Tree Trunks is a polarizing character. Some people find her adorable, while others find her slow, soft-spoken demeanor slightly unsettling for a show that usually moves at a breakneck pace. But in the fourth season of Adventure Time, specifically the episode titled "Dream of Love," we got something that shifted the perspective on the show's romance dynamics forever.
It was weird. It was uncomfortable for the other characters. Honestly, it was a bit gross if you ask Finn and Jake. But Dream of Love Adventure Time remains one of the most honest depictions of "honeymoon phase" intensity ever put to animation.
When Tree Trunks and Mr. Pig fall in love, they don't just hold hands. They make everyone around them feel like a third wheel in their own lives. It’s that specific brand of obsessive, public affection that makes you want to look away but also makes you realize how rarely we see older characters—or non-traditional characters—get to be the center of a sweeping, operatic romance.
The Plot That Made Everyone Cringe (In a Good Way)
The episode "Dream of Love" isn't complicated. Tree Trunks and Mr. Pig are so deeply in love that their constant PDA is literally ruining everyone's day. They’re kissing in the markets. They’re hugging in the streets. It’s a lot. Eventually, the citizens of Ooo get fed up, and the two are told they need to tone it down or separate.
Separation is the chosen path, mostly because they can’t seem to exist in the same room without being "lovey-dovey." This leads to the central musical number, which is where the episode cements itself in the Adventure Time hall of fame.
Music has always been the heartbeat of this series. Think about Rebecca Sugar’s influence on the early seasons. Songs weren’t just filler; they were the actual emotional arc of the characters. While "I'm Just Your Problem" or "Everything Stays" usually get the most tribute videos on YouTube, "Dream of Love" is a masterpiece of subversion. It’s a duet between a small yellow elephant and a pig, and it sounds like a 1970s power ballad.
The lyrics are simple. "Dream of love, is it only a dream? / Or is it as real as it seems?"
📖 Related: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
It’s sang with such genuine, unironic passion by Polly Lou Livingston (Tree Trunks) and Ron Lynch (Mr. Pig). Livingston’s voice wasn't that of a professional singer; she was a friend of creator Pendleton Ward’s mother. That’s why it works. It sounds like a real person feeling real things, not a polished pop star.
Why We Need to Talk About Tree Trunks
Tree Trunks represents a specific archetype that Adventure Time loves to deconstruct. She’s the grandmother figure who isn't just a grandmother. She’s a woman with a past, a complex romantic history, and a desire for adventure that often puts her in mortal danger.
Remember the "Crystal Apple" episode? She basically exploded.
Most kids' shows relegate characters like her to the kitchen, baking pies. And while she does bake pies (apple pies are her brand, after all), her pursuit of Mr. Pig in Dream of Love Adventure Time shows she has a vibrant internal life. She isn't just an accessory to Finn and Jake's heroism.
The episode challenges the audience. Why do we find their love "gross"? Is it because they are animals? Is it because they are older? Finn and Jake's reaction is the audience's reaction—initial disgust followed by the realization that their joy is actually kind of beautiful, even if it’s loud and messy.
The Weirdness of Ooo’s Romance
Romance in Adventure Time is usually tragic.
👉 See also: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
- Princess Bubblegum and Marceline had centuries of baggage and a breakup that took years to heal.
- Finn’s various crushes usually ended in fire or existential dread.
- The Ice King is a walking monument to lost love and dementia.
Then you have Tree Trunks and Mr. Pig. Their love isn't tragic. It’s just... there. It’s intense and slightly annoying to neighbors, but it’s remarkably healthy compared to almost every other pairing in the Land of Ooo. They don't have a "will-they-won't-they" dynamic. They just are.
The duet "Dream of Love" serves as the bridge between their separation and their eventual compromise. It’s a moment of high drama in a world that is often cynical. By the time the song reaches its crescendo, with the split-screen showing them longing for each other across distances, you’re no longer laughing at the pig and the elephant. You’re rooting for them.
The Production Value of a 11-Minute Masterpiece
If you look at the credits for this episode, it’s a powerhouse of talent. Directed by Larry Leichliter and written/storyboarded by Bert Youn and Somvilay Xayaphone, the episode moves with a specific rhythm. Somvilay’s style is known for being a bit more surreal and "anti-board," which fits the awkwardness of the PDA scenes perfectly.
The lighting in the musical sequence is surprisingly sophisticated for a 2012 animated short. The use of warm oranges and cool blues to separate the two lovers creates a visual language that mirrors classic cinema. It’s an homage to the "star-crossed lovers" trope, played out by a character who previously spent an entire episode thinking she was a "Quartzion" in the Crystal Dimension.
Misconceptions About the Episode
A lot of fans skip "Dream of Love" on rewatches because they find the "kissing sounds" too much. I get it. It’s designed to be grating. But skipping it means you miss the most important character development for Mr. Pig, who goes from a displaced villain (from "Mr. Pig and Tree Trunks") to a sympathetic lead.
People also often forget that this episode is one of the few times we see the "common folk" of Ooo acting as a collective. Usually, the citizens are just background noise for Finn’s adventures. Here, they have a voice. They are the ones setting the social boundaries. It’s a rare look at the domestic politics of the Candy Kingdom and its surrounding areas.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
How to Appreciate the Song Today
If you go back and listen to the track now, stripped of the animation, it holds up as a genuine piece of songwriting. It’s not a "joke song." It doesn’t have a punchline in the lyrics. That is the secret sauce of Adventure Time. They take the absurd seriously.
When you treat a romance between a pig and an elephant with the same weight as a grand opera, you create something that sticks in the brain. You create Dream of Love Adventure Time.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Animators
If you’re looking to revisit this episode or apply its lessons to your own creative work, keep these points in mind:
- Embrace the Sincerity: The reason the song works is that the characters aren't "in on the joke." Write your characters with total conviction, no matter how ridiculous their situation is.
- Vary Your Romance: Not every love story needs to be about teenagers or warriors. Exploring the romantic lives of "side characters" or older characters adds world-building depth that main-story arcs can't reach.
- Music as Dialogue: Use songs to say what characters are too embarrassed or too overwhelmed to say in prose. "Dream of Love" says "I miss you" in a way a standard conversation couldn't.
- Audio Contrast: Note how the "gross" squelching sounds of the PDA are contrasted with the melodic, soaring vocals of the song. It’s a masterclass in using sound design to shift audience perspective from "disgusted" to "moved."
To truly get the most out of this episode, watch it alongside "Apple Wedding" (Season 5). It completes the arc and shows that even in a world as chaotic as Ooo, some things—like a very intense, slightly weird love—can actually last.
The next time you’re scrolling through a playlist and "Dream of Love" pops up, don’t skip it. Let the power ballad wash over you. It’s a reminder that everyone deserves a love that makes their neighbors a little bit uncomfortable.
Check out the original storyboard sketches if you can find them in the Art of Ooo books. Seeing how they planned the split-screen shots for the song provides a great look into how timing works in limited animation. Also, pay attention to the background characters' expressions during the final scene; the subtle shifts from annoyance to acceptance are what make the Land of Ooo feel like a real community.