Galavant, with episodes 5 and 6 continues with a guest star roster to die for, Robert Lindsay is still playing Wormwood the wedding planner and evil schemer and Sheridan Smith comes in to play a hirsute princess who does not like weddings. Another well-known performer plays a giant, Nick Frost. Sadly no one appears as a hobbit since they were eaten by the starving Galavant, Richard and “Bobbi.”
It has to be said that after disliking this series intently upon the first viewing, it has slowly but surely become a favorite. The combination of great guest stars and repeated viewings has ensured that this comical ode to all things musical has overcome the initial misgivings and annoyance at the songs all sounding the same.
Of course it took the next episode, with guest star Eddie Marsan, who plays death, doing his song and dance which did, suddenly, sound completely different from all other songs in the second season that won this dubious heart over.
Sidenote: completely unrelated to “Galavant,” but Eddie Marsan does appear to be in everything thing at the moment. No complaints here though as Marsan has been a favorite performer for years, but he really seems to be everywhere.
The omnipresent Marsan aside, he does not appear in either of these two episodes, but the end of number 6, About Last Knight, with Galavant being skewered by the sword that Sid throws, his entrance in episode 7 is assured…
Episode 5:
Before the “death” of Galavant the trio of protagonists run into the giants headed up by Andre (Nick Frost) and the dwarves. Each group are the same height, at first glance all being around 5’8″ or 9″, as Frost is the former…
The whole battle between antagonists is down to a bridge built where one side is “dwarf size” and the other “giant size.” Leaving aside the ludicrous concept of each faction not recognizing that they are the same height (something that Bobbi sings brilliantly about) the whole thing is a long build up to a homage to…wait for it….West Side Story.
Galavant meets with the giants, who convinced Richard earlier that an iguana is in fact a fire breathing dragon and exchanged the creature for the jewel of Valencia, to get the gem back, or to convince them to join his fight to free Isabella.
Richard sides with the dwarves and just as things look to get fiery, Roberta fixes the bridge and stops the hostilities. Unfortunately the two warring groups then decide that they have to sort themselves and the bridge out properly.
Standout Moments:
Andre the Giant (Get it? Get it?) and his line about the dwarves complaining about the bridge:
“And those whiny little b*tches…”
The grumbling by the giants each time Galavant mentions dwarves.
The romance building between the Queen and King Gareth and Sid talking to his “Bro” Gareth warning him not to fall in love with Madalena and the end results.
Sheridan Smith doing her version of Miley Cyrus…
The whole finger-snapping and whistling West Side Story set piece…
The show of hands bit and “shirts and skins.”
Sid learning that Gareth does not practice the “bro code.”
Episode 6:
About Last Knight goes all out with another homage, this one with Sid’s performance a’la Les Mes...where he rouses the peasants to revolt but tells them in graphic detail what will happen when they do and then finds himself all alone at the song’s finale.
The trio of heroes have yet another horse run out of steam and Richard complains about having to eat a family of Hobbits. Magdalena tries to make Gareth’s birthday special, Galavant and his two followers run into poppa Galavant and Isabella kicks off about having to relinquish her bra to Prince Harry.
Standout Moments:
Sid (Luke Youngblood) and his Les Miserables song…
Wormwood’s firing by Isabella and as Chester (Robert Lindsay) leaves he keeps dispensing advice about the upcoming wedding while simultaneously cursing the princess.
Richard (Timothy Omundson) and his complete inability to “play” with children.
Gareth’s response to Magdalena’s surprise party (he runs through at least three party members).
The pub scene where Gareth cannot pick fight with anyone.
The Forest of Coincidence.
Honorable Mention:
Daddy Arnold Galavant and his “I stitched them myself.”
Robert Lindsay’s “Crazy war minded monsters” line.
Roberta’s response to Galavant when he accuses her of “caring about Richard:”
“Love him?”
The “He was There” song; specifically the lyrics; “gave me all your underwear, he gave me all the gear he gave to you” and of course, “he’s behind me.”
Overall Thoughts:
Despite the “shock” of Galavant (Joshua Sasse) catching Sid’s thrown sword with his chest, it is a certainty that the hero of this piece will not die. (At least we hope not, the only thing that could be worse would be if Richard was to be extinguished before chasing that damned unicorn away.) Still, episode 7 will feature the grim reaper so fans beware…
Galavant airs Sundays on ABC and at two episodes a whack, will not last much longer. Tune in, re-watch the older episodes, and season one while you are at it, and enjoy this little comedic homage to all things musical.
Mikes Film Talk 
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