The Draugen
The most noteworthy thing about this episode is how it packs in several references to past adventures, but also stands well as its own new adventure. Through doing both, it gives solid development to the familiar in addition to creating something new for both this season’s story and the world of the series.
Hilda is still suspicious of Erik Ahlberg and his new safety protocols he’s placing around Trolberg, so she sets out to try and learn his true nature. This in turn brings the first reference to the past, the Rat King, a single being made up of innumerable mystical rats talking at once. In addition to bringing a creepy atmosphere like the first time, he makes a bargain with Hilda where he’ll offer information in exchange for a discarded cod sandwich. A visit to a seedy pub ultimately gets Hilda what she needs as well as something entirely different from her task at hand.
At the pub, she meets up with one of the show’s most prominent supporting characters, the Woodman. He’s the nonchalant figure who goes around and does as he pleases no matter what anyone says or thinks, with one of his habits being gambling. This show of character has him win at his game but also get thrown out for attitude reasons. However, this is where a totally different adventure unfolds when he tells Hilda that he’s out to look for draugen, a race of ghost pirates who have been separated from their loved ones. Even though she can always do this after her business with the Rat King, Hilda decides to join Woodman to find the draugen and help them get back to their loved ones.
While this makes this episode feel like it’s cramming two ideas in at once, the unfolding adventure is still very enjoyable and well-crafted. There are more references to the past with Hilda using good with to get a weather spirit to create stormy weather so the draugen will come out, as well as the designs of the draugen. They look a lot like the ghosts who are basically blobs with bones floating inside them which makes them stand out from what people would imagine ghosts would look like. This helps a lot in recognizing a connection later on.
For now though, Hilda soon learns shocking details behind the whole plan. For one thing, the draugen like living out at sea and don’t wish to return to their loved ones. Also, Woodman didn’t actually want to help them, and true to his mysterious not always honest ways, he just wanted to steal the draugen’s sextant. He and Hilda are soon sentenced to become draugen themselves by being drowned, indicating dark undertones to the entire setup. Luckily, Hilda points out a loophole that could grant her and the others freedom from harm. They’ll challenge the draugen to a boat race, and be allowed to go free if they win. The only problem is that the draugen have magical powers to give them the advantage in the race. At the same time, again, Hilda has her wit and gets that same weather spirit to help her and Woodman’s boat get the speed they need.
They win the race, but the draugen still chase them down because Woodman
can’t part with that sextant. At this
point, you have to question if he’s wise or just a jerk if he’s willing to let
things like this happen. Either way, the
chase through Trolberg is a big action highlight with lots of energy, and comes
with an endearing end. Summoning ghosts
in the cemetery as she did the first time, Hilda gets the draugen to rediscover
the joys of being with family via several resurrected reunions. It should also be of note that there's good resourcefulness on Hilda's part as she came up with this idea after hearing the draugen were from Trolberg. While this is resolved, Hilda is shortly
reminded of her initial goal as Erik takes the credit for stopping the draugen,
and she’s without proof against him. It
doesn’t matter though because when she finds the Rat King, he doesn’t seem to
have information on Erik for some reason.
Ultimately, one adventure’s a success and the other is fruitless. Two different things happen at once here, but
it’s elevated by an adventurous spirit and a broadening of mythos.
A-
Series Ranking
1.
The House in the Woods
2.
The Nightmare Spirit
3.
The Tide Mice
4.
The Bird Parade
5.
The Midnight Giant
6.
The
Troll Circle
7.
The Hidden People
8.
The Storm
9. The Draugen
10. The Black Hound
11. The Troll Rock
12. The Lost Clan
13. The Sparrow Scouts
14. The Nisse
15.
The Ghost
No comments:
Post a Comment