all that was lost is revealed

a short appreciation post for over the garden wall

Still from Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Oh look, another random person on the internet talking about how good Over the Garden Wall is…well, yes! It really is that good. I don’t want to hype this up to be a life-changing and extravagant miniseries because at first glance, it looks very simple. In a way, it is, but there’s layers upon layers upon layers under the simple plot. Speaking of which, Over the Garden Wall is about two brothers, Wirt and Greg, who get lost in a land called the Unknown, encountering a plethora of strange and surreal characters and incidents on their journey home.

I think there’s a chance that this show can easily be misunderstood as style over substance and just plain boring. I get it, it’s not for everyone. Thankfully, this series seemed tailor-made to fit my interests. Over the Garden Wall is somehow able to emulate the haunting and nostalgic tone of old folktales, while still being original and genuine in its storytelling. The conventional ways in which a fairy tale usually goes is subverted so weirdly but in an oddly comforting way. Since the Unknown doesn’t seem to be time-period specific, the anachronistic elements contribute to a wider sense of unusual-ness.

I’m not nearly as smart as others to understand what the show is trying to say. In fact, I probably missed like 60% of its meaning, so if you’re reading this issue for some deep analysis, you aren’t getting it. Many people have tried to dissect this show and, at times, I do find myself going down a rabbit hole of analysis and theories, but a part of me also wants to preserve that feeling of not knowing what everything means. It’s part of the spell for me. Not knowing about the Unknown. I do have my thoughts on what the show overall is to me, though.

The loveliest lies of all

The loveliest lie is a story, a way of escaping. The ending of the show leaves it up to the interpretation of the viewer if the events that occurred was really just a dream. If I’m being completely honest, I don’t want that question answered. The ambiguity of Over the Garden Wall is what makes this show more than just a show. It reveals only what is important, and in the end, it’s about acceptance and growing up. If Wirt and Greg’s time in the Unknown was all a lie, it was a quite a lovely one. It would mean those lies created a stronger bond between the brothers and allowed Wirt to overcome his fears.

Background painting for Over the Garden Wall (2014)

I have a lot to say about this show and at the same time nothing at all. I’m only here to send a clear message that this miniseries with a runtime of 109 minutes is deserving of all the praise and all the love. I adore this show. It’s autumn and it’s October, which means there’s no better time to cozy up on the couch and watch Over the Garden Wall.

warmly, aych