Over 30 years since the release of the original Lucasfilm classic, Willow arrives in 2022 as a new episodic series on Disney+. The onetime farmer Willow Ufgood has become a noted sorcerer and encounters a group of young heroes on a dangerous quest. Full of wonders and adventure, the series joins original cast and crew with new contributors to expand the beloved fantasy world.
Willow stars Warwick Davis in the title role, as well as Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, and Joanne Whalley. Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jonathan Kasdan, Tommy Harper, Wendy Mericle, Roopesh Parekh, Ron Howard, and Samie Kim Falvey serve as executive producers. Writers are John Bickerstaff, Hannah Friedman, and Jonathan Kasdan. The producers are Stephen Woolfenden, Julia Cooperman, Hameed Shaukat, and Max Taylor.
Starring: Warwick Davis, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Tony Revolori, Ruby Cruz, Amer Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, Joanne Whalley
Composers: James Newton Howard, Xander Rodzinski
Executive producers: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Jonathan Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy, Wendy Mericle, Roopesh Parekh, Michelle Rejwan
Producer: Julia Cooperman
Director: Debs Paterson
Greetings from Tir Asleen!
The fourth episode of Willow, The Whispers of Nockmaar, came out this week, and while it was more enjoyable than the last episode, the magic of the first two episodes hasn’t quite returned. But it’s still a good time had by all except Graydon.
The fellowship seeks shelter in the haunted castle at Nockmaar. The winds howl, and the torrent of rain washes away any remaining hope. Against Willow’s advice, the group heads towards the castle to save Graydon from the dark magic that permeates his frail body. Willow warns the group that Bavmorda once called the castle home, and it is not a safe place to be. As they near, Kit hears her mother’s words, “There’s more. It won’t be easy to hear this but you must.” Echoing the very words Luke said to Leia on Endor when he revealed that they were siblings and Vader was their father. Sorsha’s words remind Kit that the blood of her evil grandmother flows through her veins.
Now inside, Elora and Boorman tend to Graydon. There is a subtle connection between Elora and Graydon that is seen in how they look at each other and treat each other. Not that Airk is a bad guy (we barely know him), but Graydon’s humbleness and caring towards Elora are more of what she deserves. The tenderness is reciprocated as Elora holds on to sickened Graydon. Willow is past the stage of getting to know everyone. The climax is approaching as tensions rise.
As Graydon’s condition worsens, the group is still undecided on how to help. Kit believes he needs to be killed before Graydon is fully possessed, while Elora pleads with Willow to use his sorcery to cure Graydon. This triggers Willow into another tale about Bavmorda and how she was kidnapped by The Order of the Wyrm, where Bavmorda was corrupted by The Crone. Willow tells of a book that contains a spell that could help Graydon, but he needs help gathering the ingredients. He tells Boorman that he needs a “dagger with an ivory handle and a selenium blade.” Those with good ears will remember that BB-8 has a selenium drive. More Star Wars connections.
Jade volunteers to guard against any oncoming Gales. Willow also tells everyone to stay out of the high tower. Jade is still grieving Ballantine’s death. After playing a rebel with a cause twice, it’s nice to see Erin Kellyman playing a character with a little more human emotion. Ruby Cruz, as Kit, also gets to use more emotion in this episode. Thus far, Kit has mainly relied on her sarcasm which has been a little one-dimensional until now. Jade is much more emotionally mature than Kit, but it’s rubbing off on her finally.
Meanwhile, Boorman decides to loot what he can from the castle’s vault instead of watching the Gales with Jade. Willow and Elora begin exorcising the curse from Graydon’s body by dumping a liquid on his chest that burns. Elora and Willow begin chanting a spell that sends Graydon into hallucinatory fits of his father chastising him. Kits comes across a tapestry that tells of how the Crone corrupted Bavmorda. This scene mirrors Vader’s corruption via Sidious in Revenge of the Sith.
It’s pretty evident that Willow is hiding something that will probably be revealed in the last two episodes. Willow, the series is not the most original story; what makes it interesting is the young cast of women who take charge when casting spells and sword fighting. The men, however, are relegated to being thieves and washed-up sorcerors. There were two instances where the movie played a larger role. General Kael makes an appearance when Jade has a vision of fighting him, and Elora sees a flashback of her birth and Bavmorda ordering her mother’s death. Bavmorda’s defeat at the hands of Willow is also replayed. These serve as a nice link between the movie and the series.
Graydon tricks Elora into thinking he is cured and traps her with him in the High Tower, but Willow and his friends come to her aid. Kit encourages Elora to help Graydon, which she does successfully. They then leave the castle behind and make their way to Immemorial City, which is on the other side of the world.
The epilogue sees Airk waking up in a cell that was left with the door open. He walks out and wanders the ruins. However, Airk is obviously the worse for wear as the Gales heed the Crone’s wishes for Elora to be captured while the others receive the death penalty.
Willow is a fun series, but it has its drawbacks. First, the editing can be suspect when it cuts from scene to scene. The dialogue and acting can have ups and downs, but who’s counting? It’s fast, freaky fun! One minute they’re having a laugh, then it’s a turn for the worst. With two episodes remaining, the brownies still have yet to appear. Lastly, there’s enough story for Jade and Elora’s characters to have a second season. Just sayin’.