If you’ve only seen the Willow TV series and you’re not too sure what the relevance of Nockmaar is at the end of Episode 3, here’s the low down on what it all means. It’s also possible that you’ve seen the 1989 movie, but you’ve forgotten about some of the locations, so here’s a refresher on why the place is so important.
You only get a fleeting image of the ruins of Nockmaar at the end of Episode 3, but it’s clearly going to be Willow, Elora and team’s location for Episode 4. They’re all a little bedraggled from the brutal fight against Commander Ballantine and the rest of his Gales-possessed guardsmen.
AdvertisementThey’ve also lost Willow’s best friend, Silas, and the High Aldwen is pretty spent in terms of his magic, so they didn’t have much in the way of options what Nockmaar presented itself. However, the main reason for them heading to the location is to tend to Prince Graydon who picked up a bad injury in the fight.
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What is Knockmaar and why is it important to Willow?
As mentioned above, if you’ve seen the movie then the reference in the Willow TV series will hearken back to it. As soon as he spots the imposing steps leading them in the direction of the abandoned city, Willow warns against taking it, but Boreman says that they have no option.
AdvertisementThe reason for the reluctance to go there is because he’s been there before in the film. Nockmaar is the home of the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda, who Willow helped to banish years ago.
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Essentially, Bavmorda went after Elora Danon because of a prophecy that foretold she was the Princess of Tir Asleen who would one day destroy her grasp on the world. Towards the end of the film, Bavmorda’s forces manage to kidnap Elora and take her to Nockmaar Castle where she plans to use a spell to banish her soul from their world for all eternity.
AdvertisementIt’s this castle that you can see at the end of Episode 3 of the Disney+ TV series, sitting right in the middle of Nockmaar. The events of the film came to a head in the ritual chamber inside the castle where Willow used his wits to save Elora.
In the end Bavmorda completes the banishing ritual, but accidentally uses it on herself in the confusion of the moment. As a result, her soul departs and the group of heroes save the day, along with Elora.
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The TV series picks up with Willow and a new group as they try to save Airk from the Crone and while Bavmorda is gone and a new enemy is the focus, there’s enough portent to imply there’s much to be feared of Nockmaar and its dark castle.
It’ll be interesting to see whether or not we get some kind of soulless or spirited return for Jean Marsh, who played Bavmorda in the film. It’s clearly building to some kind of personal journey for Elora Danon, so there’s bound to be at least a few flashbacks in the very least.
However, Willow’s fear could be a good indicator that there’s more to Nockmaar than a history lesson. There’s been mention of the Darkness as the ultimate enemy then and now, so it’s possible some of that remains within the castle.
Prince Graydon isn’t just going to heal overnight and Willow is clearly spent in terms of his magical powers, so it could well be a grueling Episode 4 for the group. After that they’ve still go to make it to the Immemorial City across the Shattered Sea, where they will have to face the full might of the Withered Crone and the darkness that she represents.
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