Mermicorno: Starfall is back, picking up right where our Mermicornos left off, with the fallout of Pearl Girl turning into Dark Pearl. Season 2 begins with Astra and her friends coping with their failure but getting tasked with a new mission: finding the lost Mermicorno kingdom and Princess Hanna.
Mermicorno: Starfall episode 1 recap: Aftershocks
The first episode of season 2 begins as our Mermicornos Astra, Gwen, Nautique, Squishella, and Kameko flee Ika Inkblot's castle as Dark Pearl's laughter is heard echoing throughout the sea. Her powers have been corrupted, creating tremors, shaking the sea, and collapsing structures.
After our group survives the mess, they head back to the Pearl Palace where Kameko tries to look at the bright side of their situation. When Gwen thanks Astra for saving her, Astra simply brushes it off, not wanting to talk about what happened.
Meanwhile, Ika is proud of Dark Pearl, loving how powerful and obedient she is which makes Sawtooth second-guess his choice of staying with Ika. Especially after learning of his past working alongside the Mermicornos.
On their way back home, our heroes discover that the tremors have destroyed Mount Sora and disrupted the beast living in the cave. When Astra fails to create a harness to stop the beast, due to it reminding her of her failure, the group flees to a canyon.
But even there Dark Pearl's powers are felt when strong currents attack them. Eventually, the group arrives at the Pearl Palace with Astra telling Royal Mother Pearl the bad news.
Kameko asks to search for her father, but Royal Mother Pearl advises against it until the quakes calm down. She reminds Astra of their duty to protect the sea citizens living in the palace.
Instead of using her creative force to help with keeping the sea citizens distracted and calm during these rough times, she focuses her energy on other activities like Croquet (featuring the return of Baby Bones!). While the Queen goes to make more bagels she places Gwen in charge, who feels inadequate compared to Astra.
She tries to create a barrier to protect the palace, but fails. Nautique decides to do some research while Squishella eats.
He learns that some Mermicornos can make talismans of protection, which they deduce applies to Astra. However, she's been refraining from using her creative force.
Gwen decides to face Astra in her Croquet tournament, where if she wins Astra must create a protective talisman. Gwen wins, but Astra confesses she can't make the talisman, blaming herself for what happened to Pearl Girl.
Luckily, the Queen is there to teach Astra a valuable lesson. Whenever she has a bad day, she'll bake, taking the horrible feelings and turning them into something positive.
Gwen uses that lesson, recalling her fond memories of Pearl Girl, thus finding the power to create a talisman of protection. And just in the nick of time, as a fissure forms threatening to destroy the palace.
Creating a statue to protect the entire palace, Astra suddenly hears Pearl Girl's voice instructing her to find the lost Mermicorno kingdom and Princess Hanna. While the rest of the group seems to like the idea, Gwen is less enthused.
Mermicorno: Starfall episode 2 recap: Two Player Game
Astra and Gwen decide to test the forcefield using their creative forces, and thankfully, the forcefield remains strong. As much as Astra is looking forward to finding the Mermicorno kingdom and meeting Princess Hanna, Gwen is worried, having finally found safety in the palace.
She tries to practice sharing her feelings with an ice sculpture of Astra, when Barb overhears and tries to help. Her advice is for Gwen to be open and honest with Astra.
However, due to her last experience with friends, Gwen is terrified of losing Astra altogether. Gwen finds Astra to tell her how she feels when Astra reveals she's created a shellphone, which they can use to help communicate when apart.
She also learns of a cloaking talisman, believing the Mermicorno kingdom is not gone but unseen. Gwen fails at communicating her doubts about searching the kingdom, and Princess Hanna, permitting Astra time to unveil another discovery she had made.
They'll need to find the Revealer, a pendant that can help them find the door to the Mermicorno kingdom. When Barb overhears the mention of Princess Hanna she takes Astra and Gwen to the vault under the palace.
Barb was once friends with Royal Grandmother Pearl, with the two of them going on adventures, finding treasure, and returning them to the rightful owners. They had found the pendant, but never found Princess Hanna.
They held onto it since, placing in a secret vault with three traps to pass, requiring a pair. The first test requires Astra and Gwen to work in sync with each other, pushing a button at the same time while dodging obstacles.
They barely pass, and when they make it to the next test, Gwen is blindfolded and guided to move through glowing circles by Astra. They fail after three tries, get stuck, and must wait to be retrieved.
It is here that Gwen lets it slip that she didn't want to go find the Mermicorno kingdom and Princess Hanna. She self-sabotages, assuming Astra will want to end their friendship, leading to them arguing.
Trying to find a way out, Gwen messes with the technology, and a self-destruct sequence is initiated. Using the shellphone, they attach it to the room and hold the other, allowing Barb via intercom to guide them through the vents under the floor.
They successfully escape using their creative forces from the beginning of the episode. Before escaping, they manage to retrieve the pendant.
The incident helps Gwen and Astra to salvage their friendship while providing Gwen with the confidence she needed to leave the safety of the palace.
Mermicorno: Starfall season 2 episodes 1 and 2 review
Without missing a beat season 2 opens with our mermicornos having to face the reality of their defeat. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, they assess the situation for what it is.
Although Astra is understandably the most affected, terrified to use her creative force as that was what led to Ika accomplishing his goal. The approach of the defeat and how the characters absorb it continues the trend of the show: finding a happy medium between something made for children and adults.
The show remains quite intelligent and unique for a children's show in the sense that it's never dumbed down but never too serious. It's not just Astra who grows this episode as Gwen has finally learned what true friendship is.
A friend doesn't abandon you after one argument or disagreement. A friend doesn't make you feel small, inadequate, or worthless.
The dynamic Astra and Gwen have is admirable, as their differences are what bring them closer together and not further apart. I do believe the most heartwarming aspect of these episodes was the fact that although our heroes failed to rescue Pearl Girl, Royal Mother Pearl does not negatively react.
Not that I expected she would, but she shares their sadness and approaches it like she does everything else, with funny yet insightful words of wisdom while making bagels. Taking something bad and turning it into something good.
The new season already gets bonus points for bringing back Baby Bones! Already, we can see the groundwork for what lies ahead, but at its core, the show continues on the path of positivity, friendship, magic, and hope.
Stream Mermicorno: Starfall season 2 on HBO MAX.