Talking DuckTales First Two Episodes Of Season 3

DuckTales season 3 is here, and it is always great to speak to Ella Anders about the beginning of the season and what we are looking forward to in terms of characters. There are spoilers listed below for the first two episodes of DuckTales season 3 in a very informal discussion.

Damon Cap: So thoughts on the first two episodes of DuckTales … “Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks” … I felt like Violet really? I like the idea that Huey didn’t make it and shows him getting a failure badge, but I kinda wish it wasn’t Violet that he competed against. I think for the future that makes Violet a better Junior Woodchuck and if that is the case why do we need both of them on an adventure. She is now the better woodchuck and to me that does affect the story.

“Quack Pack” … I am still not sure how I feel about this. Goofy felt weird to me. This seems more like a Disney Afternoon Universe now than a Duckverse.

Ella: – “Challenge of the Senior Jr Woodchucks:”
Bar the pilot, this feels like a clear season set up. I know it as been said that the Woodchucks, and Huey are going to be of major focus so this was a good idea to start there.

Having him fail actually accomplished a lot; it proves despite everything he has a ways to go, and even starts to form what could be an overlapping arc of him trying to define himself outside of this one thing and maybe even cause him to break some along the way. So much of what we have seen of him is relaying so heavily on his guidebook and following pre-established rules- which is great, but life has no guidebook.

I feel like Violet is a good rival to Huey, and I can see that actually being their dynamic. Both smart, drives and have some level of social unawareness that they can come across oblivious to something everyone else is very aware of.

QuackPack: First thought: this highlights why I was never a fan of the actual series, and why sitcoms make me cringe. Such mixed thoughts on this one. I love the fact there was a lot of self-awareness and calling out the troupes. The line about how this is only the start and the show is going to go on forever without end made me laugh and roll my eyes in the same breath because how true that is (Rainbow, this is you.)

Yes, this feels like we are pivoting into a Disney Afternoon universe. But in a way it feel right, Goofy just strolling in was pure and classic sitcom. And they were pandering into the fan aspect, lining right with what they were doing. But it makes me question his future role in the series.

So let’s talk about Donald and Della.

Damon Cap: Donald and Della … they fall perfectly into what my only problem with this show is … too many characters. Donald was handled a bit better as we find out his anger keeps him out of Junior Woodchucks and that seems like a totally feasible situation, but almost unnecessary. Now in “Quack Pack” he again gets his turn to shine, but is almost overwhelmed by the amount of Easter Eggs we get in the episode. Though it does follow the form of the new DuckTales as the show is about family and “Quack Pack” Is about family and lets us see how Donald will do anything and everything for them. For me again, while Goofy allows Donald a peer in the episode I am not sure that I like it.

Della, oh Della is another story, in “Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks” I am just not sure I like her attitude about Huey and making Senior Jr Woodchuck, but in the end she understands. The push comes from her being on the Moon and not seeing her kids, but she needs to dial it back. In “Quack Pack” she seems more reasonable and understands Donald without going overboard. The Moon story was the weakest so far, and having flashbacks makes me remember that.

Which announced character are you looking forward to seeing the most? For me it is going to be Kit Cloudkicker!

I do like that we are getting to see F.O.W.L again, so that story should be interesting…

Ella: See, I do not have an issue with the large cast. (Says the writer that always writes ensembles…) Back on subject, the big thing I wish we had seen was some of Huey’s dialog from the episode coming from Della. Granted, we have no idea just how much time has passed in series since the events of last season. I feel like we need to finally see Donald’s likely pent-up feelings come to the surface. But I assume knowing the writers we will see this and the payoff will be worth it.

Kind of would like to see the full story of just how he got kicked out, feel like that would be hilarious.

Della’s reaction was a bit over-dramatic, but it was also aimed at Launchpad so that might have been something to do with it.

It comes as no surprise that I am looking forward the most to Gosalyn’s entrance. I feel like that might be when we start to really see and have a lot of the F.O.W.L plot really take full force. Kind of hope we see a Gizmoduck, Darkwing and Beakley team-up.