Over the Garden Wall, one of Cartoon Network’s risky bets put into a mini-series, the slow pace and tone contrast greatly with the bright, “bubblegum” aesthetics of shows like The Amazing World of Gumball or Adventure Time. Without spoiling too much, the mini-series is about two boys, Wirt and Greg, who are trying to find their way home after becoming lost in the strange woodlands called the “Unknown”. There is a heavy autumn atmosphere that is so heavy in fact, that the story has to take time to rest, eat a sandwich, and reflect on itself before resuming its hike to the end of the forest trail.

The show is defined as a mini-series consisting of episodes that adhere to continuity; however, the shows great story pacing is attributed to its episodic traits. The episodes of Over The Garden Wall follow a formula of Wirt and Greg stumbling across the locals of the unknown and the local’s subplot are explored and resolved within the episode. Each episode has subplots that make each episode feel like a world in itself, like as if the “Unknown” is a galaxy filled with planets that have life and traditions unique to each.

The different people and places for the most part feel indigenous to the setting of each episode. Different types of local culture is developed while the subplots reveal qualities in the characters not yet expressed. Wirt and greg seem like they are casually taking in the world around them while traveling, rather than sprinting in a panic.

The fusion of episodic and serial qualities complement the show’s slow pace. It allows for its serial traits to perform intimate world and character building among the audience. There is the issue of the show being too slow to capture the minds of the viewer, but that is inherent of its serial traits. The slow pace is intentionally implemented for dramatic build up. Those wanting to sprint through the “unknown” may be disappointed. Those willing to take the show at a “walking” pace will find themselves immersed in the land known as “The unknown”.

If you’d like to get a feel for the ambience and slow pace of the show, I suggest you check out the pilot episode, “Tome of the Unknown”