Editor’s Note: The following comprises spoilers for Willow Season 1.The Disney+ collection Willow has joined the ranks of fantasy reveals that deliver again outdated franchises. The present is a sequel to the 1988 movie of the identical identify. Picking up the story just a few many years later, the brand new present reintroduces a number of acquainted faces, together with this titular sorcerer, performed by Warwick Davis, and the now queen Sorsha (Joanne Whalley). Yet one of many movie’s leads is notably lacking. Val Kilmer‘s Madmartigan didn’t seem in Season 1, although his absence was nicely famous. Due to well being dangers, Val Kilmer did not return for the collection. But fairly than recasting or explaining it away as an unremarkable demise within the interim, the present used the lacking character to its benefit. With the present centering on his kids, Kit (Ruby Cruz) and Airk (Dempsey Bryk), Madmartigan comes up quite a bit. The present facilities on Kit, Elora Danan (Ellie Bamber), and a small group of unlikely questers looking for a captured Arik. But as they go on their journey, the charismatic hero is a typical subject of dialog. As a legendary a part of the defeat of Bavmorda (Jean Marsh), as seen within the movie, everybody has heard of him. Plus, the search consists of his daughter, the kid he took in, his former squire, and his outdated good friend, Willow, so what else would they discuss on the street?
Early of their journey, Kit expresses her long-held thought that he left with Elora to guard her, however that’s rapidly revealed to be false when Elora’s identification is confirmed. Madmartigan left to seek out an artifact that will assist shield Elora however by no means returned. Kit holds deep-seated resentment in direction of her father and, by extension, Elora, which she is pressured to confront even in Madmartigan’s absence. Through the connection between the 2 women, Madmarigan is stored on the forefront of the collection, so the truth that he is not current is inconceivable to overlook.
Madmartigan’s Replacements
Knowing Madmartigan’s absence from the collection couldn’t be ignored, the present wrote in two characters as a treatment, no less than partly. Boorman (Amar Chadha-Patel), the previous squire to Madmartigan, takes on an analogous function within the present. A comical rogue who agrees to go on the search as a reprieve from the jail cell Sorsha has him locked in. His relationship with Madmartigan and the similarities between the characters positions Boorman to interchange him with no need to recast. But even so, one thing felt lacking. Perhaps it is as a result of the characters have been so targeted on his absence. During the search, the characters run into one other pseudo-Madmartigan. Allagash (Christian Slater) introduces himself as Madmartigan, however the group rapidly realizes his lie. Allagash’s first scene mimics Madmartigan’s first look within the movie, as each are imprisoned in cages. The outdated good friend and ally of Madmartigan’s is utilizing his identify to idiot the trolls, permitting the actual Madmartigan to flee. Allagash reveals Kit the place her father went, however she can’t observe. Without absolutely changing him, Boorman and Allagash try and fill Madmartigan’s sneakers, however is that sufficient?
Following Madmartigan
Throughout the search, Kit goes on a aspect mission to observe her father. With the assistance of Boorman, she traces his steps in his closing quest. Madmartigan left his house to discover a magical Kymerian Cuirass that protects the wearer from hurt. Seemingly, he anticipated an upcoming catastrophe and wished to have the ability to shield Elora and his household. But he by no means returned. After Allagash reveals Kit the place her father went, she discovers his sword, which she takes alongside. Briefly listening to his voice, Kit thinks he’s alive and that she might save him, however she is prevented from going after him. As they go away, Allagash informs her that Madmartigan hoped considered one of his kids would take up his function in defending Elora. Boorman finds each the Kymerian Cuirass and the Lux Arcana, which is required to activate it, however the armor will not work for him. Nor does it work for Allagash, who tries it first. Instead, Kit makes use of it, leaping into her father’s sneakers.
Madmartigan within the Season Finale
With Kit lastly assuming the function of Elora’s protector within the season finale, Madmartigan is much less important to the collection than earlier than. Yet his affect on the opposite characters is as important as ever. As a driving power within the relationship between Kit and Elora, Madmartigan’s disappearance will should be defined in additional element, whether or not he ever seems. Though Madmartigan can’t be seen within the first season, his voice makes it into the finale. He speaks to Kit whereas she is examined by the Wyrm, however solely as a disembodied voice. At this second, he claims to all the time be along with her as he drives her to interrupt freed from the Wyrm’s spell. But does that imply he’s nonetheless alive someplace? Only subsequent seasons will reply that query if the present is renewed.
How Could Madmartigan Be Alive?
During their quest, the characters study that Madmartigan left to combat the Wyrm from the within. This might imply he’s alive however trapped within the beast, although it might additionally imply they may later uncover he made the final word sacrifice. If the household is reunited, it’s going to take some problem. The portal Madmartigan entered by way of was closed, however a brand new one appears to be open. While precisely what this creature is hasn’t been clarified, it’s clearly the primary enemy throughout the present. The Crone served the Wyrm, trying to lift it to energy, however little or no is revealed concerning the Wyrm itself.
As the menace grows, a person on the within might show a strong asset to the heroes. Or he could possibly be in want of rescuing. It can be fully in character for Madmartigan to have lastly gotten caught in a state of affairs that he cannot trick his manner out of. After all, he was first launched in a cage, a undeniable fact that the present emphasised with each of his stand-ins. So, sure, it’s doable that the character will return if the present is renewed. The collection appears to have left the potential of Kilmer returning open, ought to he select to, although there’s all the time the choice to recast if he can’t. Either manner, it might nonetheless be a reduction for the character to be alive and nicely.