On its own, “BMO” suggests that the “Adventure Time” saga is loaded with endless details that can carry their own tunes. Bring on the next one.

More importantly, it just feels fantastic to be back in this world—even if said world isn’t actually, well, Ooo. The show’s comedy writing is as sharp as ever, and a whole host of great guest stars and returning voices (Randall Park, John Hodgman, John DiMaggio, Tom Kenny, Stephen Root, and more) all bring their characters to life with that very specific Adventure Time blend of irony and sincere weirdo glee.

The first episode of Adventure Time: Distant Lands is able to add to this series without once trivializing its legacy. “BMO” proves that there are more stories to tell from the Land of Ooo, and we can trust Pendleton Ward to deliver even more heartwarming tales of adventure and friendship.

“Distant Lands” is going for 45-minute episodes, and if this BMO episode is any indication, it doesn’t have the same degree of punchiness. And perhaps because this first episode takes viewers to a whole bunch of different locations and follows BMO through some sudden emotional developments, it seems more erratic than that “Adventure Time” tightness.

AT:DL-BMO feels a bit rushed when it comes to story beats and character development. There’s simply no time for fans to develop a deep emotional attachment to these new characters so that, when their lives are upended, we feel something strongly one way or another. Luckily, BMO acts as an emotional anchor here.