IR TV Review: WILLOW - EPISODE 5 [Lucasfilm/Disney+]

The balance of the "Willow" series is trying to find the trajectory of the original film versus making it accessible to a younger generation. Episode 5 in the way it embraces itself plus the humor and romantic subplots makes it the most enjoyable episode of the series yet. However, the use of modern interpretations of certain 80s/90s pop songs continues to be a bit out of place. After the events of the previous episode which solidified the connection to the original film in its context, the possibilities of Elora Danan become even more true. This episode though more than any other (and through a cool plot device) allows for the most upfront perspectives of the characters where the agendas (or at least underlying thoughts of the core 5 leads) comes to bear. It is refreshing but also allows for a little humor which will have dramatic repercussions later.

Again when things turn dark into night, it is like they tried to make the vision too dark (not narratively but simply in a cinematography sense). The context of Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman as Kit and Jade is finding its stride by making it more organic to the story much like Ellie Bamber's approach which (despite a dark future) is able to keep it light here as does Warwick Davis with his Willow. The truth element offers some interesting in-roads. There is a Brownie interaction per se which adds some great levity but it is hard to say the amount of impact it will have in the next episodes. Boorman, in this episode, comes more into his own because you can see the kind of balance he had with Madmartigan bring forth more of his true humor and innerworkings. Like Willow, there is a different between what is said and what is seen and in one interrogation sequence, it works undeniably well. Of couse the conflict and plot progression is just below the surface but doing a more character focused episode to relieve the pressure is really key for the ongoing health of the show. B

By Tim Wassberg