Over the Garden Wall

Led through the mist by the milk-light of moon, all that was lost is revealed.

Our long bygone burdens, mere echoes in the spring.

But where have we come, and where shall we end?

If dreams can't come true, then why not pretend?​

Over the Garden Wall is a limited series created by Patrick McHale for Cartoon Network, and it first broadcast on November 3, 2014.  It is rated TV-Y7.

Wirt and his brother Greg are lost in the dense woods of The Unknown, a mysterious place where the fog is thick and anything could cross their path.  They meet many characters, from a talking bluebird to a wary woodsman, as they try to retrace their steps home.  But, they're not alone on their journey.  A haunting voice drifts through the trees at night, beckoning them further into the brush...

Over the Garden Wall was the first miniseries to be aired on Cartoon Network and one I was able to enjoy during its initial broadcast.  To say more about the plot would hinder the experience, so bear with me as I try to explain why this show deserves attention without giving away its twists and turns.

1) It's a perfect story for autumn.  The environment's earthy colors and the comfortable, folksy attire of the characters invite you into a whimsical world akin to stories like The Legend of Sleepy Hallow.  ​It's a slice of autumn fun with the perfect amount of frights to whet your appetite.  Some of the imagery can be intense, most notably episodes 1, 7, and 10.  The TV Y-7 rating is quite justified, and parental guidance is suggested.

2) The animation.  The movement of the characters can be bouncy and joyful or disjointed and frightening--and all of it is excellent.  One Easter Egg I found in episode 8 pays homage to Alice in Wonderland, a short film produced by Walt Disney under Universal.  More information on the film can be found in last year's Walt Disney article.

3) The music.  The Petrojvik Blasting Company's score is one of my favorites for television, taking influence from music styles predating the 1950s.  There is an option on the DVD to have only the score play in the episodes, and it portrays the mood of the story superbly.  This is one soundtrack I would want in my collection.

4) The brothers.  Of course, the main characters in the story are important, and Wirt and Greg complement one another in the best way.  Wirt's indecisiveness and reluctance to take charge leaves him melancholy and waxing poetic about their predicament.  Greg approaches situations with determination and mirth, but his naiveté leads to questionable decisions.  In order for them to leave The Unknown, they must learn to trust and rely on each other.

5) The supplementary materials.  If you want to read more of Wirt and Greg's adventures in The Unknown, Hoopla provides a handsome collection of comic books, with many of the stories written by the series' staff.

Over the Garden Wall is an excellent story for anyone who likes a good spooky story--

and that's a Rock Fact!

Thank you for reading.