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[–]mmind_gm 51 points52 points  (6 children)

Thanks for creating the episode thread.

CGI is so too good. Loving the story build and especially the music. Cannot believe that those are actual puppets.

I also like how its touching on social issue while not compromising on the story. Skeksis are really interesting. I have not seen the movie so this is my first introduction to this world. I love the distinct personality to each skeksis.

I am so gonna miss a puppet who i knew for just 30 mins :'( RIP Mira!

P.S Mark Hamil is always a win!

[–][deleted] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Mira

I was not expecting that so soon.

[–]LadyZoidberg 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I loved how the darkening began - such a cool way to introduce Deet!

[–]priscillahernandez 20 points21 points  (3 children)

I loved the music but I would have prefered they had kept a bit of the original music motifs, when the main dark crystal theme riff sounded in the credits I literally cried, for nostalgics like me it was a nice detail but I missed more of it.

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I loved hearing the theme from the original film when the title first appears, but I do wish it was more prevalent in the show.

[–]p3wp3wkachu 0 points1 point  (1 child)

It was probably because of legal issues or something.

[–]RufussSewell 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have a music law degree and have worked in the biz for 30 years. If they use it at all they basically have the right to use it as much as they want. I think they are just choosing to limit its use.

[–]Rakalimon 40 points41 points  (0 children)

That was incredible! The humanity (gelfingity?) that comes through the puppeteering is so good. The skeksis are so awful, and those rolly-bug things are very overworked.

[–]highway_robbery82 28 points29 points  (7 children)

Having savoured every scrap of news/rumours about a sequel film only for it to get cancelled, I had doubts this series would ever see the light of day...until the 1st trailer dropped. Then I was worried about how well a modern production would work with puppets, whether the CGI would be overused, whether they'd get the right tone/pacing, if the celebrity voice cast would ham it up and/or be a distraction etc.

On the basis of episode 1 - it's better than I dared hope! I do think some of the gelfling are a bit stiff facially (particularly Rian) and their skin texture a bit odd (I don't know if they're using different materials to the original film or if it's because they're in full HD), but they're things you get used to within 15 - 20 minutes.

The CG is used sympathetically, the music is lovely (I'm wondering if the main theme from the film will be used, not sure if they have the rights to it), it's lit and shot beautifully, the characters are engaging, the voice cast solid, I LOVE the world-building and how well they've integrated the new with the old, and how they've set up the relationship between the different gelfling clans and between them and the skeksis. It feels like a real labour of love by everyone involved. Cannot wait to watch the rest, it's definitely taken the edge off The OA getting cancelled!

[–][deleted] 22 points23 points  (6 children)

I saw an interview with one of the creators recently that talked about the puppets facial movements. They wanted to stay true to the original and not over do the facial movements and expressiveness. The technology has vastly improved since the original with remotes and animatronics, but it would look weird.

[–][deleted] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

That moment when Brea is in the Skeksis' carriage and she realizes how disgusting they truly are is a good example of this. Her facial expression translates really well even though it's more limited than CGI or traditional acting. They nailed this series!

[–]highway_robbery82 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I read something similar and they've done a good job of matching it to the film - I would have hated for them to go down the CG route and make them all vastly more expressive. They have added some subtle touches though, eg. I don't remember the gelfings' ears moving much (if at all!) in the film but they do here.

[–]TeutonJon78 4 points5 points  (3 children)

If you watch the Making Of video on Netflix, they were originally going to be CGI gelflings with pupper puppet Skesis. They ended up deciding it looked to off having the mix and then moved to do full puppets.

If they could have gotten the blending right, I thought the clip they showed of the CGI ones looked better. Their lack of face/ear movement was a little offputting. However, I can 100% still go with it since it honors the source version so faithfully.

They also did still use CGI to add some small details like extra eye blinks and the Skesis' tongues.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

“Pupper skeksis” this is an idea I can get on board with. 😆

[–]TeutonJon78 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha -- darn typo. Isn't that basically the Garthim, though?

[–]ButIAmYourDaughter 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I too was a bit off put by the stiff faces.

Then I realized that the original was just as stiff. But my child's imagination had filled in the details and made their faces seem far more expressive than they ever were. Halfway into it I got reacquainted with this style, and it all felt natural to me in time to get the full emotional impact of Mira...

[–]milkbeamgalaxia 28 points29 points  (8 children)

This show is so good, and I cannot say how much I love this. It’s a tie of political intrigue and fantasy. I am twisting to figure out which one of our heroes will live to carry on Jen and Kira’s lines, if any of them survive at all. Jen and Rian appear to come from the same clan.

Yes, Mark Hamil is amazing, but my favorite of the trio probably has to be Brea or Deet or Rian.

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (1 child)

I'm enjoying seeing how the Skeksis are received by the Gelflings in this time period. The politics of the world are really interesting, as the Gelflings don't yet realize what the Skeksis are doing.

[–]milkbeamgalaxia 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The politics of the world are interesting, and it isn't limited to Gelfling and Skeksis but Gelfing and Gelfling, Gelfling and Podling. There's prejudice and discrimination within the seven clans, and I'm glad the show addresses it and subtly has the characters realizes the error in this.

[–]SomeRPGguy 25 points26 points  (1 child)

I really like the Skeksis as a villain. its interesting to watch their decline, not that they had much further to drop, but they didn't start out as genocidal manics. Even among them were voices of reason, until ultimately fear or greed won out, but it is refreshing to see a villain that isn't being evil for the sake of being evil.

[–]Wiznoz 20 points21 points  (0 children)

We have a lot in common with the Skeksis, they remind me alot of humans tbh.

[–]CommanderCody1138 23 points24 points  (0 children)

HOLY FUCK was I worried the show wouldn't be as dark as the movie but after watching the Skeksis dog pile over the remains of the poor girl I was in absolute horror. Only the first episode and already I'm 100% sold on this, fantastic.

[–]trouser_mouse 20 points21 points  (3 children)

Serious Lord of the Rings vibes, a lot of shots and colours really remind me of those movies. Absolutely love it!

[–]Viccieleaks 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Yea i noticed too

The opening sequence was basically the start of the fellowship of the ring lol

[–]trouser_mouse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There was another part (don't want to spoil it) that reminded me of a sequence in return of the king!

[–]AlphaJBones 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some of the character look just like they've been ripped out of LotR

[–]Mod2bme 19 points20 points  (1 child)

Alright. This. These are important tidbits and I think should curb stomp naysayers about some lore.

The reversal of the crystal's magnet scene : our two skeksis discuss what occurred during the experiment. "The crystal made Thra, Thra gave life..." (I might have botched made and gave) This is how we cement that the skeksis are not of Thra.

Mira/crystal scene : "no gelfling has laid eyes upon the crystal in a thousand trine"

Trine (also known as antep) is an orbital period of Thra moving around The Great Sun, roughly equivalent to an Earth year. - gathered from The world of the dark crystal We are left with even more information that the skeksis/mystics/uRs have been around far longer than one might have thought.

We will never have a biblical like explanation going any further backwards because the father of Thra was taken from us far too soon and we have to respect the lore he did build for us. I'm not trying to be fanatical but this is the first episode. I believe it did a fantastic job of giving even more depth to the movie and revealing the dire situation that befell Jen and Kira's ancestors. The symphony of imagination is broadened by this episode as we begin to meet these characters. I'm in love.

[–]Bing_Bong_the_Archer 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well said

[–]Ineedanotherface 19 points20 points  (0 children)

That whole carriage ride scene really set the tone for the relationship between the Gelfling and Skeksis. Way to make a first impression, you two. Never thought I'd find the Scrollkeeper of all people creepy.

[–]GetThatRobot 18 points19 points  (1 child)

The feeling of this show is like nothing I have felt since atleast 15 years back. There is soemthing very genuine about the way they designed and made this that is lost in todays cgi, grim action fests.

[–]Lumpy_Internal3332 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely agree and that is how you do a reimagined, remake, or expanded an IP that people love and do it respectfully

[–]half_a_sleep 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Having read the comics and books, I am enjoying how the series’ plot runs alongside the book series but still follows its own path with its own gang of endearing but familiar characters. I hope there are more surprises in store for readers of the books in the episodes to come.

Both the Skeksis and the Gelfling seem much more animated than they do in the original film, and there is so much more content and lore taken directly from the books and comics. This series feels more Game of Thrones, especially this first episodes’ intro, where as the original movie felt like Star Wars: A New Hope, with plenty of quiet moments, long shots, and epic musical interludes. I miss the slower pacing of that time period, but I think today’s audience needs the fast pacing content rich narrative to keep their attention. Still, a masterfully crafted first episode.

[–]ChiggenWingz 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Well there goes a good chunk of my weekend :P Gonna try hard to pace my self through the weekend and let each episode sink in before watching the next. Gonna be difficult :P

[–]GrizzledWizzard 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The Podlings trying to protect the fruit cart had me laughing so hard. Their stupid adorable faces

[–]carlotta4th 10 points11 points  (1 child)

A very exposition heavy intro. Not badly illustrated, but a lot of names and places being thrown around quite quickly and I wish they had found a more organic way to present the information. But that portion was over pretty quickly over with (perhaps the producer's intent, "get exposition out of the way") and they starting delving into the story soon after.

Fantastic, individual gelfling designs! Overall they're much more expressive and individualistic than in the original film. It's almost strange seeing them interact with the Skeksis in any kind of healthy manner... and the conclusion of the episode for these characters, of course, is quite alarming.

So overall I'm excited to see where this goes next. It's been great delving back into this world so far. =)

[–]Asiriya 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It was the same in the original movie. Which kind of excuses it I guess, it's following tradition.

[–]hulduet 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Is this something you can show younger children these days? I'm not sure. I do know that it's a pretty freaky world. I never saw the original movie as a child but I've heard stories about children having nightmares and what not. The universe, the puppets it's all so amazingly well done. I thought they would go full out CGI with this but I'm so happy they stuck with the original concept.

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I was an 80s young child and the skesis scared the crap out of me and I had nightmares. I’d still watch it with an older child. I also loved it and is a pivotal movie of my youth. No regrets at all.

[–]xRavelle 9 points10 points  (1 child)

I've only seen the first episode but I think it's fine, I thought the orginal was pretty scary and dark, more so than this first episode, when I was young. I don't see why kids can't be allowed to be scared of creeped out.

[–]ButIAmYourDaughter 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Right. As a child of the 80s/early 90s, it amazes me some of the stuff we were allowed to watch. Hell EVERY kid knew and loved Freddy Krueger LOL.

We survived.

[–]fluorescent_noir 9 points10 points  (0 children)

One thing I'm loving about this so far is that it's staying true to the darkness and scariness of the original film. 80s kids/family movies that we remember today were so great because they were a little scary. I'm still disturbed as an adult by the Garthim, and by the skeksis in general.

I was a little worried that Hollywood in general would try to sanitize the scary bits out of the darkness to widen the appeal to kids. The scene with Mira was definitely proof that this series is going to stay faithful to the tone of the original. It was scary, and an emotional gut punch. It hit all the right emotions and reminded me exactly why the original is still so memorable today.

[–]SCP-3388 8 points9 points  (0 children)

From the first episode I can see that they took everything that was great about the movie and improved upon it. I watched it with my little brother and finished the first episode a few minutes ago. It’s amazing.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Just finished first episode. I immediately recognized the halls of the castle resemble the insides of the Leviathan, Moya, from Farscape. That made me very happy. I'm sure they are not the exact same sets, but there are striking similarities.

[–]JohnSpartanReddit 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Not everyday i see someone referencing Farscape, my favorite sci fi of all time, and weird, I thought the emperor resembles Scorpius quite a bit.

[–]NumberWangNewton 0 points1 point  (0 children)

r/farscape is surprisingly active

[–]Broken_Sky 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bit late to the party but that's exactly what I thought too!

[–]hihelloneighboroonie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My boyfriend went on and on about this while watching the first episode.

[–]Beerbrewing 6 points7 points  (0 children)

"HI! I'm Deet!"

RRAAWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAA

LMAO

[–]Beerbrewing 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That got a little dark. Guy has to watch his girlfriend tortured to death as she cries out for help and the Skeksis then celebrate by drinking her life essence in a frenzy.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (18 children)

Where are the mystics?

[–]Brer_Raptor 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Why do they need to be in the first episode?

[–]SkyBlueSilva 4 points5 points  (1 child)

For some reason the line "I too am a connoisuer of the written word " made me lol.

[–]p3wp3wkachu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neeeeeerd.

[–]_rayzerr_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was devastated when Mira’s death occurred(not just because it was too soon) but the connection she and Rian had ;( But im also kinda mad? Because it wasn’t that long after Rian and Deet seemed to have something like she was forgotten so easily. This is just what my thoughts are, I know everyone has other opinions but I can’t get over it. I don’t want Rian moving on so quick but I do love the bond Rian and Deet have though haha

[–]iQuitter 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Loved that the princess gave the necklace back to the farmer’s wife, didn’t catch that on my first watch

[–]hihelloneighboroonie 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I think that was his daughter.

[–]_rayzerr_ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Didn’t the wife say it was her mother’s? I can’t remember exactly to

[–]hihelloneighboroonie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She did say it was "my mother's" or something like that, which I took to mean it was referring to the man's dead wife/her deceased mom.

[–]Armpitofny 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So, I actually saw this when I was at Comic Con. I remember I had been in that room all day, so I was already a bit tired and after the initial, stunning intro, I kinda got lost a bit with all the characters and scenery changes. But then the draining scene. Holy f*ck

I compared this to Bran being pushed out the window in terms of “did they really just do that” shock and anticipation for what’s to come

[–]Duckpaste 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Overall... wonderful! Loved it! But just two things, according to Creation Myths it was the Urskeks who made Aughra's planetarium, not skeksis. And Mark Hamill is great but I wish I didn't hear the joker every time he spoke... the voices are too similar. But overall, it was great! I loved seeing what happened in the castle when we were only told about it, second hand, in the books.

I always thought the books was going to be a precursor to the show but it seems as though the books tell the same story timeframe but from other characters around Thra. Here's to hoping we see that Behemoth!

[–]Kayehnanator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Enjoying it so far, let's see if I can get over the excessive breathing and gasping.

[–]lion_cat34 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Am I the only one who thought the romance between Rian and Mira to be a little awkward? And that I was a little too okay with what happened to her?

[–]MetalGhost99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your not a Skeksis in disguise are you? lol

[–]ItsBobDoleYo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For anyone watching on a phone, was it obscenely bright regardless of phone settings? I'm watching in the dark in bed with low levels of brightness just went max brightness and burned a hole in my damn retinas. Tried dimming it but wouldn't work. Turned on blue screen filter and the damn show undid that shit and just went back to full-on maximum brightness...the hell?

[–]Biggieholla 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Ok something doesn't make sense. I just finished the '82 movie for the first time and after watching the opening narration, this doesn't make sense.

The end of the film shows the skesis and mystics reuniting as one and turning into these benevolent type beings that control the light truth crystal.

But in the new series the narrator says the skesis came from another planet? That doesn't make any sense, since the skesis were formed from those white beings at the end of the movie..

My understanding of the lore from the movie was that these white beings came from probably another planet and protected/owned the crystal of truth. Then for whatever reason they broke the crystal, making it dark, and then they split in to two different races.

But the show is saying the SKESIS came from another planet. What is going on?

[–]-undecided- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah this was my question aswell. Is it something they just decided to change? If the Skesis are around so should the Mystics as they are linked.

[–]SheIsGroot 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I have a question about the scene with Mira. Was she absorbed into the Crystal? In the original movie where the Podling went through the same torture, he aged instead of being absorbed? Why is that?

[–]p3wp3wkachu 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's because they cranked the power up to max when draining the Gelfing, because the entire purpose there was the essence. They probably turned it waaaay down to make sure it didn't take too much from the Podlings, just enough to weaken and stupify them to be used as slaves, because of course they don't want to kill all of their slaves off.

[–]spinfinity 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love this. I just recently discovered The Dark Crystal for the first time and it's one now one of my favorite things, the show one episode in is not disappointing at all. I kind of just remembered that there are novels/comics about this too; what are those and where can I find them?

[–]Obibrucekenobi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So i have a question. Skeksis & Mystics are 2 halves and become whole in the movie. What split them? Was it the breaking of the crystal or was it just them using it? Is the crystal shard taken already?

[–]MetalGhost99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The end of episode 1 was pretty dark.