This episode showcases how much Amity has grown since she met Luz.

But first there be plot things afoot at the castle. And surprisingly, the reveal of Belos’ true face isn’t that big a deal. He’s working on the portal door when Hunter’s passing by.

Belos: We found every piece of the door, but without the power of the real key, it refuses to open.

Hunter: Is it true that rain doesn’t boil in the human realm?

Belos: It is. You know, I’ve been there before, did I ever tell you that? The trees there are green, nights are quiet…I look forward to seeing it again. Were you spying on me just to hear these boring stories?

Hunter: The operation at the Knee – why did you switch me out with Kikimora?

Belos: Everyone has a use, Hunter. Kikimora has her intricate little plans, the scouts carry out orders, and you, well, the Titan has big plans for you, and it would be such a hassle to find a replacement. So right now, you can be useful by staying safe, in the castle.

Of course, Hunter isn’t the type to sit around waiting for something to happen, especially after he failed his last mission…

Meanwhile at the Owl House, Amity is taking charge. Evidently she got her own palisman in the interim (a cat, Ghost), and now she’s just the quintessential little witch girl.

But unfortunately, it’s not gonna be a Lumity-heavy episode, because Luz is sick and generally really out of it for most of the duration.

Amity: We’ve got a crisis on our hands!

Eda: Chill, bossy boots. Everything’s fine.

Amity: Does this seem fine to you?

Luz: Woah. It’s like I have snakes for arms.

Eda: Please! She just has the common mold. It’s harmless.

Amity: But she’s a human. We have no idea how it’ll affect her!

Then Amity steps in when Luz is pondering swallowing the portal key, taking it away for safekeeping until she’s more sane.

Willow: Got to admit, Amity, seeing you around more often is…different.

Amity: I know. But I was taught to see every situation as an opportunity. And today, I’ll show Luz that I am an awesome girlfriend.

It is a lot of fun seeing Amity interact with the residents (and frequent visitors) of the Owl House. Willow still seems a bit awkward with her (possibly because they were friends before, but now Amity is just acting as Luz’s GF). I also find it amusing how Amity got a similar nickname to her family nickname (“Mittens”) – Eda calls her “Boots”.

And the echo mouse starts off the plot.

Phillip: After five years, I have finally found it – a power source so potent it can pierce through realms: Titan’s Blood. There are old tales of lakes reflecting green trees and blue skies. The Titan’s veins run through the land, and many believe that these wild portals are created when a little of its blood leaks into the water. That is how I came here. So that is the first place I shall look. I will journey back to Eclipse Lake.

Luz: I have to go to Eclipse Lake!

Obviously, everyone else wants her to stay put.

Eda: All right, Luz. Me and King will get your Titan Blood if you just calm down.

King: Yes! Perfect chance to take our new powers for a test drive.

Luz: You guys are the best.

Amity: I volunteer as well. As Luz’s girlfriend, I must-

Eda: I get it, Boots. Just grab a coat.

Amity is just precious.

And Hunter ALSO just so happens to be heading to Eclipse Lake. And his little bird friend, too.

Hunter: Here’s the plan. I slip in with this disguise, I find the Titan Blood before Kiki, I give it to Belos, boom! I’m useful again!

But when Kikimora blasts his hiding place, he’s forced to try a different tactic.

Eda: Titan Blood is the most powerful source of magic on the isles. I’m not surprised Belos wants it, too.

Amity: Well, we can’t afford to mess this up. Luz is counting on me. I mean, us.

Hunter immediately latches onto Amity as his “in” – Eda (and to a lesser extent, King) have already met him, and thus are more wary. Amity (presumably) has a higher regard for the Golden Guard in general, even if he’s not what she expected.

Hunter: You can put down your staff. I won’t run.

Amity: Too bad, because I don’t trust you.

Hunter clearly did his research, but Eda and King apparently refuse to listen to him on principle, resulting in a dangerous magic blast.

Hunter: Those two are definitely gonna get us caught.

Amity: Us? There is no “us”. Now keep walking.

And while they’re walking, Eda passes on a priceless description of Hunter.

Eda: You know, Luz told me about a trip to Latissa where she met someone very interesting. A beat-up blond with no magical powers. She called him, and these are her words, “a bad, but sad, boy”.

Hunter: If I ever see the human again-

Amity: Watch it.

When Kikimora ends up between them and the lake, Hunter suggests a distraction, and of course Eda and King are all over that.

Hunter: Huh. That was easy. When they’re caught, you and I can take the Titan Blood for ourselves.

Amity: Stop talking like we’re a team!

Hunter: We might as well be. The Owl Lady and her pet have nothing at stake, unlike us.

He is at least partially right – they did tag along mostly to test out their new powers. But Eda’s still the adult and has a vested interest in Luz’s wellbeing, which now encompasses her girlfriend, too.

Luz has been trying to communicate with Amity through this Tamagotchi-like device, but Amity doesn’t really understand what it means.

Hunter: Seems clear to me. “Come back with results, or else…” You can figure out the rest.

Amity: No. Luz wouldn’t make that kind of threat. I’m an awesome girlfriend.

Hunter: Has she told you that? We have a lot in common, Blight. We’re both trying to show what we can bring to the table. And we can’t fail. Cause there’s nothing worse than disappointing someone who thinks you’re special.

This is obviously more of a case of Hunter projecting his insecurities, because he’s sad boy, not bad boy.

Anyhow, he convinces her not to wait for Eda and King, and instead she starts a fire of her own. And when Eda continues not listening to Hunter, she and King fall into hole. Then Kikimora is on their tails.

Hunter: Take me with you! At least untie me so I can escape! Please. I don’t want to be replaced.

Amity: Fine! So, where will you go now?

Hunter: Now…I get to Eclipse Lake before anyone! Byee!

And thus he leaves her behind to deal with Kiki and her goons. Thankfully, Kiki’s only after Hunter’s head, so the goon just drops her off the very same ledge that Eda fell down.

Unfortunately, they’re also in a bit of a tight spot.

Amity: Guys! You’re okay.

Eda: Just barely. Owlbert’s knocked out, so we can’t fly.

King: I’m just, like, throwing it out there, but this would be a great time to bring out Harpy Eda.

Eda: I don’t know how! I’ve tried yelling at it, scaring it-

King: Did you ever think about talking to it?

So she makes a deal with the Owlbeast (apparently just catching some voles) and gets out just in the nick of time.

There are still goons to reckon with, though, so Amity grabs her staff and goes on with King while Harpy Eda holds them off.

And sad boy is sad.

Hunter: Don’t worry. I won’t pick a fight. There’s no Titan Blood.

Amity: Then why are you digging?

Hunter: It’s simple, really. Belos needs Titan Blood to make a new portal key. Can’t get to the human realm without it.

Amity: There’s blood in the key?

Hunter: Since I failed my last mission I thought, “Hey! A chance to make up for it!” But I can’t go back empty-handed! Not again. Long story short, this is my grave. Want me to make you one, too?

King: This is really bumming me out.

Hunter: That’s just life, rat. Everyone has a use, and if you don’t, ba-bye! Your friend gets it.

King: What’s he talking about?

So Amity shows King the messages, and apparently Luz taught him how to read it properly by viewing it sideways.

Amity: “You are rad”…”Fool’s Blood bad”…”you okay?”…”come home”…of course! This is Luz we’re talking about.

Thus reassured of the goodness of Luz, Amity tries reaching out to the sad boy.

Amity: You know, you were right. We do have a lot in common. I grew up thinking that everything was an opportunity to justify…existing. But there are people out there who won’t make you feel worthless. You just have to let yourself meet them.

That’s the main lesson Amity’s learned over the course of the series, seeing the value in just showing up as herself. But in so doing, she lets him see the portal key, and when there’s Titan Blood, there’s regular blood.

Amity: Aw, come on! Being nice usually works for Luz!

It worked with Hunter when he came in with relatively low stakes, but now, this is his last chance.

The bird has worn him down over the course of the episode, so Hunter’s glad to accept its help in the absence of his normal staff (but interestingly, it allows him to use very similar teleporting powers to his normal style, if evidently a bit more chaotic).

Hunter: Listen. You’re strong, and I’m tired. If this continues, you’ll probably escape. But here’s the thing – we know where to find you, and your human. So just hand over the key.

Amity: Fine. Just stay away from Luz.

But she crushes the key before she hands it over, releasing most of the Titan’s Blood.

This episode, between the bonding with the antagonistic resident sad boy/bad boy and using her abomination goop in a manner reminiscent of waterbending, Amity reminded me a lot of Katara (the love interest for the protagonist of Avatar: The Last Airbender, who was voiced by the same actress, Mae Whitman). In a less gay show, she (or Luz) might’ve actually been paired off with Hunter, but thankfully, the creators were fully on board with the good ship Lumity already.

Luz: I’m so glad my awesome girlfriend is okay!

Amity: Me too!

THESE TWO!

While the whole adventure ended up being a wild goose chase, and she lost the key, it still adds up to a net positive, since they discovered that Titan’s Blood was the key (literally), and they seem to have enough of it left to make their portal – a thing they’d have never discovered without Hunter.

Hunter: Oh, hey. You stuck with me the whole time, huh, bird? [bird chirps] I think I understood that.

So at least Hunter has one friend now.

Until next time…