I saw someone in the comments underneath one of my posts say something about an AU where Wu died instead of Garmadon in season 4's finale. And let me just say: brilliant idea. Not that I want Wu to die, but this presents some amazing opportunities for alternative storytelling. I feel a bit too tired to make a long note about this in my notes app today, but I think there's potential here. Think about it just briefly. If Garmadon survives but his brother dies, I fully see himself going down the self hatred route. He's already not very popular with the people, Wu and Lloyd and Misako were his only real human connections. Losing one of them would devastate him. He may fall into a deep depression, something only a threat like the preeminent could snap him out of.
Also, imagine Garmadon having to deal with Morro. Morro doesn't know Wu is dead, and he's back for revenge. But Wu never told anyone about Morro, so Garmadon just thinks a ghost possessed his son for no reason. He is going to forcibly make the ninja find Lloyd with him, because he is not losing another family member. Never again! He may very well nearly sink back to darkness, becoming a dark lord again. It's his son who has to help him retain sanity, even as his love for his son clouds him to morality. Garmadon is a man who has so little. He would do anything for those he cares about.
I think I'd do that sort of thing too, by the way. I have revenge fantasies when in really angry and I get incensed when my dad is hurting. If my dad were hurt by someone, I think I'd be tempted to just resort to violence. Garmadon is very similar to me in many ways, so it's easy to project my stuff onto him and his story. I see myself in him, and I want an entire new version of the show dedicated to him. He is an old man who's walked a hard road, who's had no peace, who's mistrusted and has few friends. I have no friends, feel dependent on my dad, would do anything for someone I care about (like my dad), and yet also have violent mood swings and depression and temper tantrums. I see myself in Garmadon so much. It's hard to overstate how much I think I've just accepted him as the best character in the show.
Anyways, the other thing that makes this AU cool is that Sons of Garmadon would need rewrites. Honestly, we might end up with a baby garmadon and an Emperor Wu. Gods, what would Emperor Wu even look like? I want to know! I really want to know. Harumi resurrecting the Ninja's old Master to make him deal their ultimate death blow...it sounds so perfect. So perfect. I kind of wish this was a show now. Because it sounds amazing.
