User blog comment:Megadracosaurus/Adam's skill level/@comment-35455126-20190518011302/@comment-4010415-20190518165849

The Brunswick Arc isn't filler. I was gonna say "in my opinion", but then I realized it's actually fact. Filler contributes absolutely nothing and has zero relation to the plot or the characters. For example, a beach episode where nothing happens but everyone having fun. (ATLA actually turned the beach episode on its head, though, by having it be an episode filled with fleshing out characters, thus making it not filler)

Shortly after learning the truth about Salem, WBY and Oscar were left feeling hopeless, but the events at Brunswick Farm caused them to rethink their position on the situation and decide to continue fighting, just as the Oscar Goes Missing thing did to JNR. WBYJNR feeling hopeless about fighting a nigh invincible enemy is a normal response you would expect from real human beings, so having them go through that made them feel human. On top of that, the Apathy at the farm put the group in such a position that Ruby had to use her silver eyes, thus allowing Maria to discover that Ruby's eyes are silver and help her learn how to use them.

The Brunswick Arc acted as a catalyst for Ruby development, and it also pushed WBY and Oscar past their doubt about fighting against Salem so they'll actually work toward the plot instead of sitting around whining.

With Bumbleby, though, I really wish they had highlighted the relationship more, like they did with Black Sun.