When someone has been part of the cast for so long, it’s easy to not really think about how they got there because it doesn’t feel relevant. This doesn’t stop it from being an interesting episode topic as a means of exploring character development later on. That’s the basis behind the creation of this episode, though the reason for the background explore really isn’t too compelling.
One of the prominent allies to Hilda’s adventures is Alfur the elf. Way back in the first two episodes of the series, he was assigned to live with Hilda in Trolberg to document any occurrences in the town, and report the findings to his clan. So in addition to being an adventure companion as well as voice of reason for Hilda, Alfur has had his own job to do throughout the series. His constant talk of paperwork and strict attention to detail is demonstrative of this. Then the conflict of the episode kicks in when Alfur wakes up to suddenly realize he’s being replaced. His stuff already packed and his place in Hilda’s room repossessed, it’s not long before he discovers his replacement, another elf called Alvin.
According to Alvin, all of Alfur’s reports on Trolberg have been fabricated, and therefore completely unbelievable and suggest that Alfur is not worthy of his assignment. Right away, there’s total denseness that make this hard for the audience to get behind. Most glaring of all is that we as an audience can easily tell that Alfur’s reports are incredibly accurate, because we’ve seen them actually happen alongside him and Hilda. Speaking of which, even when Hilda says his reports are true, she’s considered irrelevant for no good reason. As a result, whatever happens to try and clear Alfur’s name is hard to get invested in because it feels like this conflict has no cause to even exist.
Anyhow, the plan is set in motion for Alfur to prove his honesty as a reporter. In doing so, he once again calls upon the Lost Clan of elves to help convince a group of Alvin’s delegates, one of whom has an interestingly cute fascination in Alfur’s reports. The catch is that he poses as a member of the Lost Clan in letting them explain themselves. When they break their peaceful behavior with the delegates and escalate things with a fight, Alfur has no choice but to reveal himself in disguise, further making him seem like a fraud. Considering the unfairness of this whole issue, this is just an even bigger sting entertainment-wise.
At least out of this is an exciting chase through a market place where the Lost Clan and the delegates are at each other’s throats and the exciting energy is kept high. It also works in elf mythos that also bring legit consequences to these actions. Since elves are invisible if you don’t sign the paperwork, people see the chaos as the work of spirits, causing the elves to be taken away by safety patrol. This is where heart in the matter finally appears as Alfur and Alvin work together to save everyone. Alfur comes up with a scheme to cleverly win over the other elves’ captor, Deputy Gerda, and she’s moved to sign the paperwork, see the elves, and set them free. Such tactfulness seems good on Alfur’s part, but it still feels like the delegates are going to replace him. Fortunately, Alvin, the intended replacement, has a change of heart, convinces the delegates that Alfur should stay in position, and that’s the end of the matter.
Ultimately, this episode,
while commendably exploring character background, suffers heavily from a weak
conflict. Still, with a number of
highlights, the good nature of the show persists.
B+
Series Ranking
1.
The
Deerfox
2.
The House in the Woods
3.
The Nightmare Spirit
4.
The Tide Mice
5.
The
Old Bells of Trolberg
6.
The
Fifty Year Night
7.
The Witch
8.
The Bird Parade
9.
The Yule Lads
10. The Midnight Giant
11. The Beast of Cauldron Island
12. The Eternal Warriors
13. The Windmill
14. The Troll Circle
15. The Hidden People
16. The Storm
17. The
Draugen
18. The
Jorts Incident
19. The Black Hound
20. The Troll Rock
21. The Lost Clan
22. The Sparrow Scouts
23.
The Replacement
24. The Nisse
25.
The Ghost
