The Ballad of Hopediah Plantar

"The Ballad of Hopediah Plantar" is the first segment of the second episode of the second season of Amphibia, and the forty-second episode overall.

It premiered on July 18, 2020, alongside "Anne Hunter".

Synopsis
Hop Pop's efforts to be hailed as a hero backfire when he stands up to the wrong family.

Plot
While traversing through the desert, Sprig begins playing his fiddle about Hop Pop, much to Hop Pop's enjoyment. However, when Sprig mentions that Hop Pop cowered in fear and hid when the Toads attacked, Hop Pop becomes angered as he felt that Sprig left out how he was the inspiration for the rebellion to begin with. They eventually come across Bittyburg, named so because the residents are minuscule frogs whom Anne and the Plantars tower over. As they greet the residents, a toad their size named Judro Hasselback arrives demanding money from the residents. Hop Pop stands up to him and kicks him out of town; earning applause and praise from the Bitties.

Hop Pop uses the opportunity to exaggerate his previous adventures, hyperbolically of course, but when the Bitties mention that the Hassleback gang will arrive for revenge, Hop Pop is frightened as he had assumed it was only Judro. The Hasslebacks arrive almost immediately; consisting of Judro, Heathro, Ruth, Talbert Hasselback and the Matriarch the family of outlaws, Mama Hasselback. Hop Pop is challenged into removing Mama Hasselback from the town, which he is incapable of doing due to her size. Hop Pop is humiliated and he, Anne, Polly and Sprig are forced out of town, much to the Bitties' disappointment. As they head off back into the desert, Hop Pop has an epiphany. What he wanted was a song about himself when he should have been thinking about helping the townsfolk and he hatches a plan.

Hop Pop struts into town and threatens the gang, before proceeding to "attack" the Hasslebacks with his tongue. Meanwhile situated atop a nearby rock is Anne, Sprig and Polly who operate a sniper-like slingshot, flinging stones at the gang members just as Hop Pop's tongue hits them, making it appear as if his tongue was "made of iron". Mama catches on after seeing the reflection of Anne's telescope and catches the stone mid-air, before launching it back at Sprig, knocking him down. In fright, Hop Pop tries to flee, but after seeing the Bitties looking in fear and remembering Anne's words of wisdom and hearing them echoing in his head, Hop Pop overcomes his fear and bravely stood his ground. However, the Hasslebacks promptly beat up Hop Pop. As he lies in defeat, the Bitties suddenly become furious; growing teeth with their eyes turning red and attack the Hasslebacks. A child native named Bailey informs Hop Pop that he inspired them to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Freaked out by the suddenly violent Bitties, Anne and the Plantars race off back into the desert.

Elsewhere, the robot from the previous episode continues to trek through the desert.

Main Cast

 * Brenda Song as Anne Boonchuy
 * Justin Felbinger as Sprig Plantar
 * Bill Farmer as Hop Pop Plantar
 * Amanda Leighton as Polly Plantar
 * Jenifer Lewis as Mama Hasselback
 * Keith Ferguson as Judro Hasselback, Heathro Hasselback (credited as additional voices), Talbert Hasselback (credited as additonal voices) & Bailey's Dad (credited as additional voices)
 * Julian Edwards as Bailey

Additional voices

 * Eden Riegel as Ruth Hasselback, Purple Dress Bittie, Braided Hair Bittie, & Bitties
 * Sam Riegel as Scared Hat Bittie, Neckerchief Bittie, & Brown Slicked Hair Bittie

Series continuity

 * The robot from "Fort in the Road" is revealed to be following Anne and the Plantars.

Errors

 * When Sprig is singing his ballad about Hop-Pop and sings about Hop-Pop cowering away, he stops playing his fiddle. The fiddle is still heard being played however.

Trivia

 * This along with "Anne Hunter" are currently the lowest viewed episodes of the series, with 0.22 million viewers.
 * The previous lowest viewed episodes were "A Night at the Inn", "Wally and Anne", and "Reunion", all which got 0.34 million viewers in their first airings respectively.
 * This episode and "Anne Hunter" premiered a year after the Season 1 finale premiered.

Allusions

 * : Sprig's ballad about Hop Pop at the Battle of Toad Tower references Sir Robin's minstrel whose song about Sir Robin focused largely on his cowardice.
 * : The 3-second music loop in Bittyburg may be a reference to one of the earliest Internet memes.
 * : When the Bitties take down Mama Hassleback, one of them bursts out of her chest, referencing the scene when the alien embryo burst out of Kane's chest.