Moominvalley (2019) placed great emphasis on Snufkin’s fear of being replaced and/or forgotten. We’re so used to seeing Moomin’s side of the story, where he wishes Snufkin didn’t leave, misses him when he’s gone, and has nightmares of him getting hurt, or never coming back. Snufkin always promises he’ll be back, but what if one day, that’s not enough for Moomin?
During the second episode we see Snufkin declaring he isn’t ready to return to Moominvalley yet. He meets Ti-ti-uu who tirelessly asks Snufkin about Moomin, and if he’s going back to see him. This irritates Snufkin greatly. He lashes out saying that he’ll go whenever he wants, or maybe he won’t go at all. Ti-ti-uu sadly mutters that, that would make Moomin sad. Snufkin remains frustrated.
This is the part of the episode that revolves around Snufkin’s need for solitude. He needs to have time to himself. Being free and able to come and go as he pleases is in his nature. It would be his greatest loss to have that taken away from him. Snufkin leaves Moominvalley for the winter to be alone and heal. A long winter of solitude makes returning in spring an irreplaceable treasure to him.
When Moomin asks to come with him, he refuses right away. He just needs Moomin to understand he needs to be alone. He promises that when Moomin wakes up in spring, he’ll come back.
But in the second episode of Moominvalley, Snufkin is late. He knows Moomin is waiting for him. After his exchange with Ti-ti-uu, Snufkin has a nightmare where he returns to Moominvalley. Hedgehog tells him he shouldn’t bother to return, since no one remembers him anymore. Snufkin climbs up to knock on Moomin’s window and calls his name, but Moomin doesn’t notice him. Moomin is with Ti-ti-uu. Snufkin falls down from the window.
This part of the episode is so cherish-able, because it tells us that Snufkin has worries and fears as well. What if one day, Moomin gets tired of waiting for Snufkin? Is it selfish for Snufkin to leave Moomin waiting for him, and expect him to be there whenever he comes back? Moomin has many other friends, and he could easily find a new best friend if he wanted.
Snufkin’s friendship with Moomin, and his need for solitude are in a conflict with each other. What if there was a day, where he’d need to choose one or the other?
When he wakes up, Snufkin decided it’s time to return to Moominvalley to see Moomin. He realizes that he misses Moomin. But he’s happy about it. It must bring him joy to feel longing. When you miss someone, getting to see them again is a joy worth treasuring.
Anyway, thanks Moominvalley for this characterization!
