Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance: The Maudras grapple for power in “By Gelfling Hand…”
The previous episode of Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance may have showed the strength of the Gelfling when working together, but “By Gelfling Hand…” sees the Maudras working against each other.
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance has made it clear from the beginning that the Gelfling will need to stand side by side in order to defeat the Skeksis lords — and even then, they may struggle to throw off their oppressors. In fact, the fifth episode of the series shows just how much the Gelfling stand to gain when they work with one another. Unfortunately, the following one undoes some of that unity.
Seladon has been named All Maudra by the Skeksis after her mother’s murder, and she calls the other Maudras to the Castle of the Crystal to discuss the treason she believes she’s seen. Unfortunately for Seladon, the rest of the Gelfling appear to be on the same page about what’s happening to their people. They have no interest in following her or the Skeksis lords who granted her power.
In particular, Lena Headey’s Fara Maudra is steadfast in her refusal to work with Seladon. Although she had a long friendship with Seladon’s mother, she openly questions Seladon’s claim to her mother’s title. And tensions between the two characters reach an all-time high when Fara Maudra challenges Seladon for the crown.
Fara Maudra intends to face Seladon in a “Trial by Air,” and she fully expects to win — after all, she is known for her skill as a warrior. But Fara Maudra’s plans don’t go as intended. Seladon shows up to the Trial by Air wearing a new crown and a Skeksis-inspired gown, and she declares her mother’s old crown obsolete, passing it along to Fara Maudra willingly.
And with that turn, it seems that the series is setting Seladon up to be one of the antagonists — perhaps the scariest one, given that it’s often difficult to take the Skeksis seriously, even when they’re presenting a genuine threat. Seladon, on the other hand, is intelligent and has influence, and she can change the course for the Gelfling for the worse.
Apart from the intense political ramifications of what happens between Fara Maudra and Seladon, the only other notable thing that happens during “By Gelfling Hand…” is Rian and his companions saving Brea and Deet from their imprisonment. The main characters are all together once again, and with the series heading toward its finale, it seems like they’ll be the ones to stop the Darkening (assuming they can at this point).
“By Gelfling Hand” does feel like a lull after the intensity of the previous episode, but it’s building to a greater second half of the season. And hopefully, some of the characters will make wiser decisions during those later episodes…
Next. Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance: Episode 5 review. dark