We’re back! Episode 2 ended on quite the cliffhanger, didn’t it? Don’t worry, this episode will reveal all. Now, this is where things get painful… We now have to wait a week for each episode. With many of our favourite shows gone for the year already, it’s great having Willow to fill that void. We’re almost halfway through already, and things certainly take a turn for the worse. What are Willow and the company going to do next?
Synopsis
Elora is gone. The gang must race against the clock if they are to rescue Elora from the clutches of her captors. Jade is forced to make a difficult choice, Elora begins to explore her powers and quickly begins to understand that her name brings both hope… And destruction, and just when they believe their quest can’t get any worse, the broken fellowship suffers a trumendous blow.
Review
This is a slightly conflicting episode. The beginning of this episode starts off a tad weak with a mixture of clunky dialogue, and a pace that seems off balance. But then, it becomes one of the strongest. The first half is dedicated to a missing Elora and it just seems very out of place. In an odd way, it’s very fun and playful, but it also acts as a eye-opener for Elora where she learns about the weight that is attached to her name; it both inspires hope, and causes despair. It’s obvious what they were trying to set up, but it just felt very muddled in the grand scheme of things.
That’s not to say that the first half of the episode was bad. It just didn’t flow as naturally. Especially in comparison to the previous two episodes. There was just something that didn’t feel right with how certain events played out, or how certain lines were deliveried. Having said that though, the first half is still incredibly fun, there are some great interactions between particular characters, and the series continues to nail the action, and that magical spirit that makes Willow… Willow. It’s magic, and pure fun, but the first half just didn’t quite hit the mark.
However, and this is a big “however”, the episode suddenly changes and transforms into something else entirely. The action picks up drastically, although not without a few wobbly bits of choreography, the stakes increase tenfold, and the mood drops. The whimsical Willow is no longer there, and the bold and brazen attitude of our adventurers diminishes. We’re only 3 episodes in, and this quest has already taken a deep dive in a direction that none of the characters anticipated. The light hearted Willow that we were introduced to vanishes, and the hope that held the group together fades.
Although, Boorman is still there to deliver some well-needed giggles, and this episode feels like his moment to hog some of that sweet, sweet limelight. It’s hard not to fall in love with Boorman. He’s the oldest of the group, yet he’s the most childish. But when it comes down to the gritty moments, he’s there to offer solid advice that is obviously constructed around his own experiences. He may be good with a sword, and great at putting smiles on our faces, but there is definitely more to him than meets the eye. The time we spend with him opens up new, and fascinating doors regarding the lore of Willow and its many possibilities. Boorman did show some of his true colours in this episode though. Whatever game he is playing at, it’s clear that it’ll effect the company in some way… Whether it’s in a good way or a bad way remains to be seen.
This episode is rather heavy. Not only is there a lot happening, but it also forces some of our characters to face some harsh truths, and shattering ultimatums. While the action is indeed spectacular, under the surface each character goes through their own individual journey of sorts. A wide divide is created between Kit and Jade when a secret is revealed. Elora is of course dealing with being the Kingdom’s only hope, and Willow is haunted by visions and is very relucant to use his magic. It’s a lot to unpack, but it all comes to a hault when they are confronted by Elora’s captors, and Jade’s teacher and father figure.
From that point, the series hits a new high. The enviroment perfectly suits the foreboding atmosphere, and we’re presented with an epic fight on a dark mountain in the thunderous rain. It looks absolutely fantastic, and the danger feels very real. Our characters are tested and the show takes a very dark, but necessary, turn. The film was about this spark of hope that purges this great evil. The circumstances have changed here. Things haven’t gone the way Willow had intended, the rising evil seems to have the upper hand, and our heroes are very much in over their heads… And it doesn’t take them long to truly understand that. This journey is going to exact a heavy toll, physically and emotionally, and this is just the start.
Verdict
Episode 3 didn’t open to a great start, especially with its predecessors in mind . However, it doesn’t take long for the episode to fully redeem itself and go well beyond our expectations. This episode pushes the series in a completely new direction, and boldly announces that this isn’t the hopeful and warmth story you were expecting. That’s the beauty of a series such as this. With long episodes, we have time to push these characters to their limits. We have the luxury of enjoying the spectacular and visually awesome elements, as well as the action-packed confrontations, but the characters are constantly moving and growing. Episode 3 sets us on a much darker path, and by the end… Well, let’s just say that things won’t be getting any easier.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Experience the magic of Willow exclusively on Disney+ right now. New episodes of Willow will air every Wednesday, so tune in again on December 14th for episode 4. Have you watched the third episode of Willow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
