Right from the outset, The Pupa, from the hit animated show Solar Opposites, has captured viewers’ attention and imagination.
Despite its innocuous and adorable appearance, The Pupa embodies an enigma that fuels the plotline of the show. Almost caterpillar-like in form, it is a character of few words, to say the least – it does not speak. This silent exterior, however, belies an undercurrent of complex and intriguing possibilities.
The Pupa’s Evolution
Underneath the surface of this deceptive silence, the Pupa is a ticking time bomb waiting to evolve into its mature form. But what happens then?
The show presents an ambiguous, impending sense of doom; The Pupa is destined to terraform Earth into a replica of the aliens’ home planet, Shlorp. This central plot point keeps the audience riveted, wondering when and how this transformation will unfold.
Voiced by
- Sagan McMahan
- Liam Cunningham (“Retrace-Your-Step-Alizer”)
A Silent Revolution
The Pupa’s metamorphosis forms a critical arc in Solar Opposites. The creators have brilliantly entwined an ongoing subplot throughout the episodes, depicting the Pupa’s unique and independent adventures. These misadventures often reveal more about the Pupa’s latent capabilities, thereby maintaining viewer engagement and anticipation.
These solo escapades serve to display the Pupa’s exceptional durability and resilience. Its indestructible nature, combined with a seemingly infinite capacity to consume anything and everything, depicts the character as a dormant powerhouse. The running gag of the Pupa devouring everything in its path, from inanimate objects to living creatures, not only serves as comedic relief but also highlights its immeasurable potential.
The Pupa’s Appearance
The Pupa, a delightful character from Solar Opposites, captivates the viewers with its cute, slug-like figure. Its exterior, initially a vibrant shade of yellow, is anything but static. As the show unfolds, we witness an enthralling color-shifting phenomenon that directly corresponds to the Pupa’s impending transformation into a terrifying planet destroyer.
These shifting hues – a rich palette encompassing yellow, fiery orange, delicate pink, regal purple, fresh green, and deep blue – add visual appeal and act as a dynamic progress bar of doom, enticing viewers with each color change.
In the highly anticipated Season 3 episode, “The Fog of Pupa”, a rare spectacle unfolds. The Pupa temporarily dons an unusual amalgamation of Pacific blue and seafoam green, visually indicating an anomaly in its evolutionary journey.
This episode is a testament to the creators’ imaginative prowess, as they continue to use the Pupa’s unique physiology to signal critical plot developments in the most visually stunning manner.
More Than Just Comic Relief
On a surface level, The Pupa’s actions seem to serve purely as comedic fillers, often delivering punchlines without uttering a single word. The Pupa’s childlike innocence, however, juxtaposed with its impending potential to bring about world-changing events, creates a brilliant element of absurdity.
It’s this absurdity that enriches the show, making the Pupa an indispensable character. This blend of humor, mystery, and looming threat works to maintain the show’s rhythm while keeping viewers constantly intrigued about the Pupa’s ultimate purpose.
The Pupa’s unpredictable behaviors and unanticipated interactions with the surroundings also provide valuable insights into its evolving capabilities.
Personality
The Pupa keeps us guessing with its wavering intelligence. Most of the time, it mirrors the behavior of a naive pet or a curious infant. However, it occasionally shocks viewers with displays of acute intelligence, unexpected brutality, and surprising cruelty.
Intriguingly, the Pupa exhibits a keen interest in the events unfolding within The Wall. It often positions itself inconspicuously in the background, almost as if it’s secretly observing the happenings. Even more comically, it once captures a private moment between Tim and Cherie with a smartphone, suggesting a deeper level of understanding than one might initially presume.
In fact, the Pupa’s fascination with The Wall is comparable to an individual engrossed in their favorite TV show. There’s an insatiable curiosity that it displays towards the encapsulated society.
Additionally, the Pupa shows a peculiar affinity for its Harry Potter Wand Whistle. It cherishes this toy so much that it undertakes elaborate measures to retrieve it when lost.
Whether it’s playing the role of a reuniter, bringing a father and son together, or turning into an unexpected dream therapist for a woman, the Pupa displays an unusual yet amusing mix of intelligence and playfulness.
A Deeper Dive
Beyond its narrative role, the Pupa serves as a commentary on the overarching theme of the show – the concept of the outsider. Although it is part of the alien quartet, the Pupa’s role is starkly different from the rest. It doesn’t partake in the same human-world experiences as its fellow aliens, thereby representing the ultimate outsider even within its group.
This uniqueness sets the stage for rich, thematic exploration. The Pupa’s silent, impenetrable character challenges our traditional understanding of communication and empathy. In spite of its silence, the Pupa shares significant emotional moments with the audience, drawing them into its world of unspoken expressions.
Unraveling the character of the Pupa is like exploring an endless mystery – there’s always more than meets the eye. As viewers, we can only stay tuned and watch as the layers unfold, revealing the true depth of this adorable yet ominously powerful creature.
What is a Puppa? Solar Opposites
Pupa vs. Crows
The episode “The Unstable Grey Hole” from Season 1 certainly showcases one of the Pupa’s most memorable exploits. In this episode, the Pupa reinforces its status as an indispensable player! The adventure leads the Pupa into the woods, where a murder of crows ambushed it.
The Pupa’s response to one particularly unfortunate bird that lunged at it, was nothing short of badass. The Pupa grabbed the crow by the feet, slammed it into the ground, creating a rather gruesome sight. Wearing the brutally slain crow’s skull like a crown, the Pupa triumphantly raised its hands while the remaining crows scattered in fear.
This scene could easily be mistaken for a moment from a medieval battlefield. The Pupa’s voice, portrayed by Sagan McMahan, adds a delightful contrast to this violent spectacle. The Pupa’s infant-like “ow” makes it difficult to associate the character with the violent scene unfolding.
Why did Pupa Turn Blue?
In the season finale of Season 2, the Schlorpians learn their fate when the Pupa turns pacific blue, signaling their impending doom by midnight according to the color swatch.
As the Solar Opposites oscillate between destruction of their belongings and a scramble for fulfillment via self-elimination, the Pupa bides its time, ominously prepping its tools.
Unexpectedly, post-death, the Solar Opposites resurrect as trees, their unique fruits devoured by the Pupa. The doomsday still appears distant, promising many more adventures with the remarkable blob.