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fictionalnormalcy · 2 years

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I used to say Season 4 is my favorite RTTE season, but that may come to change now that I’m refreshing my memory of Season 2. And I can’t help but be impressed by the order of episodes, specifically from The Zippleback Experience to the Edge of Disaster two-parter.

Cuz like these four episodes I’m like, huh. It’s: The Zippleback Experience Snow Way Out Edge of Disaster pt. 1 Edge of Disaster pt. 2

I’m not trying to say these episodes happen within days of each other, I’m saying how I’m appreciative of the events that take place in each and how they lead into one another.

Zippleback Experience has the main plot of Barf & Belch becoming attached to Hiccup and Toothless because they saved them. Yet in the other conflict it was two Dragon Hunters having snuck onto the Edge and taken Hiccup captive the moment he was alone. Taken by goal of Dagur and Ryker wanting to use him to get them to all the islands having been discovered with the Dragon Eye. So they weren’t able to get the Dragon Eye, but they’d use a Rider instead.

Then the premise of Snow Way Out being that the Hunters were planning on capturing a Snow Wraith to tear out a tooth in order to unlock the Dragon Eye. Which was still in the Dragon Riders’ possession. I point out a specific detail where Hiccup explains why they have to be stopped. They get the tooth, and their next stop would be the Edge. To take the Dragon Eye. While confronting the Hunters on Glacier Island, Ryker demands the Dragon Eye. Leader meeting with leader. Hiccup of course doesn’t have the Dragon Eye on hand. Then there’s shots fired, Hiccup nearly shot with a dragon-root arrow.

Ryker confronts Heather afterward as to why she purposely provided a distraction enough for Hiccup to get the shield up. Her response? Her and Dagur have told Ryker plenty enough times that Hiccup is worth more alive than dead. (and doesn’t that remind you of an episode in season 4) The ending of the episode comes to be where the Riders accomplish their goal. The Hunters do not get a Snow Wraith tooth. In other news we hear of the actual leader of the Dragon Hunters, second lead-in to Viggo Grimborn.

Yet even though the Hunters didn’t succeed, Hiccup gave us a foreshadow. Regardless of having a tooth, they would come to raid the Edge and get the Dragon Eye. Here they come in Edge of Disaster. And didn’t Johann coincidentally get the current valuable assets against the Dragon Hunters away from the Edge. Although the Hunters were believing that they would have to fight all six instead of three.

And man, how Dagur and Heather said they’d eliminate Ryker once they got ahold of the Dragon Eye, hmm you two didn’t know who you really were up against.

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artlocke · 1 month

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watching rtte while doodling, this is probably one of my fav episodes

might do more?

#hiccup needs a break #httyd #rtte #zippleback experience #hiccup punching snotlout is one of my fav moments #hiccup haddock #hiccup #barf and belch #also his kidnapped counter going up this episode #it really has everything DJKLSA #hemlock art #snotlout #toothless #that doodle isn't related to the episode i was already started on it when the episode played lmao #but i rlly like it so #doodles #idk if i want to post just doodles like this? i feel like i should clean up the doodles before posting but that takes time and i dont want #to lmao #i am a very lazy artist

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queenofthearchipelago · 2 years

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I think the last scene in Not Lout is maybe one of the best moments of character development in the entirety of the httyd franchise, fight me

Like, Snotlout from the very beginning is this kid whose been raised to be a fighter, to do whatever it takes to be at the top. He's rude and he's doing his best to be what he thinks is expected of him. And on some level he knows that he doesn't know what's expected anymore. The archipelago is no longer torn with dragon war, and where does Snotlout fit into Hiccup's world? Hiccup changed everything, and the place Snotlout was raised to take doesn't exist in the same way anymore.

All the while, his father makes it seem like he needs to be a winner in every competition, even when it isn't a competition. His father gives him generally horrible life advice, like rest is for the weak. His father makes it seem like he's always one failure away from being a disappointment to him, in ways that aren't fair.

On the other hand, we have Hiccup. Hiccup always goes after Snotlout even when he's disappointed, even when he has good reason to be angry at Snotlout. Hiccup is always there to help, always there to give counter-advice. It's Hiccup, more than any other rider, that acknowledges what it is that Snotlout has to deal with in his father, even when Snotlout doesn't fully understand what it is he's dealing with at all. It's Hiccup that let's Snotlout win when the competition doesn't matter. It's Hiccup that backs Snotlout's decisions when it should be Snotlout's decision to make. It's Hiccup that sticks around, that tells Snotlout through his actions that he's worth sticking around for. Hiccup didn't know that he was in a two-man war over the man Snotlout would become, but he was.

And then we get to Not Lout, where this has never been more obvious. Spitelout tells his son that his friends aren't really his friends, they're competition, all trying to get in good with Hiccup so they can be higher on Berk's ladder of power. And Snotlout essentially panics about this, spending the rest of the episode trying to prove that he's the better leader. He tries to prove that he ought to be higher on the ladder than he appears to be. He puts his friends in danger to prove this a few times in the episode and it all comes to a head in the emotional climax of the episode.

Like yes I know the scene I'm about to talk about takes place not even halfway through the episode but hear me out.

Snotlout barges into Hiccup's hut and tells him that he will not be left behind, he's "just as good, if not better, than the other guys" and he wants to lead the dragon riders when Hiccup becomes chief. This clearly lays out all of Snotlout's insecurities, and in response Hiccup says "Okay, but you can't force yourself into a leadership position. There are things you need to work on." And he proceeds to tell Snotlout that each dragon rider has their expertise. Astrid and battle strategy and Fishlegs being a dragon encyclopedia. Snotlout needs to either grow his capabilities in all the categories, or learn to look to his friends to help fill in his gaps so be can maybe make better decisions for the group.

Snotlout takes Hiccup's words the wrong way, but the seed's been planted. Hiccup literally just laid out for him that if he wants to climb this nonexistent power ladder, what he needs to do. If Snotlout wants to be the next Hiccup, this is the way to do it. And Snotlout repeats his father's philosophy, that Jorgenson's don't ask permission to be great, and leaves.

The episode proceeds with more of Snotlout being a bad leader and Hiccup gives Snotlout the opportunity to lead a training mission, which goes horribly. Snotlout gives up on himself, grounding himself from future missions. He can't gain his father's approval by climbing the ladder, and in his mind he can't gain Hiccup's approval either because he just failed massively.

The rest of the gang go on a mission to get rid of the Hunter's stash of dragon root, and they become in great danger. Snotlout catches onto a trap, shows up, and in the heat of the moment, successfully leads them all out safely. He deals out tasks to those who are best suited for them, he's determined in his position to protect his fellow riders, and he goes out of his way to protect Hiccup, the one guy who more so than any other in the group doesn't seem to need the protection and ends up saving his life. He lead and he did it well. Snotlout gains Hiccup's praise when Hiccup tells him that he saved his life and it's a good moment, but it's not the emotional resolution.

The following scene, the last in the episode, is so beautiful to me. The riders are finishing the job on the ground and Hiccup and Snotlout are in the air watching. Hiccup tells Snotlout that he's proud of him, that today he did good as the leader Snotlout said he wanted to become, but who knows what the future holds. Hiccup implies he can't promise him that when he becomes chief that he'll give Snotlout the leader of the dragon riders position. And Snotlout says, yeah I've been thinking about that. "Whatever greatness I end up doing, and trust me, it will be great..." and he laughs a bit, "it's gotta be what I want to do. Not what my dad wants me to do."

And the music in the background sounds like the lightbulb turned on. Snotlout realizes that his father doesn't really know what he should be doing with his time, or his life. His father has consistently given him bad advice and caused him to do things against people he cares about to fulfill these goals he never really set for himself. And all the while, Hiccup and dragon riders have been patient with him. They never abandoned him. Because they are his friends, and they love him and want what's best for him. And maybe he feels that now, he lets himself believe it. He will be great, not with Spitelout's permission, and not with Hiccup's, but he will be living in Hiccup's world. Hiccup will be chief and he's already changed the world they live in to create his own. A world of peace where they can ride on dragons. And Snotlout wants to be great inside this new world, standing next to these great people he gets to call friends, and be one of them, not under them or above them.

And Hiccup sees this in Snotlout, he smiles and says "You know, we may not be so different after all." And he doesn't need to explain what he means, he just flies away, and Snotlout knows.

Snotlout's face in those last frames are such a thing of beauty, at first there's confusion as he takes in the words. Then, a large smile, as he realizes what Hiccup meant. That Hiccup too dealt with his father wanting him to be something he wasn't and now he's made himself great, and it's in something he wanted to do. And finally, a quick look of determination as he too flies away to follow Hiccup into the sunset. Because Snotlout did it, he gained the only approval he needs. Approval as a friend, a comrade, as someone worth taking with you into whatever greatness you achieve.

And when they fly into that sunset together, with all the dragon riders into the great beyond, it's Snotlout at Hiccup's right side, a place he will consistently want to be until the end of the story. Because in this episode, Hiccup won. Snotlout no longer wants to be the man Spitelout appears to want him to be. He'll be his own man, and he knows Hiccup will defend that with him.

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000marie198 · 10 months

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There is another artistically incredible thing I noticed abt the first Httyd movie.

The movie, it's from Hiccup's perspective. And it conveys his perspective throughout, in details both subtle and clear.

Like the Book of Dragons clip; Chilling and terrific with sound effects and feels induced exactly as Hiccup was imagining it. That scene alone gives me the shivers and the way it ends on Night Fury (I absolutely love the fear inducing Night Fury theme from the first movie). I've been noticing that every single piece of score fit the emotions and situation Hiccup was in, affirming his perspective, his experiences, conveyed through the movie as if they were the viewers' own. And that scene when Hiccup is listening to his father speak just before entering the arena to face Hookfang, the way the lighting and expressions and sound of Stoick's voice was set apart from everything and felt resonated, Hiccup's dread and anticipation and anxiety and worry and fear were palpable. He was planning to do the exact opposite of what his father, the one he's been trying to make proud his entire life, was hoping and oof that few seconds HURT!

And with how the background score and scenes were animated so splendidly, there's one very subtle but greatly well integrated detail I just have to mention

If we take a note of all the dragons throughout the movie, there's a gradual pattern. The movie starts and every dragon looks wild and dangerous and animalistic. Beastly and emotionless, except for displaying an urge to cause harm or look vicious.

Aside from Hookfang. Every other dragon didn't look nearly as expressive and clear in intention as Hookfang did. And if you notice, he was the only dragon in the beginning of the movie whom Hiccup made a direct encounter with and sassed at. We saw Hookfang being angry and vicious and even worried and scared when he ran out of firepower and got captured, he seemed to display emotions more clearly than any other dragon. But he was also the only dragon so far Hiccup had a direct communicative encounter with. The movie is from Hiccup's perspective and we saw Hookfang from Hiccup's perspective.

But! It gets better. If you notice or think about it, try to remember the details in the movie with respect to the dragons, all the dragons earlier on looked wild and deadly and nothing else. Just wild and dangerous and vicious, the opinion every viking has on them, the opinion Hiccup during those earlier moments had on them.

But then he met Toothless. And it all began to change. Notice how the dragons seem to become more and more expressive and emotionally intelligent or humanly as Hiccup and Toothless' friendship proceeds to grow. How the snappy Terrible Terrors would gradually start to look like small little dragons who are mischievous and naughty and silly little guys, how the quick and swift Deadly Nadder started to look like a playful and curious friend, how the once sneaky and scary Zippleback who seemed to set it's target on everyone and everything became expressive and displayed worry and fear, how the powerful and dangerous Gronkle gradually started to look more kind and friendly and sleepy etc.

This happened with literally every single dragon during the movie. The more Hiccup began to understand them and got closer to Toothless and realized they are living beings who have individual personalities and feelings and are misunderstood, the more these mighty creatures felt more alive and expressive to the viewers. And this was done without the slightest change in the dragons' models or designs. They conveyed Hiccup's perspective splendidly throughout the movie.

Point in case;

Httyd 1 is a cinematic masterpiece

#httyd 1 #how to train your dragon #httyd hiccup #httyd toothless #hiccup horrendous haddock lll #hiccup haddock #toothless #httyd hookfang #hookfang #httyd stormfly #barf and belch #stormfly #httyd meatlug #meatlug #httyd analysis #analysis

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iamchickenhearmesquawk · 1 month

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Barf and belch are so fucking adorable in the zippleback experience

Also it’s so funny that technically the first time hiccup meets ryker is this episode.

#the most no thoughts head empty golden retriever dragons ever #rtte #hideous zippleback #barf and belch HTTYD #HTTYD #hiccup haddock #ryker rtte

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jeyswitch · 6 months

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Race to the Edge, The Zippleback Experience

Some things are just better without context.

#httyd #how to train your dragon #rtte #race to the edge #hiccup haddock #snotlout jorgenson #digital art #my art #art #httyd fanart #Instagram #dragons #httyd rtte

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evilwriter37 · 5 months

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How much less would the human villains underestimate Hiccup if he just did what he did to Snotlout in Zippleback Experience at least once in front of each of them?

I mean, just imagine Ryker's face as he stares in utter shock after this twig just knocked his bro out cold. He probably would've done something about it but he'd be too stunned XD

😂😂 I’m trying to imagine Viggo getting knocked out by a Hiccup punch but it is just so hard. Oml, that would be funny!

#asks #httyd #lol

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eemoo1o-tfrmoo · 7 months

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If a Speed Stinger could speed speedily, softly swooping swiftly, how speedy is he really?

Never has the word “speed” looked so wrong, now.

The Next Big Sting (1x12) is a great episode for Snotlout, actually. Personally, I love it for Speedy and the taming of a species otherwise thought to be untrainable (cough, still waiting for the Changewing, cough cough), but Snotlout is so great here! And with Ruffnut, too? Oh, ho, we were spoiled.

Plus, it’s funny how this episode includes Snotlout trying to get rid of a dragon, but then is preceded by an episode where he’s trying to keep his dragon. Kind of ironic, actually.

Reasons why this episode is great include:

The important stuff (like Meatlug cuteness and Ruffnut & Snotlout centralism):

The first ones shown to give Hiccup “a look” when he presents the Dragon Fly One are Ruffnut and Snotlout. This is obviously foreshadowing.

Hiccup talking about how The Dragon Fly One will be handy if they and their dragons ever get separated. Sorry, Hiccup but I think this mostly only ever affects you. And Ruffnut and Snotlout that one time.

Actually, I don’t think it’s ever actually happened to Fishlegs and Meatlug other than when Scardian’s pack carried Fishlegs off in season two. Look out, Hiccup, looks like you could stand to learn a thing or two.

Additionally, Hiccup says it’s going to be so handy, and yet he’s built the heaviest looking thing imaginable. I know it’s a prototype but like, come on!

Snotlout asks if he could have Toothless after it all doesn’t work. Yeah, like you wouldn’t be in too much shock after the fact, Snotlout. That’s so cousin of you.

Hiccup: “I’ll be floating on a bed of air!” — Snotlout: “Or crashing on a bed of rock.” This man.

“I cannot believe that that hunk of junk actually worked.” It’s okay, Snotlout, neither can Isaac Newton.

Snotlout’s whole character this episode is remembering Frozen from Defenders of Berk. And rightfully so. But the other riders don’t acknowledge it at all until it happens to them (aka Ruffnut).

“Is he seriously going back?!” Snotlout is so real for that. — “Snotlout, meet Hiccup. Of course he’s going back.” Maybe someone should tell Astrid that when she’s grouching over the Dragon Fly One like she did earlier and inevitably will later.

The only one that doesn’t help wrangle the Stinger is Snotlout. And, honestly, who can blame him.

Part of Forbidden Friendship (a harmony with some sopranos) plays when Hiccup tames Speedy. I love the symbolism behind this sound effect because of what a righteous, monumental moment it’s supposed to be.

Ruffnut is fine around the Stinger until she gets stung. And then it’s all downhill from there. I love the natural progression (albeit a quick one) of her character through this episode. At least she and Snotlout can relate to one another now.

Speedy immediately goes for Snotlout because of how on edge he is. He also is able to dodge, punching the air, “Not even on your best day, pal.” He’s so extra here I love it. (Makes you think what his dad said to him after he got stung the first time.)

And of course Ruffnut immediately gets stung again but makes sure to cross her legs.

Tuffnut starts boxing the air, intensely mimicking Snotlout ready to I assume defend Ruffnut from anymore stings before he starts getting kicked. How cute-turned-cruel this is.

Barf gets stung and immediately Ruff calls out to him before crawling her way as quick as she can to I assume comfort him despite the difficulty it takes her. This is so sweet. I wish we had more episodes surrounding Barf & Belch and the twins, and not just the twins or whatever The Zippleback Experience was. (Also symbolism how it was Barf to get stung and not Belch. Barf and Ruffnut are great together <3)

Snotlout gets to basically say “I told you so” but no one listens except for Ruffnut (I assume she also wants to avenge her dragon, which is sweet). I wonder if this went in his book.

Snotlout and Ruffnut’s whole interaction as the sun’s rising is pure serotonin. They are BFFs. (Also both of their episodes together and Snotlout and Tuffnut’s in Maces and Talons Pt. 1 include Ruffnut riding Hookfang. And of course Tuffnut gets a spin in Snotlout’s Angels. Makes you wonder how much Hookfang actually tolerates and/or likes the twins.)

“There are other things I want to say, but none of them are very ladylike!” Between this and the leg crossing you can really tell that Ruffnut was experimenting with gender this episode.

Snotlout immediately grabs Ruffnut after she gets stung and starts falling off and as such takes his attention away from the air-sick and anxious Speedy. He cares so much!

Hookfang then gets stung and they crash land. The fact that he and Snotlout have both been stung is very poetic, much like Ruff and Barf! (Maybe I’m too obsessed with the “Dragon is a reflection of the rider’s soul” analogy.)

Speedy is calm once back on the ground and licks Snotlout as thanks for catching him! See, guys? He was only scared when up in the air, the poor thing.

Hookfang lights on fire to protect Snotlout from the no-longer-hostile Speedy. See? Now he’s cautious! Snotlout and Hookfang are paralleling one another.

“This is a new low even for you, Snotlout!” — “I was trying to save us!” :(

A sign that Speedy doesn’t belong in the pack (and is a teenager, obviously) is that he talks back to Toothless telling him off, whereas the others wouldn’t have done so! I like little bits like this. (And Toothless had Stormfly as back up. Like a mom and dad telling their kid off.)

Ruffnut and Hookfang have a semi-paralysed affiliation together now, both going around in a circle. And I love how they’re going it side by side, I wonder if they did it to support the other. At least Meatlug is here to defend them!

Ruffnut saying to Meatlug, “Hey, girl, thanks,” and fist-bumping her tail is really cute. Hookfang also gives an additional sound.

Speedy also realises that his old pack is hurting his new pack! Nurse/Big Sister/Favourite Aunt Meatlug getting hurt was the final straw for him.

Snotlout starts swinging with a stick and says he’s not leaving anyone behind (start of his heroism/selfless arc) but it’s obvious he’s still scared himself. Hiccup’s sass was not necessary! The nerve.

Snotlout using Speedy as his own Stinger feels like a thousand IQ move and I love him for it.

“Needle Butts” feels like the millennial term for Speed Stingers and we have Snotlout to thank for it. Alternative terms were probably “Deadly Dodos” and “Sneaky Sewing Machines”.

“Snotlout, Snotlout, oi oi oi!”

Snotlout accepting Speedy after he turns on his own to protect him.

“I’m never going to get you, dragon” Snotlout: confirmer of species’ and genuses everywhere! Also, why isn’t this dragon a dinosaur, again?

“But he hates me!” Snotlout’s delivery of this is great.

Kind of criminal that Speedy couldn’t have become Part Of The Gang™. It’s okay, Speedy, you’ll always be in our hearts. (Doesn’t this kind of make Speedy Snotlout’s Scauldy? I guess?) (Shame, too. I alway imagined he would have gotten along great with Smidvarg.)

I realised when Tuffnut lights a streak of gas on fire to ward off some Stingers and then he compliments a still-paralysed Barf that Barf looks kind of drunk. Now that you’ve noticed that, too, I order you all to laugh.

Oh, and then goes Belch.

And I think Tuffnut. See what I said about one not being able to go down without the other soon following? This. Is. Symbolic. (Or so I religiously believe.)

Hookfang is still seen as formidable by the Titan Wing Speed Stinger even with half his body still paralysed. I wonder if this could temporarily be seen as disabled rep — I wish we could have seen his development from being completely defenceless (Meatlug protecting him and Ruffnut) to him doing this.

It was probably to defend Snotlout.

And that’s great.

The Meatlug Cuteness Counter:

Fishlegs reminding Hiccup that their dragons can fly and Meatlug being cute about it. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: 1.) (She’s the cutest.)

I love how Fishlegs tries hiding his arm’s paralysis by leaning on Meatlug only to get sabotaged when she goes to play with Speedy. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +1 point. 2.)

Nurse Meatlug encouraging Speedy through his physiotherapy is adorable. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +5 points. 7.)

When Snotlout is about to go off, we can see Meatlug and Fishlegs sleeping next to one another. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +4 points. 11.)

“Nurse Meatlug, if you would do the honours, please” and she does! She does do the honours! Oh, she’s such a good girl. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +10 points. 21.)

“Meatlug, quick! Stop him! Speed Stingers can’t swim!” And then she goes so determinedly. So cute. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +100 points! 121.)

Meatlug’s shocked face when she sees Speedy being able to skim the water. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +20 points. 141.)

Meatlug defends the defenceless (Ruffnut and Hookfang), only to immediately get stung. She tried! (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +59 points. 200. Additionally, Meatlug Heroism Counter: 10 added points.)

It also takes us back to that scene in Frozen where she defended Fishlegs and so he couldn’t leave her. (Nostalgia Counter: 1. Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +30 points. 230. Additionally, Meatlug Heroism Counter: +15 added points. 25.)

Fishlegs stands by Meatlug after she gets frozen. (Fishlug/Meatlug Cuteness Counter: 10.)

Bonus (mostly non-Snotlout and Meatlug related things):

First thing Tuffnut thinks about is food and/or destruction in the morning.

Chicken was also woken up early to see all this. She is the best dragon rider.

“The chicken is not amused.” (She then leaves dramatically.)

Surely it would be more efficient in situations like this to employ either Stormfly or Hookfang to go after Hiccup instead of the one dragon that can’t fucking fly. Surely allowing the latter is just counter-intuitive.

Astrid goes “Ugh, boys” and Tuffnut is shown right next to her with this simple frown on his face as his eyes flick back to Hiccup! I don’t know why that’s so funny but it is. Shame how quick it was shown though.

“Okay, everyone. Dragon Fly One: maiden flight.” Foreshadowing. I think.

“You’re not actually thinking of trying to train it, are you?” Oh, Astrid. This is extremely ironic for when you coerce Hiccup into letting you bring Garff along on a rescue mission.

In conclusion: Meatlug is cute, Snotlout is great, Barfruff supremacy, Hiccup sabotaged having a pet Speed Stinger on the Edge, and Chicken is the supreme leader.

#httyd #race to the edge #snotlout jorgenson #his tag is sure to bring me fame. he’s the httyd version of grelle sutcliff #speed stinger #speedy #ruffnut thorston #tuffnut thorston #chicken #hiccup haddock #toothless #meatlug #fishlegs ingerman #hookfang #astrid hofferson #episode propaganda #the next big sting #original post #long post

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