The Dark Crystal - Top 10 Greatest Moments
#10: The Archer’s Sacrifice "A Single Piece Was Lost"
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As we learn from skekGra and urGoh, the skeksis and the mystics were originally a single species, the urSkeks. But in their attempts to use the power of the crystal to purify themselves, they inadvertently divided each of their bodies into two separate beings. Though few of the skeksis and urRu see eye to eye, each such pair remains intimately linked. In the case of the Hunter, skekMal, his other half is the Archer. And after the Archer fails to kill his counterpart with arrows, he makes the ultimate sacrifice - taking his own life to stop the deadly Hunter just as the latter is about to kill Rian. The archer didn’t get a lot of screentime, but he nonetheless made a big impression.
#9: Brea’s Slight of Hand "Nothing Is Simple Anymore"
The youngest of the All-Maudra’s daughters is your quintessential baby of the family. Unruly, prone to error and very much at the whim of her own imagination, Brea is treated like a child by both of her older sisters, as well as her mother. When she takes it upon herself to investigate the history of the Skeksi and the logic of their rulership, she quickly begins to prove herself to be far more competent and intelligent than most give her credit for. When she visits the Cadia of the Sifa can, she rightfully guesses that there’s something fishy about the drink he’s given her, and so she creates a distraction and pulls a switcheroo. It’s well-played, and gave us a whole new appreciation for this character.
#8: “Give the Crystal Your Fear” "End. Begin. All the Same."
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This is the moment that sets the entire plot of the show in motion. For starters, what Rian witnesses turns him into a lifelong enemy of the skeksis, one who will go on to plant the seed of revolution. Perhaps even more importantly though, is that it signifies a major shift for the skeksis themselves. Previously, they were just your run of the mill manipulative authoritarian rulers. When they kidnapped an innocent gelfling and killed her in cold blood to rob her of her essence, it was their first step on a path to genocide. Mira was a strong, intelligent and just all-around compelling character. We only knew her for a single episode, but like Rian, we mourned her loss nonetheless.
#7: The Dark Coronation "By Gelfling Hand..."
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The Skeskis are evil, but we see them for what they are from the very outset, and so we can appreciate them at their villainous face value. Seladon, however, is perhaps the most frustrating character in the entire series. Her commitment to the status quo is such that she’ll turn on her whole family. Though she might be naive, she’s also rather cunning and knows how to work a room. When her claim to the title of All-Maudra is challenged, rather than enter a contest she knows she’ll lose, she fashions herself a new crown/outfit to circumvent the conflict. It’s quite the power move, but audiences got some much-needed catharsis when the Skeksis to whom she’s so dedicated to gave her a harsh reality check.
#6: The Creation of the Garthim "By Gelfling Hand..."
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Perhaps one of the most bittersweet things about watching “Age of Resistance” is that, because it’s a prequel, we’re doomed by the knowledge of where this story inevitably leads. While the future of Thra can be a bit of a downer at times, it is rather cool to be able to bear witness to the events that led to the world we first encountered in the 1982 film. Easily one of the coolest species from the original movie is the Garthim - a giant an incredibly dangerous insectoid/crustacean-like race that serves the Skeksi. In the season finale of this prequel, we actually get to see how skekTek created them; it was a real treat for long-time fans of the franchise, not to mention a nice addition to the Dark Crystal mythology.
#5: Remembering the Parents "By Gelfling Hand..."
The use of puppets might make the “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” look like a children’s show, but after watching just a single episode, it quickly becomes clear that this series deals with some fairly mature themes; among them is the concept of loss. Both Rian and Brea had somewhat challenging relationships with their respective parents. But following the death of Rian’s father and Brea’s mother, both young gelflings find themselves overcome with emotion as they reflect upon the parents they unexpectedly lost. Joined by their friends, they deliver a heart wrenching song in honor of the fallen. It might not be in a language we don’t understand, but you don’t need to know the words to appreciate the sentiment; the melody says it all, and it’s truly beautiful.
#4: Deet Unleashes Her Dark Magic "A Single Piece Was Lost"
Earlier in this episode, Deet and Rian seem poised to have an intimate moment of connection, only for the former to suddenly recoil. As we pan to her hand, we see that Deet, like so many of the creatures of Thra, has become infected with the Darkening - perhaps a result of her having taken on the power of the Sanctuary Tree. Though her new powers and influence will clearly have devastating consequences for the once-lighthearted gelfling, in this moment… her new powers are the epitome of badass. Emperor Skekso unleashes the power of the Darkening, only for Deet to absorb it and fire right back. The move stuns everyone present - and viewers at home likely had a similar reaction.
#3: The Carriage Ride Rescue "She Knows All the Secrets"
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When Rian is apprehended by the Hunter, the latter hands him over to Skesil the Chamberlain, who insists that he be allowed to bring him back the Crystal Castle. What unfolds is a tense conversation between gelfling and skeksi, with the Chamberlain seemingly talking Rian into a corner and breaking his will. Thankfully, our young gelfling hero gets a much needed dose of hope in the form of a surprise rescue from his friends, Naia and the recently-freed Gurjin. The action is awesome in its own right, but this is also the first time that Rian sees his good friend Gurjin again, who (all things considered), he believed to be a goner. Both powerful and thrilling, it makes for a great moment of television.
#2: The Hunter vs. Rian and Ordon "The First Thing I Remember Is Fire"
Though this moment ends in tragedy, it was a pleasure to watch, delivering not only unparalleled puppet combat, but also nailing the emotional beat and sense of drama. It’s made clear from the first episode of the series that Rian and his father have some issues to work through. The former looks up to his dad and clearly seeks his approval, but due to his youthful ways, Rian often appears at odds with his father - and this is only made worse by Ordon’s refusal to believe his son about the fate of Mira. In this epic battle however, the two stand together, not just as captain and soldier, but more importantly as father and son. And because of Ordon’s sacrifice, Rian survived to fight again. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions The Deterge "What Was Sundered and Undone" A History Lesson Through Puppetry "Time to Make... My Move" Calling All Gelflings "The Crystal Calls" Aughra Returns from the Dead "A Single Piece Was Lost” The Introduction of Hup "Nothing Is Simple Anymore"
#1: Lore to the Rescue "By Gelfling Hand..."
When Brea and company are taken away by the Skeksis, the adorable (and loyal) Lore is none too pleased. Sensing Brea’s in trouble, he comes bursting out of his underground home, which just happens to be under the All-Maudra’s throne room. And so the newly-villainous Seladon gets thrown to the ground in a moment that surely elicited cheers from viewers. Rian is already attempting a rescue, but it’s Lore who finishes the job, bringing some much needed muscle just in the nick of time. Taking Seladon down a notch and giving our heroes a much needed win in one swift move? Way to go Lore!
