Amphibia Recap, Season 2, Episode 2 (SPOILERS)

It’s been a year since I posted Amphibia recaps. Season 3 is currently airing, with new spoilers and fun for reviewers. I’m hoping to catch up, but it may be a while until I hit all of the episodes. Where we last were, the Plantars had set off with Anne through the mountains, towards Newtopia. They had agreed that the trip would have ups and downs, but they would take anything that follows. Thus they are taking conflict in stride. Unknown to them, a robot is following in both episodes, with uncanny persistence.

“Using the environment to your advantage” is the theme for both episodes. Both Hop Pop and Anne need to put aside preconceived notions to solve a problem. In one case, Hop Pop feels wounded pride about how no one appreciates his moments of true courage. For another instance, Anne has to shed her illusions about cool hunting in favor of trying a weird method and hoping that it works. They both eventually trust in the reality of the situation, and reality allows them to adapt and change.

The Ballad of Hopadiah Planter

Sprig starts to compose a song based on how the frogs overthrew Toad Tower. It’s all about glorifying Anne while painting Hop Pop as a coward. Hop Pop gets insulted, pointing out he ran for mayor, which was what put him on the Toad Tower hitlist, and stood up to the Toad Tax…