The Dark Deal

[Darkling Nocturnal]

We see Cowslip and Silverweed again in this episode. It may be one of the most important episodes in the third season. Redstone gets finally destroyed. Generally, I must say, that Redstone is or was an really interesting warren:

First, nearly it's whole population died or has been captured by Efrafa. Then, it has been repopulated with rabbits from Cowslip's Warren. Now, it gets finally destroyed by men.

The only flaw in my opinion is Cowslip's voice actor. He's not bad as Kehaar, but he sounds a bit strange and too conceited as Cowslip.

And then of course we have Campion and Darkhaven. I would say, it's simply great. Shale has some great lines. We have the fight between Campion and Granite, which isn't really bad. Only one thing looks a bit strange: After Campion kicked Granite right in the barrels, we see one barrel falling right upon Granite. It looks, like the barrel is crushing him. In the first moment, I thought "Damn, what a death!".

Then, we hear Granite. I suppose, the barrel was rusty and the lid simply caves in.

[Claws]

Now, THIS is how you make a memorable episode! I simply love this one, from its title (how can't you like a name like "The Dark Deal", it is pretty much asking you to marry it :P) to its setting (including the return of Silverweed, who was really waiting for a moment to shine), the whole episode is full of exciting moments and it is also built in constant tension... it is simply priceless. And, in a move that I wasn't quite expecting, it turns out that the most horrifying thing that could happen, actually happens! How many shows do that sort of thing? It actually caught me a little by surprise.

This one entry that I'm eager to revisit.

[Darkling Nocturnal]

Yes, the title is amazing. The, should I call it rite in Cowslip's Warren is cool and creepy (that was the point, where I thought, how I nice it would have been to hear more of Silverweed's stories or poems in the series.

And of course Redstone's fate is really shocking and amazing. Now, that was the point, where I think, it's one of the most interesting warrens in the series.

Distressed by Efrafa, inhabited again by members of Cowslip's warren and finally destroyed by men. Which other warren has such a development/fate in the series?

[Claws]

None, it is actually the most interesting warren on the series... but Darkhaven is truly a good runner-up for the title.

[Chipster-roo]

A minor detail from this episode that really caught my attention...

Fiver's vision of Hawkbit.

Fiver sees Hawkbit getting buried under a huge mountain of dirt in Redstone's destruction.  Therefore, Hazel insists that Hawkbit remains at Watership Down while the others go to Redstone, and Strawberry prevents him from sneaking out.

As far as I remember, this is the only time in the entire series that one of Fiver's vision does NOT come true in one way or another.

Around halfway through the episode, Strawberry says that he became so strong by digging,  At that moment, I was expecting Hawkbit to dig an escape tunnel, sneak towards Redstone and get buried, with Hazel and the others risking their lives to save him.  In the end he turns out all right, and simply faces a stern rebuke from Bigwig.  However, this doesn't happen: neither Strawberry nor Hawkbit appear again for the rest of the episode...

[MeadowRabbit]

^ Oh yeah - what was that about with Hawkbit?

Silverweed has got less creepy since the first series. Rather sweet!

When Campion kicks the leader rabbit away in Darkhaven, whatever it is that comes out of the container is the same colour as the rabbit, and the way it squishes out like that is pretty unsettling... Did they just...? No, they didn't - phew!

How do those feathers attach?

Farewell, ill-fated Redstone.

I haven't got anything more to add at this time, other than: the plot thickens.