“Schooltown Follies,” the third episode of Over the Garden Wall, shifts gears from the spectral strangeness of Pottsfield to a quaint, melancholic tale of love and loss in a schoolhouse for animals. Airing on November 4, 2014, this episode embraces the series’ episodic structure, offering a self-contained story that enriches the emotional landscape of The Unknown. Through its focus on longing, education, and redemption, “Schooltown Follies” showcases Over the Garden Wall’s ability to blend humor, heartbreak, and subtle allegory.
Narrative and Character Development
The episode opens with Wirt, Greg, and Beatrice continuing their journey through The Unknown, their spirits dampened by hunger and fatigue. Wirt’s pessimism clashes with Greg’s relentless optimism, leading to a humorous exchange where Greg insists on singing a nonsensical song about potatoes and molasses. Their path leads to a schoolhouse where Miss Langtree (voiced by Bebe Neuwirth), a forlorn teacher, instructs a class of anthropomorphic animals. The school is on the brink of closure due to unpaid bills, a situation exacerbated by Miss Langtree’s obsession with her lost love, Jimmy Brown.
Greg, inspired by the animals’ apathy, takes it upon himself to motivate them, organizing a benefit concert to save the school. Meanwhile, Wirt and Beatrice investigate Jimmy’s whereabouts, uncovering that he’s been working at a circus to earn money for an engagement ring, not abandoning Miss Langtree as she feared. The episode culminates in a chaotic yet heartwarming concert, where Jimmy returns, the school is saved, and the lovers reunite. The trio departs, with Wirt slightly softened by the experience, though still skeptical of their quest.
Thematic Exploration
“Schooltown Follies” delves into themes of love, purpose, and the transformative power of community. Miss Langtree’s despair over Jimmy reflects Wirt’s own unspoken feelings for Sara, his crush back home, drawing a parallel between romantic longing and personal growth. The animal students, initially disengaged, represent the inertia of routine, but Greg’s intervention sparks their enthusiasm, suggesting that purpose can be found through action and connection.
The episode also critiques rigid systems, particularly education. Miss Langtree’s formal lessons contrast with Greg’s chaotic, joyful approach, implying that true learning comes from passion, not structure. This aligns with the series’ broader rejection of conformity, as seen in Wirt’s struggle to define himself beyond societal expectations. The resolution, with its emphasis on reconciliation and hope, underscores the idea that misunderstandings can be overcome through effort and empathy.
Visual and Musical Elements
The episode’s visual style leans into early 20th-century Americana, with the schoolhouse evoking one-room schoolhouses of rural America. The animal students—raccoons, possums, and cats in tiny suits—recall vintage cartoons like Disney’s Silly Symphonies, blending charm with absurdity. The muted greens and browns of the forest give way to the warm, cluttered interior of the school, creating a cozy yet slightly dilapidated atmosphere.
Music is central to “Schooltown Follies,” with The Blasting Company delivering some of the series’ most memorable songs. “Potatoes and Molasses,” sung by Greg (and later the animals), is a catchy, folk-inspired tune that captures the episode’s playful spirit. Miss Langtree’s operatic lament, “Langtree’s Lament,” performed with Bebe Neuwirth’s Broadway flair, adds emotional depth, its exaggerated melancholy both humorous and poignant. The concert scene, with its ragtime energy, ties the episode together, showcasing the series’ love for pre-1950s musical traditions.
Cultural and Allegorical Layers
The episode draws on American cultural touchstones, particularly the trope of the small-town school in peril, seen in works like Our Town or The Music Man. The animal students add a fable-like quality, reminiscent of Aesop or Beatrix Potter, where animals embody human flaws and virtues. Miss Langtree’s story, with its focus on lost love, echoes folk ballads about lovers separated by circumstance, a nod to the series’ folkloric roots.
Some analyses, like those on Fantasy/Animation (July 14, 2023), connect the episode to Dante’s Inferno, suggesting it represents the Lust circle of Hell, with Miss Langtree’s obsession mirroring the punishment of being consumed by desire. While this interpretation adds depth, the episode stands equally well as a standalone tale of redemption, emphasizing the series’ ability to appeal to multiple audiences.
Critical Reception
“Schooltown Follies” was praised for its emotional resonance and humor. Revisiting Fiction (October 15, 2020) called it “wacky and enjoyable,” noting its development of Wirt and Beatrice’s relationship. Critics appreciated the vocal performances, particularly Neuwirth’s, and the episode’s ability to balance lighthearted antics with deeper themes. Its focus on Greg’s optimism also endeared it to viewers, with his “Potatoes and Molasses” becoming a fan favorite.
Role in the Series
Within Over the Garden Wall, “Schooltown Follies” serves as a breather after the eerie Pottsfield, allowing the characters to shine in a more grounded setting. It deepens Wirt’s arc by showing his capacity for empathy, even as he remains skeptical, and highlights Greg’s role as a catalyst for change. Beatrice’s backstory, though only hinted at, begins to surface, adding intrigue. The episode’s resolution reinforces the series’ theme of hope, preparing viewers for the darker challenges ahead.
Conclusion
“Schooltown Follies” is a delightful chapter in Over the Garden Wall, blending humor, music, and heart into a story of love and renewal. Its vibrant characters, evocative visuals, and catchy songs make it a standout, while its subtle exploration of purpose and connection enriches the series’ tapestry. As Wirt, Greg, and Beatrice move forward, the schoolhouse’s lessons linger, a reminder that even in The Unknown, hope can flourish.