Apple TV+ recently released the Peanuts special titled ‘Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin.’ It’s a significant moment for the iconic comic strip as it focuses on Franklin Armstrong, its first Black character. And while celebrating Franklin the special referenced the controversial 1973 special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” where Franklin is depicted sitting alone on one side of the dinner table.
This scene had been controversial over the years, drawing attention to issues of segregation. In response, the new special, now available on Apple TV+, addresses and rectifies this moment, showcasing all the beloved Peanuts characters rallying around Franklin to symbolize inclusivity and unity.
Craig Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, emphasized the significance of this move in an interview with The Daily Beast. He revealed, “It was very important to my son Bryan. He said, ‘This is our chance to kind of rectify the whole thing.’”
Raymond S. Persi, the director, explained the meticulous approach to recreating the emotional scene, aiming to match it precisely to the original shot from the Thanksgiving special. This attention to detail aims to evoke a sense of connection and familiarity for viewers.
The introduction of Franklin to the Peanuts universe in 1968 faced significant backlash, with newspapers initially refusing to run comics featuring him. Schulz recalled the challenges his father faced in advocating for inclusion and diversity in the comic strip, drawing parallels between the social climate of 1968 and the present day.
Despite the initial resistance, Franklin became an integral part of the Peanuts crew, representing progress and inclusivity in popular media. “Welcome Home, Franklin” celebrates his legacy while reinforcing the timeless message of unity and friendship that defines the Peanuts universe.
The special ‘Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home,’ is “the origin story for one of Peanuts’ most beloved characters, the special follows Franklin as he moves to a new town and navigates new friendships. Franklin’s family is always on the move with his dad’s military job, and everywhere he goes Franklin finds support in a notebook filled with his grandfather’s advice on friendship. But when Franklin tries his usual strategies with the Peanuts gang, he has trouble fitting in. That’s until he learns about the neighborhood Soap Box Derby race — according to his grandfather, everyone loves a winner! He’s sure that winning the race will also mean winning over some new friends. All he needs is a partner, which he finds in Charlie Brown. Franklin and Charlie Brown work together to build a car and in the process become good buddies. But as the race nears, the pressure mounts — can their car and their newfound friendship make it to the finish line?”
Through heartwarming moments and nostalgic callbacks, the special honors Franklin’s place in the Peanuts legacy and underscores the enduring relevance of its themes.
Check out the trailer below and watch ‘Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin’ on Apple TV.
