Like many millennials I was traumatized by the original Dark Crystal movie as a child–like a cried–a lot. So it took a lot of convincing to get me to watch this prequel series but my darling friend Cadi did and I’m pleasantly surprised to say I really enjoyed it. I’ve always been a fan of puppetry (big Muppet fan here), so I was really impressed with the vivid world of the show. The story was fun and I really like the characters, so five stars all around for me and worth a whole post about it!
Age of Resistance takes place on the planet of Thra where Gelflings and Podlings have been living peacefully under the protection of Skeksis. Unbeknownst to them these “guardians” have been draining the crystal, the heart of their planet, to gain immortality–and now the crystal has nothing else to give. The Skeksis resort to new methods of preserving their lives and in result murder a gelfling starting a conspiracy Three Gelfing must expose the Skekis evil intentions before their annihilate every Gelfing on Thra.
Warning: Spoilers in Points 3, 4, and 5
1.) Expanding on Base Plot Points
The Dark Crystal wasn’t just frightening for children but it was also badly written. Part of this is because in the film, Jim Henson just didn’t have enough time to tell the story he wanted to. Thra is a very complicated world, primarily because there are no humans in it and that takes a lot of explanation and to do that without just infodumping a writer must have more time which is why a television show is much more suited for this story.
Age of Resistance takes many of the plot points of the original movie that seemed cliche or just plain confusing and made them make much more sense. Like where did the shard of crystal come from? Who the heck is Aughra and why is she important? Why are there no more Gelfing left? What the heck is up with the mystics and skekis and their connection?
How this applies to writing: This is a common case in fairytales and mythology where you have to really suspend your belief to get into some of the stories, but skillful writers (like Madeline Miller, Neil Gaiman, CJ Redwine, and Emily Winfield Martin) took those basic plot points and smoothed them over with good storytelling to make them make sense and add more dimension to the characters.
2.) Create Plot Points to Make The Characters Explore the World
Thra is a vast planet with a diverse number of Gelfling tribes and other races like Podlings, Mystics, and Skekis. After the opening narrator introduces all of these peoples of course you want to visit them! All of the different regions are a teaser, but it’s a great when the plot takes the characters to the depths of the Grottan, the heights of the Vapra, and the vast expanses of the deserts.
How this applies to writing: It’s like when you open a map in a book and you’re like, Wow! I want to see all of these cool places. Make sure to make plot points that make the characters go to them to explore the world. A big reader frustration for me is when there’s a map but you only get to go to make a quarter of the world.
3.) When Characters Go Meta
One of my favorite parts of the show is when the characters meet the one good Skeksi known as the Heretic and his other half urGoh. They have a performance to demonstrate a part of the lore and they do it with “the most ancient and sacred arts of …. puppetry.” I laughed so hard at this. XD
How this applies to writing: When it’s not overdone it can be pretty hilarious to include meta or other unintentionally self-aware moments in a story for a bit of humor. Another example is when in Firefly, Wash comments about how something seems like it’s in a sci-fi film.
4.) Villain Character Arcs
Chamberlain is the sort of main character villain of the story. He isn’t the main villin but he has his own plans as he uses various characters for his purposes. He starts as one of the top advisors to the Emperor but after making a mistake is demoted and he has to claw his way back up by using his cunning and devious tendencies. He goes from a character who doesn’t want to get his hands dirty to someone who isn’t afraid of cold-blooded murder.
How this applies to writing: Sometimes it’s easy to forget that villains can grow and change too. Sometimes for good and sometimes for ill. Kuro from Ori and the Blind Forest sees the error of her ways and ends up saving the forest. On the other hand Gollum from the Lord of the Rings goes through an arc where he starts to get better but after his capture by Faramir he sinks into a permanent villainous position.
5.) A Solid Reason for Wanting to Avoid Death
The main goal of the Skeksis is that they want to live forever and they go through great lengths to do so. However, the Empereror has a particular reason to why he wants to avoid death which he confesses to the General. He says that he knows because of all he’s done he will live a nightmarish existence in the afterlife and he’s afraid to face it.
How this applies to writing: A lot of villains have the motivation to live forever like Cobb in the Tales of Earthsea or Donovan from Indiana Jone and the Last Crusade but I know I’ve personally asked why. Do they believe that this life is it and they want to extend it as long as possible? Are there things in life they want to accomplish? Are they afraid of death? The Empereror is the first character I’ve seen whose fear was what comes after.
Conclusion
This show was definitely worth pushing back my childhood fears to watch and it honestly inspires me to see another recent show with great writing out there. <3
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