Cursed has debuted on Netflix promising a violent prequel world to the Arthurian legends! It is based on the Cursed (2019) novel written by Tom Wheeler and illustrated by Frank Miller. Wheeler created the superhero series series The Cape which ran from 2010 to 2011. Miller is known as a writer and artist for comic books like 300 (1998) and also has created and co-directed Sin City (2005). His artwork in the novel is heavily silhouettes and blocky forms that emerged from his work on the Ronin (1983-1984) comic series. They are also executive producers for the show.
Wheeler wrote the scripts for the first two episodes. We cross a lake as we get the text that this is a lost story about the “Sword of Power”, Excalibur, that was wielded by a woman. We told that before King Arthur, it was used by a queen. Below the lake, a figure falls, bleeding. This is Nimue, also known as the Lady of the Lake, played by Katherine Langford. She of course is known for playing Hannah Baker in the Netflix adaptation 13 Reasons Why. A crossbow bolt has pierced her shoulder and she drops down the lake. We hear her voice recalling her story.
This shifts to the title sequence that has the surreal graphics of the novel. We pick up with Nimue riding a white horse, Old Boy, towards her village by the lake. Ravens whirl in circular patterns, interesting effect. Walking through the village is a young boy (Billy Jenkins) stealing from other villagers. Jenkins was also Seraph Sam in the sci fi series Humans. Nimue walks up with her horse and sees that Squirrel has stolen a flask. She goes to gather flowers for her offering. Nimue hears voices in the wind. She turns to see a fawn that seems to speak to her about death.
It is killed by the arrow of a villager, Benum (Kaine Zajaz), who mocks Nimue about her father who has left her. Nimue threatens him and then unleashes her power, greenish veins appear (silver in the book), sending the wood of his bow wrapping around his throat! She releases him when given stern words by her mother, Lenore (Catherine Walker). The actress was in the horror film, The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw (2020). Nimue is upset at her treatment from the villagers. Her mother as High Priestess, Chief Druid, insists that Nimue attend the ceremony. Nimue's people are the Sky Folk, no particular connection to the sky, but are superstitious, yet rely on druids to guide them.
Nimue takes her flowers to the ceremony with her mother as Summoner honoring a former member burning in a pyre. The sky turns dark in an eclipse! Lenore calls on The Hidden, which seems to be the nature spirits, fairies. They are choosing a new Summoner. The sparks swirling in the pyre and form into a column. It swirls around Nimue. The other members think Nimue is a witch. It is more of a developed conflict in the novel. Still, Nimue refuses her call and the moon breaks from the eclipse. Lenore confronts Nimue in the village. Nimue walks away and her friend, Pym (Lily Newmark) catches up to her at her hut. Newmark plays Pym, it seems named after Henry Pym, Antman?, and the actress was also in the historical drama Misbehaviour (2020).
Nimue insists on taking a ship from Hawksbridge. We move next to an older man sitting next to a young boy in cart. This is Father Carden played by Peter Mullan who also played James Delos in the Westworld series. He mentions demons and holds a clover to the boy’s hand which turns leafy green. A Red Paladin pulls away the screaming boy. We see that crosses are burning as is most of the village below Father Carden. Then, Father Carden leads the Red Paladins from the village. The conflict between druids and the occupying force is usually Romans, but in the Arthurian tradition, it was unusual blend of religion and Celtic traditions.
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CURSED -- “Nimue” -- KATHERINE LANGFORD, DEVON TERRELL -- Robert Viglasky/Netflix.
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Lenore is asked to tend to a wounded Moon Wing (Lola Shaw), she seems like a child-like girl with what looks like wings. This Moon Wing is dressed like a fairy?, but has white fur and a bluish color on her scalp. She explains the attack by the Red Paladins as Squirrel watches from outside of the hut. We see the image of the trees burning and out of it is The Weeping Monk (Daniel Sharman). The Red Paladins are headed to the village. Lenore is asked about their king, Uther Pendragon, he is the father of King Arthur with a complicated history. This turns to a hooded man who faces two men in a tavern. They are looking to collect gold from Merlin (Gustaf Skarsgård). He played Floki in the drama series Vikings.
Merlin instead threatens one of them with his knife. Merlin is a fascinating character in all of the Arthurian adaptations. Here, he seems powerless, but Nimue must connect him back to his real power. At the seaside castle, Castle Pendragon, King Uther (Sebastian Armesto) is given the report that Father Carden and the Red Paladins have destroyed two dozen Fey villages. Fey is another term for the fairies. The peasants have turned against Fey and Uther himself because of the drought. Merlin is brought in and says that he can get the Shadow Lords to stop the Red Paladins. He stumbles away drunk at Uther’s insistence on rain. Merlin finds a dead bird and then goes to his tower to find a circle of dead or dying birds. Nimue rides with Pym to Hawksbridge.
They find the ship is missing and left the previous day. They move through the city and find a performer played by Devon Terrell. He previously played Horatio in the drama Ophelia (2018). The singer introduces himself as Arthur entranced by Nimue. Of course, an adult Arthur is too early in this pre-Arthurian tale, maybe he inspires the later King Arthur. This seems like a meet-cute that involves Arthur with Nimue. She has a destiny to control her powers and lead her people against the Red Paladins. This of course involves Excalibur and Merlin. It seems like the first episode covers up to page 71 of the 400 page book. Cursed gives a strong female hero, a good cast, and an interesting take on the Arthurian legends!
Four of The Hidden out of Five!
#Cursed, #KatherineLangford, #DevonTerrell, #GustafSkarsgard
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