How fortunate we’re. How so very, very fortunate we’re.

Final 12 months, everybody on the ToughPigs group was shocked over how a lot we cherished Fraggle Rock: Again to the Rock. I’ve stated this many occasions, and I’ll say it once more: There’s no cause this present ought to’ve labored. Reboots and reunions are at all times pale comparisons to their predecessors. When a TV collection is so particular that it maintains a decades-long fandom, it means there was a sure magic about it that made it profitable to start with. Attempting to seize that magic once more ought to be unimaginable.

Add to that the “delicate reboot” concept, holding sure concepts and ditching others for the sake of plot comfort. Add to that the return of a handful of performers, with different puppeteers doing their finest impressions of the absent ones. Add to that the Jerry Juhl-shaped gap that will be unimaginable for even one of the best writers or showrunners to fill. Add to that any variety of components that ought to have contributed to the watering-down or outright failure of a Fraggle Rock reboot. This present shouldn’t have labored.

After which, right here comes Again to the Rock to show us all improper.

The primary season of the collection managed to deliver again all the familiarity of the unique Fraggle Rock, together with the deep mythology, the stellar puppetry, and high quality music we affiliate with the present. The modifications had been considerate and respectful, discovering methods to inform up to date tales and never really feel too caught within the Eighties for brand new viewers. It was enjoyable and thrilling whereas additionally tickling the nostalgic elements of our brains and letting us stay within the period of recent Fraggle Rock content material as soon as once more (or, for many of us, for the primary time in our lives).

So in fact, pleasure was excessive for season two. Over the subsequent few months, we’ll be reviewing each episode of Again to the Rock week-to-week (even supposing the entire season dropped directly… we’re spreading out the love!), so there’s loads of time for spoilers. On this spoiler-free overview, there’s not quite a bit to say that you just don’t already know from watching the primary season.

Are you questioning if the music remains to be good? Sure, it’s nice. Do you need to know in case your puppety buddies are again? They certain are. (Although for this reviewer, I might’ve favored to have seen even extra. What an awesome downside to have!) Does the present nonetheless really feel like Fraggle Rock? Arguably an important ingredient, and sure. It’s completely Fraggly.

When you’re questioning if season two is higher than season one… sadly, I’d vote that it’s not. Season one was driving excessive on the entire “the Fraggles are BACK” wave, and we had been simply so excited to see Gobo and the Trash Heap and the Merggles and Begoony once more. You possibly can’t replicate that feeling, and it’s not season two’s duty to recapture that individual little bit of magic. That is a type of uncommon instances the place “extra of the identical” is a good factor. The season takes the identical forms of metaphorical leaps into the Fraggle lagoon, strengthening the voice of the present and its place within the bigger Henson canon.

Very like final season’s recurring themes about social points, this season makes an attempt the identical, but in addition delving into matters like economics and misinformation. More often than not, the teachings are written strongly sufficient that you just barely know you’re studying something. Different occasions, the teachings are spelled out a bit of too straight, which I suppose could also be necessary simply so nobody misses the purpose.

A spotlight for many final season was “The Glow,” which served as an LGBTQ+ allegory for Boober. Whereas we do see Boober’s tail glow once more this season, it’s not the main target of any storyline. Nevertheless, we do get new queer-coded tales in season two, and I predict they’ll be highlights for a lot of viewers.

It’s so nice to see The Henson Firm and the Fraggle Rock group proceed to sort out these necessary points and to be a frontrunner – not a follower – within the discourse with loads of younger individuals and their households. It feels equally courageous and pure, and they need to be applauded for it.

There’s a lot extra to speak about, together with superstar voices and no matter’s occurring with these wind gusts and Doc’s backyard and an inflow of strawberries and the re-introduction of Lanford and that basically large factor that occurs within the ultimate episode. However you’ll must witness all of it your self, after which we hope you’ll come again right here to ToughPigs for our prolonged and detailed protection of the season.

Each seasons of Fraggle Rock: Again to the Rock are actually streaming on Apple TV+. We’re so excited so that you can see it, and we hope you get pleasure from it as a lot as we did. We’ll see you down at Fraggle Rock!

Click on right here to play rock hockey on the ToughPigs Discord!

by Joe Hennes – Joe@ToughPigs.com