Helluva Boss season 3 part 1 ending explained: Surprise returns and frayed relationships

**Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Helluva Boss season 3, part 1’s finale**

Helluva Boss season 3 has been chaotically neurotic, largely returning the series to its beloved frenzied roots. Yet, compared to the festering grudges of the Wrath Ring and the high drama of Judge Jiner’s courtroom, the part 1 finale ends on a tender, surprisingly tame note. Still, there’s a boatload of aggression, anguish, and expletives to get through before we reach this bittersweet mid-season conclusion.

Last we checked in with the antics of IMP, Stolas (Bryce Pinkham) was being swept off of his talons by the flamboyantly dashing Vassago (Harvey Guillén), while Blitzo (Brandon Rogers) grappled with his unrequited feelings. My, how the tables have turned. Blitzo is still where we left him, though with a new, unhealthy coping mechanism: torturing a mangled Fizzarolli (Alex Brightman) robot that he fought in episode 6.

Having returned from the dilapidated husk that’s now Loo Loo Land, episode 7 sees Blitzo locked away in his office, seemingly hiding from his problems. It’s a stark contrast to Stolas, who is now going on dates with Vassago, his old life tangibly within reach.

There’s just one crucial component missing for the disgraced prince, and that’s his daughter, Octavia (Barrett Wilbert Weed). All he wants is that magical reunion, but will Stolas get it? If Vassago has anything to say about it, he will. But can it really be that simple?

It’s time to unpack Helluva Boss season 3, part 1’s finale.

Helluva Boss season 3 part 1 ending explained: Do Stolas and Octavia reunite?

Though it seemed an impossible task, given Octavia’s bubbling teenage angst and Stolas’s banishment, the two do finally meet. After Stolas reveals to Vassago that he’d always planned to be Via’s magic mentor once she turned 18, Vassago suggests, no, promises to become Via’s mentor instead. Then, with him acting as her teacher, he can facilitate the reunion Stolas so desperately seeks.

Much like his winning bids on Stolas’s personal effects, Vassago succeeds with ease. Moreover, he gets Via to agree to meet Stolas. Months of unanswered texts suddenly bear responses, and though they’re only emoji-based, Stolas is on cloud nine.

Via turns up, looking markedly different from her usual self, something which Stolas remarks on. However, she explains it away as the normal result of her growing up and the passage of time. While initially strained, the tension between the father-daughter duo thaws considerably, soon resulting in a heart-to-heart ballad that’s easily one of the better songs of this season thus far.

By the time the two say goodbye, Via is so accepting of her father’s apology that she hugs him, leaving Stolas further indebted and enamoured with Vassago.

This should be cause for celebration, but cynical fans will be wondering if that was truly Via, especially due to Vassago’s playful quip about illusion magic earlier in the episode. As much as fans long to see Stolas and Via back on good terms, this reconnection is too neatly wrapped up to not evoke scepticism.

Why does Barbie return?

Barbie Wire (Jinhee Joung), AKA Barbie Buckzo, AKA Blitzo’s twin sister, is enigmatic, though arguably no more charming than her brother. Having told Blitzo in no uncertain terms to leave her alone in season 2, she suddenly returns in need of her brother’s support. Financial support, that is.

If you’ve yet to watch episode 7, Barbie’s return may feel jarring, but in episode 6, Fizz and Barbie are friends, and now that Fizz is friends with Blitzo again, he gently encourages her to give her brother a chance. If you’re expecting this reconciliation to pan out like Stolas and Via’s apparently did, you’re in for a rough ride. Barbie, while quick to defend her brother when a vengeful Striker shows up (yes, he’s back for more), she’s not ready to forgive nor forget.

Keen to make a quick buck, Barbie haphazardly takes on an IMP job, despite Blitzo trying to warn her that she doesn’t know the human world as well as he does. As much as it pains Barbie, Blitzo is right, and the pair soon find themselves targeted by gun-toting hillbillies. Barbie’s lack of finesse causes issues. These are then further compounded by Striker’s crazed bloodlust, a thirst that nearly sees Blitzo die in a watery grave as Striker promises to start an imp uprising in Hell.

Fortunately, Barbie saves Blitzo and disarms Striker, though not through physical prowess but with her provocative charms. This sets the stage for a worrying partnership between Barbie and Striker, leaving Blitzo distraught as he watches his sister disappear with the enemy.

Are Stolas and Blitzo officially over?

Both exhausted from emotional, albeit vastly different experiences, Stolas and Blitzo return home. What should be a touching moment between the pair becomes bittersweet, as Blitzo listens to Stolas gush about how marvellous Vassago is.

Even though Blitzo struggles to see Stolas so infatuated with another, he expresses his happiness for Stolas at getting his daughter back before he goes outside for a smoke.

It’s such a quiet end to a turbulent episode, very reminiscent of season 2’s finale; the theatrics soon give way to a gentle sorrow, laced with love and despair in equal measure.

What does Roo's appearance mean?

Roo has mostly been confined to the Hazbin Hotel, but has now appeared in Helluva Boss. Technically, Roo’s watchful eyes show up in episode 6, but given creator Vivienne Medrano’s plans for this elusive character, such a cameo, while brief rather than the full-blown crossover that’s needed, is worth mentioning.

If Roo’s eyes are also watching IMP, it begs the question of what they have planned for Hell and all its characters.

Helluva Boss season 3 is available to stream on Prime Video. You can sign up to Amazon Prime Video for a 30-day free trial.

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