I'll admit, I barely had any recollection of "Something Ventured, Something Framed" from when I first went through the show. So after re-watching it for my blog... I don't get why. There's a lot to appreciate here, and it makes me feel bad for saying in the last post that there was a rough patch ahead, because this is probably one of TOH's stronger outings.
So this episode is all about Gus, and is by far his most prominent appearance in all of season 1. He starts out by making Luz believe her ban at Hexside was lifted so he can bring her in to prove a point to the Human Appreciation Society, specifically a new member who wants to take Gus down as club president. For much of the runtime, it's pretty straightforward (albeit enjoyable) stuff. But then things get more interesting when he reveals near the end why he was so determined to keep his role in the first place: because he wants to feel accepted and among like-minded individuals, especially as he is always the youngest in his classes. They even subtly foreshadow this by having him mention that he skipped a couple grades because of his illusion magic skills. It's a certain level of relatability you don't usually see in these things, especially to those who specialize in certain skills beyond their years, and it's admirable he's actively making sure others don't fall under the same boat as him. And overall, he's a plain joy to watch with his consistent enthusiasm.
The other characters come across surprisingly well too. Luz does push her luck here and there, like actively talking to the abomination professor while in the hallway, but there's always some level of justification; as said before, Gus did give her a false sense of security. But more importantly, she's the kind of supportive friend that proves enough for Gus to ultimately relinquish his presidency in the name of fairness. Eda's subplot is pretty different for her; she is at first very against Luz going to Hexside like before, but then she goes out of her way to get Luz enrolled in the school for the sake of having her learn for herself. It's a bit confusing in why she thinks it would work, but it's worth it to see her suffer for her past misdemeanors and to make a genuinely positive difference during Luz's stay. Even Mattholomule makes a solid foil for Gus; not the most developed or interesting, sure, but he works off the heroes pretty well and proves entertaining enough on his own.
There's also just a very solid flow to it all. Most of the motivations are given just the right amount of establishing time (with one exception, which I'll get to in the screencaps), and it never lingers on a single setting or idea for too long before moving onto another - which is good, because most of it takes place in classrooms, hallways, and other school-related environments. However, the exception to this is Hexside's form of detention, where the episode's climax takes place. It takes the concept of authoritarianism in school systems to a rather literal extreme, where kids sent to it are encapsulated and brainwashed to be "good students", a very great, very chilling Owl House twist that - while admittedly underdeveloped in this story - really paints Hexside in a more sinister light, which will become somewhat of a running theme as more time gets spent there over time.
Sugarcube's animation is a bit more on and off than their other appearances so far, but they still get plenty of opportunities to shine. There's definitely problems that make me put it below something like "Covention", which I will mention below, but "Something Ventured, Something Framed" is a gem of an episode I've definitely overlooked up to now. Maybe you should give it another look too, for Gus's sake.
Humorous sight gag right off the bat, with all these outsider classifications of these mundane human objects. I really want to know what kind of weapon they think a Rubix cube is, and using a cheese grater as a nail cripper suggests the kind of imagery I don't want to have in my head.
I find it quite interesting that we see Gus here comforting the rule sheet, showing he dearly values a sense of order in his environments, but then one of the main conflicts is him both breaking a ban and, of course, lying about it - all to protect his place in the HAS.
Solid devious expression aside, that big-eyed girl can only speak in mumbles. That is just so sad to think about.
I don't know about you, but I'd buy that shirt.
Gus's little dance here (and another one he does later) isn't as well-animated as I would've wanted, but just him doing it is enough to make me smile.
Luz honestly digs that cowl; black is a great color on her. And yeah, that is confetti coming out of her hands. Willow doesn't get it, but it's cute, so whatevs.
This exchange with Hooty is where Eda changes her mind on Luz attending Hexside, and I don't get it. Figuring Luz isn't picking up on the school's hierarchy just from her disagreeing with it and deciding it's best she learn by experiencing it herself, that much I understand, but what it takes to get her there is a couple lines from Hooty about... how he eats flies. Maybe I am looking too deep into this, but this seems like too drastic a character shift to convey in a mere 30 seconds.
Look at that poster in the background. No way that's referring to something that will come into play later. Nope, not at all...
Luz asks about the 'Most Bones' trophy when there's literally one for 'Oldest Student'. Not to mention the 'Um, Actually' award, which is already funny by itself, made even more so by the punny name attached to it.
I always get a laugh at how Principal Bump flips Eda over for no reason other than to mess with her, I guess. In fact, there's a lot of decent back-and-forth between them, particularly how Eda just doesn't give a crap as to how she comes across.
It's Sugarcube and Willow, of course it's going to be adorable, especially when she's freeing a fellow classmate through tickling.
I love the concept of a little demon acting as a wristwatch. It certainly makes an effective alarm system...
The fact Gus has an illusion take notes for them is already a cool idea (one that we likely saw coming given his coven), but the fact it has a rebellious mind of its own and that Gus actively has to keep him in check is simply hilarious. Just look at these contrasting expressions; there's more that I'm not showing.
Luz freaking moonwalks her way into the HAS... this is why I love her character.
Matt giving a little sob story to get others on his side is pretty weird. You just know from how suddenly it comes up that something's up, and sure enough, after the meeting this turns out to be an act. But... why do this at all? Was it to make himself look good in front of the former HAS members? It's not like they looked down on him before, and chewing out Gus in front of them may've helped his chances anyway. I don't know, it seems like a pointless tangent to me.
Graffiti having a life of its own and refusing to get washed off. Always good for a laugh, and this is no exception.
Had to get a picture of these creepy guards in. The upside-down, blank faces and the stitched eyes are certainly an interesting design choice, I'll give them that.
I like this bit of misdirection, where they make it look like Gus is about to punch Matt but instead he pulls the fire alarm.
After not getting much otherworldly scenery for the bulk of the episode, the artwork we get at Hexside's detention is a serious reality check, and man is it effective. Just look at how ominous the deep blues look off the sharp teeth and glowing eyeballs.
These two students practicing and hugging encourages Eda to continue atoning, saying "they're just as bad as Luz" with a smirk. Something about this I find extremely heartwarming, like despite Eda's initial intentions, she does actually want Luz to be happy.
I enjoy how, as Guz is confessing, he's nervously crawling across the wall because, y'know, he's in danger. Adds a fair amount of momentum to what would otherwise be quite standard for this type of scene.
Easily the best Luz we've gotten in a while. Sugarcube really knows how to make their characters look adorable.
I can't get over how much this scene is dripping with atmosphere. I already mentioned the eyeballs, but all those sacs in the background, the low ambience, and Matt being visibly brainwashed by a deep, ominous voice add up to something brief, but truly unsettling.
Pretty clever how Gus pops open the paper stick with the 'pay-per-clorp', actively making use of his interest in human collectibles.
Which is immediately followed by him using his illusion magic to trick the demon, allowing he and Luz to escape the hole, which allows for the awesomeness factor to shine through despite the initial mundane solution.
Plus, they both manage to get some hits in if you're into physical action anyway. This is a pretty well-done impact.
As if we didn't feel bad enough for Gus already. Sugarcube can really nail these looks of grief when they want to.
Eda whispering to Luz her real reason for having her enrolled, even suggesting they challenge the coven system with her 'Bad Girl Coven' magic. This is most likely interpreted as a throwaway Eda moment on first watch, but once you've watched a certain later episode in this season, it becomes a lot more interesting.
"I can show you guys what plants not to touch in the greenhouse - and then I can let you touch them."
Simple expressions, but Tati Gabrielle reads the second part in such an unusually devious way for such an innocent character that I always get a kick out of this moment anyway.
Mattholomule may have the crown for the Human Appreciation Society... but he doesn't have the company that Gus built off it. Solid ending for the conflict, and I also appreciate that they don't overexplain it like you'd expect them to.
And to end the show on another laugh, we get to see a bunch of Eda's seemingly endless incidents on her permanent record. These two are probably my favorites of the ones we get to see, but they're all really good, and a great way to end a truly fun watch.