The Willow series continues with a look into the past and the future and either of them are hopeful! Last episode, we found that the supernatural Gales have stolen Prince Airk. The group led by Kit Tanthalos has reached Willow Ufgood and he reveals the girl called Dove is really Elora Danan! “The High Aldwyn” features a screenplay by Bob Dolman who wrote the screenplay of the original 1988 movie. We return to the book of Willow on the title page is a faint illustration of a tree. We see the gate towers of Tir Asleen appear and walking in is a young Willow, bearded with a cap, and bag strapped to his shoulder. I imagine they used CGi to de-age him. Queen Sorsha, also de-aged, hugs him. At a dinner table before the throne, Willow says that he returned to train Elora. She is the only one who is stop their “true enemy.” He worries that if he doesn’t train her, the magic will go away, but Sorsha doesn’t want to trouble her.
Willow tells her the Barrier cannot protect Eloa. Sorsha tells him she discovered with “ancient scrolls” about the Kymerian Cuirass. It is explained later, but a cuirass is the breastplate and backplate of armor. Sorsha confides with Willow that Madmartigan was sent to find it nine months ago. It is unclear what is this particular time. She fears that he is dead, but Willow says that Mads can’t be stopped by death, it would only delay him from returning to Sorsha, a line similar to Princess Bride (1987) about true love. He says that only Elora can defeat the Crone. Sorsha admits that Raziel and Cherlindrea are “gone”, dead? Willow wants to train Elora since he is now High Aldwyn. Sorsha says Willow has the “truest heart”, but says he is not a “great sorcerer.” This is unusual since when Willow was about to leave Tir Asleen with Sorsha also present, Raziel gave him a book of magic and says he would be a great sorcerer. Willow takes his pack and walks away.
Cherlindrea’s Wand, prop at the Lucasfilm pavilion, D23 Expo, author’s photo.
In the present, Elora is listening to discussions about her, Graydon asks her if she is Elora Danan. Kit doesn’t believe it. Willow and the guard, Silas, lead them to their home in the caves. He is met by his daughter, Mims (Annabelle Davis), Dawn Downing played the character in the movie, but Davis’ real life daughter plays her in this episode! Mims is stunned to see Elora Danan and says she found Elora as a “beautiful, giant baby.” Elora says Mims is beautiful, favorite part of this episode the reunion of these two characters. Jade checks on Kit who wants to leave to find Airk. They were defeated by The Gales and taken to a place no one has ever traveled, yet she is desperate to go? Foolish. Nelwyns give Elora a floral crown. Silas gets everyone ready for The High Aldwyn’s speech. Willow is brought in on a litter with a chair by four porters, two of them complain about carrying him. He tries to warm up the audience with a joke, funny to me, and then announces the return of Elora Danan.
He has Elora scouch her chair over and consults the bones similar to High Aldwyn Junn (Billy Barty) in the movie. They have a moment looking at each other which is nice. Willow tells about the balance including sweet and spicy, funny! Soon, the crowd starts to ask for the Finger Test. Willow tries to whisper, “Yours”, but Elora picks Willow’s finger disappointing the crowd. Past misty trees, we find The Lich in a cave contacting his Teacher about the child, Elora. Queen Sorsha is told that Elora has left the castle by the servant Prunella (Eileen Davies) who was a confidant of Dove in the castle. Sorsha sees Commander Ballantine off to find Elora. He was wounded by The Lich’s staff. Ballantine says it is just a scratch, another Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) nod. Sorsha explains that she is fond of the kitchen maid. Prunella wonders if he knows Elora’s true identity. We see red veins on Ballantine’s exposed hand. The Crone doesn’t want Elora Danan to reach the Immemorial City and The Lich says he has sent his disciple!
In the Nelwyn caves, there is a celebration, and Boorman, named after director John Boorman?, brings up the route. Silas says they should avoid the Nockmaar Badlands and his wife, Libby (Sarah Bennett) agrees. Kit and Elora are ready to leave, but Willow wants her to stay to learn the Art. He says she’s the “Last Blood of Kymeria”, is this like Valyria in House of the Dragon? Elora is set on leaving to save Airk. In his workshop, Willow is seen by Mims and he thought she was aware of everything, but Mims says she fell in love. Willow sees flashes of his dream about waking in a night battlefield with a grey beard. Mims says he has to go with the group to protect Elora. Willow tries to use being High Aldwyn as an excuse to stay with his people. Mims takes out the chest that holds the Wand of Cherlindrea. They are told that Elora is missing. Kit heads for her horse impatient about Elora’s training, but Jade is respectful of Elora Danan. Kit is acting like a spoiled princess charging into a dangerous situation.
The costume of Dove, Elora Danan, at the D23 Expo, photo by the author.
Graydon says to Boorman, Kit, and Jade that the girl is Elora. Willow yells at them that Elora is missing. Jade says Kit should do whatever she wants as the others head out in search parties. Willow thinks back to remembering finding Elora Danan with his family. Elora is looking at a river and drops her crown to drift in it. She is not confident and wants Willow who joins her to help rescue Airk. In exchange, she has to promise to train with him, as teacher and student. Later, the Nelwyns see the heroes off, Willow has his armor and Mims fusses over him. Unspoken is her missing mother, Kiaya, and brother, Ranon, but it could be assumed that the Crone destroyed them and the village. Willow leaves on a wagon with Silas and Elora as the others ride ahead. Ballantine finds their two day old campfire and Merrick (Sifiso Maziuko) says they should rest themselves and horses. The commander has transformed with red-veined eyes and deathly pallor. He is swiftly runs and kills Merrick!
Boorman catches up with Kit walking her horse. He says he is not a thief, but “an obtainer of rare artifacts”, a variation of the description given to Indy in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). He brings up the legend of the Kymerian Cuirass he had heard when he was Kit’s age. Kit doesn’t belive in it. Boorman tells her that Madmartigan had looked five years for the armor and he was his squire. He walks ahead of Kit saying that her father found the armor. In the wagon, Willow is about to start the lesson, but Elora says the wagon is making her queasy. He brings up the High Aldwyn’s saying, “Forget all you know or think you know.” A great line. Willow says he wanted to train her as a child and that there is something special inside of her. Then, Elora spews on Willow’s shoulder, which is a usual occurance for the series. We see the setting sun with the two moons of the Mother World. At the campfire, Willow explains magic and this is listened to by Jade, written down by Graydon, and Boorman. He gives Elora a handful of Eckleberry seed to magically grow and gives her the magic words. Elora is no natural at repeating the words, but will learn to trust herself. “The High Aldwyn” ep of Willow fills in important back stories including the last time Willow saw young Elora (Alayna Jacobs) and puts her on a dangerous path!
Five Bracelets out of Five!
#Willow, #WarwickDavis, #EllieBamber, #JoanneWhalley, #GrahamHughes, #AnnabelleDavis, #TonyRevolori, #AmarChadhaPatel, #RubyCruz, #ErinKellyman, #AlaynaJacobs, #RalphIneson, #SifisoMazibuko
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