'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance' season 1 episode 2 preview: Aughura awakens as the Gelflings begin their quest to fight the Skeksis
Spoilers ahead for the season 1 episode 2 of 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance' titled 'Nothing is Simple Anymore'.
'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance', a prequel to Jim Henson's 1982 cult classic movie 'The Dark Crystal' is a beautiful watch. Directed by Louis Leterrier and starring Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jason Isaacs and Mark Hamill - which is to name only a handful from a massive star cast that the series boasts of - in main roles, 'The Dark Crystal' follows three Gelflings (the human equivalent in the world of Thra) Rian (Taron Egerton), a Gelfling crystal castle guard of the Stonewood Clan, Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy), a Gelfling princess of the Vapra Clan, and Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel), a Gelfling animal carer of the Grottan Clan, on their quest to overthrow the evil Skeksis overlords. But this doesn't come easy because not only are the Gelflings and other creatures of Thra completely unaware of the intentions and the power of the Skeksis, there are many that are thriving with these dark overlords in power and their constant oppression of those beneath them.
The second episode titled 'Nothing is Simple Anymore' begins with Aughra (Donna Kimball) waking up from her long journey after traveling the universes. "This awakening could only mean that some calamity has befallen Thra while I was away," she says, exasperated. Aughra cannot figure out why Thra woke up her asking for her help and she must find out what has happened and set things right, "If I'm already not too late".
Elsewhere, Emmanuel's Deet embarks on her journey to end the darkening of Thra. She must follow the suns to her destination. Rian, after losing his dearest Mira (Alicia Vikander) to the evil Skeksis - she is the first Gelfling we see lose her life essence to The Dark Crystal in the most heartwrenching way - finally manages to leave the castle. Meanwhile, Taylor-Joy's Brea is hot on the search for the meaning of a mysterious symbol. The Librarian (Toby Jones), at first, tells her that she mustn't know of the meaning behind the symbol but then reluctantly gives her that the Sifa clan could help her out. Elder Cadia (Eddie Izzard) tries tricking her, but Brea is a smart Gelfling who refuses to fall victim to such shenanigans. She swaps the cup of tea mixed with a potion for erasing memory meant for her and Elder Cadia ends up losing his memory, but when her mother and leader of the Vapra Clan, The All-Maudra (Helena Bonham Carter), finds out about what she's done, Brea is now banished to work for the downtrodden in the Order of Lesser Service, which means she is to be sent away from the castle. It remains to be seen how Brea will handle this.
At the same time, the Skeksis are desperate to make more essence; they're hungry and greedy and do not care how they get hold of the essence. Ordon, Rian's father, also makes a visit to the Skeksis desperate that they excuse him. They even warn him against dreamfasting, which is how Gelflings share memories with a touch because Rian has apparently lost his mind. They leave him commanding him to find Rian and the promise that they will "heal" him. The Skeksis, however, are keen on finding the traitor and then drain both of their essences.
Will Aughra be able to find the reason that Thra called out for help? Will Brea be able to escape from the Order of Lesser Service and go on her quest? 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance' is scheduled to release on Netflix on August 30, 2019, but in the meanwhile, as you wait you could watch the 1982 cult classic movie 'The Dark Crystal' which is currently streaming on Netflix.