Emira knowing healing magic hits so much harder in the context of Blight parent’s neglect and abuse.
Though we don’t see much of Edric and Emira post-Through the Looking Glass Ruins, the twins make a full return in Reaching Out, the A plot of the episode centering on Amity and Luz’s relations with their respective fathers and the B plot of the episode dealing with Edric’s feelings of inadequacy as he uses his varying skillsets to aid Eda in her quest recover Raine. While Amity and Edric take a prominent role in the episode, both independently working through some of the trauma related to their abuse, Emira takes a more passive role, supporting her siblings (and Luz) through her use of healing spells - a skill viewers were previously unaware that she possessed. It’s through this skill that viewers are once again presented with the responsibility Emira has assumed in Alador and Odalia’s absence.
At this point in the series, viewers are well aware of the chaos that follows Edric and Amity. From Edric crafting illegal fireworks, to Amity playing a contact sport, being used to demonstrate at her parent’s weapons showcase, and involving herself in dangerous situations to support Luz, one can only assume that the two come home banged up fairly often.
Coupled with the knowledge that Odalia and Alador are at best neglectful unless for self-serving purposes, the fact that Emira went out of her way to learn healing spells speaks volumes to her character and the gravity of the situation. While episodes like Adventures in the Elements and Through the Looking Glass Ruins do a good job of exemplifying the varying ways she’s previously stepped up to assume a protective and responsible role for her siblings’ benefit (e.g., looking after Edric, encouraging Amity’s growth as both a witch and a person), Reaching Out highlights the extent to which she has embodied it.
At this point, I think its worth noting that while the personal impacts of Odalia and Alador’s abuse have not been directly highlighted for Emira as they now have been for Amity and Edric, they have been hinted at on multiple occasions. This mainly is conveyed through Emira pleas to “[not] tell mom” of her involvement in situations that could lead to punishment. Most jarring in its potential to be overlooked however, comes just seconds after Edric is gifted a “Bad Girl Coven” shirt from Eda. Quickly taking the stage, Emira delivers a somewhat comedic yet passionate plea: “I want a shirt too!”
“How is this indicative of abuse?” you might ask? Because for Emira, its more than just a “Bad Girl Coven” shirt and comedic plea. It’s a symbol of hope and a vocal desire to be recognized. It’s an opportunity to belong to a family with an adult who cares and a need to let go. It’s a want to be heard and a chance to heal as she has healed others. It’s an open door to a mentally, physically, and emotionally healthier tomorrow.
While I could go on, I’ll close this out by saying, Emira, like her siblings, deserves way better than the abuse she’s been dealt and certainly deserves more than having to parent in her parent’s absence. And though there not a single part of me that doubts that Edric and Amity show Emira they care, Emira deserves to feel like she has someone she can fall back on.
And with that, while I know time is limited, I really hope at some point this season we get to see Emira have her “shirt” moment too.
