Save Willow Cast: Episode 1 Script
Willow Podcast Ep. 1
This is an initial script written as a guide. The audio in the podcast episode might not reflect what the script says.
[HOST 1]: Hello listeners! Welcome to the very first episode of the Save Willow Podcast, the brand-new podcast dedicated to the franchise and fandom of the series Willow. I guess the best thing to do, first, is to talk a little bit about the people in yours ears right now who are bringing you this podcast. So, let’s introduce ourselves.
*Hosts introduce themselves*
[INSERT TIME FOR A LITTLE IMPROV]
[HOST 1]: So I imagine there are people listening to this podcast who are like “What the heck is Willow? Is that that Taylor Swift song?” Was that cheesy?
[More Improv]
Well, let’s just say that there are people who have never heard of Willow. Or, at least the Willow we’re talking about. So, let’s start from the beginning – fitting for our first episode, right?
So, Willow – the show - is a Disney+ original series that premiered November 30th, 2022. It’s based on the fantasy adventure film of the same name from 1988, starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer. The show is a sequel to the film and follows the children of Madmartigan and Sorsha – who are two characters from the original film; Willow, the protagonist of the original film; and a few other characters that are entirely new to the franchise.
Now this series, we would love to say “hey go check it out on Disney+” but here’s the thing. As of the day we have recorded this, Willow the series has been gone from the platform for over a year. Which is crazy!
It was removed from the platform due to a cost-cutting imitative from Disney plus when they merged with Hulu, it’s a whole thing. Basically, it’s a villain origin story as old as time – big billionaire CEO didn’t want to pay money for a perfectly good television series and so they cut costs by getting rid of art.
And, of course, this happens just before the big writer’s strike that happened last summer, which is super fitting. I’m going to be honest, I thought that all that striking was going to be the catalyst for the return of Willow, but I don’t know, it seems like it’s still gone for now. But it hopefully – fingers crossed – will eventually return to Disney Plus, we don’t know. Nevertheless, it’s infuriating.
Because of this, the Willow fandom – of which there are quite a few of us – are fighting back in our own ways. There’s the #SaveWillow campaign on Twitter. There are fan artists, fan editors, fan writers, all kinds of efforts being made in order to show our support for the show and its creators.
We are here today as part of that effort. This podcast is our way of being like, “Hey! We still love Willow! We want to see this show finished. We won’t rest until it comes back, at least.”
So, I think a podcast like this would also be a good place to get more supporters. We need more people to learn about this show, talk about this show, and get the word out. Because we’re not the only show this has happened to, and I know there are a ton of angry people on the internet who could help us if we put our minds to it.
But, all of that – despite the importance – is not why we’re here today, is it?
The point of today’s episode is to talk about Willow: 1988. The film that started it all. Which is still up on Disney+, I highly recommend going to watch it.
This movie is so good, you guys. I actually a bit of a funny story. So, when I was in middle school, I had a teacher named Mrs. Williams, and she had a bookshelf that the kids could borrow books from. And one of them was a novelization of the original Willow movie. And like 50% of the reason I picked it up to read it is because it had the film poster as the cover, and I thought that Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley’s characters – Madmartigan and Sorsha – were so hot. I mean, look up the original poster for Willow. Do it, I dare you. They are so attractive.
Anyway, I read the book, fell in love with it. I had this story living in my head throughout my childhood. Then, later in life, I got into Star Wars, and I was keeping up with what Lucasfilm was doing – Lucasfilm the company that makes Star Wars of course- and I saw that they were making a series based on the original Willow that was going to be a sequel and that was starring Warwick Davis.
So, in preparation, I watched Willow, and let me tell you, this movie is so freaking cute. It’s like Lord of the Rings mixed with Ella Enchanted – that Anne Hathaway movie – and a little bit of Monty Python. I don’t know if everyone in my generation will know about Monty Python, but it was a comedy group from England that did a bunch of movies in the 70s and 80s. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, that might be the one most people know. But yeah, it wasn’t like super serous dark fantasy, like Game of Thrones. It was lighthearted and cheesy and fun. And I mean, I recommend it to everyone. It’s so good.
So today, we’re talking about the movie, which I was thinking about how we were going to do this.
I don’t want to go through the plot, because that would be a bit…I don’t know boring. But instead, I thought it would be fun to go through the lore and meta of this movie because it’s so interesting.
Bavmorda
Played by Jean Marsh
The prophecy
Killing of women?
How did Bavmorda come into power?
Connections to fairy tales: Evil Stepmother, Evil Queen (Snow White)
Nelwyn
Warwick Davis’s contribution to Willow + Star Wars
fantasy connections: dwarves (LOTR), halflings (dungeons and dragons), hobbits (LOTR)
How amazing is the Nelwyn village?
Although, what about the class struggle?
Burglekutt and Willow’s debt
How adorable is Willow’s family?
Elora Danan
The chosen one being a baby: thoughts?
Thoughts on the chosen one trope
Also, how cute is that baby?
The Quest
a quest is a classic fantasy trope
why does it work so well?
Madmartigan
The implications of “Daikini”
Do they call themselves that?
Implication of “Peck”
Slurs? In my fantasy?
Val Kilmer
This is just my opinion – very attractive man
A very interesting first impression that we get of Madmartigan – inside of a crow cage
His relationship with Airk
Madmartigan was a soldier?
Airk and him are very good friends
To the point where Madmartigan names his son after Airk
Madmartigan versus Han Solo?
Brownies + Cherlindrea
Is there a fairy world in Willow?
And does that mean that ACOTAR could be a thing in Willow? [for context, I’ve never read ACOTAR]
Cherlindrea
Fairy Godmother
This movie is very femme-focused
The presence of fae implies trickery?
Brownies
Are actually mythological creatures
Spiderwick Chronicles, anyone?
Let’s give a little love to Rool and Franjean
Truly the comedic heart of this film
Why are they French?
Queerness in Willow
Madmartigan in Drag
Whoever said that the new Willow was too woke clearly never watched the film
He’s in drag when he sees Sorsha and is so smitten with her
The fact that he remains in drag throughout the chase/fight
Madmartigan (pt. 2)
Why do we like him?
Do we like him?
Fin Raziel
Played by Patricia Hayes
Her unique personality
Her animal form
Sorsha
Daughter of Bavmorda
A princess who is also a warrior
Cool readhead lady with a sword
General Kael and Bavmorda’s army
Mongolian aesthetic
Why are they so brutal?
Tir Asleen
Overrun by trolls
Bavmorda’s tyrannical reign
Also, what’s happening over at Galladoorn?
Bavmorda vs Willow
Use of magic
Dark magic vs folk magic
The pig trick
The End of the Movie
What was your favorite part of the movie?
Who is your favorite character?
What do you think makes this movie so iconic?
So…we’ve reached the end of talking about this movie. Do you have any other final thoughts?
[INSERT THOUGHTS HERE]
That was a great episode you guys. Our next episode will be when we dive into the actual Willow series. I’m not sure if we’re going to go episode by episode, or what the actual structure is going to be. We’re kinda playing it by ear, we want to see how the Willow fandom embraces us. So yeah, thank you guys for listening to this podcast, and we hope to see you next time!
Buh-bye!