We’re at the end of a very sad week that saw the passings of two beloved cultural icons: Dolly Parton and Tim Curry.
The fact they were both the same age (Dolly being slightly older) and that their deaths were almost simultaneous flipped a strange lever inside my brain; because I suddenly connected these tragedies with one of my favorite movies from my childhood: Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal.
The Dark Crystal is a dark (as the name suggests) surreal fantasy, populated with fairy-like creatures spawned—or perhaps channeled—by the imagination of Brian Froud. But what really makes it stand out is that is not your typical children’s tale, in which Evil is defeated by destroying the evil doers. In this tale, the malevolent Skeksis are only vanquished when they are merged with the wise and benevolent UrRu, who are their magical counterparts.
This is not unlike the ‘shadow’ work therapy employed by Carl Jung to allow his patients to integrate the parts of their personality they’ve been repressing for years. In this world—and maybe others—there cannot be light without darkness.
Dolly Parton was admired not only for her incredible singing talent and unforgettable lyrics, but also for her generosity—which she expressed with multiple charities—and her advocacy for kindness towards your fellow men. Tim Curry, on the other hand, left an indelible mark in modern cinema by portraying some of the most popular villains in the Silver Screen; but if that wasn’t enough. his portrayal as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show inspired an entire LGBT generation to transgressionally express themselves without fear of societal judgment.
Think about it: they were both superstars by the 1970s; they both had very characteristic smiles; but if anyone is still unconvinced Dolly and Tim were in many ways two different sides of the same coin, just consider how they both worked so well with The Muppets.
If we could sum up the lessons they both left us it would be thus: Be Kind and Follow Your Weird.
We in The Daily Grail Community should do well in remember that.
Descansen en Paz.
PS: There will be no Sunday Funnies next week. Working on these strips every week have left me exhausted, and I’m taking some needed time off.
But please remember that if you want to keep seeing these your support via Patreon will always be appreciated.
