In the animated series "The Owl House," one of the recurring themes is the anguish and agony experienced by the witch protagonist, Luz. As an unconventional witch from the human world, Luz is constantly struggling to fit into the magical realm of the Boiling Isles. This alienation leads to emotions of despair, frustration, and isolation, which are skillfully portrayed throughout the show. Luz's anguish is predominantly showcased in her quest to become a powerful witch and ultimately prove her worth in the magical community. As an outsider, she faces numerous challenges, including the disapproval of traditional witches who view her as an anomaly. Furthermore, Luz's inability to perform conventional magic spells intensifies her feelings of inadequacy and fuels her anguish.
The series’ third significant character is Amity, another groundbreaking character in her own right. Unlike Eda and Luz, Amity is desperate to model traditional, acceptable femininity. Far from turning away from those expectations, she’s still clinging to the impossible ideals Luz and Eda have already let go of. And it’s causing her a lot of pain. Brilliant, poised, and a bit of a brat, Amity has a cold exterior that masks a traumatized emotional state. She is angry and cracking under the pressure. She is also a lesbian, which compounds her terror at the thought of failing to successfully perform perfect girlhood. Amity is trying hard to make everyone happy by being the right kind of girl, and she’s hitting a wall. So it is wonderful, and long overdue, that a character like this has license to proceed with her arc in just the right way—through a healthy and affirming textual romance with another girl that will show her that perfect femininity isn’t everything and life is better when you choose to be yourself.
But we also see that Luz gives her a reason to want to face the difficult world again, if only to give this wonderful girl the opportunity to set out on her own and make up her own mind. There are parents who suffer the unconscionable loss of having their child go missing, and this fleeting reunion is a bleak reminder of what both of them are going through.
Furthermore, Luz's inability to perform conventional magic spells intensifies her feelings of inadequacy and fuels her anguish. Another source of anguish for Luz is her yearning for acceptance and friendship. In her pursuit of belonging, she encounters distrust and prejudice from some of the supernatural inhabitants of the Boiling Isles.
Top 10 Times The Owl House Tackled Serious Issues
VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton WRITTEN BY: Willow McLaughlin
Ok, let's get serious for a moment. For this list, we'll be looking at episodes where the cartoon successfully incorporated weighty real-life issues within its fantasy realm. We'll be exploring all three seasons, so if you haven't finished the series, beware of spoilers ahead. Our countdown includes moments from episodes "Thanks to Them", "Edge of the World", "Echoes of the Past" and more!
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Times The Owl House Tackled Serious Issues. For this list, we’ll be looking at episodes where the cartoon successfully incorporated weighty real-life issues within its fantasy realm. We’ll be exploring all three seasons, so if you haven’t finished the series, beware of spoilers ahead. Which episodes really hit home with you? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Depression
When we first meet Luz, she’s a bright-eyed girl thrilled to discover that magic is real. Two seasons later, her eyes are half-lidded and often staring into space. By this point, all of the horrifying events that led to the group being stranded in the Human Realm have clearly started to take their emotional toll. In quieter moments, the audience gets a glimpse of the deep sadness behind Luz’s cheerful mask. Even though she’s doing her best to be helpful and pretend like things are okay, it’s obvious that a deep exhaustion has set in. A brief breakdown in school shows us that she’s barely holding it together. It’s an incredibly realistic portrayal of someone struggling with the aftereffects of a traumatic situation.
#9: Missing Mom
Luz’s adventures on the Boiling Isles begin with the closing of the portal, and her only way back home. Despite being trapped in a completely different realm, she is, fortunately, fascinated by magic and has always wanted witch training. The continual excitement of her new world allows her to avoid dwelling on the home she left behind. However, after literally facing the fear of disappointing her mom during Grom, Luz starts to feel the pain of their separation. When she finally manages to create a portal, she’s only able to interact with Camila through reflections. There are parents who suffer the unconscionable loss of having their child go missing, and this fleeting reunion is a bleak reminder of what both of them are going through.
#8: Failing to Save Someone You Love
“Agony of a Witch” & "King's Tide"
Throughout the series, Luz’s tenacity and positive outlook have helped her beat the odds time and again. However, eventually the obstacles are too great and she fails to save those who mean the most to her. First, Luz overestimates her own ability to find a cure for Eda. Not only does she fail to save her, but Eda gives herself over to her curse in order to save Luz. Luz faces this same trauma again when she tries to sacrifice herself to keep the portal open for her friends. It’s King who makes the sacrifice in the end. He ends up stranded with the Collector, leaving Luz with the sinking knowledge that there’s nothing she can do to save him.
advertisement#7: Self-Loathing & Guilt
Both Hunter and Luz are the instigators of tragic events in this series. Luz’s are motivated by a desire to learn and help. Hunter’s are a result of his origins and efforts to break away from the Emperor’s control. By the start of season 3, both characters blame themselves for the myriad of troubles that have fallen on the people around them. They even agree to hide their shortcomings from their friends, who Luz and Hunter fear will shun them if they learn the truth. It all comes to a head when Hunter is possessed by Belos. Ultimately, their friends provide support, acceptance, and love, but both Luz and Hunter work hard to amend their mistakes.
#6: Crushing Reality
"Edge of the World"
Although King has a found family in Eda, Luz and Hooty, he still dreams that his biological family will come looking for him. When he discovers a letter that offers a chance to learn more about his background, he’s thrilled. Sadly, King's hopes are crushed, as his true history is revealed and he discovers that the group who extended the invitation are actually a community built on hunting Titans – of which he’s the last remaining. It’s a lot for him to deal with but, luckily, King is reminded he’s not alone. Family doesn’t mean blood.
#5: Blight Fight
At first, Amity Blight seems hell-bent on making Willow and her friends’ life miserable. However, when her mom’s threatening influence comes to light and Amity works hard to make amends, she quickly becomes friends with everyone. Odalia, however, continues to try to control her daughter, going as far as to expel Luz, Gus and Willow from school. Even worse, Odalia tells Amity it’s her fault that her friends are suffering. At first, Amity doesn’t have the courage to stand up to her parents. However, when Luz’s life is put in danger, Amity defies her mother’s tyrannical rule. It’s a brilliant moment of independence and the starting point for her new life path with people who care for her unconditionally.
#4: Doubting Yourself
"Echoes of the Past"
Much of King’s personal identity is based on the stories that paint him as the ruler of demons. The stories he tells of his mightiness are from his perceived early memories. However, eventually, Eda is forced to reveal that those stories were all a childhood fantasy. She encouraged it because it made him happy but the aftermath is devastating for King, and leads him to question his identity. If he’s not a mighty ruler… then who is he? With encouragement from Eda, Luz, and Hooty, King eventually lands on real answers. It helps him find the line between fantasy and reality and start to believe in himself again.
advertisement#3: Mental Health
Luz is not the only character who forces a positive face for her friends. Willow continually represses her emotions to the detriment of her own mental health. In the first season, a journey through Willow’s memories, shows how she prefers to avoid painful moments. The group of friends struggle under even mightier obstacles in the third season. Willow continues to push through, reassuring everyone that things will turn out okay. When her efforts to cheer up Hunter fail, it seems to act as her breaking point. She ends up buried in her built-up emotions and unable to control her own magic. This moment feels like a reminder to kids and adults alike that we have to let our emotions out in healthy ways or we’ll eventually buckle under them.
#2: Grief
Before Luz’s journey to the Demon Realm, she lost her father. The separation from her mother on the anniversary of his death has her initially denying the pain and distracting herself with daring fights. This coping mechanism, although relatable, doesn't help her really work through her feelings. She eventually realizes that shutting Amity out is hurting both of them, and opens up about the loss and pain of her dad’s passing. The moment where Amity encourages Luz to continue her annual ritual of picking flowers is not only a beautiful moment, but a carefully handled one. Luz, of course, isn’t the only character grieving. When Hunter loses Flapjack, his reaction is absolutely crushing, and we see him carry the weight of the tragedy until the end of the series.
#1: PTSD
"Watching and Dreaming”
After three seasons of terrifying battles, family drama and personal betrayal, it’s no wonder so many characters in “The Owl House” suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Signs can include a desire to avoid triggers, like how Willow’s inner mind burns away her traumatic memories. We also see Hunter suffering from panic attacks after his uncle’s abuse. In the series finale Luz, Eda and King all relive their worst mistakes and events in horrifying nightmares. These flashbacks, although instigated by the Collector, are a result of their trauma and a clear symptom of PTSD. Thankfully, in the last few moments of the series, the audience is given a glimpse into a future where these characters can be seen pursuing happiness and healing.
While narratives about living up to the lessons we learn from stories are not uncommon in the world of cartoons, with Adventure Time as a prime example, it’s been rare until this point to see a series set its primary focus on the way adventure stories impact women and girls specifically. This is an unfortunate cultural blindspot, as there’s a lot to uncover here; girls grow up ingesting highly prescriptive media, from moralistic princess movies to soapy after-school specials, and are still expected to make space in their hearts for the same sexist books and movies marketed to their brothers where the roles for girls are very rigid. And culturally, girls experience more pressure to perform model behavior than boys. Stories carry a lot of weight for girls as they’re learning to define themselves, and they live with the psychological impact of this well into womanhood. So it’s this blind spot that The Owl House sets out to correct with gusto as it masterfully explores the relationship between women and stories from every angle—the narratives we take strength from, the heroes we can’t measure up to, and the trauma of meeting resistance when stories told us it was all supposed to be so easy.
This rejection often leaves her emotionally distressed, and she questions her place in this new world. The constant rejection and lack of a support system intensify her feelings of anguish. Furthermore, Luz experiences agony due to her inability to return to her own world. While she is enchanted by the magical wonders of the Boiling Isles, she longs for the familiarity and comfort of her human life. This unfulfilled desire creates a constant undercurrent of sorrow and nostalgia, further fueling her anguish. Throughout the series, “The Owl House” emphasizes the internal struggle and emotional turmoil experienced by Luz, beautifully showcasing her anguish and agony. It serves as a reminder that even in a fantastical world, characters can experience relatable and profound emotions, resonating with viewers who may have also experienced similar anguish in their own lives..
Reviews for "The Emotional Heavyweight of Being a Witch in The Owl House"
1. Kevin - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "The anguish and agony experienced by a witch in the owl house". Firstly, the plot was all over the place, with random and confusing elements thrown in without any real explanation. It felt like the writers were just making it up as they went along. Secondly, the characters were incredibly unlikeable and flat, making it hard to care about their struggles or connect with them in any way. Overall, I found the whole experience to be a frustrating and underwhelming one.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot understand the praise for "The anguish and agony experienced by a witch in the owl house". The storyline was incredibly slow-moving and lacked any real depth or substance. It felt like nothing was happening for the majority of the book, and when things did finally start to pick up, it was too little too late. I also found the writing to be overly melodramatic and cliché, making it hard to take the story seriously. I definitely regretted picking up this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The anguish and agony experienced by a witch in the owl house", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The concept seemed interesting, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing plot developments. Additionally, I found the main character to be annoying and whiny, which made it difficult to root for her or invest in her journey. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had chosen a different book to read.