The world of The Dark Crystal goes back more than 30 years since the original epic movie was released in 1984. The audience was drawn to the world of Thra by the colorful, grotesque and detailed ideas of Jim Henson. That tradition continues with the new Netflix series, The Age of Resistance. There aren’t any really bad characters on the show, but there are a few that we could improve their attitudes. Maybe they could stop being so boring and have a more interesting character arc. Here are a few of our favorite characters from Season One of Age of Resistance and five more we hope will learn a few things during their downtime.
Best: skekSil, The Chamberlain
Frank Oz killed it as the whimpering Chamberlain in the original movie, and his modern magic is a combination of Simon Pegg’s voice and puppeteer Warrick Brownlow-Pike. He’s up to all the same old tricks, too. Palace intrigue and political power are still his favorite pastimes. He still gets into trouble occasionally, especially when he overestimates his physical strength and takes on someone too big for him. As usual, his revenge is swift, brutal, and often results in a comfortable seat at the Emporer’s side. The Chamberlain is just a slippery as always, a classic villain and a true survivor.
Worst: Seladon
Among the characters that we feel could use some improvement, Seadon has the most potential. She spends so much time whining about how her mother is too soft on Brea that she forgets her own important role as heir to the throne of the All-Maudra. Brea is so likable that anyone who stands in opposition to her comes off as a villain, and Selaon falls into this trap. The way she pushes both her mother and Tavra aside just to “teach Brea a lesson” are petty, to say the very least. Her character arc in the last two episodes show a lot of interesting improvement, however, but even Seladon agonizes over the weighty cost of taking her to school.
Best: Tavra
Often overlooked as the middle sister squeezed between the headstrong Seladon and the stubborn Brea, Tavra is the dependable knight and fighter that is much more than what she seems. Even though she’s fierce in battle, and deeply protective of her mother and sisters, she’s also a skilled diplomat and extremely strong-willed. Unlike her sisters, she calmly embraces her strengths and her place in the Royal Family, acting as an anchor for everyone, including the Paladins she commands. This actually works against her, as it is her physical and mental strength that makes her such an ideal vessel for the sinister Ascendancy.
Worst: Rek’yr
Rian’s dislike of Rek’yr can be dismissed as jealously, but if Hup doesn’t like him, we know he’s bad news. Although introduced as a romantic and mysterious figure, a representative of the mysterious Dousan Clan, you can’t help but think there’s a villain in there somewhere. When we find out he’s familiar with the Hunter, and even helped him track his prey occasionally, we aren’t surprised that he has another face. And would someone tell him to stop flirting with Brea! Does he really think a necklace made of bones is nice gift? Yuck!
Best: Hup, the Paladin
Podlings are adorable even at the worst of times, and Hup is the cuddliest of them all. If there’s an endearing figure with a calling in Age of Resistance, who doesn’t seem like quite he fits in with everyone else, it’s the indomitable Hup. He was introduced when he rescued Deet, a pivotal character and fan favorite, so the audience loves him immediately. He swoons when he meets the All-Maudra, and we can’t help but share his joy when she invites him to fight at her side. Hup sustains several injuries while bravely protecting Deet, so we know he has the heart of a knight.
Worst: skekLach, the Collector
We get that a lot of the laughs we get from the Skeksis are of the “gross me out” variety, but who finds skekLach funny or appealing? She looks like she belongs on Seasame Street, complaining to her cousin Big Bird about this awful cold. There are a few Skeksis in the Netflix show who don’t appear in the movie, and you can see why. The best and most hideous scene that involves skekLach is when Deet inadvertently puts her out of her misery. It’s both gruesome and silly but at least we don’t have to look at her anymore.
Best: Aughra
Frank Oz was the talent behind Aughra in the classic film, and many can trace her influence to the equally outspoken Miss Piggy which was also a creation of Oz. In the modern Netflix series, she’s played with equal enthusiasm by Donna Kimball. Aughra was always mysterious, and she spends most of her time in the movie as a theme character and a supporting figure. In the series, she’s more of a main character, which is exactly what we always wanted. Some of Aughra’s mysteries, including her relationships and influences on the Mystics, is being revealed.
Worst: skekUng, The General
Here’s yet another Skeksis that didn’t make it into the movie, and we couldn’t care less. It seems he only existed to be the Emporer’s shoulder to cry on before being manipulated and finally murdered by the Chamberlain. Thanks to his position as an expository character, we find out more about the Emporer and his obsession with immortality and the Blight. It sheds some light on his chilling death scene that opens the movie. As for the hapless General, however, his demise isn’t even very exciting. Rian initially wounds him and the Chamberlain simply finishes him off.
Best: Deet
Deet spends her days herding adorable animals, cuddling glowing animal babies and comforting her friends and neighbors deep in the Grotten Caves. We’re also deeply sympathetic to her when she ventures topside, only to realize that Gelfling society isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, a revelation similar to the one that Brea also experiences. Somehow, besides having the best background story and the most interesting Maudra, she’s also the most beautiful character in the show. It might be her unique eyes or slightly different skin color, or maybe her hopeful attitude in general, but we love her just as Hup and Rian do.
Worst: Cadia
We’re willing to forgive Cadia, as he’s voiced by the talented Eddie Izzard, and is given a very fitting and karmic punishment for his attempt to poison Brea. Plus, Onica takes over for him, in an elevated position she admits should have been hers a long time ago. Brea didn’t take into account the consequences of her actions, which may be part of the point. Perhaps Cadia will get his memories back eventually, but we don’t really care if he does or not. He actually seems happier, less arrogant and generally more relaxed as a bumbling servant and we actually like him more that way.
