Old Soldier

This is My Take on the Old Soldier cinematic in which Saurfang, unhappy with Sylvanas’ leadership, meets Zekhan , a young soldier fighting his first war. This follows on from my take on Warbringers: Sylvanas and addresses some feedback that speculated that Old Soldier was released as an apology for Warbringers: Sylvanas.

• These shorts take an amazing amount of work. They were all finalized at least (at least!) a year ago. Blizzard did not create or release this as a reaction. They have a plan and they are moving along it as planned. They are trusting that when all is said and done everyone will ‘get it.’
• Omg how amazingly awesome is this as a character piece. Saurfang also has thorns: the loss of his son (twice), the loss of honor, the denial of an honorable death. He too needs this storyline. He needs to find honor before he can die. Dishonorable suicide is about as hopeless as he can get. He needs the Horde to find redemption. He needs to find hope. He is the Horde. The Horde needs hope.
• Again, that tragic figure in his past: we named him Dranosh…
• The juxtaposition of ice and fire recalls the juxtaposition between Jaina’s water and Sylvanas’ fire. Zekhan is a shaman. He understands the elements. He makes Saurfang realize that he is the Horde and he can’t die until the Horde regains its honor. Water, fire; blue, red; Alliance, Horde.
• Zekhan aka Zappy Boi: is this dude the embodiment of hope, or what? “This be my first battle, what should I do?” lol every class Discord now has an answer to this FAQ! And falling on your tusks hurts – I always wondered about that.
• Watch Sylvanas in Warbringers. Watch how she moves. She burns the tree. Her brow wrinkles (why did I do that?), her eyes cast down (regret, sadness, confusion), she turns to Saurfang (oops? ). Blink and you will miss it.
• Holy shit but @GeorgeKrstic @Burnzerker and team are knocking it out of the park with these cinematics. Blizzard has upped the storytelling game.

TL;DR: Saurfang is on the same journey as Sylvanas, as is the Horde. I may not be right about all this, but damn, I’m not wrong – not yet.

I’m very excited to see the Azshara short and to see what is coming for the Alliance.

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