Amphibia Spoiler Review: Newts in Tights/Fight or Flight
Be afraid everyone! According to series creator, Matt Braly, “Newts in Tights” and “Fight or Flight” are the last of the fun episodes of Amphibia as we move into the final weeks of the series. These were both wonderful entries, so let’s get started!
I think my favorite part of these two episodes is the focus on Anne and Sprig. Going into the finale, it’s nice to have a reminder of why they are the emotional core of the series. In episode one, Sprig opened his heart to Anne. His actions were the inciting incident of the show by reaching out to her. Anne would have not grown into a better person without him.
“Newts in Tights” and “Fight or Flight” do a fantastic job showcasing their friendship. Sprig’s never-ending optimism is infectious. He doesn’t need to play Tritonio, because he knows Anne has that covered. Sprig simply needs to back her up. It’s “Fight or Flight,” though, where their friendship really shines. Sprig has every right to be concerned over Domino II’s return because that kitty moth eats frogs (a fun running gag in the episode). Anne listens as he voices his concerns and takes them into consideration. She’s willing to go after Domino 2 alone to make sure he’s safe.
Sprig trusts Anne which is why he tags along. He’s also there just in case he needs to bail her out of trouble if things go horribly wrong. It’s a great balance. Real friends will call you out on your shortcomings when you need to hear them. Anne reciprocated his concerns by offering a choice to Sprig. She puts the choice in his hands whether or not he wants to risk his life for her. Their relationship is one of the highlights of Amphibia and it’s nice to have two smaller adventures with them before everything gets crazy.
Tritonio’s backstory is very much the theme of this season. As I’ve stated the last few weeks, Anne needs an army to face Andrias and they can’t face him alone. Only a united Amphibia can stop Andrias and the Core.
But Anne’s lesson for Tritonio is a fantastic one too. Having a bad past does not give you permission to be a jerk. While it’s valid to have pain, anger, and confusion, a person is in control of their reactions to a situation and can choose to not act on these negative emotions. Tritonio fell back on old habits, hurting people just because he was hurt as a child. This season also has a strong theme of breaking cycles of injustice, even ones passing down through generations. Tritonio was poised to repeat this cycle to Jojo and his merry band until Anne stopped him. Taking the story of change that Anne learned from this world, she’s able to remind him of the importance of picking a new path. Plenty of people come from horrible backgrounds and still become good people. Friends and family are a big part of that, but it essentially all comes down to the individual making that choice.
This is a very difficult lesson to pull off, especially in an 11-minute timeframe. Again and again, this crew showcases why they’re so good at what they do.
After a lot of the background world-building from “The Core & The King,” it makes sense that there are still toads and newts serving King Andrias. Andrias set up a power structure giving toads the ability to subjugate the frogs. The newts seem to still be at the top of the social hierarchy living comfortably in Newtopia for so long. These two groups more than likely don’t want to give up their positions of power. I think this is also setting up a very important return for Olivia and Yunan to help lead the newts into the resistance. Though, Yunan did say in “Toadcatcher” that she doesn’t have the best relationship with the army. She preferred to work alone as they slowed her down. There will still be some tension there to work out in the end.
Finally for “Newts in Tights,” we got solid confirmation that Leif was a Plantar. Our heroes find a hidden room that can only be opened with the family tome. Inside, there is a Moss Man figure on the desk, a cloak with an “L” on it, and a letter written in the invisible messages that Leif invented with Andrias.
While we don’t get to find out what was written in the letter, I’m sure it will be revealed in the most vital moment in the final three weeks. My tinfoil hat theory is that it will be an apology to Andrias and Barrel for taking the Calamity Box. But I think Leif will again urge Andrias to find that kindness inside of him, sealing his possible coming redemption into place.
I mentioned last week that Leif being a Plantar gave a sense of destiny to Sprig, Hop Pop, and Polly. While I’m personally not the biggest fan of stories where pre-destined fate determines a character's path, I think it really works well here in Amphibia.
The fact of Leif being a Plantar was revealed so late in the final season is the difference to me. We’ve spent the last 2 ½ seasons watching Sprig, Hop Pop, and Polly answering their own calls to adventure. All that time, they were regular everyday people rising up to do what’s right. If we never got the Leif reveal, those three characters would still be in the fight to save Amphibia regardless of destiny. Leif’s origin simply adds a little bit of a Shakespearian flair to the story.
I’m also here for this take on Robin Hood: Men in Tights, one of my personal favorite Mel Brooks movies (it comes in second after Spaceballs). The only thing missing from this episode was a musical number.
“Fight or Flight” was so dang wholesome and a much-needed personal win for Anne. This season has been so hard for her as she’s struggled with her rise to becoming a hero. She’s doubted herself constantly, especially in the episodes on Earth. Her family and frog family gave her strength. Sasha has become a great balance and support for Anne too. But making clear choices on her own is still a conflict for her.
To me, this episode was important because it helped give Anne that boost of confidence to trust her gut once again. She is so sure of Domino II’s loyalty to the point of standing up against the rest of Wartwood. Every single person tells her it’s a bad idea; they say that Domino II is a beast that shouldn’t be trusted. Anne ignores them to follow her heart. And she’s rewarded by getting the resistance much-needed air calvary.
I also think it’s important foreshadowing for when Anne finally faces off against Darcy. She specifically said she could feel a connection with Domino II. If she has that gut instinct with a pet she only knew for a few days, wouldn’t that be a stronger connection for her lifelong friend? Anne is the heart, and that keen intuition will be exactly what is needed to break through the Core’s programming to Marcy.
Some random thoughts to round out Newts in Tights and Flight or Flight:
-Domino II’s babies are so adorable! I squealed with the Wally baby and its little hat!
-I love the frog bots are in little Robin Hood costumes too! That was a nice addition.
-The judge bot feels very much like a Mel Brooks character meets Transformers which is just awesome!
-I don’t think I’ve ever said this but one of my favorite things in this show is the use of squeaky toy sounds at every chance they get. It makes me smile all the time.
-After the Sprivy episode, I was really excited to see Felicia back this week even in a minor role. Now, I really want to see Sylvia too, because Hop Pop needs his partner to settle down with at the end of the season…. To also start their farming empire with the Sundew family.
And here we are at the end of the fun episodes. It’s becoming more bittersweet each week knowing that Amphibia is about to end. I know it’s going to be awesome despite how much I know I’m going to miss this series.
