#lumity analysis

[sepublic]

Fascinating to me how in the pilot, Luz found the Boiling Isles because of AMITY... Because she's trying to return this exchange student's passport to her. She chases a bus on foot the entire way just to repay her kindness. And so she follows her through the door.

I think the final version works just as well, considering it emphasizes Luz's connection to Eda and King, as well as her relationship with her mother. But there's also something special about how in the pilot, Luz's pretty obvious crush, and hopes of finding a friend in someone who unwittingly showed her kindness (though she doesn't realize it was unintentional) is what leads her into the Boiling Isles. It's what begins everything, it's what starts her journey and helps her find the place and people where she belongs.

There's just kind of a parallel between Luz trying to return the passport, and Luz wanting to hold onto the book, her father's last gift to her representing their mutual weirdness and kinship with one another. And there would’ve been another Lumity in parallel in them being students of two worlds. The crush vibes are so much more explicit and present from the start, it's like the queer aspect of Luz and the show is intertwined, since the beginning, since the very inciting incident, with the weirdness of our cast and their found family dynamics and everything. Like you can't discuss the weirdness without mentioning the queerness, without acknowledging it as just as much the foundation to the story and Luz.

Plus there's Amity rejecting the drawing from Luz, only for it to be appreciated by Eda unknowingly... Once again, someone, unwittingly, is kind to Luz. But in this case Eda is more explicit about encouraging and welcoming Luz, and it makes me wonder if Amity necessarily dismissed the drawing as much, or only did so because she was around her peers? She's much more of a traditional, popular girl prep in the pilot. But then she DOES throw away the drawing, and her seeing Luz later could represent the shift in attitude, her reconsideration.

It's just. You have the mother figure. You have the love interest. And they bring and affirm Luz's ties to the Boiling Isles respectively. Luz doesn't get the approval she was initially looking for, but her quest for it leads her to find approval from someone else; And obviously, her chances with Amity aren't entirely off of the table! Her girlfriend brought her here. She lit up Luz's life in a way, as the final version had Luz barge into Amity's life and light up hers without meaning to.

Plus Eda not being the friend Luz expected or was looking for -they cross paths by pure coincidence- but being the one she truly starts off with in the end. Like how in the final show Luz doesn't quite get what she's looking for, but she finds something else just as great and beautiful. Luz braces herself to be mocked through her drawing by Eda only to be supported and encouraged! All three of these characters are cut from the same cloth, tied together. I love it.

[mayhasopinions]

OKAY this is my first owl house post in months but i just thunked something amazing. in any other show, luz, the quirky main character, would have gotten with hunter, the typical bad boy archetype. amity would have remained a stereotypical mean girl and willow would be stuck being the nerdy, sweet chubby friend of the main character. but the owl house didn't do that.

instead, the quirky main character ended up with the 'mean girl' instead of the 'bad boy' with the i-can-fix-him mentality, and it turns out the 'bad boy' was never bad-turned redeemed but still with that edge. no. he became an utter soft boy, losing most of his edge that would usually appeal the main character to him, because he's happier. instead of dating her, he forms a close sibling relationship with the main character. the 'mean girl' turned out to be the sad girl who needed a hug and someone to lean on, and the main character became that person to her, helping her become the best version of herself and doing the same for her in return. and the chubby friend became strong, sporty and confident in herself but never lost her kindness (or her glasses!! she didn't need to take them off to be beautiful because she already was!!), and the supposed 'bad boy' of the show became embarassingly and obviously smitten with her, instead choosing her to be with rather than the main character.

this has all probably been said before but the thing i adore about the owl house is how it flips the typical character sterotypes, archetypes and dynamics we've become accustomed to in american media and completely flips them on it's head and subverts them. god, this show.

[sparklestwi]

this is so funny, they act just like me and my brother help 😭😭

i love them

[a-very-sparkly-nerd]

No but can you IMAGINE being Amity in Eclipse Lake?? Your girlfriend is sick and this is finally your chance to prove yourself to and do something nice for her! Awesome! Then you think she's only using you and threatening for results, which has been your entire life, and she was supposed to be different and she's totally fever-dreaming through the illness so what if these are her true colors and you were wrong about her and you can never seem to have any good people in your life?

And even after she realizes she was freaking out for nothing, that kind of worry doesn't just go away, it LINGERS for years to come, especially when it's backed by an entire life of emotional manipulation and abuse.

Poor Amity...

[jubileemon]

Lumity Analysis: Why They're Perfect

"Lumity" refers to the ship between Luz Noceda and Amity Blight from the Disney animated series "The Owl House." Disney has made strides in LGBTQ+ representation in recent years. Historically, the company has been criticized for a lack of diversity in its characters, but there have been notable developments toward inclusivity.

Their Introduction

In the first season of "The Owl House," Luz Noceda and Amity Blight are initially introduced as classmates at Hexside School of Magic and Demonics. Amity is a skilled and popular student, while Luz is an enthusiastic human girl who lacks magical abilities. Their relationship starts with Amity being dismissive and condescending towards Luz, especially due to Luz's unconventional approach to magic.

As the season progresses, particularly in episodes like "Understanding Willow" and "Enchanting Grom Fright," their dynamic begins to shift. Luz learns more about Amity's struggles and challenges, and Amity starts to see Luz in a different light. The development of their friendship and eventual romantic undertones forms a significant part of the first season.

Understanding Amity Blight

Amity Blight is portrayed as a prodigious young witch attending Hexside School of Magic and Demonics. Initially portrayed as a competitive and dismissive character, the show explores the reasons behind her behavior, delving into her struggles with family expectations and her own desire to fit in. Instead of sticking to a one-dimensional "mean girl" persona, Amity's relationships with other characters, especially with Luz and Willow, showcase a more nuanced personality.

She once had a close friendship with Willow Park, but due to peer pressure and her desire to fit into her family's expectations, Amity distances herself from Willow. This storyline is explored in the episode "Understanding Willow," shedding light on the complexities of Amity's character.

Family Life and Abuse

Her parents, Odalia and Alador Blight, are portrayed as strict and demanding figures, particularly her mother, Odalia. The show hints at emotional abuse from her mother, adding layers to Amity's internal conflicts. Amity has older siblings, twins named Emira and Edric Blight. They play a significant role in the series, as they really love their little sister and occasionally offer advice to her. While they share the Blight family ambition, they also display a more carefree and rebellious attitude compared to Amity.

Being the more overtly abusive parent, Odalia sets unrealistic expectations for Amity by pressuring her to conform to the Blight family's high standards. This constant pressure to excel and meet these expectations contributes to Amity's initial behavior as an arrogant rival and her internal struggles. Odalia's emotional manipulation and criticism shape Amity's sense of self-worth and contribute to her insecurities. The fear of disappointing her mother and the desire for approval become driving forces in Amity's life, affecting her interactions with others, including her peers like Luz.

On the other hand, Alador's neglect also plays a role in Amity's development. His lack of active involvement in her life might leave Amity feeling overlooked and contribute to a sense of loneliness. The absence of positive attention from a parental figure could impact her emotional well-being and contribute to her seeking validation elsewhere, whether through academic achievements or conforming to societal expectations.

Early Behavior

At the beginning of "The Owl House," Amity was introduced as an arrogant rival and a bit of a bully. Driven by her desire to excel academically and meet her family's expectations, she initially sees Luz as a threat and behaves dismissively and competitively.

One example of this was when she almost got Luz dissected by Principal Bump, mistaking her for an abomination. This incident shows her willingness to use any means to maintain her status, even if it means putting Luz in danger. This showcases the extent of her dedication to conforming to her family's standards.

Similarly, in the episode "Covention," Amity's actions, like stepping on King's cupcake, illustrate her inclination to follow the expectations set by her peers and her mother. These instances lay the groundwork for her eventual realization and character development as she begins to question the values she once upheld and develops a more authentic sense of self.

Why Luz Is A Positive Influence?

Amity's transformation into a better and more compassionate person was strongly influenced by her friendship with Luz Noceda. When Luz entered Amity's life, she challenged the rigid expectations set by Amity's family and offered genuine friendship. Luz's positive influence on Amity stems from her acceptance and encouragement. Since Luz doesn't judge Amity based on her family background or talents, this acceptance allows Amity to gradually break free from the toxic influences of her parents. Through various adventures and shared experiences, Luz helps Amity rediscover her own values and passions.

As their friendship evolves into a romantic relationship, Amity learns the importance of authenticity and staying true to herself. Luz's influence empowers Amity to challenge societal norms and expectations, fostering a sense of independence and self-discovery.

Her Friendship With Willow

"Understanding Willow" is a pivotal episode in "The Owl House" where Amity confronts the regrets and pain she caused Willow due to her past actions and toxic friendships. In this episode, viewers witness the depth of Amity's character as she reflects on her role in distancing herself from Willow and succumbing to the toxic influence of her friend group, particularly Boscha and Skara.

This episode also marked a turning point for Amity as she decided to make amends with Willow. This act of vulnerability and apology demonstrates her willingness to break free from the toxic patterns in her life, thanks to Luz. It sets the stage for Amity's broader character development, paving the way for her eventual growth into a more better person.

Luz Is Amity's First Crush

Amity's revelation of her attraction to women, particularly her crush on Luz, in "Enchanting Grom Fright" can be relatable to many teenagers discovering their own sexuality.

Amity's realization and expression of her feelings for Luz capture the uncertainty and excitement that often accompany one's first crush. When Grom attacks her, and Amity's worst fear is seen as being romantically rejected by someone unspecified, shown by Grom tearing up a note, Amity was seen throughout the episode. Luz reassures her it's alright and offers to go to Grom with her instead, as that's what friends do.

Amity and Luz then team up and fight Grom by dancing together, where they are portrayed to be extremely close while doing so. After their dance, it is revealed to the audience that it was Luz who Amity had been planning to ask out to Grom but didn't out of her fear of rejection.

Certainly, the intensity of Amity's feelings for Luz has been a notable and recurring theme in both Season 1 and Season 2 of "The Owl House." The blushing moments between Amity and Luz serve as visual cues to emphasize the romantic undertones of their relationship.

How They Fell In Love?

At first, Amity sees Luz as a rival and is dismissive of her unconventional approach to magic. Amity's uptightness and desire to maintain her status as the top student clash with Luz's spontaneous and chaotic nature. Despite their differences, Luz's persistence and kindness slowly break down Amity's initial resistance.

As Amity and Luz spend more time together, they begin to form a genuine connection. Amity starts to appreciate Luz's unique perspective and adventurous spirit, which contrasts with her own practical and regimented approach to magic. Throughout their adventures, these experiences deepen their bond and allow Amity to see Luz in a new light. As their friendship evolved, Amity began to realize her feelings for Luz. Despite her initial resistance and the societal expectations placed upon her, Amity embraces her love for Luz, recognizing that their differences complement each other. Ultimately, it's Luz's uniqueness, kindness, and unwavering support that lead Amity to fall in love with her.

Will They, Won't They?

The show subverted the common "Will They, Won't They" trope by providing a more nuanced and progressive approach to the development of romantic relationships, particularly the central one between Luz and Amity. Rather than drawing out the tension over multiple seasons, the show addresses Amity's feelings for Luz relatively early in the series. This allows for a more extended exploration of their relationship beyond the initial stage of uncertainty.

The show also doesn't rely heavily on misunderstandings or miscommunication between Luz and Amity to create drama. Instead, it focuses on their genuine connection, allowing the relationship to progress organically. This subverts the common trope of prolonged miscommunication, leading to unnecessary tension.

While the romantic aspect is crucial, the foundation of Luz and Amity's relationship is built on a strong and supportive friendship.

Becoming An Official Couple

In the episode "Knock, Knock, Knockin' On Hooty's Door ", the Tunnel of Love scene shows the depth of their characters and the relatable challenges they face in expressing their feelings.

Luz's Perspective: Luz's awkwardness and reluctance in the Tunnel of Love stem from her past experiences of being mocked for her unconventional behavior. This fear of rejection has likely been exacerbated by instances where her crushes didn't reciprocate her feelings, making her cautious and hesitant in expressing herself romantically.

Luz's attempt to stop the ride and dismantle the romantic setting reflects her desire to show Amity a grand and unique romantic gesture. She may feel that Amity deserves something more extraordinary than what the Tunnel of Love provides, inadvertently overlooking the fact that Amity finds the gesture charming.

Amity's Perspective: On the other hand, Amity was seeking confirmation that Luz reciprocates her feelings. The romantic setting of the Tunnel of Love, despite its cheesiness, is a sign to Amity that Luz might share her romantic interest. Amity's genuine flattery and blushing indicate that she appreciates the gesture, but Luz's reaction misleads her. Amity's fear of rejection, rooted in past experiences such as Grom taking Luz's form and tearing her note, resurfaces. Luz's destructive response triggers Amity's trauma, as she believes Luz is rejecting her. The heartbroken expression mirrors the pain of potential rejection.

The episode hints at Luz's past experiences of bullying on Earth, likely due to her neurodivergence and inability to conform to societal norms. Amity's socially inept behavior is a result of her strict upbringing, making both characters relatable to those who have faced similar challenges.

Their First Kiss

The first kiss between Luz and Amity in "Clouds on the Horizon" is a heartfelt moment in their relationship. Amity's vulnerability, coupled with Luz's genuine concern, sets the stage for a deepening emotional connection when Luz used vines to climb to Amity's room and the privacy provided by Amity's siblings leaving emphasize the intimacy of the moment.

Amity's uncertainty about Luz's safety adds a layer of tension that is beautifully resolved when they run to each other with joy upon realizing they are both safe. Luz's promise to take Amity on a real date showcases her commitment and care for Amity beyond the immediate circumstances. The unexpected kiss between Amity and Luz is a culmination of their growing feelings for each other. The blushing aftermath reflects the natural and tender awkwardness of two characters navigating new romantic territory.

Amity's decision to defend Luz against Odalia's dismissal is a powerful declaration of their relationship, marking a turning point in Amity's willingness to stand up for her feelings and challenge familial expectations.

Conclusion

Finally, in the series finale, "Watching and Dreaming," Luz and Amity's love for each other shines through as they confront their greatest challenges yet. From supporting each other in the dream realm to sharing a heartfelt reunion after the final battle, their bond remains unbreakable. The tender moments they share, including a kiss on the cheek and their affectionate embrace, affirm the depth of their feelings and the enduring nature of their relationship.

From their initial interactions marked by misunderstandings to the development of a deep and supportive connection, Lumity stands out for its positive representation.

[mangaloversolar2000]

I’ve been seeing this argument come up a lot lately within the fandom regarding masc!Luz and fem!Amity. Luz being portrayed as more masculine than Amity, in both canon and fanon, is seen as stereotypical for an Afro-Latina girl to be contrasted with a feminine white girl. Do you have any thoughts on the subject?

That’s definitely interesting, and it makes sense why people are talking about it. The Owl House plays with different character dynamics, and Luz’s portrayal as more masculine compared to Amity—both in fan interpretations and certain elements of canon—raises valid concerns about stereotyping.

On one hand, Luz’s adventurous, confident, and somewhat reckless personality naturally lends itself to traits often seen as “masculine,” and Amity’s more reserved, studious nature aligns with traditionally “feminine” characteristics. These traits aren’t inherently bad, and in many ways, they help contrast their dynamic in engaging ways. However, when looked at through the lens of racial representation, it’s fair to critique how these portrayals might unintentionally reinforce certain stereotypes—especially the idea of the Afro-Latina girl being more rough-and-tumble while the white girl is softer and more traditionally feminine.

That said, Luz’s character is multidimensional—she’s enthusiastic and bold but also deeply compassionate and emotionally open, traits often coded as feminine. Likewise, Amity has her own moments of assertiveness and strength, even if she presents herself more reservedly. The existence of such nuances can help push back against rigid stereotypes, but it’s always valuable to critically examine how character dynamics may unintentionally play into larger social narratives.

[flower-boi16]

Amity is a Direct Contrast to Luz

A core part of Amity's character is her insecurties of showing any form of vulnerability to those around her - she chooses to put on a cold, tough, mean mask due to fear of show vulnerablity.

We see this in Lost in Language, the episode that gives us this information first. In Amity's previouse appearances, the show portayed her as nothing but a bully, Covention develops her by progressing her relationship with Luz but she still has the same attitude as her introduction.

However, Lost in Language is the episode that shows us Amity has a different side to her than we first thought - the first time we see her in this episode, she's reading a story to a bunch of children, having a much softer, kinder personality than what we're used to seeing of her up until this point.

This is Amity expressing her true self - as in the libary she feels comfortable being herself and doesn't feel the need to constantly force a mistake to hide any sense of vulnerability. However, she forces that mask back on when Luz comes in, switching back to her cold-hearted demeanor we saw for the previous episodes.

Amity hides true self under a mask out of fear of showing any kind of vulnerability, or "weakness" as the show says, she's scared of being herself because she feels she has to put on this mask most likely due to her mother Odalia who was raising Amity under high-standards that felt as if she always had to meet.

But Luz, however, unapologetically embraces her true self even if she gets ostracized for it - she knows people consider her "weird" and openly embraces that fact, never forcing a mask onto herself so she can hide her trueself deep down.

And Amity eventually does the same by the end of the episode. Luz gets Amity take off that mask she always upheld - the mask that she forced upoun herself for her whole life - and after this point, begins to grow into a far kinder, nicer person. She becomes more comfortable with expressing her true self, allowing herself to be vulnerable to others, and actually choosing to pursue the things she wants.

Amity's new haircut in Season 2 not only represents her rebelling from Odalia, it also represents Amity embrassing her true self rather than the mask she always kept up - doing the things SHE wants rather than what her mother wants. She wants to make her hair purple? She'll make it purple. She wants to hang out with Luz rather than Boscha? She'll hang out with Luz. She wants to form her own path rather than the one Odalia wants? She'll do it.

Amity's arc is a beautiful lesson of embracing who you are and that it's okay to show weakness to others, because no matter what they'll never judge you for it.

[catras-breakup-song]

anyway, i saw the wicked movie a couple days ago and i haven’t been able to stop thinking about this video since! the creator’s mind is beyond immaculate!

i’m not sure if they’re an artist or editor (unfortunately i’m neither lmao), but i love how they made this in a way anyone who isn’t familiar with making fandom projects easily could by simply outlining who would say/sing what in which shots so that it’s understandable to the audience.

now i would be super satisfied if someone could make an AMV or animatic of catradora to defying gravity, like it was done for eda & lilith regarding their paths diverging at the emperor’s coven tryouts! i still believe lumity & the whole TOH plot parallels gelphie & wicked in general much better, but for this particular song i’m impressed with how well the lyrics fit catradora’s misunderstanding at thaymor one-to-one!

[lumitytakes]

AMITY'S WARMING UP TO LUZ ISN'T RUSHED OR FORCED AT ALL. (Part 2)

3. Lost in Language,

In that episode, Edric and Emira bully Amity by stalking her to know her secret hideaway, trespassing her privacy, and taking her diary away to revenge her. And when Amity looks upset and runs away, they just continue to laugh and dismiss Amity's feelings and even blame her for ‘killing the fun.” Worse, they let their sister leave and don't even bother to follow her, instead they just go away to have fun. Edric and Emira are Amity's siblings, they're related by blood, they grow up together for many years. They have conflicts but there were moments they still cared for each other. Yet, in that episode, they don't treat her as well as Luz, a stranger from another realm who doesn't know much about Amity, not to mention they had conflicts.

- Hypothetically, Luz could just have her revenge by allowing the twins to take Amity's diary. But no, she tries to get the diary back, refuses the twins’ invitation and goes after Amity to clear things up.

- Luz risks herself to save Amity from Otabin instead of leaving her behind. Luz also gives Amity hope and keeps trying to escape Otabin when Amity says they'll be stuck forever.

- And when Amity looks sad, Luz comes closer and gives her a smile to cheer her up.

- Luz acknowledges her mistake of seeing Amity's diary even though it's accidentally. She even offers to lend Amity her favorite book.

So from just two episodes, we can conclude that:

- Luz is the only one caring about Amity more than her family, her mentor, and self-claimed number one fans.

- Luz is the only one who cares for Amity despite Amity's harsh attitude at first.

- Luz is the only one who sympathizes with Amity when she's at her worst.

- Luz never gives up on Amity despite how many times Amity pushes her away.

- When the whole world turns against Amity, even Amity herself, Luz is the only one who tries to help her.

Do you think everything Luz does in just those 2 short episodes is enough to get Amity to warm up?

For me, it is.

[sepublic]

Alright, let's talk about some details from the TOH pitch bible;

A lot of the stuff is what we've already seen and/or in line with the show. What's interesting is that King WAS a former King of Demons at one point, and we would've had an episode where he runs into his old gang and chooses Luz and Eda over them. It makes me wonder if he even had a connection to the Titan in earlier drafts, if he wasn't recognized as one back in the day because he just wasn't big enough, etc. Eda makes a deal to help remove the collar, which IS the source of King's woes, placed by a 'mysterious wizard', I wouldn't be surprised if it was Obron AKA Proto-Belos.

What gets me is that Tibbles originally started off as a friend to the protagonists, while Bump was an antagonist! Coupled with Tibbles being re-elected as mayor after Bump is deposed for corruption. I like the detail of Bump being a parasite controlling a body from the head, because it carried over into his final design with Frewin, and before we got confirmation Frewin was a separate entity, I loved the joke theory that the imp on Bump's head was the REAL Bump!!! Seems that was always the implied story of the design, I love it. Tibbles being the demon fan of human stuff would eventually become Gus instead, so this is technically Proto-Gus too…?

Interesting how Bump and Tibbles' alignments switch completely with one another, and it makes sense that with Lilith no longer the principal in the final draft, it goes to Bump, who ends up being really chill and a subversion in his own right! Interesting, but I do prefer the final Bump we got, and that's fine by me, because when the concepts aren't as interesting as the final product, it means we got the best possible version.

I've already discussed Obron and William in a separate post, and Pupa is someone we've been told about in a previous livestream. Lilith would've been both head of all covens (and not just the Emperor's Coven) AND principal at the same time, and she seems much more of a jerk to Eda in general; She has no qualms with cursing Eda because of a direct order from Obron.

Apparently the curse would've been an AGING spell, which settles my questions on how it would've been portrayed in earlier drafts! This goes along with Eda's older look. Likewise, there would've been a subplot of Eda considering Luz's sacrifice as a way to restore her youth, which likely goes hand in hand with Obron's orders to bring Luz to her, etc. The 'Bloom of Eternal Youth' quest, which Eda and Lilith go through together as their sisterly relationship is explored, feels like a carryover from this past idea.

I think I prefer the final draft; I like that the curse isn't just aging Eda, but also takes away her magic, makes her turn into a beast, etc. I like Lilith being a lot more complicated in her relationship with Eda, instead of just hating her and cursing her without hesitation. The redefining of the curse makes it less about age, and more a chronic illness metaphor, and I like how Eda in the final draft is upfront about having to learn to live with it, deal with it, on her own terms. She isn't trying to find a cure (although Lilith being promised one by Obron feels like a carryover of Eda's moral dilemma with Luz), and that adds another nice dimension to her conflict with Lilith, as well as Gwen. It's pretty frank in its own right about normalizing disability, and those who play an antagonistic role (however brief) are the real weirdoes for making such a fuss about it.

The Bat Queen would've had more of a recurring role based on the description, which saddens me; I always got the vibe she was planned for more, but between all of the other stuff the show had to juggle, plus the shortening, she ended up getting shafted despite being one of the earlier characters. Sashley, Pasha, and Bruno are also interesting, with Pasha in particular giving me freaking Philip Wittebane vibes with his grossness, beard, and anti-demon attitude; He even starts off as a potential friend to Luz because fellow human, only for his true bigotry to show. Makes me wonder if Philip ended up incorporating Pasha, we also have bodily transformation because of consuming magical stuff... P-names.

(Also, I like how in the drawing of typical Demon Realm denizens, I can see an eye demon who resembles a past drawing of Dana's!!!)

Eda was actually a late bloomer, which creates a parallel with Luz in one way, and their relationship is referred to as sisterly (in the final draft it’s explicitly maternal). So Eda wouldn't have been the talented youth, in fact things may have switched between her and Lilith; Lilith's disdain may have partially come from Eda not being as innately talented as her.

Luz and Amity's dynamic seems like it would've had Amity retain a lot of her more stand-offish, pragmatic personality even as a friend with Luz, and this would've come up more; So basically, she'd remain more like S1 Amity. That, or this part of their relationship would've lasted longer, and then we would've seen character development as Amity unlearns a lot of the issues her parents passed on. I also wonder if the Willow who cameos in the pilot was originally supposed to just be an extra separate from ‘Paulina’, but then they combined the two together.

The themes are exactly as I expected, glad to see they're still there, nothing changed! Luz becoming a witch and defying all odds to do so, putting in real work and passion. Celebrating individuality amidst conformity, plus Luz trying to impose her own fictional tropes onto the world, only to have to put that aside... Just like Wing it like Witches. It seems Amity would've had more involvement with Luz's journey to become a witch, though we still do have a carryover of that disconnect with her rant near the end of Covention.

I love the Demon Realm being situated BELOW the Human Realm, way to be subtle about being Hell you guys lol... Apparently portals to the human world are a lot rarer to find and use, which makes me wonder if the pilot's 'dimension port' doesn't have access to the human world; Meaning Amity is Luz's only way back, so her improved relationship with her is linked to getting back home. There's a gag about the Knee having service with the human world, but I can see how that didn't make the cut, for dramatic purposes; It seems like the premise for a S1 episode or at least a B-plot. Would Luz have struggled to communicate with Camila through this, or would her search for wi-fi be for mundane reasons?

Apparently Luz's magic would've required a lot more steps to complete, and I see why the show simplified things down to just glyphs. I wonder if there was always going to be the connection of glyphs as a gift from the Titan, or if the Titan and her story was going to be less intertwined in the overall narrative. There also don't seem to be nine main covens, just the many, many covens, some of which are pretty ridiculous, and Covention's sub-covens seem a callback to that.

Luz's first spell would've been levitation, and THEN she would've infiltrated Hexside, with Amity being a lot subtler about exposing Luz, though in the final draft she does figure that out as the way to go in I was a Teenage Abomination. Yeah, I prefer Light being her original spell, feels so much more symbolic and personal, etc. I wonder if the Titan is even as much of a character in early drafts, and if there's still the whole connection/relationship with the land and learning to respect it aspect. Some of these hypothetical episodes push the idea of Amity as a more episodic, typical popular kid antagonist, though in the final draft, the show goes through her character development and explores Amity's romantic relationship with Luz and its complications.

It seems the idea of the Mirror Ghost was split into Adegast and Vee, with Adegast being the one who offers the easier narrative for Luz to believe in about becoming a witch (only to be a fraud who uses uncanny puppets), and Vee being a doppelganger whom Luz communicates through with mirrors. Interesting how Yesterday's Lie was born from this. We saw the test animation from Spencer Wan for TOH, so I guess we know what Luz's puppet-doppelganger is called! And we can safely call her Proto-Vee. I wonder if she also would've been a sympathetic character, I always thought she reminded me of Lake from Infinity Train (and speculated her to be as such since Enchanting Grom Fright), and now the similarities are even MORE apparent!

Alas, The Good Witch Azura, or 'The Unassuming Princess' seems like it'd have been a lot less dear to Luz's heart, as the pilot also reflects; In the end, it turns out the author is just Eda's ex using her adventures as basis, and including private information. I remember when I once speculated that Raine, before we saw their face, would've been just like this as the author of Azura... Again, I think I prefer Azura as being a lot less mean-spirited in the final draft, and instead a celebration of who Luz is as a person, her relationship with fantasy and fiction, etc. We also would've had a Luz birthday party, the Quincenera we've been hoping for since S1...! In the final draft (and episode) we still get that Human-Demon Realm disconnect, though by that point, Luz is much more attuned and chill with the isles.

There’s definitely more of an episodic, sitcom feel to this pitch bible, especially when you compare Proto-Yesterday’s Lie to its final version. Makes sense, Dana is pitching this to Disney executives, though her statement on Understanding Willow feeling truly like her show makes me wonder if she always intended to push TOH in that more serious, emotional route we got.

[pk2317]

On shipping "erasure" in fanwork

Might as well throw some of my thoughts together here, for easy reference later. For all 5 people who may read this. Right off the bat I'm going to admit that there will be a lot of caveats included, as opposed to absolute "truths". Also I'll be using the term "queer" to encompass LGBTQIA+, if that term is something that bothers you then just be aware of that. And “straight” (in quotes) generally refers to “straight-presenting”. I'll primarily be referencing The Owl House, just because it's a point of reference that I'm very familiar with the source material and the fandom.

I want to come out right from the beginning and state clearly that *ARTISTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CREATE WHATEVER ARTWORK THEY WANT, AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSUME WHATEVER ARTWORK THEY WANT*. Fan art, fan fiction, whatever. This is NOT an attempt to police what others do or enjoy, or an invitation to harass anyone.

With that being said, when someone makes artwork, they make decisions on what to include, or not include, and it's not unreasonable to analyze these decisions and question why they were made. Especially when those decisions are counter to established "canon" aspects of the character(s).

Shipping is one of the biggest examples of this. When you boil it down, "shipping" is focusing two (or more) characters and their relationSHIP to each other. Generally, this is going to be a romantic (and/or physical) relationship, which may (or may not) be "canon". Shipping has always existed within fandom, and it's not an inherently bad thing. It's a form of character analysis - based on what we know about Character A and Character B, how might they interact in this specific situation, or what would it be like if they were attracted to each other?

In a largely heteronormative media landscape, this can (and often is) a vehicle to explore queer relationships that otherwise aren't (or at least aren't likely to be) depicted in the source material. But, as we (finally) start to get some explicitly, canonically queer characters, we start running into the issues of "erasure". This will *usually* come in the form of canonically lesbian characters being shipped with guys (for some reason, gay men being shipped with women doesn't seem to come up nearly as often - there's a whole tangent about sexism and misogyny there that I'm not even going into right now).

For a specific example, I'll go with Amity from TOH, who (not infrequently) gets shipped with Hunter. Now, I'm sure there are some people who are genuinely interested in this pairing, and their character arcs do have similarities that could provoke some interesting interactions. But - Amity is explicitly, canonically a lesbian, and (canonically) in a relationship with Luz (another woman). So, the majority of time when I see this pairing, the reasoning behind it usually boils down to one of three things:

Outright homophobia, to reject the canon, same-sex relationship between Luz and Amity (just because they don’t like seeing two women together)

Outright homophobia, to insist that Amity "should be with a man, instead"

Trolling, because it'll "trigger the snowflakes" (which is just homophobia with extra steps)

Of course, all of them will (conveniently) hide behind the excuse of it being "just an interesting pairing". (Some of the same issues arise with "Lunter" (Luz / Hunter), except that considering Luz is canonically bi, it actually is a more logical pairing. So that gets tied up in biphobia, which is {once again} an entirely separate tangent that I'm not addressing here.)

The other excuse that gets trotted out time and time again is "Everyone has always changed canonically straight characters into gay ones for shipping, and that isn't a problem, so why is this?" Which might sound "reasonable" on the surface, but is a near perfect example of a false equivalence for two reasons:

There are no "canonically straight" characters. I mean, *maybe*, but 99.99% of the time when a character has a canonically establish sexuality, it's not "straight". Just because someone may be visibly/textually attracted to just one or more people of the opposite sex, that doesn't in any way preclude them from being bisexual or pansexual. It's a very obvious display of heteronormativity to just assume everyone is straight by “default”, and no, it's not "just the same".

Even if it were, queer characters are *VASTLY* underrepresented in media. Yes, things are improving. Yes, we have more overtly, outwardly, explicitly, canonically queer characters (and relationships) being portrayed in all forms of media that we ever had historically, but it's still considerably outnumbered by "straight" (or at least straight-presenting) characters and relationships. When some shows (not all) have the "token gay character", that means that your average show is basically 0-1 queer characters. Not really great numbers. So let's say there's a show with 10 main characters, one of whom is queer and the rest are "straight". If we reimagine another one to be queer so we can ship them, there are still 80% "straight" characters on just this one show alone. Whereas if you reimagine the one queer character to be straight...it's not hard to see why a queer person might take offense at those decisions.

Let's take a look at The Owl House. This is one of the queerest shows targeted at a wide family audience. Most of the "main cast" (series regulars - I'll define this as being featured in the opening credits sequence) is queer in one form or another, either canonically or implied (in the show or by the crew). But let's take a look at the relationships of the characters. Among our main characters, there are three "canon" (explict or heavily implied) relationships:

Luz / Amity (queer F/F)

Eda / Raine (queer F/NB)

Hunter / Willow ("straight" M/F)

Yes, I know that neither character in the last one is straight, but their relationship is "straight", or straight-presenting. Still, 2/3 is good, right?

Now, let's extend it to all named characters that we see in a visible relationship, with a named partner, in the show:

Vee / Masha (queer F/NB)

Harvey / Gilbert Park (queer M/M)

Alador / Odalia Blight ("straight" M/F)

Dell / Gwendolyn Clawthorne ("straight" M/F)

Manny / Camila Noceda ("straight" M/F)

So, one of the queerest shows on television doesn't even break 50% of relationships being visibly queer. And this is the exception, not the rule, for visible representation. Most shows are vastly more skewed to straight, or straight-presenting, characters and relationships.

So, no, it's not "just the same". And that's why it's not at all unreasonable to see queer people be offended when, out of a plethora of "straight" characters and relationships to choose from, they feel the need to take one of the few visibly queer ones and make it "straight".

I do want to reiterate my first statement again, just to be extra clear. I do *NOT* believe in trying to police what people create, or consume. I will fervently defend artists to have that right, no matter how objectionable I may find their content (as long as it's appropriately tagged/categorized/labeled/etc.). Yes, this even applies to even more "problematic" ships (another tangent I won't go into here). I would like people to do some self-examination and make sure they are being honest with *why* they may be creating/consuming that content, and I absolutely expect it to be clearly labeled, but in no way am I going to try and prevent them from doing so on an individual level.

TL;DR - Make/consume whatever artwork you want, but be conscious of your motivations behind doing so, don't be surprised when it offends people, and don't try to rationalize it as being "the same" as putting "straight" characters into queer ships.

[mittenskittensslay]

Toh Thoughts/Theorizing

Hm, I wonder if when Luz said, "I'm not a witch but I'm training hard to be one." and showed Amity the ball of light emerging from the light glyph, she was speaking to her essence and broke through/got through to her!

And then, when Amity said "remember to turn on the light" to Luz and saved her in WAD, she woke her up bc she reminded her that Luz is light, literally!

Luz helps Amity remember who she really is, to return to her true self, who she always has been deep down, not just sb trying to achieve ultimate status and Amity helps Luz remember that she's the light of everyone's life! To continue to be who they really are! They saw through each other! I think they also literally became each other - Amity became Luz's light and Luz was suffering with the same issues as Amity, thinking that she ruined everyone's lives which was definitely not true in both cases! Neither Luz nor Amity ruined everyone's lives, ofc! It was the complete opposite! And they did what one did for the other as I said above but reversed!

Bc Amity and Luz are essentially the same -both so positive, carefree (maybe not always but eventually and unafraid to be themselves), dorky, nerdy goofballs who are so kind and sweet and powerful and so much more and full of love! (But also different in their own unique way)!

Love and kindness always win in the end and we have them inside us! We are love and kindness themselves! We just need to give each other a chance!

[kinghijinx22]

Recommending this 4 hour Owl House analysis by The Glad In Gladiator

An amazing 4 hour analysis of my all time favourite show made by someone who really gets it and was clearly able to connect with it on a deeper level like I and a lot of other fans have. It's super thorough in covering everything that makes this show so special and goes very in depth on the shows themes and character arcs.

[thewistlingbadger]

I've been thinking about them alot and I wanna explain some things.

Luz: Luz is dating amity, and is friends with willow, Gus, and hunter. (To be more specific, her relationship with hunter is one akin to siblinghood). She hates matt bc she loves Gus. She doesn't want matt to hurt him and sense they got off on the wrong foot, she hates his guts.

Amity: Amity is dating Luz. Luz has a lot of friends, so by association she's friends with Luz's friends, but she's not very close to them. Her and Gus get along, willow and her are recovering their friendship. Amity has been friends with Matt since before she met Luz, so they're really close. (Wlw and mlm friendship). She doesn't like hunter. They got off on the wrong foot and even though Hunter has changed, she can't get past that.

Hunter: Hunter is friends with Luz, Gus, and Willow. (I AM ANTI HUNTLOW!!!! I AM A HUNTLOW DENIER!!!! Hunter has a sibling type relationship with both Luz and Gus.) Hunter does not like Amity. They got off on the wrong foot, he doesn't trust her bc she doesn't trust him, and sense they're both close to Luz this is also a reason why they dislike each other so much. Hunter also hates Matt. Hunter is very close and very protective over Gus, and he hates Matt's Gus. He feels like Matt isn't good enough for Gus.

Matt: Matt is friends with Amity. Matt doesn't know willow very well, so he doesn't have much of an opinion on her. Matt doesn't have much of an opinion on Luz either, but Luz makes her distaste for mattholomule very clear, and he's annoyed by that. Matt hates hunter. He finds hunter to be very foolish and stupid. He doesn't take hunter seriously. He has no problem with the fact that hunter hates him back. Matt is dating Gus.

Gus: Gus is dating Matt. Gus has a sibling like relationship with Hunter. Gus doesn't know Amity very well, but they're friendly towards each other. He admires her and sometimes is jealous is her grades. Gus' best friend is willow.

Willow: Willow is chill with everyone. She's friends with hunter, Gus, Luz, and Amity. She doesn't know Matt at all besides what Gus has said. She has no emotions towards matt.

Of course they're all in the same friend group and are civil for the most part I just wanted to highlight the inter working relationships of the group.

[detdeldragons]

Amity Blight: Finding Happiness

Just a short article on Amity and why her journey towards finding happiness in The Owl House is spectacular. I thought it would be fun to turn my original podcast episode into a blog post so people who aren't fans of podcasts can read it if they want.