Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Review

Netflix continues making unexpected choices with its original series. Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a prequel to Jim Henson’s 1982 film. Nearly forty years after the film reached 16^th at the American box office, the story is picked up by a company nobody could have imagined existing in the 80s. It’s absolutely bizarre, but dammit the results speak for themselves. Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a fantastic fantasy epic that outshines the original in every way.

1982’s Dark Crystal has some amazing elements. The puppetry was great, the designs are incredible, and some of the side characters are memorable. However, the plot and two main characters are average at best. Everything great about the original is captured the series, while the bad becomes is washed away.  The plot is strong and there’s a lot to love about the main characters.

Netflix’s series opens in a vibrant Thra, and dives into the various cultures of the Gelfings.  Ruled by the Skeksis, the Gelfings see them as gods who gave them power and prestige. The truth is the Skeksis are not gods, they’re powerful and long lived, but can die.  They fear death and the unknown that comes with it. That existential dread drives them to commit horrible acts of violence against the Gelflings. Stealing their life force, essence, and drinking it to extend their own lives.

The plot follows a number of heroic Gelfings as they uncover the truth of the Skeksis and struggle to unite their people against them. Most Gelflings refuse to believe their whole way of life is a sham. Tension between those who see through the illusion and those who can’t drives the first 2/3rds of the narrative.  The final third sees the Gelfings unite against their common foe. Culminating in a final showdown between Gelfings and Skeksis.

The plot is far more complex than the original film’s hero’s journey. There’s political intrigue as different factions within the Gefling society clash, and all Gelfings are deceived by the Skeksis. Alliances are formed and shattered by betrayal. Multiple storylines weave together organically, driving the narrative forward toward a clear conclusion. It’s closer in tone to HBO’s Game of Thrones than I expected.

In another GOT parallel, AOR has over a dozen main characters. Rian, Deet and Brea are our core protagonists. Rian’s a reluctant hero avenging the murder of his beloved and father by the Skeksis. Deet’s an innocent, cave dwelling Gelfing who knows nothing about the wider world, but learns far more than she ever wanted by the story’s end. Princess Brea spent her life reading, seeking answers where others don’t see a question. Her curiosity pulls back the veil of deception hiding the Skeksis’ true nature.

Of these three, Deet was the character I enjoyed the most. She brings an outsider perspective to the world of the Gelfings and Skeksis. Her unique perspective makes for strong drama and comedy throughout the story. Rian and Brea are great characters in their own right, but Deet is the one I connected with the most. The nice thing with this core trio is that most reviewers will like at least one, and you’ll never be away from your favourite too long. The pacing between their storylines is on point.

The supporting cast is equally amazing. Hup, the Podling paladin, is brave and kind, and good for a few laughs. Gurgin, the oft ignored and put upon sidekick to Rian, brightens any scene with his sarcastic outlook on life. Mother Aughra returns from the Dark Crystal film. Cantankerous and entertaining as ever, she’s still one of my favorites. Celedon, Brea’s sister, is blinded to the truth and nearly destroys all hope for our heroes, but her ignorance is understandable. Her character’s flaws are realistic and avoid making her a rote villain.

Every character in AOR is as three dimensional as the puppets themselves. This includes the Skeksis, our especially heinous villains. In fact, they outshine the original film’s incarnation of the monstrous creatures. Over the course of ten episodes, each at least 45 minutes long, they are given fleshed out personalities. We learn each uniquely cruel and selfish personality. Their motivations are clear, but not simple.

As a group they all seek immortality and believe themselves better than everything else living on Thra. They’ve lived for thousands of years as gods, and believe themselves to be. Individually, they have their own struggles and methods for achieving their goals. Chamberlain spins lies and truth together, using his intellect to gain power. General believes in strength above all else. Emperor is willing to sacrifice anything, including himself, to protect his people.

The Skeksis are some of the best villains in any story. These competing personalities lift them far above the standard evil fantasy villain. They’ve more in common with Cersei Lannister than Sauron. Heinously evil as they are, they’re rounded characters. Nothing about them is simple. This complexity helps push the narrative to greater heights than the film could have hoped to achieve.

So far my review has been rather glowing, but Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance isn’t without its flaws. The first episode is a slog. If not for the grim ending, I might have dismissed the series entirely as beautiful but dull. Pacing continues to be problematic throughout the show. There were spots that dragged, especially in the first half of the season. Honestly, each episode could have been trimmed to 45 minutes max and been better for it.

The finale episode lacks the epic scope I expected from the story building up to it. Everything pointed to a massive battle, but it doesn’t happen. In the moment I was disappointed. Upon reflection my expectations were unfair. Dark Crystal doesn’t have a Game of Thrones budget, maybe season one of that show, which skipped over its own big battle ending.

There was never going to be a clash between hundreds of puppets. The amount of work involved would be staggering.  If this were an established property with years of success, again I’ll compare to GOT, it should have the battle we expected. Being an obscure 80s property, that for all intents and purposes was stone cold dead, it’s a miracle it got green lit at all. The lack of puppet Armageddon isn’t really much of a fault.

https://youtu.be/eI9Za1GE3nk

The ending we get is a satisfying conclusion. Narrative threads built throughout the season, with all the major characters involved, are wrapped up neatly. A few threads are left dangling for season 2, but if that never happens it works as a solid one-off series. Sticking the landing can be difficult for any show. Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance nails it.