Snoopy Presents: To Mom (And Dad), With Love

 

AIRDATE: 5/6/2022

Damn Apple, slow down! (Except don't, I can't get enough!)

STORY

Everyone's hyped for Mother's Day--except Peppermint Patty. She doesn't have a mom; in fact, she's never known what it's like to have a mom. So while the rest of the neighborhood races for the perfect present, she sulks and sneers. It's up to best friend Marcie to reassure and remind Patty that family is what you make it. 

MUSIC

Matches the myriad of moods with all the tinkles and toots associated with classic 'Nuts.

ANIMATION

Perhaps in keeping with the heavier subject matter, the shadows are more prevalent. Unprecedented in this universe, but not too distracting.

VOICES

Is this the best collection of Peanuts voice actors since the classic '60s run? I'd say so.

THE YUMMIES

Nothing breaks my heart like sad Peppermint Patty. Nothing warms my heart like happy Peppermint Patty.

The Snoopy and Woodstock slapstick side story is a by-now standard, but the shenanigans feel super-fresh. Terry McGurrin's Snoopy is more vocal and more physical than Bill Melendez's, which makes all the difference. 

Bitch-ass Thibault isn't in this special, because even his own mother hates him. 

THE YUCKIES

 

"Some kids have two moms."

That one line, spoken by Marcie, sent certain conservative Christians toward the ceiling. Accusations of Apple selling Charles Schulz's sweet li'l folks out to PC culture were rare, but there. I love to break it to those folks, but Charles Schulz based the character of Peppermint Patty on his cousin Patricia and his dear friend Billie Jean King, both of whom were gay. I love to break it to these folks, but openly lesbian cartoonist Paige Braddock trained under Schulz and was named Creative Director at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates in 1999. I love to break it to these folks, but Charles Schulz opposed prayer in schools. I love to break it to these folks, but Charles Schulz referred to himself as a "secular humanist" later in life and also stated, "The best theology is no theology."

Mind, the offending line is not expanded upon. Marcie simply states, "Some kids have two moms." And that's that. That's what upset people. Just one mention of the irrefutable fact that not everyone has the same idea of "family." 

Some adults have no hearts. 

 

9/10. That's three Peanuts specials in less than twelve months, each excellent, the latest the best. To say I'm amazed is selling it short.