Alana's Old Favorites & New Discoveries - September 2023

Hi all! I’m Alana, and I’m the Adult Programs Coordinator for Ida Rupp Library. My blog posts will consist of older favorites and recommendations along with new finds in the wide world of entertainment. I never limit myself based on audience or genre, so whatever your preference, I hope I can help you find your next watch, read, listen, or play-through!

I pondered over the subject of my inaugural post for several days before finally landing on one of my all-time favorite pieces of media: Over the Garden Wall (rated TV-PG), a 2014 Cartoon Network mini-series following the experiences of two brothers who must navigate a strange place called The Unknown. The brothers, Wirt and Greg, are trying to get back home and avoid The Beast, an antagonist who threatens to trap the boys within the forest forever if they lose hope on their journey. They meet an array of strange and fantastical individuals on the way, including a snarky bluebird named Beatrice and an intimidating enigma known only as The Woodsman. The characters are multi-faceted and quirky with surprising humor, given the gravity of their situation.

In my opinion, Over the Garden Wall boasts one of the best soundtracks in all of television, with my favorite tracks being “Send Me a Peach”, “Shine On Harvest Moon”, and “One is a Bird”. Plus, if you’re like me, you’ll love the search for deeper meaning and possible theories surrounding this show. After watching and re-watching as many times as I have, I still love to find new clues that foreshadow the events of later episodes, or those that recall the events of earlier episodes.

Creator Patrick McHale had done work on other popular shows like Adventure Time and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, the former being one of Cartoon Network’s most successful series to date, before pitching the idea for Over the Garden Wall. Wirt and Greg’s quest to escape The Unknown takes place over ten episodes, each around twelve minutes long, so it can easily be consumed in a single two-hour sitting. It can be watched via Hulu or MAX with a regular subscription, or a copy on DVD can be ordered through the Library. It also features a star-studded cast of voice actors, including Elijah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, John Cleese, Christopher Lloyd, and Tim Curry. The series even won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program in 2015.

With a blend of mystical elements, lighthearted hijinks, somber moments, and original storytelling, there’s a little something for everyone. It’s best to watch in autumn, what with the color palette made up of fallen leaves, pumpkins, and dark nights, not to mention the perfect mix of both spooky and cozy elements that will surely put you in the fall spirit. If you watch at another time of year, however, I won’t judge – in fact, I’ve done the same. It’s just that good!