Ep 5. Naysaya

After a few interesting and exciting episodes of Star vs. the Forces of Evil, we get to the fifth episode of the third season named Naysaya. The show, which revolves around a young magical princess named Star Butterfly and her adventures in the multiverse, has often explored the themes of teen romance and relationships. This episode is no different, as we delve deeper into the awkwardness and insecurities of adolescence.

The episode begins with Star and her best friend Marco returning to Earth after their latest adventures. Marco is excited to celebrate his "Friend-iversary" with his girlfriend Jackie, but Star is feeling a bit down and out. She isn't sure why, but something about Marco and Jackie's relationship makes her feel uncomfortable. As they walk to the house, Star suddenly transforms into a large, blue creature with a horn on her head.

Star’s sudden transformation is the result of a magical spell called "Naysaya" that manifests the insecurities of the person who cast it. In this case, Star cast the spell on herself, and now she has a living manifestation of all her doubts and fears following her around like a shadow. Naysaya speaks all of Star's deepest insecurities whenever someone around her mentions something remotely related to her doubts.

As you might imagine, this new companion proves to be quite challenging for Star to deal with. She tries to get rid of the creature, but it seems to have taken on a life of its own. It speaks up at the most inopportune moments, embarrassing and hurting everyone in its vicinity. To add insult to injury, Marco's little sister still thinks that Star is her little brother's girlfriend. With Naysaya adding fuel to the fire, everyone is starting to get the wrong idea about Star and Marco's relationship.

The episode deals with themes of insecurity and uncertainty that are common in adolescent relationships. Star is constantly questioning her feelings towards Marco, and her own self-worth. She's worried that Marco and Jackie have a better connection than they do, and that she's somehow interfering in their relationship. This is an especially poignant episode for anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong or have been struggling with their self-image.

Aside from the introspective moments, there's plenty of zany action and comedy as well. One highlight is when the group all go to a school dance, hoping to chase off the Naysaya. However, the presence of so many people just makes the creature exponentially more vocal. It's a funny sequence, and it makes Star's increasingly desperate attempts to silence the creature even more chaotic and entertaining.

Overall, Star vs. the Forces of Evil season 3 episode 5 Naysaya is a great episode that manages to combine humor and relatable characters with some deeper, more introspective moments. It's also great to see the return of Star and Marco's friendship, which has often been what gives the show its heart. While it's certainly not the most action-packed episode of the season, it's an important one that deals with some heavy themes in an entertaining and lighthearted way.