While Disney+’s Willow has been a dismal abomination for the entirety of what I’ve watched of its run, the fifth episode, “Wildwood,” is perhaps the most palatable episode of the series thus far. Was it some mind-altering, incredibly written episode? No – but it did keep my attention, which is more than I can say about its predecessors.
During “Wildwood,” the Dag and the Scourge pursue Elora, played by Ellie Bamber (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Les Miserables), and her friends through the ruins of Bavmorda’s castle. Willow, played by Warwick Davis (The Harry Potter Movies, Leprechaun), uses a flamethrower to hold off the Dag, never fear. After this close encounter, the group flees into the Wildwood where they cannot be followed. Unfortunately, thinking they’re safe, they let their guard down and are captured by the Bone Reavers, led by a woman named Scorpia, played by Adwoa Aboah (Top Boy, Ghost in the Shell).
Jade, played by Erin Kellyman (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), and Scorpia’s resemblance is rather striking, but I initially thought it was just a coincidence; however, it’s revealed that the two are actually long lost sisters (wow this trope is new) and the daughters of the late General Kael, a former vassal of Queen Sorsha. Scorpia also has a past romantic relationship with Boorman, played by Amar Chadha-Patel (Dashcam), everyone’s favorite ex-con. The Bone Reavers are a band of outlaws who seek freedom from Tir Asleen and other powerful figures.
The Bone Reavers are a motley crew and incredibly frightening and unwelcoming at first, but once Jade’s heritage comes to light, the group welcomes the travelers and throws a major feast. After a few “truth plums” (what’s a high fantasy feast without some questionable delicacies), Elora learns that Willow defeated Bavmorda with some dumb luck, and Jade and Kit finally have another long-awaited romantic moment. Just when they’re about to seal the reconciliation with a kiss, a group of trolls kidnap Kit. What happens next is to be determined.
“Wildwood” isn’t a fantastic piece of television by any means, but it was comparably better than other episodes of Willow. If I had to guess, I think that the presence of the Bone Reavers and some new, although possibly temporary, characters shook up the typical monotonous dynamics that we’ve been seeing in the main group of characters that we’ve been following. Elora can finally perform some spells without a ten minute montage of her failing, Kit is becoming slightly less rude (though I still find her insufferable), and we can finally discuss that Willow is a bit of a suspicious character.
I think “excited” is too strong of a word for me to use when discussing how I feel about the rest of Willow, so let’s just say that the fifth episode has perhaps made me slightly more optimistic in regards to the quality of the remainder of the show’s season.
Rating: 6.5/10.0