#prince lucas

Hector’s pouch sash is such a genius character piece. Completely in character for him to have all of his magister supplies on hand.

Aside the hair ornaments that I mentioned in a previous post, I love the floral designs on Gretchen’s outfit. Also the detail her hair is actually tied back into a long braid is also a great addition. It gives her a fox-like silhouette even while she’s human.

Shout out to Whitley’s hoodie and hair braids.

The fact the slot for her staff doesn’t interfere with the design on her jacket works really well.

I can’t help but chuckle at the fact Lucas’s shoulder pauldrons/spaulders are literal lion paws.

That had to be an intentional pun on the character designers part.

Also just the overall design of Lucas’s outfit appears so much more ornate than his father’s armor. It sells the idea that Lucas is a spoiled brat, while Leopold was the conqueror. One is for ceremony, the other is for war.

Just.

Everything with the Wyldermen. From mere savages in the books to something truly nightmarish in this series.

Coldblood here looks particularly amazing.

Vega’s fin rings are such an in character detail for him to have. But it does propose a question.

Where do they go when he transforms?

Last, but not least, for a character who will only be in one episode, Tilly has various little details I want to point out.

Her hand tattoos intrigued me when I first saw the latter shot. Initially thinking it was Drew’s hand (a ‘sacred birth mark’ kind of thing) until I went through the trailer a second time.

The earrings and piercings are also an interesting detail to her character. Especially given the pelt and furs aesthetic they seem to be giving the Cold Coast in the show.

Given we later learn Tilly was a maid for Queen Amalie and Weregar, maybe these are sort of seeds that plant that connection?

The first things the hand tattoos reminded me of was tattoos Native American women, particularly Inuk women, would have.

Since I — and a few others if fanart is anything to go by — visualized the White Wolves of Shadowhaven, like Amalie, with an Inuit aesthetic. Could the show be implying that Tilly was a maid of Amalie in Shadowhaven that came to Highcliff when she married Weregar?

It would be easier for her to sell the idea that Drew’s her son if she came from the same region as Amalie.

Little rant but I love the character designs in wolf king. How everyone just has the vibe they need. How drew has a bit of wool on his coat(like a wolf in sheep’s clothing), Gretchen’s slender yet pointy build with a fox eared headdress. The bear lords wearing earthy tones like wear bears live. Hector’s outfit having defined shapes like magic ruins. LUCAS’ FREAKING NOSE BRIDGE

I'm glad that they showed how anxious Gretchen was! She knows how bad Lucas is; she knows that she's not going to be imprisoned and/or executed like her friends, but she's facing that impending grief and the loss of her freedom. Vega's comment about never trusting a Lion feels oddly supportive, but he would know -- the Lion betrayed him, too.

Yay Manfred and Mikkel! The character introductions continue to be perfect, because saying that the Staglords are excellent at providing counsel and then watching Mikkel do something foolish? That's his character in a nutshell (and of course, Manfred is more sensible than Mikkel, but he's still a staunch ally of the Wolf and of his brother).

And the Lion betrays Vega again! We see how threatening Leopold is with how quickly he brushes Vega (who we just saw best Drew with ease in the last episode) aside. I would feel sorry for him (he looks so sad!), but at least he's finally realized he can't count on the Lion.

The ambush is a fun action scene, and I'm glad that Whitley faces consequences for it. Something that has been breaking my immersion in the show is that we see our main cast rebel against the king so many times without facing punishment for it, even as we're told that everyone is terrified of resisting Leopold. Watching Leopold plan a horrific punishment for Whitley as Manfred and Bergan look on sadly is fitting (even if I don't want Whitley to suffer).

I continue to like Drew's nightmares (sorry, Drew)! It makes his grief at losing his mother and his conflicted feelings over his father and brother (he loves them, but they did stab him) so much more palpable.

I love that we see how hard it is for Gretchen to be around Lucas, but that we also see how clever and determined she is.

The part with Amelie is so creepy, and I love that they gave it more attention. She's enchanted now instead of drugged and depressed, but honestly, the effect is the same: Leopold has deprived her of her ability to feel and think for herself, keeping her docile enough to control. It's horrifying, and we know that the same fate likely awaits Gretchen (and could await Whitley, too, now that she's trapped in the Ladies' Quarter. I like that we have this detail as well because it makes her fate so much scarier than just the life of a noble lady, which she doesn't want. That is still very scary, but the idea that she could be deprived of her own will if she doesn't comply makes it so much worse).

(And it also sets up Amelie to be a more active character, which is also great!)

Yay more of Gretchen scheming! I like her interaction with Drew in his cell -- it hurts, but it demonstrates their respective agencies in this situation and the bond between them (and, in Drew's case, his resignation).

I also like that Mikkel was imprisoned (as I said, it's good that it feels that the characters face consequences for challenging the Lions in this episode) and that we see Manfred and Bergan consider their options. It's great characterization, illustrating their more thoughtful, strategic natures . . . until Bergan sees Vega and loses it. I enjoy how much they hate him (and we also see that Manfred is slightly calmer and more level-headed than Bergan, even if he can't stand Vega, either).

(I'm glad we get an early glimpse at the dynamic of a Wolf's Council meeting. Vega not doing anything and making witty comments to annoy everyone, Bergan snapping at him, and Manfred trying to keep them both under control. I missed these disasters!)

And yay Mack and Trent Ferran! Or not yay, because they're pointing their swords at Drew? I like that we end on a confrontation.