There has not been a single show in recent memory that dives, into the slimy undercurrents of our political and cultural scenario, as deep as Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. From discussing immigrant rights to exposing the filthy mindset of capitalism, it goes through the entire gamut of satire — enveloped in an incredibly warm story and some of the most exquisite imagery ever created for a puppet show.
This show has received unparalleled praise from critical audiences, but is also highly popular with casual viewers. In fact, the overall rating on IMDb happens to be 8.5, and none of its ten superb episodes have received anything but acclaim. Season 2 has never felt so far away.
Nothing is Simple Anymore (8.3)
For the first time in ages, a Grottan emerges into the sunlight — Deet is immediately attacked by an Arathim before being saved by her new best friend, Hup. Simultaneously, Brea's suspicions about the Skeksis grow, leading her to Elder Cadia for answers.
Rian has been accused of killing Mira, but he tries to capture evidence of his innocence by enlisting Gurjin to steal Mira's remaining essence. The ending is gruesome, with the poor Scientist, skekTek, getting punished for the Gelfling's escape, resulting in the worst punishment of all: having a Peeper Beetle consume his right eye.
End. Begin. All the Same. (8.3)
The Skeksis rule all of Thra, having been given guardianship of the Crystal of Truth by Mother Aughra. Their energy source having been tainted by evil, the Skekses plot ways to obtain other means of nutrition. skekTek discovers, through Mira, that the Dark Crystal can extract essence from living organisms, which has the same effect as the Crystal itself.
Rian is the only witness, but is soon blamed for his friend's disappearance. Brea and Deet begin on their quests for truth: the former finds a mysterious symbol, while the latter journeys to the All-Maudra.
What Was Sundered And Undone (8.4)
Aughra enters the Skeksis Castle while they are all taking a bath (a repugnant sight), and discovers the damage they have wrought upon her precious crystal. The All-Maudra punishes Brea for her "faux pas" by forcing her into the Order of Lesser Service. Luckily, her term ends soon enough, as Tavra takes her along to find Rian.
Hup has been imprisoned, unfairly, by Maudra Fara's bigoted paladins, and Deet is stuck without a way to rescue him. When Break returns home, one of the chrysalises in her mother's chandelier bursts into a Unamoth, which takes her to a hidden room under the throne.
By Gelfling Hand... (8.7)
As the Skeksis take Rian, Tavra, Brea, and Hup after killing the All-Maudra, the powerful stone golem, Lore, stands in their way. Although the Gelfling guards in the Castle rebel, the Skeksis murder most of them (using the remainder for essence.) The Chamberlain discovers that the Gelfling are aware of his clan's true nature, as they pelt him with mud and peachberries.
Mother Aughra tells The Archer that it is his destiny to take care of his other half, The Hunter. In the Vapran court, Seladon is stunned to discover that the Maudras reject her claim to the throne.
The Crystal Calls (8.8)
As events draw to a close, Aughra willingly allows the Skekses to take her essence and heal The Hunter with it (as long as they set free the captured Gelfling.) Although The Emperor turns back on his word, it is futile, because the Arathim have now joined leagues with the Gelfling.
The Chamberlain makes his final move against The General in this episode, offering him essence to heal the wounds inflicted by Tavra. Both Rian and The Emperor issue proclamations against each other via the Crystal, and a time for the final battle has been set.
A Single Piece Was Lost (8.8)
The Hunter explodes from his bindings, terrifying skekTek, and runs to the scene of action. He manages to break the Dual Glaive, and is about to kill Rian, when The Archer realizes that the only way to end one life is to end the other. Aughra pops out of the disintegrating Hunter, terrifying the Skeksis.
Seeing all the Gelfling clans finally reunited, The Emperor sets off the Darkening from this staff. However, this is countered by Deet, who kills skekLach and chases away the Skeksis. At last, the true meaning of the Dual Glaive is discovered — in the form of the crystal shard buried in its hilt.
Prophets Don't Know Everything (8.8)
Deet takes Rian to her home, the Grottan Caves, but discover the Arathim already there. After a series of fights, the pair request the Arathim Ascendancy to fight with the Gelfling. Just before they escape, the Sanctuary Tree endows Deet with the ability to manipulate the Darkening itself.
On the other side of the world, Seladon is forced to see that her beloved overlords are actually despicable monsters. The Hunter comes home, heavily injured after his fight with The Archer, terrifying the Skeksis as it reminds them of their own mortality.
The First Thing I Remember Is Fire (8.8)
The Chamberlain is upset when The Emperor chooses The General as his advisor. To remedy the situation, he begs The Hunter to solve his problem for him: by finding the renegade Rian. It is too late, however, as Rian has already dreamfasted all his memories to his friends, both old and brand new.
Deet rubs luminescent goo on her face and terrifies the Stonewood guards, so she can rescue Hup. Brea understands that Thra's caste system is unnatural; her epiphany awakens Lore, whose recording instructs her to travel to The Circle of the Suns.
She Knows All the Secrets (8.9)
The Chamberlain loses his psychological hold on Rian, as Gurjin and Naia pull off a daring high-speed heist. Mother Aughra, unable to commune with Thra, allows the world to sing to her instead.
As multiple characters happen to be dreamfasting at the same time, they are drawn into Dream Space, where Aughra tells them the real truth about the Skeksis and the Crystal. Unfortunately, Seladon rejects her advice, which is a direct cause of her mother's death at the hands of The General.
Time to Make... My Move (8.9)
The funniest — and most moving — episode is the one with The Heretic and urGoh the Wanderer. The pair's relationship seems inherently dysfunctional, and yet it cannot be so, as they are part of one soul after all. Through a meta-comedy puppetry sketch, The Heretic and urGoh explain the genesis of the Skeksis, as well as the crucial role played by the Dual Glaive.
Before the Gelfling (and Podling) leave the Circle of the Suns, The Hunter arrives and kidnaps Brea. The Skeksis have not been sitting quietly this whole time: The Emperor forms an uneasy alliance with the Arathim in exchange for the Caves of Grot.