So as you can probably tell I really, really, really love Over the Garden Wall. I think it's one of the best animated shows out there even if it does only have ten episodes. So since I don't have anyone else to direct my adoration at I figured I'd just gush about it and let you guys listen at your own pace! Oh and uh spoiler warning I guess in case you haven't finished it because I will just be talking the up the whole series with no regard for episodic order!

So the first thing I want to talk about is the animation. This show is beautiful, art style is amazing and every scene screenshots really well. But I also just love all the little details in there to make the world and its characters feel alive.

For example, on my third rewatch of the first episode, I noticed that Wirt tends to glance over his shoulder fairly often. His eyes dart around a lot, taking in the scenery and any potential danger therein. His face also scrunches up when he gets scared in this kind of adorable way? I dunno I also just happened to notice that.

Interestingly, during the chase with the wolf monster, I also noticed that Wirt pushed Greg out onto the roof of the mill before he climbed up. However intentional or not this was, he placed himself between Greg and the danger. I like that little detail because it makes perfect sense really. Of course Wirt is going to be looking out for his brother, that's what siblings do. I'm not saying his character development was bad or that there was no room for him to improve as a sibling, just that he was always going to get there because he loves Greg.

Though my favourite scene in the show comes from the Lullaby in Frogland episode. Wirt, Greg, and Beatrice are all on the ferry that goes to Adelaide's house. We get this really rare instance of Wirt being relaxed. Greg starts singing his catchy as heck Adelaide Parade ditty, and Wirt feels compelled to join in. He's singing and dancing with a big smile on his face, and when he falls over at the end of the number he just bursts out laughing. I don't know I just really love seeing Wirt so happy. I also love the Potatoes and Molasses musical number for this because there's some cute shots of Wirt drumming on glasses with a spoon.

Yeah, I love Wirt, definitely one of my all-time favourite characters. I am all over the character writing in this entire show though, it's just so good. But Wirt is the one I want to hug and take home with me to keep safe forever (probably part of the reason he's so easy to write for me). I would like to be friends and to huddle under that cosy jacket together.

Ahem, that was weird, what? Moving on...

I had some interesting thoughts when rewatching the scene of Wirt talking to Beatrice's family? Like to me his behaviour and language kind of reads as uh, not being in the best headspace let's say? He flat-out remarks that he doesn't think he was any good to Greg alive (which I think is untrue but regardless) and the way he so hesitantly agrees to give Beatrice a hug for them if they run into each other makes me wonder if he figured that wasn't actually going to happen. Obviously he's afraid of the Beast until he threatens it with the lantern, but I mean isn't that a normal survival instinct when faced with some kind of predator?

Somehow, until he's sure that Greg is okay and needs Wirt to walk him home, I get the feeling Wirt almost doesn't care what happens to himself at this point. Until he's distracted with confronting the Beast and Woodsman, he wasn't concerned with anything but finding Greg. Not the snowstorm clearly freezing him, not what happens after Greg is safe, nothing. I'm probably reading too much into things and making stuff dark for no reason but I just thought it was worth discussing.

You'll probably definitely notice this in later chapters if you're reading any of my fics with him in, but I headcanon Wirt as having anxiety. Social anxiety specifically for sure. I just relate to so many of his decisions that involve being socially incompetent. If I wasn't directly approached and invited to a party I'd assume I wasn't invited too! Yes, even if there was a general invite to the whole class.

Plus I mean this boy writes angsty poetry at night how can I not relate? His are probably better than mine. Part of me wishes he finished going off in the first episode because that was actually a really good poem he had going there. I wish I could play an instrument like he does too, he may or may not by part of the reason I'm learning piano.

And I actually think maybe his anxiety is the exact reason that we eventually see him become so relaxed in Lullaby in Frogland. He might just be suffering from overstimulation because of high school stresses. I know going off on holiday to somewhere chill with my family like a cabin is super relaxing once we've settled in. Being away from all the distractions of being connected to society can really help ground you and alleviate certain anxieties. I feel like we see that in Wirt as the episodes go on. He's never going to stop being nervous, but he eventually feels comfortable enough to tell Beatrice about himself and sing or play bassoon in front of an audience.

The Wirt we see in the episode nine flashback couldn't stop thinking about worst-case scenarios, but as early as episode two we get a Wirt who listens to Beatrice jokingly suggest they might get buried alive and he scoffs. Again, I'm pretty sure it was intended as a joke and Wirt knew that, but someone saying that would definitely send me into bouts of paranoid thoughts. And he even dwell on it until Greg shows him the skeleton. Multiple times he considers just staying where they are, probably because he likes things being just him, Greg, and Beatrice.

I love the final moments of episode four for this. Wirt ends up getting caught up in the tavern crowd's craziness and, fully aware that he has no idea what he's doing, hops on a horse and goes to save Beatrice anyway. He doesn't even know how to ride one, apparently. He's smart too, though I can't say I'm a fan of all these plans that put him in danger. I don't know if the Woodsman would've actually harmed him in any way or not. I don't think so. But Wirt knew exactly where to hit him; the creepy lantern he never goes anywhere without and seems obsessed with.

Also Wirt reads to me like the hopeless romantic type? He writes poetry, crushes on two girls very quickly, you see what I mean? For the purposes of Meet Me in the Woods and just because it makes me happy, I headcanon Wirt as a panromatic disaster like myself. Adorable romantic snuggles for the win! His jacket is perfect for that anyway, like come on.

Speaking of Meet Me in the Woods, I ended up studying some screenshots of the town Wirt and Greg live in because I wanted to try and place it somewhere that was still in the States (like how Gravity Falls is in Oregon) but more to the south since that's the vibes the Unknown and their actual hometown give me. And I settled on Missouri for a couple of reasons.

One of the reasons was simply the fact that I know there are rivers in Missouri for sure and I needed there to be a fairly large one since falling into a big river on Halloween was how this whole thing started. But the other, more selfish reason is the fact that I lived there for a couple of years. It makes me really happy to think of one of my favourite shows taking place somewhere I actually got to know. And it's definitely in the south area of the States I had in mind so it fits the vibe too.

Actually, I remember there was this big tree in our front yard there. I was always going out to play by it because it was always swarming with fireflies crawling all over the bark, and I was just mesmerised I guess. I'd spend hours catching, releasing, and just watching them. Something about that experience feels weirdly Over the Garden Wall when I look back now, and that makes me happy.

Oh dear, this was a long one! And my last update to this wasn't exactly short either... Hope that isn't annoying! I guess since my relationship with YouTube is still weird I'm trying to fulfil my video essay making desires by writing literal essays for you to consume. Anyway, thanks for putting up with me and I'll catch you guys next time!