"Search for the Emerald"
Hello my fellow Ozians, it's good to hear from me isn't it? Ok, don't burst my bubble - I will admit this action packed chapter held my attention more, and really wasn't too shabby.
I took pause in the opening scene tonight trying to think how
Tin Man could send Dorothy (I mean DG) back to Kansas already. Maybe that would have been a more exciting twist having DG trying to find her way back into the O.Z., but alas we should have know it was all the evil trickery of Azkadellia (aka Bitchzellia as one of you wittily referred to her as). "You are twisted," declared DG to Azkadellia having seen she has re-programmed Hank and Em to be her parents now. Is that her story desperately seeking attention and approval from her mother and longing to get out of DG's spot light?
Azkadellia tries to (unsuccessfully and unconvincingly) play the sympathy family card on DG. She apologies for her actions when they where younger, chalking it up to child foolishness. Azkadellia went as far as to indulge DG with stories of how they were the best of friends as children and recounted how they had great adventures together. DG still does not give up where the emerald is so she thrown into prison.
Meanwhile, Cain is alive and ticking, and nursed back to health by Glitch. They set out to find DG, and Raw, and in a true reminiscence scene they pose as Longcoats to get into the castle. I could just hear the chant in my head, "Ooo - eeeee - hoo! Yooo - ho!"
In prison, DG finds herself in a cell across from the Mystic Man which is all part of Azkadellia plan to listen in on their conversations. Knowing of this fact, the Mystic Man still reveals to DG that she is the key to the ancient battle between light and darkness, and the emerald whose location is buried in her subconscious will determine who will rule over the O.Z. during the double eclipse. Before Azkadellia comes to take him away, he mentions "grey gale." After having no luck using her "viewer" to pry the secrets out of the Mystic Man, Azkadellia once again does some soul sucking and kills him. "So eager to please the wrong sister," stresses Azkadellia.
A dog arrives out of nowhere and breaks DG out of her cell, and along her way out of the castle she frees Raw and is joined by Cain and Glitch. When safely back in the forest, the dog shape shifts into a man who claims to have known DG as a child. DG remembers him as Toto (yay! There is a Toto), he was her Tutor (she mispronounced as Toto as a child). He was now sent by her mother to reawaken her memories we see throughout tonight though that he is also working for Azkadellia, dropping her clues along their journey.
Journeying back through the devastated land of Pa-Pay they are ambushed by a group of hungry Runners. They walk away unharmed however, when we get a glimpse into the powers DG posses as she renews life in their orchards. Dodging the enemy Longcoats who are blocking their next route, they take refuge in a cabin owned by homesteader Claude Bedose. He tells them Azkadellia has been pushing the local miners for mauritanium, a magic-conducting metal she needs for a machine called a "sunseeder." This turns out to be another invention of Glitch's, but even through Raw's "viewing" he can no longer remember its purpose.
As they leave the home, Cain finds out his family passed through that very house a few months back- which reveals they really are alive. Once across the crack in the O.Z., Cain runs ahead of the group to a house longing for his family to be there. It is deserted with an empty tin man suit in the front yard, but Cain also uncovers a grave for his wife Adora.
Back on the yellow brick road, DG and company are headed for Finaqua, "this side's version of the Garden of Eden" she explains. This is the place she keeps remembering in flashbacks of her youth- it was once paradise but was quickly put into ruin by Azkadellia.
All throughout DG's flashbacks we see that her and Azkadellia truly were friends and played together. DG was even the one that never followed the orders of mommy and daddy which always landed in trouble. DG is left alone to unearth one pressing memory. It brings her to a cave where she remembers as a child herself pressuring Azkadellia to explore it with her, and they come across a huge face made of stone which behind it is a crying little girl. But it is no little girl as it morphs into a frightening old lady (who at first reminded me of the old witch from sleeping beauty but then just creeped me out), and the mo-bats. Afraid, DG and Azakdellia clasp hands and her sister tells her not to let go, but the older women scares DG into letting go and she runs out leaving helpless Azkadellia behind. What happens next explained a whole lot about Azkadellia. One, we learn why and how she has that ridiculous mo-bat tattoo and releasing power, and secondly we see the old lady transfer her wickedness into young Azkadellia.
Closing scene we are left with present day DG crying, "I am sorry my sister" now realizing it is her fault for Azkadellia's evilness, and back in her castle Azkadellia sending out the mo-bats to retrieve DG.
Some quotable lines:
After being hit, Glitch saying "that could bust a zipper."
Azkadellia: "The little witch is connecting with her past."
Young Azkadellia to DG, "Clever how you tricked that tree to throw fruit at us," and "Lions and tigers" Young DG: "oh my."
As I mentioned before I think the series is picking up and I am eager to see the conclusion tomorrow night. I am still confused as to why it is entitled
Tin Man though? You think the title would reflect DG or even the Outer Zone. Tonight, I did love the part when Glitch was rambling on about being a dancer to Cain too funny. Also I was happy to see Cain (aka Tin Man) show some heart this chapter with mourning the loss of his wife. Oh, and what about when head mo-bat Xora was killed and it deeply struck Azkadellia and she asked for
water!? I guess it does not affect her in the same way.
Will DG find the emerald in time? Meet me back here tomorrow night to discuss the end of the brick road, until then leave your thoughts on tonight's chapter. I enjoyed reading your comments from last night.
The journey continues in our
Online Video Guide.
