Willow (2022) not so subtly slipping in some strong anti-imperialism propaganda in the voice of a WoC leader from a group who fight their oppressors with violence and are not only humanized, but also justified in it, is not the serve I expected from a high fantasy show for children on Disney+ and yet, here we are.
Graydon x Elora came for my throat this last episode. With his whole grumpy, emo, only-wears-black, intellectual prince with forbidden knowledge and a dark past, as well as the “ugly” scars on his chest, and Elora with her wide-eyed optimism, stubborn tenacity, naive personality filled with light, literally the embodiment of hope. The way they are drawn to each other, how they are in wonder of one another even when they can’t see their own worth (Elora when she can’t perform the spell, Graydon when his scars are revealed). I mean when he overcomes his fears to rush into the fight to rescue her? and when she reassures him after seeing his scars??? and when she ties his shirt and they stare into each other’s eyes??? “Let me save you by almost kissing you and looking deep into the darkest parts of yourself” and Gray waking up, gazing up at her like he’s finally seeing beauty and light for the first time in his life??????
