Episode Enneagrams – Enneagram and Encaustic

Hogsmeade

In Charms class I learn accio, the spell that pulls objects (and enemies) to me. One of my classmates is Natty, a girl from Uganda whose mother is the new Divination Professor. Natty, in Griffindor, is kind and adventurous.

We learn levioso, the spell that floats objects (and enemies), in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I duel another classmate, Sebastian, in front of everyone. From Slytherin, Sebastian is a rule-breaker who’s also helpful and curious.

Using accio to play Summoner’s Court, a rare and delightful mini-game.

The houses don’t segregate as they do in the Potter books. Students mingle without making favorites. None of the rivalry exists (possibly because the game decided to avoid quidditch). Playing as a moustache-twirling Slytherin isn’t possible. Our student character can do a few selfish things, but nothing that would count as going to the dark side. (It’s one of the game’s weaknesses.) However, the game does use our perception of Slytherin as evil. We keep waiting for Sebastian to do something nasty. He’s not completely nice — he’s the person who teaches us the Unforgivable Curses — but he never stabs us in the back.

Portkey to Gringotts

Flying over the quidditch pitch in the fresh morning air … someday

Hogwarts Legacy (2023) is an absolute blast of a video game. It was so successful upon release that a sequel is in development. HBO is shooting a Harry Potter reboot series of the books. It’s a good time to like the Potterverse.

One of Legacy’s strengths is how it combines the expected lore we all know with a fresh story. The plot has nothing to do with Potter and takes place years prior — the late Victorian era — to the books.

Our character begins as a fifth year student who’s attending Hogwarts for the first time.

ONE

On a street in London I and Professor Fig, who’s quickly teaching me what I’ve missed for four years, load a carriage and prepare to travel to Hogwarts.

TWO

A ministry official, George Osric, apparates in. He’s got news to share with Fig, but not here on the street. The coachman shakes the reins of invisible steeds and we fly away.

Flying

ONE

Picking up where Episode One of The Good Place left off, Chidi still stresses while Eleanor tries to evade the problem. She calls for Janet. (Actually, Chidi calls for Janet because Eleanor can’t remember the name.)

TWO

First, Eleanor confirms that any conversation with Janet is confidential. Yes, not even Michael can access it. Then she asks Janet for bee-striped clothes.

At the town meeting in Tahani’s palace, everyone wears the same fabric. Michael, with false confidence, tells them all that he has no idea how the chaos happened.

THREE

And then Tahani’s normal clothes return as the bee-striped outfit fades away.

Roll credits.

Everything Is Fine

Although it’s been around for nearly a decade and I’ve rewatched it multiple times, I’ve never written about The Good Place. I’ll be very surprised if the episodes, especially in Season One, don’t have a tight Story Enneagram. Let’s make sure, though. Any excuse to have a good laugh is worth taking.

ONE

Eleanor Shellstrop opens her eyes. She’s in a generic waiting room and the wall opposite her shows the chirpy message: Welcome! Everything is fine.

(I won’t jump ahead with spoilers, but be warned that each episode rolls out information. Once you know the season’s ending, the rewatches — especially the ironic touches — become even more delightful. We can talk about that at the Season One overview.)

Michael, the manager, takes her into his office and informs her that she’s dead. She was killed by a column of shopping carts that swept her into traffic. Now, Eleanor’s in the Good Place.

Roll credits.

Story Enneagram of Season Two, “Avatar: the Last Airbender”

Let’s finish this!

ONE

The first episode explains Aang’s Avatar state. Remember, coming out of Season One, the last thing we saw was Giant Fish Aang wrecking the Fire Nation in the North. He can’t control or understand this superpower and it frightens him. We also learn that, although he’s unbelievably strong, he’s also vulnerable. If he’s killed in the Avatar state, the entire reincarnation cycle ends.

We also get a brief reminder that Zuko and Iroh travel alone, outcast.

TWO

The Cave of Two Lovers, that ridiculously silly episode, encompasses the season’s Two. Aang and Katara, through plot contrivance, kiss. Aang’s affection for Katara is critical at the season’s Eight.

Also, Omashu’s on fire. Returning to Bumi was Aang’s plan for learning earth bending. Now he has no teacher, and that’s definitely Trouble.

The Crossroads of Destiny (Season Two Finale, Part Two)

For the first half of this Story Enneagram, please see Part One.

FIVE

Sokka and Aang ride on Appa, headed for Katara. As they approach the Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se, they see a moving cloud of dust. Of course, it’s Toph. Dipping down, they invite her to join them.

Azula meets with the Dai Li under the city, advising them that the Earth King doesn’t trust them. They must seize power now while they can. “Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government,” she says. After the Dai Li march out, Ty Lee congratulates Azula on her speech. The Avatar and her brother and uncle are still loose ends, Azula warns.

Zuko and Iroh arrive at the palace, ready to serve tea. Iroh had often imagined himself here, but always as a conqueror for the Fire Nation. Now he’s a guest.

The Guru (Season Two Finale, Part One)

We have many storylines to resolve in this episode. It could get a little chaotic.

ONE

Iroh cooks soup — jook — in their shiny kitchen. Zuko, recovered, smiles and asks for a bowl. He’s so cheerful Iroh raises an eyebrow at him. They have a new apartment and a new tea shop. Things are looking up.

Appa lands near the dock where the Water Tribe fleet is docked. Sokka feels ill he’s so nervous about reuniting with his dad. “See you in a week,” Aang says as he and Appa lift off. On the beach, Sokka walks through camp. The men greet him and ruffle his hair. In the command tent, Hakoda holds a council. When Sokka enters, he rises and hugs him.

The Earth King, petting Bosco, chatters to the fake Kyoshi Warriors about the mutinous Dai Li and (oh, dear) the planned invasion of the Fire Nation. Close-up on Azula’s pupil as it contracts. She responds with sympathy, though, playing her part.

Katara attends the Earth Kingdom war council. They task her with taking a scroll to the Earth King so he can sign off on their plan.

Appa and Aang arrive at the Air Temple where the Guru waits. He’s ready to teach Aang how to master the Avatar state, but first he must drink an onion and banana soup. (It’s the soup episode. Blech.)

And finally we see Master Yu and Xin Fu drive a cart with a metal box in the back. They argue over which road to take. From the prison, Toph yells that she needs to use the bathroom. They won’t let her out, though. Xin Fu taunts her: she may be the greatest earth bender, but even she can’t move metal. Toph places her hand on the box.

The Earth King

ONE

Our gang rests on an island while everybody reunites with Appa.

TWO

Sokka argues that, after so much success, they should return and meet with the Earth King. It’s always been his objective to seek help against the Fire Nation, and he eventually convinces the rest of the gang to join him.

THREE

In the distance, ships sail the lake. Aang says the Dai Li are looking for them.

Lake Laogai

We’re at the last few chapters of Book Two of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This season has been a tough watch at the end. The beginning, with the introduction of Toph, is so much fun. I had forgotten, though, where the arc is headed. Let’s push forward through the darkness.

ONE

Inside our gang’s Ba Sing Se house, Sokka draws childlike illustrations of Appa.

TWO

Katara and Aang enter with a professionally printed poster of Appa. Sokka, who’s been working all day at it, protests. Toph (who, remember, is blind) says his posters look great to her.

THREE

Gliding over the city, Aang and Momo drop leaflets.

Appa’s Lost Days

This is a long episode. Appa doesn’t speak, so the entire story must be show rather than tell. No shortcuts with language.

LEFTOVER NINE

Four Weeks Ago. It’s a flashback to the dunes and the sinking library. Appa fights against the sandbenders tying him up. Toph, holding the turret, can’t properly defend him. When the benders anchor themselves in the sand, Appa isn’t strong enough to fly free of their ropes. They ride away on their sandsailers, towing Appa behind.

ONE

Dissolve from Appa’s eye to the sun in the sky. Time has passed. The benders, sending little dust devils into the sails, pause. The leader, the self-important son, tells his gang to raid Appa’s saddlebags for treasure. When they jump on him, sand swirls up into Appa’s nose. He sneezes, blowing one of the boats into a sand dune. Leader Boy doesn’t care, though, because it’s a boat they stole.

THREE

Goods from the saddlebags are tossed onto the sand, including Sokka’s club. The gang considers it all garbage and leaves it behind.