Sofia the First S4 E26

## Plot

Wow. We're actually here. The series finale. I almost can't believe it. Sofia and Miranda head to their old shop in the village, and see that everything is the same. Miranda reveals a pink dress and a pair of shoes. She made them for Sofia for her graduation from Royal Prep. They've come a long way. Sofia says the other kids chose her to give a speech at graduation, but she doesn't know what to say. Miranda is confident that she'll figure it out though. Amber also puts on a new dress. Cedric references the time Sofia made rubies for him, and reveals he put them in a tiara, which he gives to her. Grand Mum and Aunt Tilly arrive. And the camera focuses on Grand Mum, who doesn't have any lines. Most likely because her voice actress sadly passed away on November 24th, 2016, due to heart failure. She was eighty two years old. Over a year after this episode originally aired, I finally realized something. If Aunt Tilly and Sir Bartleby are married now, then shouldn't he be here too? Meh, even the best episodes can have plot holes, like how Isabel can somehow see Zuzo in Dreamcatcher. Stuff like that doesn't detract from the episodes at all, it's just weird once you finally realize it. And again, it took me over a year to do that. Anyways, the new song that plays is amazing, and I honestly wish I could go back in time and play it at my own high school graduation. And yes, this episode also scores a few relatability points in terms of the kids graduating and all of them going to different schools. Also, Sara Ramirez's voice during her solo section was outstanding, and I think she should've had more chances to show off her singing ability. The last time I vividly remember her singing that well was all the way back in season 1. Before Sofia can get in the carriage, she sees Skye and Chrysta. She talks to them in private. Chrysta tells her that she has to get her Enchantlet and come with them to the Mystic Isles. Azurine spotted Prisma on the Isle of Crystals, and every Protector is headed there to stop her, even trainees. Sofia tells Amber, and asks her to tell the others that she'll meet them at the graduation ceremony. While on the way, Sofia wonders why Prisma would be on the Isle of Crystals if she's after the Wicked Nine. The Protectors have them all locked up in their castle, and they retrieved the crown from her offscreen. She thinks it's a trick to make sure no one is guarding the Wicked Nine. Chrysta tells her that they left Garish the giant to guard a vault with an unbreakable lock. However, Sofia points out that Prisma could get in with her Necessi-Key. They decide to check out her hunch just in case. She's right, and Vor has Prisma perform a spell. She rises into the air, and Sofia and Chrysta have to stop her from completing the spell. They try creating a Wind Whip to bring her down, but Chrysta loses her Enchantlet, so she pulls on Sofia's with her. They're able to bring Prisma down, literally, and apprehend her. Chrysta gives Sofia her Necessi-Key back, and Sofia gives her her Enchantlet back. The other Protectors arrive, having been contacted by Chrysta, and take Prisma away. Orion sees that the locket of Vor has been destroyed, and wonders if the spirit of Vor is finally gone for good. He and Vega tell Sofia that years ago, an evil being named Vor used her magic ring to spread evil across both their worlds. The Protectors defeated her, but Vor's spirit couldn't be extinguished, so it was imprisoned in the locket. Her ring was lost, and some say it was broken into pieces, and hidden inside the Wicked Nine. If Prisma had completed the spell, she might've released Vor's spirit. At the ceremony, Miranda doesn't see Sofia. She invited Ruby, Jade, and Lucinda. Oh, I can see other parents too, like Vivian's! And I can see Hildegard's older sister Astrid! Sofia finds Desmond behind the stage. As the valedictorian, he's supposed to give a speech, but he says he's too scared. Sofia assures him that he can do it, and they give their speech together. The teachers may have taught them to be better royals, but they taught each other to be better people. All the students sing a short reprise of the Royal Prep song from the very first special. Prisma is back in her cell, and Twitch and Wormwood enter. It's revealed that she managed to complete the spell, and the spirit of Vor gives her her ring. When she puts it on though, Vor possesses her body. Wormwood and Twitch pledge their allegiance to her, and she reveals herself to the Protectors. I like her villain song. She reminds me of the Evil Queen, Maleficent, and the Wicked Witch of the West. She transforms Twitch into a unicorn. She wants revenge on the people who imprisoned her, and on Sofia for always getting in her way. After that, she plans to take over Enchancia, and then the Ever Realm. As in, the entire world. Every kingdom you've ever seen in Sofia the First or Elena of Avalor? Ruled by her. Every royal? Either imprisoned, under mind control, or dead. Yes, I consider her worse than Shuriki. Yes, Shuriki was an evil sorceress who wanted power and murdered four people (and two horses) onscreen, and tried to kill more people, but at least she was content to just take over Avalor. Vor is basically a magical version of Charlemagne, Alexander the Great, the British Empire, or the Mongols. At RPA, Vivian and Sofia both say that they're going to miss it. Vivian says it's not going to be the same with all of them going to different schools now, and wonders if they'll ever see each other again. Amber assures her that just because they're going to different schools doesn't mean they'll stop being friends, and they'll still see each other, like at the graduation party at their castle that night. Sofia sees that Clover came to her graduation. Chrysta tells Sofia about Vor escaping and possessing Prisma. She has them all trapped, and they need her help. Sofia asks Amber to tell everyone that she had to run an errand, and that she'll meet them at the party later. It's revealed that it's all a trap by Vor, who used a mind control spell on Chrysta, and imprisons her with the other Protectors. Sofia, Clover, and Skye head to the Isle of Protectors. Vor's plan is to trap them in the Mystic Isles, and then take possession of everything Sofia holds dear. She, Clover, and Skye head towards the Protectors, but they tell them that it's a trap. Sofia and Clover stop in time, but Skye is caught in the trap. It's a magic barrier that lets things in, but not out. Chrysta tells Sofia that Vor put a spell on her to make her call her, so she must want her here for a reason. Orion says that Vor is sealing up the gateway to the Mystic Isles. If they don't leave now, they'll be trapped here forever. Sofia doesn't want to leave them, but they tell her that she's the only one left who can stop Vor, and she's heading for Enchancia. Sofia transforms into a unicorn, and she's barely able to make it out in time. She spots Vor in the giant dandelion field, where she uses magic to create crystal soldiers to help her take over the kingdom. They look kind of ridiculous. Sure, there's a lot of them, but they don't look threatening, they look cute. Sofia can't stop all of them by herself, so she looks for help. At the castle, everyone is preparing for the party. Amber tells everyone else that Sofia had to run an errand, and James notes that she's been on a lot of those recently. Vivian is giving Desmond, Jade, and Ruby a lift to the party. They see Sofia as a unicorn land on the coach, and change back to normal. She explains that her amulet is magical, and she needs their help to stop an evil sorceress. They agree, because she's always been there for them. They decide to ambush the army at Dunwiddie. Ruby can set up traps, Vivian can use her magical music on them, and Desmond can grow nasty enchanted plants. Crackle and Clover will handle Twitch and Wormwood. The plan works for a bit, but then Vor gets involved directly, and things go downhill from there, even when Lucinda shows up to help. They start retreating in the coach, but Sofia asks Ruby to stop. She wants the others to warn her family while she holds off Vor and the army. However, the others tell Sofia to warn her father. They're here for her. Okay, but the coach would be a lot quicker than running. They don't have time to debate over it, and Sofia leaves. The others charge at the army, but Vor simply lifts the coach up, freezes Lucinda's broom, and puts them all under mind control, so they tell her where Sofia went. She wishes Minimus was there, and her amulet glows, but he doesn't show up. Vor, Twitch, and Wormwood confront her on the bridge to the castle. She tries to backtrack, but the other side is filled with crystal soldiers. She lassos Vor's wrist with her Enchantlet, and dodges blasts from her ring, which leads to her jumping onto the edge of the bridge. Vor cuts off part of her Enchantlet, causing her to lose her balance and fall. Luckily, Minimus appears and catches her in time. He heard her calling him, and came as quickly as he could. However, he can't land anywhere near the castle, or Vor will blast them out of the sky. He says he knows where they can go, and leaves. Vor decides to let them go and take over the castle. She and her army ambush everyone in the ballroom. *Baileywick* actually grabs a sword to fight the crystal soldiers off, with fencing that reminds me of Elena. So cool! Cedric dispatches some with his spells, but Wormwood takes his wand, and Vor puts everyone under mind control. She tells them to lock themselves in Cedric's workshop, and melts Roland's crown. She sends three crystal soldiers with them to make sure they don't run off. She turns the sky dark blue and green. It's revealed that the safe place Minimus was referring to was the Secret Library. Yay, we get to see it again! They see the sky, and realize that Vor must've gotten into the castle. Sofia is worried, because everyone she knows is in there. Minimus suggests trying to save them, but Sofia says she couldn't stop them the first time, and that Vor was right, she can't stop her on her own. Minimus suggests getting more help, but Sofia says there's no one left to help. There's nothing left at all. Her amulet glows blue, and the library selects "The Tale of Princess Sofia." It's a story about her. Suddenly, we get one of the biggest bombshells of the entire series: The missing parents are actually mentioned! Sofia's birth father, Birk Balthazar, was a sailor who died at sea. It's finally revealed that Roland's first wish was for a family, because his wife Lorelei couldn't bear children. The wish came true, and James and Amber were born. However, the queen fell ill and passed away. This was the part where I finally cried. The twins were happy, but they never knew what it was like to have a mother, until Roland and Miranda fell in love and married. Sofia loved her new family, and became a princess, with the responsibility to protect her family, friends, and everyone in her kingdom. When the evil Vor took everything she held dear, Sofia was faced with her biggest challenge yet. Sofia says she already tried to give the story a happy ending, and failed. Suddenly, the narrator *talks to her,* and reminds her that she's the Storykeeper. The blue gate thing that the books go into suddenly transforms into a man. He introduces himself as the first Storykeeper. He built the Secret Library years ago, and filled it with unfinished stories. Not many have been able to follow in his footsteps, especially someone as young as Sofia. Everyone she loves is in danger, and only she can save them. She has to be willing to face this evil on her own, and be prepared to sacrifice everything. Today may have been her graduation, but the ultimate test still lies before her. He wishes her luck, and disappears. So, Alacazar's appearance and line about talking books was totally foreshadowing this, right? Sofia decides to go back for her family. Minimus can't come though, because she has to go alone to sneak in. She tells him to make sure her friends in the village are alright, and then meet her on the far side of the harbor. She remembers that the tiara boat is on the other side, and transforms into a mermaid to swim through the river. She makes herself small to fit into the secret passage to her room. She sees that all of the guards and servants have been hypnotized. She uses her WhichWay bow to find her family. She sees the three crystal soldiers guarding the entrance to Cedric's tower. Mia and Robin ask her what's going on. She uses her amulet to transform into a bird, so she can fly through an open window. She asks Mia and Robin to get some help to distract the guards. She sees that everyone is under mind control, and claims that Vor asked her to get an un-bewitching spell from Cedric. She uses his family wand to undo the mind control, and everyone returns to normal. She explains that Vor used to be an evil crystal master from the Mystic Isles, until an evil spirit turned her into Vor. It turns out that Aunt Tilly is familiar with the Mystic Isles and the Protectors. Of course she is, because Tilly is the greatest aunt ever. Sofia reveals that she's training to become a Protector, and Miranda and Roland ask when all this happened. She promises to explain everything after they leave. Mia, Robin, Whatnaught, and Rex take care of the crystal guards. The family, Cedric, and Baileywick get on a boat. They plan to leave Enchancia to make sure the royal family is safe, and then Roland will come back later. His family is more important to him than anything. Sofia agrees, but says that when you're in charge, it's like the whole kingdom is your family. She has to fight for everyone, even if she's the one who takes the fall. Amber says she's right, and also wants to go back. Miranda knows they mean well, but they're still children. Sofia sees Minimus flying towards her, and transforms into a flying horse. I guess that's one way to have the rest of your family learn your amulet is magical. Amber jumps on her back to go with her, and they start flying back. James, Tilly, and Cedric also want to go back, and are able to convince the others to turn the boat around. Minimus, Sofia, and Amber land in the tree house. Vor sends her army out to conquer the rest of the Ever Realm. Minimus tells Sofia that her friends are under a mind control spell. She doesn't know how they're going to beat Vor. Amber asks if her amulet has a power that can stop her. She remembers that Elena was once trapped inside it. Oh for the love of Pete, just reference each other by name already! Yes, I know if the two constantly did that it would diminish and undermine the power their special/team up has in the first place, but that doesn't mean you couldn't do something like *Power Rangers: Beast Morphers* with subtle references and cameos. I still get chills when Elena says Sofia's name for the first time. The music definitely helps. Sofia can trap Vor inside the amulet, but that means that it wouldn't be the same anymore. She's willing to take that chance though. In the throne room, Vor tells Twitch and Wormwood that they're not stopping at the Ever Realm. Sofia and Amber sneak in with the Necessi-Key. Vor explains that above the island of pirates and fairies, beyond the second star to the right, lies a portal to another world. Once she finishes conquering the Ever Realm, she'll take over that one. Yes, I freaked out at the possibility of Neverland. There's also the fact that from Neverland, you can get to our world. Amber drops a curtain on Twitch and Wormwood. Sofia wishes that Vor was trapped inside the amulet, and throws it at her. However, Vor uses her ring to grab Sofia's foot, and starts pulling her in with her. Amber tries to save her, but fails, and Sofia is pulled into the amulet. All of Vor's spells are undone, and– Wait, it's still daytime? Seriously? The sun should be setting at the very least. The amulet is now mostly green, with a little pink in the center. Cedric, Baileywick, and the rest of the royal family enter, and see Twitch and Wormwood. Cedric traps them both in cages. Amber tells them that Vor pulled Sofia into the amulet. We see her fall through the amulet, and this is the part where I *really* starting freaking out. She falls through a variety of backdrops that reference Disney Princesses. Another Alice in Wonderland reference? I couldn't catch them all, but I know I saw a dragon (Mulan), the Genie's lamp (Jasmine), snowflakes (Elsa and Anna), the magic mirror (Snow White), a tiara with two pink gems (Aurora), a yellow rose (Belle), a frog (Tiana), a pumpkin carriage (Cinderella), a bunch of leaves (Pocahontas), a sun, what looks like long blond hair (Rapunzel), a symbol I know was in Brave, a bear footprint (Merida), and the Scepter of Light. That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen! I love how when she finally falls to the floor, it sounds like glass lightly breaking. I don't know why I like it, it's just a nice sound effect. The amulet turns green, and Sofia finds Vor right in front of her. She instinctively reaches for her amulet, but she's inside it. She tries to wish her way out of it, but it doesn't work. Vor says that soon, she'll be the only one there, because she knows Sofia's greatest fear has finally come true. She's all alone, with no friends or family to help her. She's blasted back, but sees reflections of all ten Disney Princesses that her amulet has summoned. It's weird that I couldn't find any references to *The Little Mermaid*. And I really wish a vision of Sofia's family and Elena could've shown up as well, and maybe even all of Sofia's friends and allies that didn't even get a silent cameo. Sofia tells Vor that the love you give comes back to you, and makes you stronger than ever. Their duet is amazing, and I love how it goes from Vor clearly being in control to Sofia. She's more than just a girl. She's small, but she can feel how much she's grown. Her love, determination, willpower, and pure heart manifest as a light that's able to finally extinguish Vor's spirit once and for all. This frees Prisma of her possession, and causes the amulet to turn white, before returning to being fully pink. Prisma apologizes for everything, saying she never meant for all this to happen. That heel face turn came out of nowhere. Then again, I guess being possessed by someone more evil than you who was just using you the whole time really puts things into perspective. They wonder if they're going to be stuck in the amulet forever. Roland asks Cedric if he can get Sofia out. He might have a spell that will work, but it will require a great deal of magic. He finds the spell in his workshop, and uses the painting of his parents to ask for their help. In the courtyard, the animals return, along with Sofia's friends. Amber tells them what happened. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather show up. Everyone wants to help, so Cedric tells everyone to join hands and make a circle. Chrysta, Orion, Vega, Garish, and Skye also show up to help. Oh sure, now it's night time. This is an awesome moment, but I wish it could've included even more people, like Oona, Miss Nettle, Princess Ivy, Princess Charlotte, Cordelia, Calista, Hugo, Zandar, Zooey, Khalid, Lakshmi, Jun, Jin, Clio, Hildegard, Kari, Lani, etc. I understand why they chose who they did though, and animating all of those characters just for fan service and continuity nerds like me would've been insanely difficult. I think they chose Ruby and Jade because they're Sofia's old friends from the village. Sofia was Vivian's first friend at RPA, and she's voiced by Sabrina Carpenter; Desmond is smart and endearing; and Lucinda is a fan favorite. Amber wonders what they'll do if the spell brings back Vor too, but Roland says they'll be ready for her. Everyone, all twenty eight characters, concentrate on Sofia and the amulet. The spell works, and Sofia and Prisma are freed. Sofia reunites with her friends and family, and Prisma is taken back to the Mystic Isles. Roland is grateful to Cedric for saving Sofia again, and tells him that from now on, he'll be known as Cedric the Great. Sofia assures everyone that Vor is gone for good. Orion says that she's proven herself more than worthy and ready to be a Protector. She's officially made the Protector of the Ever Realm, and given a gorgeous new Protector outfit. Chrysta congratulates her, and she says she never could have done it without her. Miranda isn't too keen on the idea, especially given what just happened, but Tilly says she'll explain it all to her inside. Everyone starts heading inside for the graduation party. Cedric looks at the amulet, picks it up, smiles, and returns it to Sofia. She thanks him for getting her back, and calls him Cedric the Great. Amber tells Sofia that what she did was the most noble thing she's ever seen, and she was so scared that she lost her. Sofia assures her that they'll never lose each other, because they're sisters. Amber agrees, and says she's going to make a great Protector. Sofia tells her that she's going to make a great queen. Amber the First. Spin-off, spin-off right now please! I'm just kidding, but I did see a shooting star in the sky. Yes, I know it's actually a comet. The girls head inside, and the special, and with it, the series, finally comes to a close.

## Review

This is my favorite episode ever, for obvious reasons. The animation is gorgeous, the songs are Broadway or movie worthy, the score is awe-inspiring at times, and seeing all the characters complete their character development after almost six years and a hundred and seven episodes feels extremely rewarding, especially if you're like me and have been with this show since the beginning, through all the long hiatuses and unexpected developments and theories, some of which turned out to be true. Cedric finally gets the title he wanted, and the respect he deserved. Amber and Sofia reaffirm that they're sisters who will never lose each other, and Amber shows just how selfless she truly is now. Roland and Miranda learn to accept that their kids are growing up, and are so unbelievably strong and brave. These kids can handle the forces of evil, especially Sofia. Everyone learns the truth about Sofia's amulet and her Protector duties. The voice acting is incredible, especially towards the end. Everyone hit all the right notes, literally. Major props to everyone who has ever worked on this show, no matter how big or small their contribution was. You're a part of what made this journey so amazing. I loved all the references and continuity nods and foreshadowing. There's references to past songs, episodes, other Disney shows and movies, and even a Tumblr user. There was so much I wasn't expecting, and I spent a good chunk of time pacing, running around, and freaking out. So many questions were answered, including ones I wasn't even asking. If I had only three complaints, it would be that Sofia's hair is in that impossible ponytail again, which is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things; Wormwood never reforms, which makes the Hexley Hall episode rather meaningless; and the special felt too short. I wish it could've been even longer. Like theatrical movie length, hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink. The physics are a tad weird. Don't get me wrong, the hair and fabrics move and react to wind, even the earrings, but Sofia's amulet doesn't always do that, even when I'm pretty sure it should. It moves when she's running, but not when she's doing all the climbing and jumping and stuff on the boat. It's not Sun's necklace, it shouldn't be glued onto her character model. It should behave independently, and react to outside stimuli like gravity or wind or sudden movement. It's like I literally can't believe a lot of things that happened in this special. I'm not even sure if my brain has processed the fact that it's over. Maybe it's because I'm still reviewing it, or because we still have *Elena of Avalor* to get through. I'm honestly a little surprised that I didn't cry more. Normally when a Disney show ends, I either bawl in a mix of sadness and joy, or I squeal in excitement. Granted, there are exceptions to that rule, like *Shake It Up* with its predictable story beats, or *Dog with a Blog* with all its weird time skips, among other things, or shows that I was never really interested in, or didn't watch the series finale of. Anyways, I'm sad that it's all over, but glad that it ended on such a high note. Sofia, you rose up and shone as bright as a star. Thank you for being such a big, wonderful, amazing, and encouraging part of my life. I love you, Sofia the First.