Aslan Returns, Part I: High King Peter (the Magnficent)

In light of the recent release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, I have been hurled back into the world of blogging. My notes on my initial viewing of Prince Caspian will be cataloged in the series "Aslan Returns." All posts will have some spoiler content in them.

The movie begins in Narnia, and then transfers over to England, where the four Pevensies are getting ready to go to school. Lucy runs up to Susan and demands that she comes with her, then leads her older sister through a throng of school children, finally coming to the middle, where Peter is in a fight.

Thus we see the High King for the first time.

Peter's character progression is very pointed and complex. He is still turning from a boy to a man, even though William Moseley is 21. But I desist.

There is, as was surmised by certain smart people who enjoy spoilers, conflict between Peter and Caspian. The very first time they meet, Peter and Caspian fight, and are only stopped from killing each other by Lucy. Once the Narnians begin forming battle plans, Peter and Caspian clash again, often looking to throw the guilt of all mishaps on each other. After the night raid, Lucy, who did not accompany the others, asks, "What happened?" to which Peter only says, "Ask him," jerking his head in Caspian's direction.

While it is true that Caspian is at fault for the mishap, Peter has his own guilt in the matter. But most of the conflict comes from a sort of power play between the two. Peter is still playing the part of High King Peter The Magnificent (which is what he introduces himself as to Trumpkin). Throughout the entire film Peter is fighting, and then slowly accepting, that he is not coming back. William Moseley noted in an interview that he went through the same process, first resisting, then regretting, and finally accepting that he would never play the part of Peter again. A mark of Peter's knowledge, acceptance, and the passing on of leadership, as well as his respect for Caspian, comes just before the Pevensies leave.

Peter gives Caspian his sword.