The Day of Unity is about to begin.

We begin with a conversation between Belos and the Collector, establishing their respective goals for the impending Day of Unity.

The Collector: You nervous? You haven’t been home in, like, how many hundreds of years? What if it’s all changed? What if you changed? You got so used to eating palismen, you can barely keep your human shape anymore! I can’t wait to get out of this prison! There are so many games I want to play. If we need a third player, we could make another grimwalker.

Belos: No. Not until I’ve dealt with this one.

Collector: Just free me already! You promised.

Belos: The draining spell must work first, as you’ve promised.

Collector: You need to have more faith in pinky swears.

This is basically just to say that Philip plans on returning to the human realm after the draining spell…and he’s not likely to free the Collector on his way out.

Em: [Mom] won’t believe you.

Ed: Even if she did, she won’t care.

Amity: Well, someone has to tell Mom about the draining spell, or else she and Dad are helping Belos hurt people.

Of course, her dad is already having second thoughts, but that’s based on a bad feeling, which isn’t enough to get her mom take it seriously.

Odalia: Blights always uphold their end of the deal, dear. Or should I reconsider ours? It might be time for the kids to play a more active role in Blight Industries. I could start the paperwork right now.

I don’t know quite what she means by that, but it’s enough to shut him up for now. And of course she catches Amity and doesn’t stop to hear her out, because she’s never listened to her daughter, so why would she start now? And all Amity can do is send Luz a message that she’s grounded before her mom destroys her device.

Meanwhile at the secret base, they’re finally laying out the plan for the Day of Unity.

Darius: We can’t stop the draining spell, but we can corrupt it. That’s where the Owl Lady comes in.

Eda: Huh?

Darius: The curse, Eda!

Eda: That’s right! My curse warps magic! Did quite a number on you two if I remember correctly.

They briefly debate how to get Eda onto the premises, but they ultimately go with the simplest solution.

Raine: If we must do this, the safest bet is to have Eda tap into the spell by taking someone’s place as Coven Head. My place, sigil and all.

Then Lilith speaks up because she technically has the same curse now (and probably wants to protect Eda from getting a sigil, now that she knows what it’s for), but of course Eda rejects her offer.

Eda: You haven’t had your curse that long, you don’t know how it would react. But I do. And how can I say no to sticking it to Belos one final time?

Eda’s obviously settled it in her own mind, but that doesn’t stop her family from worrying.

On a lighter note, Luz finished her palisman!

Eda: I thought you’d carve something cute, like a tarantula. Why an egg?

Luz: I got to decide what my future looked like when I chose to be a witch, and I want them to have that option, too. Until then, I’m willing to wait.

She is such a sweetheart…so of course she’s worried about Eda.

Luz: Eda, are you sure you want to do this?

Eda: Well of course I don’t! You know even before the curse I couldn’t stand covens. Only a select few can learn about different types of magic – that made no sense! But, if it’s the only way to stop this, then I’m gonna do it. But as exciting as saving the world sounds, it’s not nearly as romantic as going on a rescue mission to save your girlfriend.

Luz: I never said I was gonna-

Eda: Ooh, but you wanna! It’s written all over your face.

Luz: Of course I want to, but I also want to be there for you.

Eda: Hey, us adults can handle ourselves! Tell Bossyboots I said “yo”.

King: Stop talking like that! This isn’t goodbye! I command it!

Obviously Eda’s right – Luz probably couldn’t do much to help stop the draining spell, so she might as well run off and rescue Amity as adorably as possible. But she also sends King with her, because Eda decided to keep King’s identity a secret from the rest of the rebels, and this does look an awful lot like what she was attempting earlier, getting them out of harm’s way by distracting them with an alternate (if still fairly important) mission.

Eda: So, you two protect each other, and we’ll be back together before you know it.

spoiler: it’ll be a long time before they’re all together again

But before she leaves, Luz has one last thing to say.

Luz: Promise you’ll protect her.

Raine: Promise.

With that settled, she’s finally all set to rescue her maiden fair!

WITH her friends this time, because they’re not gonna sit on the sidelines for two season finales!

Luz: I’m confused? I thought you were all hiding after what happened at Hexside.

Hunter: They were. But then they heard Darius ordered me to protect you.

Gus: More like he begged us to come because he’s terrified of getting recognized.

Luz: Hunter, are you really up for this? You must be dealing with a lot after learning that-

Hunter: That Belos is evil? Haha, don’t worry, I’m a-okay!

Hunter: Don’t you dare mention that thing around them!

Luz: What thing? That you’re a grimwalker-

Hunter: Sh! Listen, I don’t know if I’m a witch, or human. All I know is that I’m a copy of someone Belos made disappear.

Luz: I don’t know what you three went through, but they seem to like you.

Hunter: So I shouldn’t worry how they’d react, right? If that’s the case, have you told them about helping Philip? Yeah, I overheard everything. Don’t tell them. Please.

Of course, keeping secrets won’t help anything, but it totally makes sense for Hunter, who never had real friends before, to be slow to trust anyone. Luz should know better, but then, she’s always had issues with blaming herself for everything.

Then they each use their unique skills to help Luz break into Amity’s room!

But it’s a little crowded at the moment.

Amity: Can’t believe Mom broke it! I’m gonna fix it and I’m gonna get a message out to Luz. I’m gonna do something!

Ed: We already tried burning down the factory. That’s what got us grounded, too.

Ed’s already an agent of chaos! Eda would be so proud.

Em: We can shout as loud as we want, but money always shouts louder.

Amity: Dad would listen. I know he would. The world is ending. No one will listen to us. And I just- I just want to know that Luz is safe.

Em: What do you think Luz would say to you right now?

Amity: Probably…something dorky. But also sweet. Like, how I shouldn’t give up and that anything is possible. She’d say that I might be scared now, but to not let that stop me, because- because every problem has a solution. And everything’s been so crazy, we’ve barely been able to spend time together, and I am not letting the world end before we go on a real date!

Luz: Woah, you’re right! I would say all that!

THESE TWO!!!

Luz: Sweet potato! I’m gonna take you out when this is all over, Amity, I promise. No monsters, no mysteries, no deadly duels – it’s going to be the most mundane, slice-of-life date ever! And it’ll be awesome.

Amity: I know!

i just can’t anymore

Luz: Woah. Crikey.

Luz: I can’t believe I just said that! Oh, crikey…why did I even think that? Come on, Luz, be cool next time!

She is such a dork and I love her.

But, as much as I adore them, and as satisfying as this scene is, it was probably also the kiss of death for the series. You see, The Owl House was never actually “cancelled” in the proper sense – Disney just chose not to greenlight the third season because it “didn’t fit the Disney brand” (even though the creators were obviously counting on it). Disney’s fine with including gay parents or background gays kissing, but developing a gay romance featuring the protagonist had never been done before in a Disney show. Even She-ra, one of the gayest kid’s shows ever, didn’t explicitly develop the gay romance until the final season, and saved the kiss for the last episode.

So even though it would be totally normal for a couple of straight kids who had been dating most of the season to kiss at such an emotional moment, it was too much for Disney. Until the fans revolted, resulting in a highly abridged (if still very good) third season.

And so we continue on the sadness train with Eda and Raine.

Raine: Are you really willing to get a sigil? Even if your curse heals, you’ll never be able to practice wild magic again.

Eda: Eh, my curse isn’t going anywhere. I can tell it’s always gonna be a pain in my feathers. But if I can do this to help, why would I refuse?

She’s finally gotten to the point where she’s accepted her curse as part of herself, and if she can weaponize it against Belos, then so much the better. But she also clearly thinks she might not get out of this alive either way, which is much more concerning.

But she’s still Eda!

Raine: This works a little too well…

And King’s being left behind again.

Luz: Stay here, King. It’s safer. If anyone asks, you’re guarding the perimeter.

It turns out to be a good thing, as he hears the Collector again…but of course, King still doesn’t know who it is.

The Collector: He’s my friend, right? […] He wouldn’t lie. He wouldn’t? He wouldn’t.

King: Who is that? Hello?

Collector: We spent hundreds of years playing his game. I wanna play a new game!

Meanwhile, they’re approaching Amity’s mom again (or rather, looking for her dad), but they’re betrayed by Hunter’s annoying voice.

King’s the one who actually finds Alador, hanging out along the perimeter and taking a breather. He rants a bit about his horrible working environment.

Alador: This is a big night. I should feel accomplished, but none of this feels right. Do you have kids, Mr. Scout?

King: Oh, uh, no. I’m probably not the right person to give dad advice. You know, never really met mine.

Alador: I’m gonna spend more time with my kids. Get to know them. Things are gonna change after the Day of Unity.

King: Oh boy. Yeah, let’s just say there’s not gonna be an “after” to the Day of Unity…

And Odalia just locks them up in a forcefield!

Amity: Don’t you get it? You’re helping a witch hunter destroy everything!

Odalia: Really, Mittens, I’m tired of all this drama. Sneaking around, the little disguises, convincing the twins to act out…are you trying to make me look bad?

Luz: She’s trying to help people!

Odalia: Hush, brat.

Amity: Don’t you talk to my girlfriend like that!

Odalia: Girlfriend? Oh, no, no. That won’t do. We’ll find you a new girlfriend, someone who’s not on wanted posters everywhere.

She might not be homophobic, but that doesn’t make her a good mom.

And Amity’s about had it with her.

Odalia: Oh, really, you’re embarrassing yourself.

And on the other end of their cage, Kikimora’s gloating over her catch.

Kikimora: I always knew you were rotten to the core. Belos will probably snap you in two after I hand you over. Maybe he’ll make me the new Golden Guard.

Luz: Leave him alone!

Kiki: I’m surprised you’re even here, human. Aren’t all your friends at the Day of Unity? That’s right. The Emperor has eyes everywhere, and they’re all pointed at the Owl Lady.

This leads Luz to develop a new strategy…

Before the forcefield is suddenly broken.

Amity: How did I do that? Was it the power of believing in myself?

Alador: No! It was the power of science. But you almost had it, sweetie. Odalia. The Emperor is planning to wipe out everyone with a draining spell, and our abomatons are helping him do it. You already knew?

Odalia: What he does with our products is none of our business. What is my business is keeping our family ahead of the rest! You’re welcome, everyone. Oh, there you go making that face. This is why I don’t tell you things. With the Emperor’s favor, we’ll live like royalty in the new world, crowns and everything!

Alador: This too much, even for you.

Then the two of them start literally fighting, and that’s when Kikimora decides to take her prize and leave.

If it seems like Hunter is surprisingly calm when he’s about to be taken to Belos and most likely die, well, that’s all part of Luz’s plan…

Kikimora: I don’t need all you cretins, but this one is mine!

Alador: Ha! The jetpack actually works! Oh, the jetpack actually works…

Odalia: Well, since we finished with that little mess, let’s get back to business, shall we?

Amity: You! I am never speaking to you again.

Odalia: You’ll thank me when you’re a literal princess, Princess. It’s what’s best for the family.

Alador: “What’s best for the family” is putting an end to all this!

And then he wrecks all the abominations.

Odalia: You’re destroying our life’s work! I won’t let you destroy it any further.

Alador: This work is finished. Also, I quit.

So Odalia finally gives up.

Strangely, Gus is clearly using his power to do something here, but it’s not obvious what…

And, my, but Luz has been awfully quiet…

Amity: Dad, can you use that thing to shut down the abomatons at the Head?

Alador: You’re going to rescue your friend. You’ll need a pilot. And Luz, I apologize for Odalia. You are always welcome at our home.

Hunter: I’m sorry. It happened so fast. I didn’t even realize what was going on, until she was gone. She-

Gus: She wanted to protect you. And Eda.

So, her plan was to have Gus put a spell on her and Hunter and switch their appearances. That’s why Hunter was acting weird in the last scene, and why if you pause, you’ll notice Luz is the one using Flapjack’s warp powers.

All so Luz can get to Belos as fast as possible, to confront him alone. AGAIN!

But this time, her friends are right behind her.

Until next time…