Wraith's Journal #30 - Star's Song Day turns into a revelation of secrets! Moon finds Ludo with the Wand! [S2 - Face the Music]
Journal #29 - [S2E19/20] Heinous through Just Friends
Star eventually goes through the process of having a 'princess song' composed about her for her Song Day, despite her many misgivings. Moon goes on a journey to locate the Book of Spells, and discovers something even more horrible. Star's Song Day arrives, but the song reveals many secrets... Let's find out what they are and Face the Music!
~
Star begrudgingly agrees with her mother to do a 'princess song' - the 'story' about the princess and "a tradition as old as the kingdom itself" - to formally introduce the future queen to the kingdom, despite Star strongly disliking how fluffy and hollow they are. Star decides for herself to simply avoid the problem until it goes away.
~I get Moon upholds tradition, but does it really go back that far? How far back (years) does "the kingdom" go? I feel like some queens, particularly early queens, were too busy with surviving and building up 'the kingdom' to worry about a princess song.
Moon then embarks on a journey to the Forest of Certain Death, a place she's "been ... before". She turns down River's request to travel with knights, but Moon insists she must go alone, and that she can handle herself.
~Spoiler, she's going to meet Ludo's family. When was she here "before", and for what purpose?
On Earth, Ruberiot, Star's songstrel, shows up in a royal carriage(?) pulled by some interesting-looking creatures and introduces himself to Star. Star immediately finds a way to sneak out the back and go to the mall with Janna.
~Star is indeed still avoiding her problems. Well, she's taking a "break" I guess.
Moon rides to the Avarius residence on a warnicorn, though she feels she's being watched in the Forest. Once there, she points out that Ludo took the Book of Spells. The Avariuses don't know where Ludo is, angrily calling him the "runt" of the family and that he "destroyed [their] ancestral home". With no information, Moon comforts the parents and leaves.
~Technically, it was Star being threatened by Toffee that led to Castle Avarius being blown up, not Ludo. Although given the way they talked about Ludo I think his parents might have blamed him either way. Also, were the Avariuses royalty on the same level as other non-Butterfly kingdoms? There are other kingdoms like the Jaggs and eventually the Pigeons that aren't Mewmans but are still 'cool with' the Butterflys.
A "very long time" (~Marco) later back at the Diaz house, Star returns to find Ruberiot still there. Marco pulls her aside where she tells him how much she hates princess songs for being "fake". Marco comforts her by telling her she's "anything but ordinary". Star hugs him, only to realize Ruberiot is (creepily) staring at them. Resigned, she demands Ruberiot join her alone for a talk.
~Once again, credit to Marco for getting star level-headed again. Also, yes, Ruberiot, people hugging == totally in love, totally mutual. That's how that works.
Riding away from the Avarius house, Moon realizes she's being followed by.. Dennis! He seems friendly. He offers knowledge of where Ludo is, but insists they must fly. He spreads his wings, and Moon slowly hops aboard.
~Maybe Moon does have an adventurous side after all? Also Ludo's species can fly. Except Ludo, probably, since he's so small.
Dennis flies them to an overlook of Monster Temple, which is shrouded in fog. Moon uses binoculars to locate Ludo who is stirring some stew with... THE WAND! Moon gasps in horror, and insists she and Dennis leave immediately, which they do. Ludo seemingly looks at where they were, but doesn't react.
\"We have to go. We have to go now!\"
~Okay, HOLD UP A MINUTE. What did Moon actually realize here? I've wondered (and also bounced this idea with members of the Star Vs. Discord) how much Star told her about her encounter with Toffee in Storm the Castle. At the time, Moon noted that the Wand had been "cleaved" - that the core was split - but otherwise seemed more confused than concerned. Did she realize it was Toffee? I have pointed out that the Wand looks like Toffee's hand with the missing finger - the same finger Moon severed (which we saw in Into the Wand). Or did she just fear Ludo - a 'dangerous Monster' - possessing her family's magic? Whatever it was, Moon seemed really spooked, enough that her 'solo, fact-finding mission' had to be called off.
Moon and Dennis return to where they departed the Forest of Certain Death. Dennis asks if she can help his brother. Moon only says, "I'll.. I'll do what I can".
~Moon's in a tough spot here. Obviously she needs to get the Book of Spells and the Wand back, but can she really help Ludo?
Star confronts Ruberiot and goes on a tirade about princess songs and songstrels themselves, and how they put pressure on princesses to be "perfect" and tells him she's not going to help him. Ruberiot counters by saying he wanted to "write a real song about a real princess with all her gifts and flaws". He then tells Star he may as well just copy her mom's song (which she hated) and put in Star's name. Ruberiot then leaves, upset, leaving Star, also upset.
Later, Star goes and finds Ruberiot, who has gotten absolutely nowhere on making a song about Star. Star asks if he really hates princess songs as much as she, which he affirms. Star then resolves to work with him and make something better.
~A happy ending, at least for this arc. I'm glad they found common ground. Rebel princess does things her own way. Rebel songstrel does things his way... perhaps too much...
It's Song Day. Moon returns just in time, and is ushered to the auditorium by River (how long was she gone?). Star, too, arrives just in time, citing trouble finding formal attire for Marco (who gets to sit with the royal family by the way) and "traffic". Moon tells Star that she's proud of her for going through with this, which leads to a rare positive moment between them. Star lets her mom know things might be a little 'different'. Moon specifically notes that she 'trusts Star's judgment'. Their conversation is cut off by the start of the song
Ruberiot starts with a slow, gentle verse telling Star's story while playing his lute - seems similar to Moon's, so far. He then smashes his lute and the theme changes to an upbeat rock song, highlighting Star's signature spells and 'rebel princess' persona, which makes the crowd cheer.
The song shifts once again (or are these separate tracks at this point?) and takes a darker tune, noting that Glossaryck and the Book of Spells were lost, and that this was kept from the MHC. The crowd becomes anxious and the MHC (also in attendance) are shocked.
Moon wants an explanation from Star, and Star can only answer that she had to "do what felt right for [her]". To everyone's surprise, including Star's, Ruberiot has one more verse:
Royal secret – one last to tell
A princess under true love's spell
Marionettes of Star and Marco appear. Star has no explanation of this for Marco.
Who is the boy in the earthly attire?
The prince of the princess's deepest desire
I don't need to show it, I think we all know it
But just to be certain, I'll say it again!
Star Butterfly is in love with her best friend!
And-his-name-is-Marco-Diaz!
~Uh, man, the music sure is great in this show, right? Ugh, it started off so well! I know Star wanted to tell everything, including the ups and downs of 'her story', but losing Glossaryck and the Book of Spells was just too much - almost tactless - although I guess that's just Star. Well, she did do things her way.
~And uh, how did Ruberiot get 'Star is in love with Marco' from just a hug? That's the only interaction he saw between them. Maybe she let slip something while they were working on the rest of the song? But we don't hear that, so.
Marco's jaw hits the floor, and Star can only hide her face. Ruberiot celebrates his performance, but the audience are momentarily confused. Someone eventually yells out that the queen lied. Other people join in, and a riot starts, so the royal delegation quickly leaves.
Star tries to explain that she wanted to show everyone "the real Star Butterfly", but Moon merely explains the truth: "They just want to believe that you're a perfect little princess. And sometimes, the truth is dangerous."
Hekapoo interjects, angrily noting that keeping information about Glossaryck and the Book of Spells' theft to herself "has put us all in danger!" The other members (including Rhombulus) agree. Moon and Hekapoo continue an intense argument, and Star and Marco's eyes finally meet.
"Uhhh.. so--"
"Hold that thought, Marco."
Star runs to a window, summons Cloudy, and flies away.
~Yikes. Uh, why were the people so mad? What do they know about (or even care about) Glossaryck and the Book of Spells? Or is this one of those 'people being mad for the sake of being mad' things? And how much do they really care about princess songs anyway?
~So Moon going it alone kind of blew up in her face (foreshadowing). She thinks she can handle everything. Sure, she's capable, but the Book of Spells being lost is kind of a big deal, especially since everyone already knew the Wand was cleaved. In Moon's defense, she just got back and hadn't had a chance to tell anyone she saw Ludo with the Wand. Sometimes, just letting someone know about things helps.
~
The penultimate episode of the season and it doesn't disappoint. We're seeing more of the dark side of Mewni - a far cry from the "magical world" Star envisioned in her opening monologue. Forest of Certain Death? Ominous Monster Temple? Monster with Wand? Secrets, music and adventure! But man if things didn't get really awkward at the end...
One more to go! Will Moon and the MHC be able to recover the Wand before Ludo destroys the universe? Is Star really in love with Marco? We'll have to find out next time in the season finale!
Posted May 19, 2025, 3:51 PM UTC