Well, here we are… The penultimate episode of Willow is here and the end is nigh. It has been quite a journey, hasn’t it? Don’t be too sad, we still have one more episode to go and we have no idea what our heroes will be facing next. Without further ado, Episode 7 is available to stream now on Disney+.
Synopsis
The team have escaped Skellin. But what now? All of their trials and tribulations have led them to the Shattered Sea. Now there’s just the problem of crossing it and surviving- a feat that no one has survived. With their goal in sight, reality starts to set in. Training is ramped up, but do they possess the necessary skills to rescue Airk and defeat The Crone?
Review
We’ve finally reached a point where we can move forward. There is still that part of me that believes that this show spent a bit too much time doing the same thing, but episode 7 certainly helped sway that mindset. This penultimate episode actually offers something completely fresh and reveals just how far our characters have come. It’s like we get to see their evolution in full swing. Think back to the first few episodes, we were presented with a group of misfits who were forced on this quest together. Their bond was ripe with mistrust, hostility, and formed purely on secrets and lies. Now we get to see them stronger than ever, more harmonious, and more importantly… Working as a team.
Each episode has worked on particular relationships, both hostile and romantical. However, this is the first episode where everyone is officially on the same page. Elora and Kit have their own opportunity to reconcile following the dramatic events of the previous episode. There’s definitely something brewing between Elora and Graydon. Boorman’s lies have been revealed and it almost acts as a clean slate, but now he has the responsibility of wielding the Kymerian Cuirass. He’s not entirely sure what that means for him just yet, and there’s an element of doubt shrouding him as a result. But the important thing is that we no longer see him as a betrayer. Willow has also seen that Elora is worthy of Cherlindrea’s Wand, and that’s a big step for both Willow and Elora. Everyone has evolved and the issues are no longer within. The time to face The Crone is approaching very quickly and this episode perfectly displays their commitment, as well as their newfound skills and strength as individuals and as a team.
However, things arn’t quite perfect. The previous episode saw Elora use magic, but she has yet to master it. If Willow has taught us one thing, it’s that magic very much depends on the user’s emotional state and that’s something that this episode explores. Not only do we get to see just how Elora decides to manifest her powers, but we also get to see magic in its full form and that’s something that we haven’t really seen since episode 3. Seeing how different intellectual properties visualise magic is always incredibly interesting because it usually varies. From Harry Potter, to The Witches, magic always has different rules and visual aesthetics. Whether we’re casting a simple protection spell, or harnessing the power of the elements, magic changes across media, and I have to say… Willow‘s handling of magic from a visual perspective may be my favourite.
This episode is full of epic training montages and small skirmishes that allow each character to show off their skills. Kit has improved drastically, Graydon has discovered his own unique set of skills, and Elora is adjusting to her powers. What’s important about this development is that we don’t just see Elora get magic, we see her work on it. She experiments, adapts, and even goes too far. It all comes back to Willow‘s ability to fine-tune the characters. They are constantly developing, and just because we’re in the endgame doesn’t mean that everyone can slack off. It’s actually the opposite. Episode 7 is purely about the mental and physical preparation. It’s an absolute bonus that it unravels beautifully on screen against some visually stunning yet simple backgrops that allow us to centre our attention on the magic and action, but we never lose sight of the characters or the goal.
Willow may have wobbled occassionally, but the series has delivered visually, and in regards to its characters. It’s a very fine balance that is so easy to get wrong, but this episode nails it and presents us with a riveting and spectacular display. With the finale arriving next week, we may be in for something very special, especially since we haven’t actually seen what The Crone is capable of yet…
the stakes may feel very high and the tension is rife, but there is still a lot of fun to be had. Willow is full of small moments that really make you chuckle, and given the circumstances I’m surprised that this episode got the biggest laugh out of me. Willow has never wasted an opportunity for a corny gag or a well-timed joke, and this episode continues that tradition. It’s a testiment to the writing. It is instantly obvious that everyone behind the scenes had a great deal of fun, and it’s also down to the chemistry that the characters and actors share. The dynamic between everyone is brilliant, and now that most of the conflicts have been resolved, the chemistry feels so much more vibrant- especially from Kit.
With the team approaching the end of their quest, it was really great to have quite the poignant reminder of why they got together. This episode may be full of action, magic, fun, and even endearing moments between Graydon and his new friend- reminiscent of How To Train Your Dragon– there is that sudden realisation that Airk is still very much in danger. If I were to change one thing about this show, I would definitely have more Airk because it is incredibly easy to forget about him. As a result of his absence, the desire to rescue him doesn’t feel quite as urgent. However, a spanner is thrown into the mix and we finally get to explore that. Things aren’t quite as they seem, and it’s very difficult to gauge the outcome.
Regardless of Airk’s lack of screentime, this episode definitely heightens the mystery and it does a great job of exploring Airk’s whereabouts while also keeping it all a secret. There’s a game being played here, but it’s not an easy one to work out or follow, which is actually a really good thing… Because I can’t tell you what’s going to happen next, and it feels like there are still many mysteries that have yet to be solved- Madmartigan being one of them. The Crone is working her magic, but is it as simple as that? By the end of the episode, we’re still left with a dozen questions, and our heroes’ quest becomes drastically more complicated. Beating The Crone just became a lot harder.
Verdict
Episode 7 is a spectacular and visually stunning ride. Out of all of the episodes so far, this one is definitely my favourite. Not only do we get some epic action sequences, the episode also perfectly balances the fun with the more serious themes and the light-hearted nature of our newly reformed companions. Filled with dazzling effects and gorgeous landscapes, episode 7 perfectly encapsulates the essence of fantasy fiction. The story makes a massive, and well-needed, leap forward and paves the way to, what could be, an utterly wild finale. We just have to hope that it sticks the landing, revisits some of our burning questions, and establishes The Crone as a legitimate threat. There’s a lot riding on this final episode, but this penultimate episode has left me hopeful.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The end is near… Experience the magical conclusion of Willow exclusively on Disney+ next week on January 11th. Have you watched the latest episode of Willow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
