9. The Jelly Lakes | Genuine

: The relationship between Tuca and Bertie is the episode's anchor. Tuca鈥檚 fierce protection of Bertie highlights the importance of platonic intimacy in healing.

: Critics at Yahoo Entertainment highlighted Shauna McGarry's writing as a "Dream Ballot" contender.

"The Jelly Lakes" reminds us that while we cannot change our past, we can choose who stays by our side as we navigate the wobbly, uncertain waters of recovery. It remains a masterclass in using animation to tell the most human of stories. 9. The Jelly Lakes

: It portrays the "freeze" response to trauma with painful accuracy, moving away from typical TV tropes of immediate confrontation.

: Many viewers reported that the episode鈥檚 ending鈥攁 quiet swim in the jelly鈥攑rovided a rare sense of "full-on sobbing" catharsis . 馃摑 Final Thought : The relationship between Tuca and Bertie is

The episode follows Bertie and Tuca on a road trip to the titular Jelly Lakes, a nostalgic summer retreat from Bertie鈥檚 youth. What begins as a quest for peace鈥擝ertie鈥檚 attempt to reconnect with her former track coach, Meredith Maple鈥攓uickly unravels into a raw exploration of and childhood trauma .

: The inclusion of Meredith Maple and her wife, Pat, provided a grounded look at queer life outside the city, as noted by LezWatch.TV. "The Jelly Lakes" reminds us that while we

: Bertie鈥檚 anxiety reaches a fever pitch as she realizes the coach she idolized may not offer the sanctuary she remembers.