By Rowan Bernstein ’22
Staff Writer
Packed with childhood nostalgia, anime references and plenty of adventure, Cartoon Network’s “Craig of the Creek” seems to have something for audiences of all kinds, including those looking to see themselves represented on screen. The series has always featured a great deal of diversity among its young characters, and recently, LGBTQ+ characters have taken center stage in a touching episode about self-acceptance.
The animated series follows 10 year old amateur mapmaker Craig Williams (Philip Solomon) as he and his friends adventure through the woods surrounding their local creek. While exploring their fictional town of Herkleton, Maryland, they meet a diverse cast of “creek kids,” like the “Horse Girls” and the dirtbike-riding “10 Speeds,” who make the creek their home from the last school bell until dinnertime.
“Craig of the Creek” recently kicked off its fourth season with a bang, releasing eight episodes in one day. The last of these episodes, titled “Fire & Ice,” was particularly noteworthy, as it featured one of the main characters, Kelsey Pokoly (Noël Wells), coming to terms with her crush on another girl: her close friend Stacks (Montse Hernandez). Kelsey and Stacks host a book club that encourages members to share their writing. The two collaborate on a story about two fantasy warriors named Fire and Ice, who seem to have a romantic connection. In a moment of peril, Fire confesses her feelings for Ice, saying, “Whether in death or in life, you’re the one I long for by my side.” When Kelsey and Stacks read their story to the group, Kelsey is shocked to hear that her friends have noticed similarities between the authors and their characters, and she runs away, feeling embarrassed.
In “Fire & Ice,” writers and storyboard artists Leiana Nitura and Ashley Tahilan achieve a perfect balance between implicit and explicit discussion of Kelsey’s real feelings toward Stacks. On the surface, she feels guilty that her work may be derivative of her and her friends’ personalities. But when she asks herself if they are really so similar and whether that would “be OK,” it’s clear that she is worried about more than just her story. Luckily, Kelsey’s friend J.P. (H. Michael Croner) has an idea. He suggests that Kelsey talk to his sister’s girlfriend, Kat (Charlet Chung), a professional writer. Kat reassures Kelsey that there’s nothing wrong with writing what you know, and that “you shouldn’t hold back any beautiful part of yourself.” Kelsey eventually gains the confidence to finish her story with Stacks, and the episode concludes with the girls confessing their feelings for one another.
In an era where more and more children’s shows are beginning to feature LGBTQ characters, “Fire & Ice” still manages to stand out. Other animated shows like “The Owl House” and “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” depict fantasy settings in which LGBTQ+ identities and relationships are a simple fact of life. Two of the main characters in “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” Adora and Catra, face many obstacles in their relationship, but the fact that they are both girls is never one of them. In “The Owl House,” protagonist Luz is open and comfortable with her bisexuality. These kinds of portrayals are undoubtedly important, but so are stories like Kelsey’s, where real-world homophobia plays an underlying role.
While “Craig of the Creek” already features a variety of more minor LGBTQ+ characters — both kids and grown-ups alike — the reality is that, even with positive role models and an accepting community, kids may still face internal struggles when it comes to accepting their own identities. By allowing Kelsey to grapple with her feelings about her sexual orientation, the writers are able to tell a validating and realistic story.
“Fire & Ice” delivers all the fun of a typical “Craig of the Creek” episode. On top of that, it showcases a sweet same-sex relationship and, above all, tells kids who see themselves in Kelsey that they, too, will be OK.