There’s an adorable moment in Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin when Franklin asks Charlie Brown a question. The two are chatting like any two young kids would when Franklin expresses his appreciation for the music of Stevie Wonder, Little Richard, and James Brown. He turns to our beloved Chuck and asks, “Are you related?”
It’s one of many charming moments in Apple TV+’s new animated Peanuts special and holds a deeper layer of substance. You see, Franklin is trying to fit in after moving to a new town where he first meets the classic characters created by Charles M. Schulz. This is a sweet, heartwarming origin story for one of Peanuts’ most beloved characters. Narrated by the boy himself, it begins with spark before immediately flashing back to track Franklin in his attempts to make new friends. As a military kid always on the move, that can be challenging, as we see early on, but in every new place he dwells, Franklin turns to a trusted source—a notebook filled with his grandfather’s advice on friendship.
That’s a big theme running throughout the special. But the fact that typically calm and composed Franklin is the first Black character in the Peanuts comic strip holds a certain allure here during Black History Month. Following your heart, adjusting to life changes, having fun, and being curious are a few of the other touchpoints in a worthwhile outing suitable for the entire family.
Great Story With Deeper Messages
Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin
4/5
Release Date February 16, 2024
Director Raymond S. Persi
Writers Bryan Schulz , Craig Schulz , Cornelius Uliano , Robb Armstrong
Studio WildBrain Studios
Pros
- The Apple TV+ special is heartwarming, filled with deeper themes and messages for the whole family.
- Depictions of anxiety and lack of confidence make this, in some ways, a more mature Peanuts special.
- The animation is crisp, detailed, and beautiful to watch.
Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin is produced by Peanuts and children’s content creator WildBrain (Teletubbies, Degrassi, Yo Gabba Gabba!,) The animated special is in good hands with Emmy Award winner Raymond S. Persi (The Simpsons, Wreck-It-Ralph). But the real joy is in the script co-written by Robb Armstrong (Jump Start), Craig Schulz and Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano. Simple and enjoyable, the tale is based on an original story that Armstrong and Scott Montgomery created.
It’s a good story, in fact. Once our narrator turns back the clocks, we find Franklin arriving in his new town. From the car, he sees the characters we’ve all become familiar with—Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Sally, and the gang. He begins to realize he may stand out. He’s the only Black kid in town. He questions “the lack of variety in the place.”
He meets Linus first. Of course, the boy is tending to his Great Pumpkin Patch, making sure things will be ready for all those Great Pumpkin gifts. There’s an aw-shucks sweetness that unfolds here. Baby Boomers, of course, grew up watching the Peanuts animated specials. On a side note, how this became a Snoopy Presents endeavor has something to do with branding; however, it does draw some curiosity. We still love you, Charlie Brown.
Related Best Charlie Brown Holiday Specials, Ranked The Peanuts franchise, or simply Charlie Brown, has released these iconic holiday specials since the ’60s, which remain watched to this day.
Other encounters ensue, and as Franklin tries hard to fit in, we find him meeting Lucy at her “Doctor is in” stand. That encounter is humorous—this is blunt Lucy, after all—but again, this series surprises for diving a bit beneath the surf. We quickly learn Franklin struggles with anxiety and lack of confidence. Moments like this make the special shine, adding a level of touching nuance and realism to it.
Franklin and Charlie Brown Bonding Over a Big Goal
Things kick into gear when Franklin bonds with Charlie Brown. Franklin’s new friend is a good ploy for the series to reveal more about Franklin—from his love of music to being raised in a military family and occasional bits of wisdom passed down to him. “Grandpa always told me, ‘Don’t try to fight change because change is undefeated,” Franklin shares. On it goes, adding to the delightful mix.
At the core of the special is a soapbox derby in which the entire Peanuts gang wants to participate. Franklin and Charlie Brown team up, and their bond deepens. However, the soapbox element allows children to witness what it would be like to collaborate and be part of a team. It’s also great fun to watch, and the animation involved is sharp and effective. There’s also a key moment where Franklin is faced with having to make a key decision. It’s so very Mr. Spock a la “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,” but we get the point.
Related Charlie Brown Taught Us to Tackle Disappointment in These 10 Ways In many ways, Charles Schulz explored sadness and disappointment in the Peanuts franchise in countless educational, poignant moments.
Meanwhile, if you’ve been wondering where the iconic Snoopy fits in with all this, he’s around as eccentric and groovy as ever. Trusted sidekick Woodstock—and other occasional fowl—are by his side. There’s a nice bit showcasing Snoopy and Woodstock building their own soapbox derby car, and, well, sit back and enjoy that.
It’s also fitting to note that Schulz first introduced the character of Franklin in July 1968. He became the first Black character in the strip during tumultuous times. The times continue to seem ever-shifting, but Schulz’s bright spirit endures here. Perhaps it’s “unstoppable,” a proclamation Franklin uses here. Thank goodness for that. Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin streams on Apple TV+ on Feb. 16.
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