The Owl House is frequently praised, on this site and others, for the its inclusive LGBTQ and BIPOC characters—but not only does this show have that, it also has some amazing writing. Emperor Belos has been the main antagonist since season one of The Owl House. There have been hints throughout the series about his true identity and his ultimate plans for “The Day of Unity,” but with the latest episode, “Hollow Mind,” we have a few more answers and a lot more questions.
Spoilers for The Owl House “Hollow Mind.”
As has long been speculated, Belos is indeed the human Philip Wittebane that our lovely heroine Luz has been reading about and met in the past. Luz and Hunter, the Emperor’s “nephew,” are accidentally transported into the Emperor’s mind when the latter attempts to stop rebel witches from casting a spell. There, we are shown Belos’s true history in full for the first time.
For centuries, he has been manipulating events within the Boiling Isles after growing resentful towards witches and other demons for their “mistreatment” of him. Giving up the name Philip, he became Belos and began preaching the idea that “wild magic” and “wild witches” were chaotic and evil. He even lied, saying that wild witches killed his family. In fact, he was the one staging attacks against his life. He used the coven system as a way to take magic, and in previous times, it would cause death.
In a more recent memory, we are shown the other person helping manipulate events: the Collector. It is while talking to the Collector that is is revealed that the “Day of Unity” has the potential to destroy everyone on the Boiling Isles. Why? How? Unclear. The last major bomb to be drops is that Hunter is just some sort of clone of an old friend of Belos called the Grimwalker, and one in the latest incarnations of dead Golden Guards he has manipulated. It is a massive shock to Hunter, who now realizes he can never go back home.
We leave the episode with Belos being scarier than ever and just enough understanding of his intentions to move the plot forward—but plenty of mystery, as well, such as … why does Belos consider what he’s doing for “human protection”? What is the Collector and what do they get out of this?
One thing that does get revealed is that Darius and Eberwolf, two Coven Leaders, have been helping Raine in their rebellion against Emperor Belos. That Darius is involved makes the interactions between him and Hunter in previous episodes a lot more interesting, adding yet more rewatchability to the show. There are five more episodes left this season, and one more season to go. Goddess-speed, Dana Terrace.
(image: Disney Channel)
