A teen aged over achiever (Dwight) who lives with his grandmother accidentally awakens a medieval princess who declares him her champion despite the fact that he's better with a planner than a pike. Also awakened is the princess' court magician, her clod of a cousin and a smoothly seductive witch along with a host of monsters, warlocks, and warriors all of whom have it in for the princess with only the nervous Dwight between her and doom (luckily she's not too bad with a sword).
It's just a lot of fun. Do NOT try to apply to much logic to the context like why is an ancient medieval kingdom anywhere near an American suburb or how is it that the suburbanites remain unaware of the fact that the woods are suddenly full to the brim with fairy tale escapees or why no one really questions why a teenaged girl goes around wearing armor accompanied by a huge shaggy-bearded guy in a robe. Just let the comedic fairy tale skewering commence. Sloan Morgan Siegel and Caitlin Carmichael are really really good as the central characters around which the series revolves. Siegel in particular seems very talented, able to flip from comic line delivery, outraged expressions, and physical comedy with ease (see the episode where he's cursed with bad luck as a prime example of all three). Carmichael is basically plays it straight and her earnestness is appealing but she can be funny, too (see the episode where a spell makes her fall in love with the paper boy). But hats off to McCrary's Balric. He obliviously booms and struts through suburbia with such comical panache (see the episode where he becomes the announcer for a basketball game). And Danielle Busutti's Hexala has to be the funniest and wittiest witch since Endora.
On the negative side, the special effects are pretty primitive (think Saturday Morning Cartoon quality) and some episodes are better than others and at different points, the small budget shows. But what strikes me is how many talented unknowns there are out there. Rarely do I see an actor I've seen before but with few exceptions they all hit the right notes in their parts. In the end, it's a series that doesn't take itself too seriously but just wants the viewer to have a good time. Mission accomplished!
