By the end of the first week of the marathon, I thought the reason why we were getting two weeks of episodes is for the purpose of rolling into an extended arc of Della's return and the impending Moonlanders' invasion (more on that a minute). Instead, we only got the first part and a slew of returning characters, including Goldie, Lena (hooray!!), Gizmoduck, and Darkwing Duck, to go along with Della adjusting being back on Earth and with her family again.
I'm really glad the show didn't wait to long for Della to finally depart from the Moon and I particularly appreciate how her preparations for her return took an entire an episode, thus allowing a whole new episode for her reunion and another for her accumulation, instead of trying to squeeze all three parts into one episode.
However, I was disappointed by Lunaris' sudden reveal that he was biding his time to steal Della's rocket schematics and turn his fellow Moonlanders against Della as reason to invade Earth, all due to a growing grudge that he inherited from his father. I understood Penumbra's reasons for suspicions, even if it was taken beyond believability in "The Golden Spear!" despite Della resolving the moon mite dilemma in "Whatever Happened to Della Duck?" I wouldn't even have a problem with a conflict between the Moon and Earth as lead by Penumbra simply not accepting trust and openness despite her experiences with Della. But to have Lunaris to show a completely different side of his nature without as so much as hint of disdain doesn't work for me. I know that they've set up the situation for Penumbra to become the hero and finally learn that trust and openness (with an assist from Donald) but I just wish it hadn't taken this route.
I do appreciate that the show didn't rush into the Moonlader invasion right away and will instead take its time to play out that storyline. Question is how long will they wait? Eventually, our gang will realize that Donald isn't on holiday as they all thought and Della will realize her rocket is missing. Hopefully the show doesn't delay all the way until the end of the season (if the same number of episodes as last season, we have another seven to go).
Coming back to Della, I love that she doesn't immediately accumulate with Earth and her family and the show took its time developing her readjusting and connecting with her sons, creating believable friction despite their desire for her return. As much as I enjoyed "Raiders of the Doomsday Vault!" and how the adventure was utilized further connection between Della and Dewey, I did find it weird that Louie and Huey weren't also there, especially when the subsequent episodes didn't focus on Della reconnecting with them, too. Until "The Duck Knight Returns!", I was convinced each of the following episodes were happening simultaneously, hence the split stories, but then it was Dewey again with Launchpad (plus Scrooge at the studio instead of the arctic), leaving Louie completely out in the cold.
Of all of the non-Della episodes, "Friendship Hates Magic!" was my favorite by far and not just because Lena has finally returned! I had hoped we hadn't seen the last of her when she was banished the to the Shadow Realm and I got my wish. I like the episode's sharp focus on Webby's determination to bring back Lena as well as her attempts to building a new friendship with Violet. I'm grateful that Violet turned out to be an ordinary girl who just happened to find the broken amulet after the Shadow War ended, and not someone with nefarious motives connected with Magica. I love that Lena watched over Webby since the War, which makes me wonder about all of the snarky comments she made in the adventures since that episode. I was worried that Lena would continue to be trapped in the Shadow Realm after Webby and Violet's brief visit, so I was greatly relieved when the friendship bracelet played another vital role and allowed Lena to return properly.
I imagine I would've enjoyed "The Duck Knight Returns!" considerably more if I had been a fan of
Darkwing Duck (I never got into it as a kid) but I appreciated the themes the episode presented and recognized most of the references to the series (although I had to look up Drake Mallard and Negaduck to fully appreciate the ending). As a huge fan of Christopher Nolan, I got a great kick out of the obvious mockery with Alistair Boorswan (complete with scarf!), and the other jokes about Zack Snyder, Joel Schumacher, and Adam West were also fun. Now Darkwing Duck exists as a real figure and potential hero, complete with Launchpad as his sidekick and the Darkwing Duck actor turning into a villain as Negaduck (which reminds me of Clayface in
Batman:The Animated Series, although that connection might be unintentional).
I sure hope we don't have to wait another two, three months for more episodes because I want more now!
