'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance': Netflix's puppet special is a lesson in resistance and the perils of uncontrolled power
Spoilers ahead for 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'
At the heart of Netflix's 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance' is a rebellion - a long-overdue revolution to dismantle the status quo that is causing the world of Thra to darken. The Skeksis have spent many a trine (a trine in 'The Dark Crystal' universe roughly equates a year) ruling over the land of Thra. Up until now, they did so under the pretext of protecting the magic Crystal that breathes life into the land and all its creatures. It was Aughra who had entrusted the Skeksis with the Crystal of the Truth and taken them for their word that they will protect it.
Instead, the Skeksis started draining the crystal. As the evil overlords started relying on the power of the crystal to feed their greed for eternity, the darkening of the Crystal - and by extension, the world of Thra - started worsening. The Crystal of Truth used to be pure white, gleaming and shining when Aughra left it with the Skeksis. Years and years of prolonged abuse and corruption broke it and turned it purple.
The way the Gelflings, specifically Rian (Taron Egerton), discovers the truth of the overlords he is sworn to protect, is a heartbreaking one but one you knew was coming. Having lost the love of his life to the Crystal, which sucked her life essence from her body, Rian tries to get the truth to the other Gelflings in his clan. But no one would listen, no one would dare go against the overlords who, according to them, protect the Crystal and Thra. Elsewhere, Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy) also begin on their respective journeys to find the truth behind the darkening. They know that the darkening is spreading and that it is killing their world slowly but still all at once, yet they are completely unaware - at the beginning of their journeys - that this is related to the Skeksis.
And here begins the story of Netflix's 'Age of Resistance'. Each of the Gelflings are trying in their capacity to make those around them aware of the truth that they have seen and that the Skeksis are evil and need to be upended. They strive against all odds; Rian is banished from his clan and branded a traitor, Deet is deemed an outsider because of her clan, and Brea is constantly under pressure from her family to spread the truth and spark the fires of rebellion. Needless to say, their lives have been in danger throughout their journeys, but their bravery and resistance know no bounds. It teaches us a thing or two about rebellion, power and earnestness.
'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance' is currently streaming on Netflix.
