Ok Like I WILL be real, I used to be such a RTTE hater (not at first just around when the last 2 seasons were airing) because of the plot and character inconsistencies that used to piss me off to no end (some of them still do lmfao but I don't take them as seriously). But it's been since 2017 (I didn't even watch season 6 because I was so unmotivated and left the fandom around that time) it's almost 8 years since I saw it, and upon rewatch, idk I guess I got to appreciate so much of what I DID love and what I didn't, I just laughed it off.
To me sure, some things ESPECIALLY in the later seasons are not canon, cause the inconsistencies are just way to big to ignore, I DO NOT like how they treat certain characters, specially female ones and even Hiccup pissed me off certain instances. But I will be real, after HTTYD 3????? idk I guess RTTE is not THAT bad, so I guess all my ire went there instead of this show. At least I felt like in RTTE the writers put more love and time and development to most of the things I can live with, sure Astrid and Toothless and Stoick are still the ones that suffer the most, but in GENERAL?? I feel a LIL more love put into the stories than in the entirety of HTTYD3 (most of it tho cause I do like SOME things)
I can forgive canon, plot and character inconsistencies now and appreciate it for what it is. Not many shows get to pull this off and I think this one does (at least the first 4 seasons which is still a LOT). I have felt a warmth for HTTYD I haven't felt in years and a lot of it is from RTTE. Obviously the movies will always be superior like there's NO comparison. But in RTTE I can take refuge at least whereas in HTTYD 3 I CAN'T, which is sadly part of the trilogy and movie canon that I CANNOT separate from, I mean I WILL -- to me, HTTYD 3 can easily be NOT canon but still I have to live with it's EXISTENCE and constant reminder that it's a THING.
So yeah... I have a new appreciation for RTTE as a whole. So far my rewatch has been filled with NOTHING but pure joy and laughter and yes some nostalgia, but damn, hasn't it been a total treat that I'm SO GLAD I got to revisit rn, not only YEARS later but also because I've been rediscovering myself actually grown and understanding about a lot of things in my life. So this newfound love is more than welcome.
Oh also! Do you like Spitelout's RTTE design as well? I like how in the later seasons (when he looks more like his 2nd movie design) he wears a bit of color rather than all black & brown and I love the green eyes they gave him! A bit more dark and bright than Hiccup & Toothless's eye colors. =)
Hi again! I never really considered ruffspite until I found your blog and I really like the thought of it~ I was happy to see a little Eret/Spitelout too cause I’ve been thinking about it since seeing the 3rd movie, trying to imagine Snotlout feeling like Eret’s a rival for Valka & Ruff’s affection, only to see him kissing his dad >w> I’ve noticed you aren’t really a fan of show Spitelout, could you tell me what you think of him if you don’t mind? I hope I havn’t bothered you!
No bother at all!
And yes, I see you
To answer your questions: his design was par for the course in the TV show. His character… eh. It didn’t match up to the movies for me. At all, really.
As I’ve said in several posts (posts you’ve must have run into by now) movie-canon and TV-canon are different. Yes, they follow the same ‘canon’ timeline, and yes the showrunners tried to do their homework where they could to keep from clashing with the movies by consulting with Dean and yes, if people want to shoehorn that TV show into the movies fully, then that’s their prerogative. But they don’t match up. The writing is different, is what it comes down to. They’re literally written by two different parties, there’s too many details that misalign (especially for fans that had broken the movie down long before the TV show aired), even the humor and interactions were noticeably more juvenile in comparison (and, uh, don’t get me started on the Hiccstrid part). And for several areas of dispute, long-standing headcanons are so much better and more satisfying to the movie atmosphere than what the TV show produced. My two cents, anyway.
And Spitelout is a perfect example. His relationship with his son comes off as completely different in the movies compared to the borderline emotionally abusive relationship he seems to have with Snotlout in the show. In fact, they’ve managed to make him a flatter character in the TV show than in the movies, where his handful of words, grunts, and many, many expressions paint a fuller person. We don’t get that abusive subtext at all from the movies. And the movies, what makes them so rich, is the subtext. The TV show is like a bull in a china shop compared to the movies, tbh. But like I said, different writing. And the audience is obviously aimed at… what was it? Oh yeah, 9-13 year old boys.
I’m glad you like Ruffspite! I mean, it’s purely a crackship for me, but it still holds some appeal, even now.
Now this Eret/Spitelout… that’s something I’m going to look for whenever I see the movie again. Where was it? I’m genuinely curious. It’s an interesting idea if Gobber and Spitelout were to start a silent rivalry over Eret. You know, the kind the whole village is aware of and watches for like the gossipers they are.
In HTTYD1 Snotlout says “my parents’ basement” which makes me think he has a mother in the picture (Freda, I believe her names was in the books). Maybe she died in Drago’s attack! Or maybe she’s just hiding. Maybe she left Spitelout because she couldn’t conform to the new Berkian lifestyle! Oooh, so many mabeys…
Maybe she took Snotlout’s sister and joined the Bog Burglars. Yum, I like that.
Hiccup learning to use Inferno. Somewhere between the first movie and second, Hiccup developed amazing swordsmanship skills. Some of it is probably from experience, given how many people like attacking him. But I bet he also had training. Something I want to see in RTTE season 4 is that training. Hiccup finishes Inferno and, while a flaming sword is awesome, he needs to learn how to use it well. Being so far from Berk, I don't see Stoick and Hiccup having the time to travel to see each other and train. But you know who doesn't have to travel? Astrid. I want to see (or at least hear about) her training him. I want to see her and Hiccup discussing techniques and how to hold onto their weapon. I want to see them spar, axe against sword. I want early morning lessons that happen when everyone else is still waking up. I want to see Astrid's grin when Hiccup starts getting the hang of it. I want to see Hiccup using a move in a fight against dragon hunters that Astrid told him about. I would love it.
I adore him. But I can see some inconsistencies with his character sprinkled throughout. Like on the one hand he’s fine with certain things and on the next he’s sorta being an hipocrite asshole loll but for the MOST part, I adore his whole princess outpost persona. Like I am A SUCKER for Hiccup in a leadership position like he is in RTTE, something that sadly was missing in the later Movies (We see a glimpse of this in HTTYD2 at the end which I appreciate, but it’s lil since in httyd2 he mostly went solo)
Like what I love about RTTE Hiccup is that we do get to see this side of him which he DOES HAVE. He IS a leader and he’s shown to be super competent and intelligent. And I adore to see that it’s an absolute treat. Ignoring obvious canon inconsistencies with the plot, when we DO get to see him interact with his allies and enemies, it’s super cool to see. He has chemistry with literally everyone and bounces off people so well, especially Viggo obviously.
The sad thing is that I WISH we got to see more of his interactions with his dad and Toothless ngl. Like the BIGGEST mistake was turning Toothless into just a flying machine and not exploring their relationship further ESPECIALLY since this came out after HTTYD2… that really hurts to see since we could’ve gotten so many moments that make their interactions and relationships stronger… ya know.. to actually test it before httyd2.
What I do love about Hiccup is that he’s deeply flawed (sadly there’s episodes where they either completely ignore ir or they treat it as something to look past it instead of calling him out) and human and that makes him so fun to watch. As Astrid once said: “Sometimes his pride is bigger than his brain”, and to me THAT is why I adore to see him so flawed cause it’s SO TRUE! And it’s never been more true than in HTTYD1. Like Hiccup is JUST as stubborn as his father, he thinks he’s always right and that comes to bite him in the ass. I love to see those moments of doubt and anger and confusion. I love that Viggo tests him like no other. Like, Hiccup is honestly an amazing character to me cause even tho he’s the hero of the story in HTTYD1 and the peacemaker that changed everything, he’s still lowkey a brat and has struggles with his own ego and other people. I think that makes him far more interesting and compelling (that’s why I’m mad there’s times ppl just let his mistakes slide like nothing and pretend he’s perfect…)
And at least the first 4 seasons he’s pretty consistent. Season 5 and 6 tho….. There’s more episodes that I don’t like him but I HAVE to give credit to this one episode in S6 where he’s fighting with Stoick and to me that could EASILY be one of the best episodes in the entire series. His interactions with his father in that episode are so GOLD. How they fought, WHY they fought. It shows both of their flaws, Hiccup being stubborn and not backing down and calling him out and viceversa? THAT is what I needed more of. I adore that episode so so much! Not only because it showed Hiccup taking the role of leader IN BERK but SHOWING his father his way of decision-making even if they differ but it’s lowkey a demonstration of how Hiccup would act as Chief (something Stoick never got to see) and even if he was mistaken, it put genuine organic conflict between them. It’s as ugh SO GOOD 😩👌 One of my fave episodes indeed.
So yeah there’s where Hiccup truly shines in the series. It’s an absolute delight to see ✨
Hi! I know you love Hiccstrid, so I was wondering...how would you rate all the different Httyd movies/shows/specials/etcetera specifically in terms of how they handled Hiccstrid?
Hello! Oh you're gonna get me YAPPING rn.... I appreciate it.
Oh man so I think I can’t put the shows as a whole unit cause I do think they do a LOT of stuff well and a LOT of stuff BAD BAD so I will be tackling those by episodes :)
This turned out to be VEERY LONG POST! :3
Here’s the list from best to worst:
HTTYD1: Yes. I know the “guy needs to get the girl at the end trope” is not great and sadly Hiccstrid DID start like this cause it’s het BUT I will say that regarding stuff that’s not necessarily romantic HTTYD1 is where at least Astrid is at her very best. I think their interactions post romantic flight are superb. I can’t get over the Cove scene like man… AND THE CLIFF scene. it’s just too good.
Gift of the Night Fury. I think this is the PERFECT way to portray Hiccstrid after the first movie. they're so casual and yes if you consider them already a thing here which I DO, it feels so mature and relaxed like they already do in httyd2. Astrid is just so good here and Hiccup as well, I love how they casually talk about their problems and Astrid supports him either way. We got the Yaknog scene and the ending scene. So good. NO need for more just casual couple stuff.
HTTYD 2: Overall just perfect. Same as GOTNF cause if you take into account them being a couple already for 5 years, every single one of their interactions is golden. Their first scene is cemented in my brain til I die cause at the time it was so GOOD to see such a good official couple onscreen to have such chemistry and being relaxed and have happened for YEARS and you FEEL THAT. Astrid support is amazing, their dialogue their jokes, how they're both in on the plan and sadly they do get separated for most of the movie but the ending is amazing as well. THAT KISS? Holy...
RTTE Season 2: My fave season cause Astrid has the most focus. Definitely Astrid's Team and Night of the Hunters are the Highlights, I love Hiccup just KNOWING her and confronting her about her insecurities, super cool and mature, him being worried about her is amazing, I love Astrid having struggles with keeping something from Hiccup because of Heather (oh heather... we'll talk another day about you), which I DO find compelling cause it's an interesting scenario. Maces and Talons I really like them here specifically.
RTTE Season 4: Episodes ShellShocked part 1 specifically: I ADORE them being a couple, cause while I don't like exactly HOW it happened, I was just glad it finalyl happened and them keeping it a secret (understandable) while there's so much at stake makes sense to me and it makes it feel a lil more organic so i LOVE their interactions.
RTTE Season 3: I like them here overall again, nothing special except for "Buffalord Soldier" which if you ignore (again) Astrid being put in danger to be rescued AGAIN is tiring BUT I do ADORE how Hiccup cares for her and how worried he was, how he negotiated with Viggo for the medicine, THE LINE "I CAN'T IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT YOU IN IT" HIT SO HARD FOR ME MAN... AND ASTRID SAYING THAT TOO DAMN... Amazing stuff all over I DO ADORE that episode. Also "You would've done the same for me" cause they KNOW each other so well and it's established how much they care about each other. This is why I love these types of moments. Also love them in "Grim Retreat", how she explains to Hiccup how the gang feels. I like them in "StrykeOut" as well and "Family on Edge", I love how Astrid and Hiccup both are the ones that have meetings about plans and stuff and how she confronts him about stuff when others don't. Love that.
ROB/DOB MOST OF IT. Hiccstrid again are not treated as a couple expect for that one kiss that no one talks about (which upset me a bit? cause what was THAT about) But as a WHOLE I really like it, I like the scenes where they're alone and they have actual conversations about their situations and you see WHY they're friends and why they work as friends. Also they do tease each other a LOT, and they seem very mature about everything. They get A LOT of moments alone where Astrid is just listening to Hiccup while he rants and I find that VERY compelling, it shows them as actual confidants with everything and friends which is the foundation for any relationship. Even if they're not portrayed as a couple (like in rtte again) them acting the way they do WOULD NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. That's why when ROB and DOB was airing ppl still assumed they WERE a couple already (until rtte ruined it by the "just friends" episode). Highlight Episodes are definitely "Fright of Passage", "Live and Let Fly", "How to Start a Dragon Academy", "Animal House", "How To Pick Your Dragon", "Portrait of Hiccup as a Buff Man", "Breakneck Bog", "Appetite for Destruction". Overall on rewatch ROB/DOB is a breath of fresh air for Hiccstrid rn for me since all I see rn ir RTTE hiccstrid which I have a lot of gripes with, so seeing them just be "dramaless" and cool with each other and have again A LOT of moments alone where they act like an actual couple is great. (i mostly ignore that they're not official yet and treat them as such cause they work)
RTTE Season 4: Episodes "ShellShocked" part 2. Now I do love their moments BUT ALSO LIKE I DONT LIKE ASTRID BEING TAKEN HOSTAGE OK?! I do love Hiccup giving the Dragon Eye for her but the WAY it happened? like How did Astrid get captured by Viggo in the first place?! idk this hostage situation thing was kinda tiring at that point but oh well I liked how Hiccup says "just promise me you will never stop telling me what you're thinking" my man.... greenest flag ever.
RTTE Season 4. I like most of it tho there isnt' much other than the last 3 episodes so i will talk about "Blindsided" here. I ADORE this episode because their interactions ARE SO GOOD. BUT and this is a BIG BUT, I DONT LIKE that the writers made Hiccstrid official THIS WAY. I don't like it. So I have mixed feelings about this episode... I LOVE their interactions as a WHOLE, like Astrid kicking butt while blind and Hiccup being worried about her but ultimately comforting her on her insecurities is really REALLY good to see. And even tho I still love their conversation at the end with the kiss, it's all mixed. But I can look past it ngl. I used to HATE this episode but over the years, I learned to let it go. Cause Hiccstrid in the shows as a whole and how it happened is something I've made my peace by now, I just don't care anymore so I enjoy it now. I love that kiss and I love them being a couple. Also I liked them in "Midnight Scrum" even tho Hiccup was an idiot for not lightening to her, she KNOWS him and the line "sometimes his pride is bigger than his brain" is SO TRUE, so love that she said it. (talked about it here and here)
Dawn of Dragon Racers: Like ROB, I LOVE their interactions here, Astrid lowkey KNOWING what the people want and trying to encourage Hiccup to listen to them while he's leader. And teasing him too I love them together here (AGAIN you can see them as a couple already here and nothing would change) "Really Astrid? Where's the love for the acting chief?" I love Hiccup in this short so much, like he really is the face of change and Berk backing him up cause they also WANT that change is so CUTE to see. Astrid being hurt for the final race was lowkey a bummer :///// WHY DO THEY KEEP DOING THIS TO HER!
RTTE Season 1: I love their moments (not taking into acc that the writers decided to reset hiccstrid and make them just friends of course) I think the moments that make me love hiccstrid is just that they're actually both competent leaders and they're both like the parents of the groups. I love them planning stuff together and just talking. Like I can take all these moments including the ones in seasons 3-4 and imagine them already being a couple cause it would LITERALLY change nothing. I have plenty to say about RTTE hiccstrid but what I do ADORE MOST OF IT from them is their allyship and compromise in taking action towards a goal which is fight the hunters and save dragons and their ppl. Like the two of them acting as the leaders and parents of the gang for most of the shows is what I enjoy the most. They're amazing friends at that too. Highlight Episodes: "Eye of the Beholder 1,2", "Imperfect Harmony", "The Next Big Sting"
RTTE Season 5: Ok so now that they're finally a couple we see them interact just the same as they already have for years now LMFAOOOO, except for a kiss here and there which I DO APPRECIATE (See? this is all we wanted! keep them the same and just sneak a casual kiss to indicate they're in a stable relationship i dont see what was the problem....) anyways. So in S5 upon rewatch I do appreciate some moments they have. I DO LOVE "Sandbusted" even tho it makes no sense they act like they're BETROTHED?! like HUH?!?!? no... like? idk it feels super rushed lollll but ok I still love that episode and their last dialogue together it was very cute. Overall this season they had cute moments, again nothing NEW since they act the same, confidants, friends like they SHOULD be and leaders.
RTTE Season 6. Ok the Hiccstrid moments I DIDN'T hate were is most episodes cause they were just there like "Guardians of Vaneheim", "Family Matters" I like most moments ngl, I liked them in "Darkest Night" (even tho Astrid's scenario was weird lol) and I liked them a lot in "King of Dragons 1,2" ALTHO THAT KISS AT THE WEDDING AT THE END WAS SO WEIRD AND CRINGE LMFAO like WHY ARE YOU 2 KISSING IN FRONT OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM BEFORE THEM AND ON PLAIN SIGHT?! LIKE HOLY SHIT WHY I DONT GET IT LMFAOOOOOOO cringe but ok it was a hot kiss I guess?? PFF
Legend of Boneknapper: UNDERRATED IMO. I love their lil gestures and casual glances, feels like they're already in sink as well, it goes to show how comfortable they've become.
ROB: Ep 10-11 Heather Report: I know ppl give this episodes a lot of shit cause they think a love triangle was happening but upon rewatch? there really was NO love triangle. Heather was NEVER interested in Hiccup and Hiccup was NEVER interested in Heather romantically, he just pitied her for her sob story, in fact, Astrid may have been upset Hiccup stood her up but I don't think she was actually jealous of Heather, She was sus at the very first moment and I don't think it had to do with her romantic feelings towards Hiccup. And afterwards, Astrid had EVERY single right to be sus and mad at Hiccup and yes it had nothing to do with jealousy, is because Heather gave her plenty of reasons to be mad, and Hiccup not listening was a dick move on HIS part. I think these episodes were an ATTEMPT from the writers to make Hiccstrid butt heads for once but I dont think they did a very good job at portraying a love triangle if they wanted to, cause again Heather had completely other things on her mind. Overall... not the BEST way to make Hiccstrid fight? but when u see each side you see how it happened. I'm just a lil upset that it was done this way, cause overall it just makes HICCUP look bad pfff
HTTYD3: They have a lot of highs and A LOT OF LOWS, Tho I don't technically blame it on their relationship but the writing of this movie as a whole. Like Hiccstrid as a couple is SUPER FINE. I ADORE the scene at the cliff SO SO MUCH, AMAZING callback, definitely a highlight. That scene in the ship with the explosion? Highest sexual tension ever like wow, THE WEDDING? 10/10. Them as adults in the epilogue?! I was on cloud 9. BUT ASTRID had so many lines that just makes me HATE HATE how it made their relationship look, actually EVERYONE'S relationship with Hiccup.... I HATE the "you gave him his freedom Hiccup what did you expect" and "wow look at you embracing change" LIKE HUH?!??! WHO ARE YOU ASTRID??!?! TF. So yeah this movie on the Hiccstrid side of things is mostly fine, but the whole movie's writing as w hole bring is down so I can like their moments individually while still hating the overall feeling of the movie.
Homecoming: HICCSTRID BEING PARENTS IS A TIER TO ME OK?! LISTEN!! I ADORE THEM AS PARENTS IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN WANTING FOR LIKE 9 YEARS SINCE 2010. BUTTTTT AND THIS IS ALSO A HUGE BUT. I HATE HATE HATE How they ALL treated Hiccup..... like I explained in another post but god... I DO NOT like how they all just ignored his complaints about telling THE RIGHT AND CORRECT ACCURATE STORY HELLO!?!? Seems like he was just a pushover and not a chief..... a loser and a delusional old man idk it was so hard to watch... sad that we got to see them being parents tainted by that dumbass story in this short... but overall seeing them as parents do trump a lot. I can ignore it just to see them interact with their kids and being THE MARRIED COUPLE they always were. Amazing stuff. Chief and Chieftess fr I love them. Also they're both 30?! pfff they both HOT AF ok?!
Book of dragons: Not much to say here but I DO ADORE Astrid being there with Hiccup learning about dragons too as well cause she also ya know... READ the Book of Dragons, like she's also a nerd believe me. So seeing them have things in common is great.
ROB: Ep12 "Thawfest". Ah yes.. the reward kiss that was never brought up again. So Hiccstrid in ROB and DOB in general are FINE cause at least Astrid is far more active and less damsel in distress than in RTTE but the writers still didn't know how to handle them in an actual relationship and back to friends with benefits (?) they go...
Comics: I haven't read them all but I saw some pages of some specially after httyd2 and I love them. They're already married even if it's not official yet. I do love them.
RTTE Season 5 Episodes 7,8,9: Oh my... OK this is where I got MAD. Hiccstrid don't NEED pointless drama and this one made me mad cause they didn't even do ANYTHING WRONG and everyone started gaslighting them into thinking they were OBSESSED and Pushing everyone away when it was NEVER SHOWN that, they all got mad for no reason and then they guilt-tripped them for it, which then cause a drift? like it was also not their fault to leave to go fetch the thing Johan told Hiccup to find and the Edge getting attacked. And then LATER Hiccup just ignores AStrid and goes on his own... idk man I just don't like how they forcefully made them separate for no reason other than Hiccup's ego. And ONCE again, Astrid has no agency on the matter and is forced to just deal with it but we don't even see what SHE thinks about it... idk this happens A LOT in later seasons.
RTTE Season 6: "Mi Amore Wing". Yes this is the WORST HICCSTRID EVER IN THE ENTIRE FRANCHISE. I WILL SAY IT RIGHT HERE AND NOW. This is Hiccstrid at its WORST. I think this is exactly what almost made me hate Rtte Hiccstrid as a whole cause WHAT THE HELL were the writers thinking... and I hate that ppl bring it up as a poor excuse of a drama plot to make Hiccstrid fight over something cause "couples fight right?! it's only natural" NO SHUT UP. Hiccstrid is NOT that type of couple. They are actually VERY mature and secure in their relationship to bring THIS bullshit this late in the game. It's just so dumb. Astrid WOULD NEVER act this way or even care about something so mundane and even worse, she would NEVER do the silent treatment like that's just so toxic and HICCUP, as usual these things make hiccup look like the asshole because YES! he WOULD NOTICE!!!! he's a detailist ffs, of course he would. Making hiccup into this oblivious asshole just for the sake of cheap het drama is just so LOW.... god this is an example of how heteronormativity ruins couples and stories. They took a perfectly good couple and made them act so stupid for one (1) episode and for what? and I hate that ppl use this episode to prove how cute they are like NO?! they're not. They're legit so OOC, BOTH of them. And that kiss at the end was super cheesy and cringe sorry.... It just doesn't feel like hiccstrid AT ALL.
ANNND I think that's it? I could go more into detail regarding certain aspects of it but that's for another day hehe Thanks for asking! This took me a while!
Oh I have so many! I wanna go by season and maybe I’ll do 2 episodes per season! 👀
Season 1:
Imperfect Harmony, I just think it's the perfect episode specially to show the actual start of their adventures. The humor is IMPECCABLE, I adore everyone here, I love how Hiccup figured out how to save everyone. 9/10
and a Tie between Gone Gustav Gove, Dad Hiccup... Just dad Hiccup. It just hit every single button on my body. I adore it so so much idk what to say. It's not even that I love Gustav loll no, It's more about Hiccup and his leader persona and omg he's such a dad it's amazing to watch. 8.5/10 And the Next Big Sting. Idk I just ADORE Speed Stingers and the gang working together, I ADORE this being the first intro to Hiccup's flightsuit and his nerd ass self I adore him so much he's at his BEST here. 9/10
Season 2: (I can't CHOOSE AH it's my fave season)
Night of the Hunters Parts 1/2: I adore Astrid here, i ADORE all the gangs interactions here, I love how they come up with plans to escape so much lol and I ADORE Snotlout and Hiccups lil side quest. Everything about it it's amazing. 10/10
And Maces and Talons 1/2 for OBVIOUS reasons. VIGGO, his whole intro and how he fooled Hiccup and how uch of THREAT he actually was. Amazing. 100/10
Season 3:
Ok first a tie between Buffalord Soldier and Stryke Out. Buffalord mostly cause I just adore that dragon, it's so FUCKING CUTE!!! An dyeah I do appreciate the Hiccstrid fluff ngl (altho I was getting a lil tired Astrid was always in need of rescue over and over) I'm nothing if not a useless fangirl that ate that shit up sadly. 8/10 Stryke Out because I adore the lore? like idk Dragon fighting? it should've been a concept that should've been explored more. I ADORE Hiccup here and his dragon training abilities are so cool so see in such an organic way AND Snotlout ahh he was so worried sobs 9/10
Family on the Edge: Mostly cause I adore how Dagur's arc was handled. And even Heather's inner conflict I liked (I mean I have alot to say about how they treat her and her relationship with Dagut i the show especialyl in the last seasons... but I liked it A LOT here) 9/10
Season 4:
Fuck... I really wanna say Blindsided but I DO NOT like how they mixed Astrid being blind and Hiccstrid happening on the same episode... like Astrid was AMAZING this episode from top to bottom. She's amazing and I love how it's shown that she's indeed more useful and competent even blind than other in the gang lol 8/10. BUT I think Not Lout made me almost cry like legit I just love every single Snotlout episode so much. Hi anxieties, his request to be a leader to Hiccup, his ADMIRATION towards everyone and his doubts and self image,those things just hit so hard home I adore him so much I can't stress enough. 9/10 So I guess it's a tie.
Shell Shocked 1/2: I think it was an amazing close to the season (it was supposed to be the LAST but oh well) I loved Viggo here (al tho his stupid ass move with Astrid was so DUMB ugh) and I liked the action. I think Viggo and the Dragon eye should've been gone for good but I love him too much soooooo Hell I even enjoyed Hiccstrid relationship here, I liked the lil period when it's just them knowing, like I WOULD SEE WHY they chose to keep it that way again fangirl in me.... 9.5/10
Season 5:
Well This season was mixed even tho I enjoyed these episode they're far lower on my GENERAL ranking of episodes:
Wings of the War part 2: Yes only part 2 cause legit I hate how this whole conflict started... but I guess I enjoyed it enough we had Berk, Stoick which I always adore to see, AStrid leading the riders, Hiccup using his brain. Overall good things. 7/10
I guess another tie with A Matter of Perspective and No Dragon Left Behind. A Matter of Perspective because I LOVE DRAGON LORE. I ADORE that dragons have their own rituals and traditions, like I NEED MORE OF THAT (and yes it contradicts httyd3 but fuck that movie I prefer this), I liked that it was supposed to be a sacred place and Hiccup wanted to maintain it that way (tho the twins did piss me off a lil bit lol) 8/10. I really liked No Dragon Left Behind, ALTHO I HATE SLITHER WINGS I HATE their deigns so much..... idk I just hate it BUT It's an Astrid Episode where she DID gave up her life for Stomrfly so nice bonding love to see (even tho she didn't need it and needed rescuing AGAIN lmfaoooo) 7/10
Season 6: (I'm not yet done with this Season lol so I'll just give the ones I liked so far) AND that's it, I WILL make a Season 6 review but so far it's mostly ok :3
NO BARK ALL BITE! god I CANNOT STRESS enough how much I ADORED this episode. It was a SUPER nice surprise given it's in SEASON 6 lol but STOICK AND HICCUP! just THEM. I think this might just be easily be ONE of the best in the entire series just because I LOVE how we get to see their different leading methods. Like I stated here, I ADORE to see Hiccup's chief like qualities and how they clash with Stoick's it was such a treat. Seeing them come together at the end and act like the two leaders they are is SOOO AHHHH MY ENTIRE HEART! 100/10
AND AS MUCH as I HATE the concept and existence of the Wingmaidens (and their weird ass designs UGH so uncanny).................. Chain of Command is a Snotlout episode where I think he shines the MOST out of all the series and I ADORE to see. Like, holy hell I knew Snotlout was amazing but watching this episode I was like HOW CAN HE GET ANY BETTER! His EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE!?!? His advice? His whole ass speech? Hic plan and his support towards Minden??? 9.9/10 omg... I adore you Snotlout you deserve all the praise.
EDIT: OK FORGET ABOUT CHAIN OF COMMAND I REALLY LOVED TRIPLE CROSS MORE! Fuck i think Viggo should've been used more these past 2 seasons and I wish we got to see more interactions with Hiccup and him after his "death" I'm sad this was the only and last one. We were ROBBED of Hiccup and Viggo being allies more ahh it was sucha treat watching them work together ahhhhhh I adoreu Viggo.
So yeah, I think I could put I liked more episodes in one season (2) than most of another but I wanted to be fair and do it per season :3
I wanna know what you don't like about Astrid in Rtte?
Hi dear anons, So I was planning on doing a major analysis post about Astrid and how she was written (or lackthere of) in RTTE, I wanna make an episode per episode anaylsis soon tbh, I wish i could open a whole youtube channel just so I can talk about all this in extreme detail lol but for now I can give a summary of my feelings towards her. Also I linked so many old analysis on this post if you wanna check them out!
I'll divide this by seasons:
SEASON 1: I like Astrid in general, no complains really, I wish she had more lines and be the head of plans from time to time. I WISH we got to actually see her as Berk's Guard like she wanted in the first episode, but I know she supports Hiccup and his cause enough to fight for Berk OUTSIDE, She was really excited to keep exploring but didn't think there was more so she turned inwards to keep protecting Berk, cause she IS a protector and I wish we got to see more of her true side. That being said, since they discovered there's MORE, of course she was gonna join Hiccup and that's totally fine. I Do adore her friendship with Heather tho. Oh Heather... a completely different conversation for another day.Another thing is the general view of Hiccstrid tbh and how I was tired they still treated him like just friends tho despite supposedly being canon for 5 years..... I just wish she had more focus on her own... I know I know a dead beat horse at this point.
SEASON 2: I think this is the season Astrid shines the most, I do call it the Astrid season, since she has the MOST focus this season. Like everything about this season. It's almost perfect, it's my fave season of the whole show. Off with an AMAZING start with Astrid's Team, then Night of the Hunters, her friendship with Heather, Her involvement in her plan, I adore her so much. In Edge of Disaster tho.... oh man... OK I DO HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THESE 2 EPISODES ALONE AND I WILL GET TO THAT SOMEDAY... but I like that Astrid was the main emotional focus despite my gripes with THE TWINS AND HOW THEY TREATED HER (she did nothing wrong and I stand by that), but yeah like as a whole this season is great I have no majoy complaints.
SEASON 3: This season is where I see the cracks starting to show, despite me loving it... I loved this season for the most part, Besides Buffalord Soldier (again having ppl rescuing her, I like the concept as a standalone but given the context...), Astrid doesn't have focus on her own at all... Even Heather gets more focus than her and even tho I LIKE Heather, I dont like that she had more development and focus than Astrid herself. Like we STILL don't and WILL NEVER see her family, the thing she was so eager to protect, we never see hew home? She's only there to be another one of the groups that's in on the plans. Hell they even stripped her of her friendship with Heather... Heather writing FISHLEGS of all people came SO out of nowhere when she was closest to Astrid... like why not write to HER??? I was so confused. Like I like Heathlegs a lot but THIS particular thing did upset me a lol....
SEASON 4... Oh the FAMOUS Season 4... ok so... The fact that Astrid often has nothing going for her besides Hiccup or her being in danger and him having to rescue her... :'v Them being JUST friends means that when she DOES get focus it WILL eventually just revolve around that romance when she should be having her own arc outside of Hiccup which she HASN'T unlike MANY of the other riders... But them already being a couple would give Astrid focus OUTSIDE of Hiccup. TLDR: Them already being a couple would've given Astrid a chance to shine more ALONE since that matter would've already been resolved and they act the exact same way anyways (demonstrating how strong their bond is besides romance, since they DO have a super solid friendship and reliance on each other) But no, They're NOT a couple and that means the only focus Astrid is gonna get it gonna be on that and Hiccup. And this season sadly demonstrated that... She doesn't have much to do except on the last 3 episodes. And I LOVE her in blindsided don't get me wrong but I think THAT WAS NOT the way to make Hiccstrid canon. Like the episode should've 1, happened WAY sooner and still not make them canon, but be aware that they do have romantic feelings instead of just acting like co workers, and 2. Making Hiccstrid canon would work better if it was not always with them being in danger, make it more organic, make it THEIR choice. Idk, that's how I would've handled it, instead of making them ignore ALL their previous romantic gestures and NEVER talk about movie 1, GOTNF or ROB and DOB... Like I made my peace with them rewriting Hiccstrid being canon, I do love their interactions in RTTE, BUT I do think they waited too long for it to happen and I didn't like that they chose Blindsided as the episode they happened. They should've have tackled Astrid being blind and Hiccstrid in two different episodes. It SHOULD'VE been in S3 at the very least.
But anyways about Astrid herself. Yeah, as much as I ADORE Hiccstrid in the last 2 episodes with ehem... certain gripes, I think she should've gotten FAR MORE that what she did. Like... I was MAD MAD about how they treated her to make Hiccstrid canon.... It was a hinder to her agency and character. I still stand by that despite my inner fangirl being super excited about Hiccstrid... 2 things can be true at once and I can take their moments out of context and ENJOY them :)
SEASON 5.... God ok... So on rewatch I liked it FAR MORE than the first time. We still don't get Astrid focus episodes that are not her needing rescue..... legit EVERYONE IN THE GANG GET THEM BUT HER (and ruff too sadly, the writers just don't know how to write WOMEN GOD), besides that one time she bonded with Snotlout... like??? idk the focus was still on him ( I love him tho lol). And that Hiccstrid episode....................................... oh man.... How do I put this delicately.... The episode is weirdly framed to present a problem that was never there to begin with so they can blame Hiccstrid 1. there was NO INDICATION AT ALL that they blew them off before, it was the classic tell not show, and then EVERYONE blames them for what exactly? training together? Snotlout was extra mad for no reason? 2. Hiccstrid spending time together was NOT a bad thing and it never was. It was legit just TOLD to us, not shown, so everyone suddenly being angry at them makes NO SENSE, and even worse the episode later PUNISHES them for it.. I DO LOVE their conversation on the cliff tho i really really do BUT Hiccup then legit just leaves her?? lol Again she stays with the gang while he gets to have his heroic moment to "make up for the fact that they BOTH left" ALONE and THAT upsets me. After Wings of War they just stop talking for the rest of the season?? They barely interact.. Astrid STILL gets no character moments. So yeah her character was sorely for Hiccup related drama and nothing else.... I hate that tbh.
ok SIGHS SEASON 6.... I am NOT YET DONE WITH THIS SEASON BTW but SO FAR??????' regarding Astrid? I hate is SO MUCH LMFAOOOOOOO Like The SINGLE WORST episode for me HAS to be Mi Amore Wing. Idk if this is an unpopular opinion since I wasn't there when this season aired but my GOD. How I HATED how both HER AND HICCUP were written it was actually painful to watch. Not only they reduce her character again to just romance centered but they gave us one of the worst toxic het tropes ever? and for a couple like Hiccstrid to fall under that? oh it was so bad... I new about the episode from clips but it was even worse watching it on its entirety (I will ignore the fact for now that they made Dagur het and put him in the worst situation he could be god I'm so sorry they did this to you dear). Like I won't go into details rn honestly but suffice to say that my poor girl Astrid got written down as the annoying toxic girlfriend that demands physical attention when she's NEVER been that type of person and Hiccup as the oblivious unemotional douche and them falling into painfully het overdrama for the sake of drama was so cringe and rage inducing at worst that was just so insulting to both their characters AND their relationship... I hate it with every fiber of my being. SIGHS...... I like Astrid and her relationship with Garf tho... but her being SO unaware of the dangers and STILL demanding to bring Garff when it's stupid and dangerous is just so painfully OOC that it makes me roll my eyes.
So in summary idk. I just hate that the writers took a perfectly good female character and reduced her to nothing but a prop, romantic drama or at WORST, incompetent and overbearing. Astrid is such a great developed character in the first movie and GOTNF that it really was hard to watch and ngl one of the reasons I started to hate RTTE back then. This is something that STILL bothers me to this day and sadly it's so painfully obvious that the writers threw her character under the bus cause they are just NOT GOOD writers. Like RTTE is great don't get me wrong but besides the canon inconsistencies and other hurdles, the fact that they couldn't utilize a character like ASTRID, that was handed to them on a silver platter, says a lot about their writing skills... NEVER trust a man to write a strong female character... and that goes for how they wrote Heather and Ruffnut too as well as EVERY FEMALE CHARACTER on this show including Mala and the godawful Wingmaidens.... Terrible. Terrible overall.....
I have so much more to say believe me these are just summaries hehe
I wanna say a lil something about this season since it’s the one where I left the fandom for (and mostly I watched it drunk so I legit didn’t remember shit) but so far I liked it. I thought I was gonna hate it, but apart from the OBVIOUS reasons it was kinda bad AKA Viggo being back, Krogan being a Ryker 2.0, The BIG TRAITOR REVEAL, and mostly filler season, I liked the moments in between.
I’m a firm believer that RTTE should’ve ended at the end of season 4 (yes there was some loose ends but if they wrote it like an actual finale it would’ve worked just fine) cause the last 2 seasons feel like thing were just shoehorned in, like they forced so much stuff to happen cause they had 2 spare seasons and it shows… like S4 FELT like a finale: Viggo and Ryker die, Dragon Eye destroyed, Berserkers secured, allies secured, The Edge secure, Hiccstrid established, Krogan functions just fine as a cameo and nothing else, etc etc
Again my enjoyment for RTTE comes down mostly from my love for Snotlout (he really is the best character and MVP of this show dont @ me) and the twins, Everyone was still tolerable, we got the GAYEST EPISODE TO DATE, Snotlout legit telling TB he loved him like?! Jesus 😭🙌 My hc is that after that EP, Snotlout and Fishlegs started dating cause holy shit after that they DO ACT LIKE BOYFRIENDS (legit they act like HICCSTRID before they “started dating” and even AFTER they started dating) and I love that, Hc, they became boyfriends after TB and somewhere in S6 they broke up idc idc
I like Astrid and Hiccup for the most part ngl, they were not TERRIBLE, (apart from that ONE EPISODE where they tried to gaslight me into hating them but then I used my brain to figure out it was pointless forced drama and they truly did nothing wrong), Hiccup making a second Dragon eye was… a choice…… like he’s a GENIUS don’t get me wrong, I can suspend my disbelief that he would be capable and I’m sure he did know how to make one himself, but idk another continuity error, like are u telling me now that there’s 2 Dragon Eyes and BOTH need to be obsolete by the end of this show???? Ok…
Even Stoick and his relationship with Hiccup AND ASTRID, I enjoyed that SO SO MUCH, it was really in character. Toothless as usual is a non character sadly…..
Heather and Dagur were super underutilized sadly, the more I think about it? The more I think Dagur should’ve stayed dead (AND I ADORE HIM) and Heather taken over, I DIDNT LIKE THAT HEATHER WAS NOT THERE WHEN THEY WENT TO SEE OSWALD! Like Wth Dagur and HICCUP? Fuck u for keeping it from her. It should’ve been her, literally replace any scene Dagur has w Heather and nothing will change. As much as I ADORE DAGUR AND I DO ADORE HIM, between him and Heather? Idk make them BOTH a team instead of separating them OR actually use them in a meaningful way. Cause another thing that will never not piss me off was HEATHER HAVING THE LENS AND NO ONE FUCKING NOTICING IT UNTIL NOW! Felt so HARD like a retcon and the writers wrote themselves into a corner, it feels so much like they just also forgot she had it for the first 4 seasons and decided that it was suddenly important for the plot which was so cheap imo and infuriating. (Since season 3, Heather being w the riders is not a bad thing but in S4 we barely see them still after she left, either make her super important and use her - something you HAVE for all the show actually- or don’t, cause she feels like nothing but a plot device now and not a character)
Now I know the BIG TRAITOR REVEAL was coming (I didnt watch it the first time cause I hated it) so I just wanted to actually know how they played it out and it was not AS BAD as I remember, but I was just mostly laughing at the absurdity lol when they made it so obvious by then it was so funny.
Now Viggo being alive is smth I’m still meh about, I dont love when shows do that, BUT I enjoy his character too much to be mad tbh, I have NOT WATCHED SEASON 6, like EVER, not even back then, so I have no idea what to expect with him. I am EXCITED.
Mostly this season did feel like they were resetting and rewriting so much stuff to make things make sense, and most of it was filler, which fine I could watch like 1724983 hours of the gang just doing NOTHING, so filler? Is not a bad thing for me. That’s why I liked it. It was not as bad as I remember. Some things sure were so ABSURD but funny. Made NO SENSE, but I already know a lot of it is not canon so I’m not mad anymore. I just enjoyed it for what it is.
I’m excited to FINALLY WATCH SEASON 6! I never have and honestly my refound love for RTTE has me super excited to watch it for the first time. 🙏
