bloom thinks Layla needs some time, and, seeing the mess in her room, decides to tidy up things here.
In the hallways, Musa hears a beautfiul piece of music coming out of one of the rooms and wonder who's playing it. She finds in the room, a light-haired girl with a tiara, mentally controlling four different instruments (a harp, a tambourine, a recorder, and a violin) with ease.
Musa: "This is amazing. I thought there was a whole orchestra in here!"
Tiara girl puts down her instruments: "Did you like my composition? I'm Galatea, princess of Melody."
Musa takes the princess's hand: "Princess Galatea, it is an honor to meet you. I am Musa, the fairy of music. I'm also from Melody."
(And let me say that the boombox noises didn't go well with the footage AT ALL in the 4K version. So much for Musa being the resident spunky princess... Layla's got that handled, thank you very much.)
They both giggle, as we head over to Stella being grumpy: "Every year they lose one of my trunks. These luggage elves are so inept!"
And she walks past a girl with orange hair and a green jacket. Why, hello, another significant new character! We immediately get her name: Nova. (Get it? As in supernova?) Stella runs over and drags her to a conveniently placed couch.
Stella: "I'm so happy to see you! Tell me the latest news from Solaria. I need to know EVERYTHING!"
Nova: "Well, the Baronet of Vias broke his engagement with young Countess Elendor, and then Countess Cassandra and her daughter Chimera, well, the Countess, she acts like she's already the queen of Solaria..."
Stella: "WHAT???"
Nova gives Stella a magazine: "Here, I've got a copy of Solaria Today. Check it out for yourself."
On the cover of the magazine, a picture of Cassandra.
Stella: "This is outrageous! She's wearing the crown jewels."
Nova continues her exposition: "King Radius rarely appears in public anymore; the Countess takes care of EVERYTHING, from state finances to the appointment of new ministers."
Stella: "And my father just LETS her? Cassandra must have bewitched him. If my mother hadn't given up the crown after the divorce... NONE OF THIS would be happening right now!"
You know, for a plotline that can be blamed on her, Stella's mom isn't getting much involved in this story. Like, AT ALL. Seriously, how can she NOT be in the plotline somewhere? Maybe have Stella whine with her for a while or something...
That's not all that Stella's blue blood is boiling over, though...
Stella holds up another page in the magazine showing Chimera on TV with that guy from the Miss Magix pageant (proof is above): "AND WHAT IS THIS???""
Nova: "Well, Chimera's become a regular on Solaria Star."
Stella is steamed: "The most popular show on the whole planet? I've got to do something! No way am I gonna let those two manipulate my father like this, and MEGA-no way am I gonna let Chimera take my place as PRINCESS!"
Hell yeah! And thanks for the updates, Nova.
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how come commoners can freely mingle with the princesses of their realms here. I mean, first you have Musa making friends with Galatea, and now Nova with Stella. Given that Amaryl flung a Plasma Sphere at Stella last season and the Army of Decay attack the year before that, I'd say there's a royal disaster just waiting to happen here.
Okay, now Flora enters Layla's room. Layla is reading a book.
Flora: "I was wondering if you wanted to talk. Just in case you do, I want you to know I'm here for you."
Layla: "Thanks Flora, but I'm okay. I'm just gonna finish my book and I'll catch up with you latyer."
Flora: "Oh, I guess I'll see in in the quad then. Miss Faragonda's gonna make an announcement."
Layla, I can tell that you're <Wilt>definitely NOT okay.</Wilt>
Over to the quad with FG, where she's going to make a few announcements. The usual teachers are there, including Avalon (not that it matters, since I have this feeling that we won't be getting much in the way of classroom scenes this season). She'll start off with addressing the 3rd year students about their final exams.
Random girl: "We just got here, and she's already talking about finals?"
Other random girl: "I still have to unpack, I'm still not ready for exams."
Heh.
FG: "This year's final examination is a very important step to your training as fairies. Last year your goal was to earn your Charmix. This year, your goal is to achieve final transformation."
Here, we have two still shots of fairies in this mode, with fancier outfits and wings.
FG: "Should you be successful, you will gain access to new powers, like fairy powder and miniaturization. This is your chance to become a full fledged fairy."
Musa: "A full-fledged fairy?"
And check out those underlines. :-) Meanwhile, time for my little rant.
Okay, so finally someone mentions Charmix, but I would have expected it to be one of the Winx, and in the context of summoning it. Now, I can see them not using it against the ocean wave, or the Solarian guards. But not using it against mother griffin and her chicks, when they probably need (and can afford to use) all the power they can muster? Doesn't that seem unrealistic, much?
I understand that they're likely putting Charmix behind because of this new power-up. And I've read on message boards that Charmix was like a stepping stone, a pre-requisite if you will, to final transformation (unlike in the dub, we won't be getting the "fancy" term for this until later), but that's just the problem. When you go to school, you're obviously expected to build on, and/or apply, the previous year's knowledge. So why aren't the girls applying their Charmix to new situations like they did with convergence? Surely a simple explanation that they absorbed them and don't have to summon them anymore or something like that couldn't have been too hard to fit in there. I wouldn't have been as satisfied as seeing the Charmix (and those nifty accompanying transformations... hello, Musa's CD player!) again, but still...
Plus, we hardly got to see Bloom's Charmix in action. She used it, what, twice? (Thinks back) Yep, twice. Over the 6 episodes and a bit that she had it. Everyone else used it at least three times, and had it for less time than her. Waste of new powers, much?
Rant over. Back to the show.
FG: "This is the only way you can pass your 3rd year, and those who do will be rewarded..."
Stella: "Yes, a reward! :-)"
FG: "... for all their hard work with a prize that will change their lives forever. Those who do not will remain as they are now. However, let's not forget that a fairy of a higher level, has not only greater power but also greater responsibility."
Stella: "What should we do to prepare for the test?"
FG: "No special preparation is required."
Stella: "Thank goodness."
FG: "The test will find you at a critical moment in time. You will need to rescue someone from your own world, (Bloom's face goes :o) and it will require a great sacrifice. If you succeed, then and only then will you achieve final transformation." (Whee, more underlines.)
Stella: "I gotta rescue someone from Solaria? Piece of cake, AS LONG AS IT'S NOT CHIMERA."
Darling, you have no idea how much better the plot would be if you really did have to save her. Now THAT would be a storyline.
FG: "You will then be able to fulfill your purpose as a full-fledged fairy, and protect your people and your world from evil and destruction."
Bloom looks VERY concerned. After FG's session, we see her sitting on a bench and then walking in the gardens outside of Alfea's main building, thinking about the whole "rescue someone from your own world" condition she's supposed to fulfill to get her final transformation and pass her 3rd year. After all, there is a major snag with that...
Bloom: "Rescue someone from my own world? But everyone on Domino has disappeared a long time ago."
As she's thinking about this, we get another flashback to Domino's destruction at the hands of the evil witch coven.
Bloom: "No one's living on Domino anymore. But I'm sure my birth parents are alive somewhere, I can feel it. And I'm going to find them no matter what."
Way to be strong, Bloom. Which is more than can be said for Layla, as she's re-entering the dorm.
Bloom: "Layla, are you ready?"
Layla: "*sigh* Sorry you guys but I REALLY don't feel like going out tonight."
Musa: "But Layla, you need to tell us what's going on. We're your friends, and we want to help you. Please."
Layla: "Oh, alright. Come on in."
So, Layla is explaining the whole thing with the Valtor attack on her planet. Layla mentions the portal watched by the elite mermaid guard, and that Val somehow broke out of the portal and turned them into "something monstrous" (in her words). She adds, "One thing's for certain: He didn't do it alone." Layla points out that Val can head anywhere (thank you, inter-dimensional portal), so no one is safe, and also mentions that the Magix Council were informed of this as soon as the portal was breached and that anything they're trying to stop him with isn't working.
Layla adds that a state of emergency was declared on Andros and eveyone was mobilized. We head into a dialog-less montage. We see the elite mermaid guard fighting mermaid monsters, and the monsters are trouncing them. We see the castle on Andros. We see a bunch of people, one of whom is Layla's dad. Hello, Layla's dad! And lastly, we see planes patrolling near the portal.
Bloom: "Up until now, all attempts to stop Valtor have failed."
Stella: "Please Bloom, don't say what I think you're going to say!"
Bloom: "Stella, the whole magical dimension needs us. We can't just stay here and do nothing."
Musa: "That's right, we're NOT BACKING DOWN."
Bloom: "We're the Winx Club..."
Tecna: "And no danger is too tough to face."
Bloom: "The people of Andros are in great danger. We can't allow another tragedy to take place like the one that happened on Domino. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to save my people..."
Me: "For obvious reasons. ;-)"
Bloom: "...but I CAN try to save yours Layla."
Bloom holds Layla's hand, and the others are all "Count me in" and doing the same, and Layla thanks them all. Over a shot of the dorm window we hear them say "Winx Club!"
Also, I'm on vacation for the next two days. Will probably have photos when I return.
Okay, summary.
Last time, the Winx (plus three of the Specs... still no sign of Riven or Helia though) began a journey to the Mirror of Truth to fix Stella. They avoided trouble from white giants and their ice, but we re-join as they're getting attacked by some more guardians of the mirror: Griffins.
Bloom tries to get Sky to pull up. Sky finds that that engines aren't responding. Tecna thinks they can slow down their fall, but Timmy also notes that the gravitational fields are gone, and the ship's structure won't hold up much longer.
Sky decides to switch to auto-level and has Timmy switch to manual overdrive. Brandon notes that the griffin won't let go, so Sky has Timmy open the hyperdrive valves. It's not working. Sky: "I can't believe the griffin is stronger than the ship's engine..." As Naruto might say, BELIEVE IT!
Bloom decides it's their turn now. Stella, being a monster and all, notes that she won't be much help, but Brandon reassures that it'll be okay.
Bloom: "Magic Winx!" And on cue, insert transformation sequences here.
Outside, and here come the Winx girls. Bloom: "Hey you, let go! Sphere of Fire!" The griffins aren't affected though, and now they're attacking together. Musa decides to stun them with her sound waves. Tecna: "They're running from us... but they're straight for the ship!"
Ship. Timmy is relieved that the griffins appear to have retreated, until Brandon notes that he spoke too soon, and now they're attacking from the front and smashing it with the side of the cliffs.
Outside. Griffins are also attacking the Winx, so Musa's giving them a sound wave attack. Flo: "Please! Don't hurt them!" Musa: "Fair enough. But we've got to defend ourselves!" Meanwhile, Tecna handles the other one with her digital attack.
Now, time to go free the ship. But the girls are too slow and so far behind, so Tecna decides to knock the bird off the ship all the way from downtown: "Magic cage!"
Tecna's shot makes contact, and both the girls and the boys are celebrating. Brandon reassures Stella, but now they're being attacked again. This time, it's really big.
Outside. The girls see that it's the griffins' mother.
Bloom: "Let's launch a combined attack."
Flo: "No, the mother is only trying to protect her chicks!"
Bloom: "But we've got to do something before she destroys the ship!"
Flo. Dude. You were ready to save the ship from ice-over with your Solar Sprouts, but now you're not willing to attack the griffins? Wha...? No wonder why you don't get much love.
Ship. Sky's trying to release the coolant, but it's deactivated, and there's nothing else they can do. Stella: "My friends need me, and I can't even transform!" Brandon: "Everything is going to be alright Stella. You'll see. We'll get out of this."
Outside, Musa is ready for Bloom's plan. Flora's not too sure about doing this because they've never tried this spell before, but Bloom insists, "We don't have much of a choice do we?" Musa heads under the ship's belly, while the other three head directly above.
Bloom signals that they're in position. Musa puts her powers on the turbine: "Ultrasound power!" Timmy detects some kind of ultrasonic energy surge. Stella sees bright purple waves emanating over the window: "Well then, that has GOT to be the work of Musa" Brandon: "Let's hope it works."
As the girls get ready, Tecna notices that the chicks are coming back. Flora: "They're trying to protect their mother." Bloom tells the two to keep position for a convergence spell. Now, you see that they're carrying over convergence, but there's something else from S2 that they're not carrying over. I'll rant on that later.
Ship. Timmy proposes an evasive maneuver, but Sky's giving the girls a minute or two.
Outside, and here we go: "Relocation spell!"
And there go the griffins. Flora asks where they went. Tecna checks her scanner: "They haven't been relocated very far since we're kind of new at this spell." Musa: "Well then. Let's get out of here before they come back."
Ship. The girls are still in their fairy outfits. Sky decides to have the ship fly low between the cliffs, and Brandon adds that the griffins won't even dare follow them. Timmy points out that it's really dangerous, because it's not even mapped.
Tecna: "Hey. I thought you guys were the best pilots at Red Fountain."
Timmy: "Well actually.. Alright, let's do it."
(Compare to the dub, where Timmy points out that the computer is down so it won't be able to map them out a route:
Tecna: "I'll help. Together we should have enough processing power for that."
Timmy: "Well, yeah I guess that's true."
I dunno, the dub version of the line seems a bit better in the comedy department.)
They start flying. Note that the back hatch is closed.
Sky: "Hold on tight you guys, it's gonna rock." No kidding, Sky. The flight is very rough and Stella gets bounced to the back hatch. For some reason or other, the hatch suddenly opens, and that can't be good for Stella, as Sky restrains Brandon. "We have to rescue her. C'mon, let's go back."
Timmy spots Stella hanging from a rock. Talk about your literal cliffhangers. "Alright, she's safe." "Let's get closer Sky, I'll try to pull her in." "It's way too risky. We need another plan." Flora says the griffins are coming back, so Brandon insists on his plan anyhow.
Stella is losing her grip, especially with those fins of hers. Don't make for an easy grab, do they? The ship hovers right next to the rock, and Brandon calls for Stella to grab him. Long drawn out sequence short, Brandon grabs Stella as she loses her grip. Sky thinks he's amazing.
Sky: "And now if there are no objections, I suggest we get away from these griffins once and for all." Time to head to the entrace for the cave!
Cave, as everyone gets off. Sky: "You have to admit, we do make a great team." Bloom: "Yeah, it's too bad they don't have high speed rescue ops at the Magic Games."
HEH!
And now, the entrance to the cave. Flora repeats for the Specs (and us) about the Mirror of Truth. Blah blah blah, they'll know it when they see it. Musa also mentions the Ice Spirits guarding the mirror and how they have to trust their word and all.
Tecna consults her digimap. She says the tunnel should widen out a bit further. And then it does.
Hello, really big fancy room. Stella: "It's amazing alright, but where are we exactly?" Disembodied voice: "You are in front of us, you were looking for us." Well, hello, Ice Spirits.
Bloom: "We need your help. Please?"
IS: "You overcame great dangers. The frozen winds of the Barrier, the fierce talons of the griffins; your motivation must be very strong."
Okay, Stella, that's your cue.
IS: "Ah, dark magic. An evil spell."
Stella: "Well, um, can you help me break it?"
IS: "You must look for the Mirror of Truth. You'll find it as soon as you find yourself. And it will break the spell only if you touch its heart."
Stella: "What does that mean, the mirror has a heart?"
Stella starts walking, and Brandon starts going after her. Bloom recommends that Brandon should stay outside with the other boys. The girls accompany Stella.
The girls are searching. Stella notices a side passage and splits from the others, and encounter what appears to be a mirror. Stella briefly looks away from her reflection, but then repeats to herself the Spirits' first cryptic clue: "You will find the mirror it as soon as you find yourself." Stella touches the mirror, and it opens to reveal more passageway.
Meanwhile, the girls have just noticed that Stella is missing, so Tecna and Musa call out. The boys also set out as well.
Stella: "I want to be myself again. This is not me." Brandon finds Stella, and we see that Stella is at a lake of some sort. "I bet that's what the spirits were talking about."
Brandon seems to want to talk with Stella, but Stella says, "This lake might be able to give me back my looks." Stella kneels down besides the lake and asks such of the mirror. "It's not working! What did I do wrong?"
Okay, so Brandon REALLY wants to talk to Stella.
Stella: "Brandon, don't look at me! Please!"
Brandon: "Why not?"
Stella: "You don't understand. You think I'm pretty because of a spell."
Brandon: "Stella, maybe this isn't the best time to tell you this, but, I can see what you look like."
Stella: "But, how is that possible?"
Brandon: "I don't know. The spell Flora cast on me never worked."
HUH. Flora's spell never worked? In the dub, it wore off on the ship. I'll let you judge if that makes it better or worse.
Stella: "And you, even though I look like this, you didn't run away?"
Brandon: "What, me run away from a beautiful person with a great big heart and a wonderful soul? C'mon girls, tell her what you see when you look at her."
Yeah, take it away, Winx.
Tec: "I see an awesome person who's never afraid to say what's on her mind..." (True.)
Flo: "...who is cheerful, light-hearted, and fun." (Double true.)
Musa: "A kind of crazy fairy who always makes me laugh." (Right on.)
Bloom: "And I see a loyal warm loving friend." (Can't argue with that.)
Stella: "Do you really think all that of me? I thought people just saw me as... pretty."
Well... that's true too. :-)
Anyways, Stella sheds a tear on to the ice-covered lake, and all the ice cracks up.
And look, Brandon's holding that present of his again.
Brandon: "I loved you before, and I love you now, maybe even more. Here. This is for you. For your birthday."
(Well, at least the dub remembered that it was for the princess ball and not such a generic occasion...)
Stella opens the box... and it's a mirror compact. How... fitting.
Brandon: "It's been in my family for generations, and well I want you to have it. I tried to give it to you at the party, but there were all these other presents, and there was so much going on, you were kind of distracted, and..."
Stella hugs Brandon: "Thanks Brandon. This is the most joyful present anyone's ever given me."
Stella sheds another tear on the lake. This time, much more happens. We see Stella's reflection in the lake turn back into her regular form, as Stella glows brightly as she turns back to normal. The girls are joyful that she's back to normal.
IS: "You did well, fairy of the sun and the moon. You passed the test. You proved that your feelings were deep and true."
Flo: "I find the mirror was quite difficult to convince."
IS: "The only reason the counterspell worked is because there was truth."
Stella: "Look, wow! Did you hear that Brandon? It was love that saved me."
Oh, Stella. :-)
Brandon decides it's time to head home. Musa: "I'm so tired, I could sleep 10 hours straight!" HEH.
AAAAAND we're back at Alfea. Hello, Griz and FG! The Griz is busy checking her list of new students: "Come on, come on, don't clog the corridor!"
FG: "Every year it's the same. When classes start, chaos breaks out at Alfea."
Griz: "Ms. Faragonda, these young fairies get more and more undisciplined every year!"
FG: "Oh, Grizelda, give them a break. They had a very short holiday. And they're facing a long and difficult year."
FG's not kidding about the very short holiday, and we're talking REAL short, because it apparently hasn't even been a month since Stella's sabotaged ball. Didn't think that through, huh, writing team?
For no apparent reason at all, we see Chatta talking to some random girl.
Chatta: "Hi there. Whatcha doing all by your lonesome?"
SRG: "I don't know anyone here. This is my first day, and..."
Chatta: "You're in good hands then. In no time at all you'll be the most popular fairy in the whole school."
I can completely understand 4K cutting that scene, because what the heck was that all about? I don't think we even see this random girl again, so what's the point?
And now, back to relevance. For the first time since the start of #2, we see Layla, as the girls, now back in casuals, are unpacking in their dorm.
Stella: "You should have seen me Layla. I was totally brave."
Musa: "Yeah, sure. 'Help please, let me have my face back.'"
(Everyone, including Layla of course, is laughing)
Stella checks herself out in a mirror: "Actually, that monster transformation softened my skin. Check it out!"
Musa: "I'll pass on that, but thanks."
*sigh* Stella, do you ever care about anything other than how you look? Seriously.
Anyways, Bloom notices that there are new fairies at Alfea. Flora even mentions that she just met a girl who's interested in tropical plants. She comes from a realm full of palm trees. Tecna leaves, because she promised Timmy that she would show him her new holo-programs.
Flora asks if Layla wants to see her new plants, and she says that she still needs to unpack. Layla seems a bit upset.
We see Layla, Stella and Musa leave the dorm.
So now, Bloom and Flora are alone, and they're talking about Layla. Bloom's worried about her, and Flora says that she heard that things are really bad on Andros and Layla won't talk to anyone about it. Bloom thinks Layla needs some time, and, seeing the mess in her room, decides to tidy up things here.
In the hallways, Musa hears a beautfiul piece of music coming out of one of the rooms and wonder who's playing it. She finds in the room, a light-haired girl with a tiara, mentally controlling four different instruments (a harp, a tambourine, a recorder, and a violin) with ease.
Musa: "This is amazing. I thought there was a whole orchestra in here!"
Tiara girl puts down her instruments: "Did you like my composition? I'm Galatea, princess of Melody."
Musa takes the princess's hand: "Princess Galatea, it is an honor to meet you. I am Musa, the fairy of music. I'm also from Melody."
(And let me say that the boombox noises didn't go well with the footage AT ALL in the 4K version. So much for Musa being the resident spunky princess... Layla's got that handled, thank you very much.)
They both giggle, as we head over to Stella being grumpy: "Every year they lose one of my trunks. These luggage elves are so inept!"
And she walks past a girl with orange hair and a green jacket. Why, hello, another significant new character! We immediately get her name: Nova. (Get it? As in supernova?) Stella runs over and drags her to a conveniently placed couch.
Stella: "I'm so happy to see you! Tell me the latest news from Solaria. I need to know EVERYTHING!"
Nova: "Well, the Baronet of Vias broke his engagement with young Countess Elendor, and then Countess Cassandra and her daughter Chimera, well, the Countess, she acts like she's already the queen of Solaria..."
Stella: "WHAT???"
Nova gives Stella a magazine: "Here, I've got a copy of Solaria Today. Check it out for yourself."
On the cover of the magazine, a picture of Cassandra.
Stella: "This is outrageous! She's wearing the crown jewels."
Nova continues her exposition: "King Radius rarely appears in public anymore; the Countess takes care of EVERYTHING, from state finances to the appointment of new ministers."
Stella: "And my father just LETS her? Cassandra must have bewitched him. If my mother hadn't given up the crown after the divorce... NONE OF THIS would be happening right now!"
You know, for a plotline that can be blamed on her, Stella's mom isn't getting much involved in this story. Like, AT ALL. Seriously, how can she NOT be in the plotline somewhere? Maybe have Stella whine with her for a while or something...
That's not all that Stella's blue blood is boiling over, though...
Stella holds up another page in the magazine showing Chimera on TV with that guy from the Miss Magix pageant (proof is above): "AND WHAT IS THIS???""
Nova: "Well, Chimera's become a regular on Solaria Star."
Stella is steamed: "The most popular show on the whole planet? I've got to do something! No way am I gonna let those two manipulate my father like this, and MEGA-no way am I gonna let Chimera take my place as PRINCESS!"
Hell yeah! And thanks for the updates, Nova.
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how come commoners can freely mingle with the princesses of their realms here. I mean, first you have Musa making friends with Galatea, and now Nova with Stella. Given that Amaryl flung a Plasma Sphere at Stella last season and the Army of Decay attack the year before that, I'd say there's a royal disaster just waiting to happen here.
Okay, now Flora enters Layla's room. Layla is reading a book.
Flora: "I was wondering if you wanted to talk. Just in case you do, I want you to know I'm here for you."
Layla: "Thanks Flora, but I'm okay. I'm just gonna finish my book and I'll catch up with you latyer."
Flora: "Oh, I guess I'll see in in the quad then. Miss Faragonda's gonna make an announcement."
Layla, I can tell that you're <Wilt>definitely NOT okay.</Wilt>
Over to the quad with FG, where she's going to make a few announcements. The usual teachers are there, including Avalon (not that it matters, since I have this feeling that we won't be getting much in the way of classroom scenes this season). She'll start off with addressing the 3rd year students about their final exams.
Random girl: "We just got here, and she's already talking about finals?"
Other random girl: "I still have to unpack, I'm still not ready for exams."
Heh.
FG: "This year's final examination is a very important step to your training as fairies. Last year your goal was to earn your Charmix. This year, your goal is to achieve final transformation."
Here, we have two still shots of fairies in this mode, with fancier outfits and wings.
FG: "Should you be successful, you will gain access to new powers, like fairy powder and miniaturization. This is your chance to become a full fledged fairy."
Musa: "A full-fledged fairy?"
And check out those underlines. :-) Meanwhile, time for my little rant.
Okay, so finally someone mentions Charmix, but I would have expected it to be one of the Winx, and in the context of summoning it. Now, I can see them not using it against the ocean wave, or the Solarian guards. But not using it against mother griffin and her chicks, when they probably need (and can afford to use) all the power they can muster? Doesn't that seem unrealistic, much?
I understand that they're likely putting Charmix behind because of this new power-up. And I've read on message boards that Charmix was like a stepping stone, a pre-requisite if you will, to final transformation (unlike in the dub, we won't be getting the "fancy" term for this until later), but that's just the problem. When you go to school, you're obviously expected to build on, and/or apply, the previous year's knowledge. So why aren't the girls applying their Charmix to new situations like they did with convergence? Surely a simple explanation that they absorbed them and don't have to summon them anymore or something like that couldn't have been too hard to fit in there. I wouldn't have been as satisfied as seeing the Charmix (and those nifty accompanying transformations... hello, Musa's CD player!) again, but still...
Plus, we hardly got to see Bloom's Charmix in action. She used it, what, twice? (Thinks back) Yep, twice. Over the 6 episodes and a bit that she had it. Everyone else used it at least three times, and had it for less time than her. Waste of new powers, much?
Rant over. Back to the show.
FG: "This is the only way you can pass your 3rd year, and those who do will be rewarded..."
Stella: "Yes, a reward! :-)"
FG: "... for all their hard work with a prize that will change their lives forever. Those who do not will remain as they are now. However, let's not forget that a fairy of a higher level, has not only greater power but also greater responsibility."
Stella: "What should we do to prepare for the test?"
FG: "No special preparation is required."
Stella: "Thank goodness."
FG: "The test will find you at a critical moment in time. You will need to rescue someone from your own world, (Bloom's face goes :o) and it will require a great sacrifice. If you succeed, then and only then will you achieve final transformation." (Whee, more underlines.)
Stella: "I gotta rescue someone from Solaria? Piece of cake, AS LONG AS IT'S NOT CHIMERA."
Darling, you have no idea how much better the plot would be if you really did have to save her. Now THAT would be a storyline.
FG: "You will then be able to fulfill your purpose as a full-fledged fairy, and protect your people and your world from evil and destruction."
Bloom looks VERY concerned. After FG's session, we see her sitting on a bench and then walking in the gardens outside of Alfea's main building, thinking about the whole "rescue someone from your own world" condition she's supposed to fulfill to get her final transformation and pass her 3rd year. After all, there is a major snag with that...
Bloom: "Rescue someone from my own world? But everyone on Domino has disappeared a long time ago."
As she's thinking about this, we get another flashback to Domino's destruction at the hands of the evil witch coven.
Bloom: "No one's living on Domino anymore. But I'm sure my birth parents are alive somewhere, I can feel it. And I'm going to find them no matter what."
Way to be strong, Bloom. Which is more than can be said for Layla, as she's re-entering the dorm.
Bloom: "Layla, are you ready?"
Layla: "*sigh* Sorry you guys but I REALLY don't feel like going out tonight."
Musa: "But Layla, you need to tell us what's going on. We're your friends, and we want to help you. Please."
Layla: "Oh, alright. Come on in."
So, Layla is explaining the whole thing with the Valtor attack on her planet. Layla mentions the portal watched by the elite mermaid guard, and that Val somehow broke out of the portal and turned them into "something monstrous" (in her words). She adds, "One thing's for certain: He didn't do it alone." Layla points out that Val can head anywhere (thank you, inter-dimensional portal), so no one is safe, and also mentions that the Magix Council were informed of this as soon as the portal was breached and that anything they're trying to stop him with isn't working.
Layla adds that a state of emergency was declared on Andros and eveyone was mobilized. We head into a dialog-less montage. We see the elite mermaid guard fighting mermaid monsters, and the monsters are trouncing them. We see the castle on Andros. We see a bunch of people, one of whom is Layla's dad. Hello, Layla's dad! And lastly, we see planes patrolling near the portal.
Bloom: "Up until now, all attempts to stop Valtor have failed."
Stella: "Please Bloom, don't say what I think you're going to say!"
Bloom: "Stella, the whole magical dimension needs us. We can't just stay here and do nothing."
Musa: "That's right, we're NOT BACKING DOWN."
Bloom: "We're the Winx Club..."
Tecna: "And no danger is too tough to face."
Bloom: "The people of Andros are in great danger. We can't allow another tragedy to take place like the one that happened on Domino. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to save my people..."
Me: "For obvious reasons. ;-)"
Bloom: "...but I CAN try to save yours Layla."
Bloom holds Layla's hand, and the others are all "Count me in" and doing the same, and Layla thanks them all. Over a shot of the dorm window we hear them say "Winx Club!"
