The gentle winds waltz with leaves of many colors as fall visits The Bluff. Pumpkin carving, Halloween masks and a cornucopia of candies are recognizable characters within the pageantry of autumn. Although relatively young, Patrick McHale’s mini-series “Over the Garden Wall” has proven worthy to join the season’s essential rituals. Displaying all the vestments of harvest, the show follows two boys who journey through a forest to find their way home. Far from your run-of-the-mill cartoon, it is filled to the brim with foot-tapping tunes, memorable characters and genuinely emotional moments. Fans of the show Editor-in-Chief Kate Cuadrado and Living Section Editor Noah Carandanis offer a guide for anyone willing to embark on the journey into The Unknown.
Kate
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and I’m not talking about Christmas. It’s fall — when the leaves start changing and the nights feel darker, and there's no better way to indulge in the season than watching “Over the Garden Wall.”
For my perfect “Over the Garden Wall” experience, I start with lighting a well-loved candle (my all time favorite is “heritage pumpkin” from Target), making myself a nice snack (most likely a handful of 100 Grand candy bars and some Milky Way Midnights) and grabbing a drink of choice. For those over the age of 21, I recommend a mug of a nice, warmed, mulled red wine. My wine of choice was the Witches Brew Spiced Red from Leelanau Wine Cellars, a cozy, semi-sweet, spiced red wine that captures all those delicious fall flavors in one decadent drink.
Once the snack and drink are in order and my candles are lit, I turn on some fairy lights, grab my watch buddy (my 8-month-old kitten) and hit play to immerse myself in the world of The Unknown. When the title card rolls and that all too familiar American jazz folk starts playing, I remember just how wonderful art can be and how lucky I am to be an observer.
Oh, and don't forget to listen to the show’s soundtrack for the rest of the season. I promise, you won’t regret it.
Noah
Just because Wirt and Greg need to endure the harsh environment of The Unknown doesn't mean you have to. Setting the correct ambience to watch “Over the Garden Wall” is as much of an experience as watching the show itself.
I suggest an evening viewing, preferably on a night where the “milk-light of moon” mingles with a foggy night. However, this does not mean you need to subject your eyes to the glow of a screen in a dark room. Light your favorite autumn candle (I would suggest this enchanting fragrance) and turn on some warm lighting.
Now to become as warm as the lights in your room: Throw on your coziest pajamas and burrow into a snuggly blanket, and don’t forget to grab that leftover Halloween candy with some Endicott-approved English black tea.
As a final piece of advice, I would encourage you to watch the entirety of the show in one sitting. The ten episodes in the series ensures that it does not overstay its visit, creating a satisfyingly short and sweet autumn tale. With that, go! Hit play! Enjoy wandering into The Unknown, and remember to beware of The Beast…
Noah Carandanis is the Living Editor for The Beacon. He can be reached at carandan26@up.edu.
Kate Cuadrado is the Editor-in-Chief for The Beacon. She can be reached at cuadrado24@up.edu.
