I watched a few episodes of this new show on Netflix and highly recommend it so far if you're in any way into fantasy. It reflects our reality and situation in some ways.
The plot begins with the world in a harmonious state populated by various beings, the primary and intelligent humanoids being called Gelflings. Until one day a race of bird/lizard creatures called the Skeksis come from space. They come bearing gifts and trick the guardian of the world into ignoring her duties and instead astral projecting to explore the whole universe. Her narrative is that she can bring back beneficial knowledge, but in reality it seems she has been simply dissociating for her personal pleasure. While she is away, the Skeksis promise to take good care of the "Crystal of Truth", which is a proxy for the life force of the whole planet and all that live on it.
Of course instead of protecting the crystal they suck energy out of it to achieve immortality. The show begins 1000 years later. The Skeksis have organised the various tribes of Gelfling into a heirachical pyramid structure with their favoured tribe at the top, and of course themselves sitting above it all. They have fostered the narrative that the entire world of Thra needs their leadership and that all good things in life ultimately come from them, and nearly all of the Gelfling population are 100% brainwashed into believing it. The energy from this crystal has now run out, it is fully corrupted, and the corruption is beginning to spread to the world, so now the Skeksis must turn to draining the life force directly from the Gelfling.
It's in the Skeksis best interests to keep the tribes fighting among each other, and they are aware of this and say so in the dialogue. In fact there are many instances of dialogue that's surprisingly aware and insightful. The show is also beautiful, including the scenery, architectural style, music, and especially the songs of various characters
The plot begins with the world in a harmonious state populated by various beings, the primary and intelligent humanoids being called Gelflings. Until one day a race of bird/lizard creatures called the Skeksis come from space. They come bearing gifts and trick the guardian of the world into ignoring her duties and instead astral projecting to explore the whole universe. Her narrative is that she can bring back beneficial knowledge, but in reality it seems she has been simply dissociating for her personal pleasure. While she is away, the Skeksis promise to take good care of the "Crystal of Truth", which is a proxy for the life force of the whole planet and all that live on it.
Of course instead of protecting the crystal they suck energy out of it to achieve immortality. The show begins 1000 years later. The Skeksis have organised the various tribes of Gelfling into a heirachical pyramid structure with their favoured tribe at the top, and of course themselves sitting above it all. They have fostered the narrative that the entire world of Thra needs their leadership and that all good things in life ultimately come from them, and nearly all of the Gelfling population are 100% brainwashed into believing it. The energy from this crystal has now run out, it is fully corrupted, and the corruption is beginning to spread to the world, so now the Skeksis must turn to draining the life force directly from the Gelfling.
It's in the Skeksis best interests to keep the tribes fighting among each other, and they are aware of this and say so in the dialogue. In fact there are many instances of dialogue that's surprisingly aware and insightful. The show is also beautiful, including the scenery, architectural style, music, and especially the songs of various characters