When reading or viewing a series released in installments, there is something that is inevitable. Later installments will always add information that changes how you look at information from previous ones. The Green Ember series is certainly no exception, and few are likely to have more of an impact on how you take in the series in the future than knowing how it all ends.
With that in mind, I thought I’d put it out to our Menders. Now, chances are most of us haven’t started going through the series again since completing Ember’s End. But perhaps certain things from the past books have stuck out to you, and I invite you to share.
For me, a particular moment that has taken on new meaning comes from the very first book. It’s when Helmer is discussing the Longtreaders with Lords Rake and Ramnor. Towards the end, Ramnor makes a comment to Helmer about his training Picket: “I thought you gave up training bird bait years ago.”
Think about that comment... and then think about what happened to the King’s Arm.
Was listening to Ember Rising again, and something hit me. When Helmer kneels at Jupiter’s Crossing, it’s entirely possible that he’s on the very spot where he saw Jupiter die. As he and Picket sit there, both of them are remembering the monarch they feel they failed. Helmer is remembering how he didn’t go to the aid of the king. Picket is remembering the prince he saved in that very clearing, only to-as he sees it-send him to his death later.
If none of that jerks your heartstrings, then consider this. Depending on where Garten chained him, Helmer is facing either towards or away from where he was restrained. Odds are it’s also not that far from where he watched the King’s Arm die...
Also, has it occurred to anyone else that Helmer is probably the one who rescued Wilfred from Garten’s clutches? And that said incident may be a factor in their hostility in The Green Ember?
Had another couple of thoughts, specifically regarding a couple of characters who died in Ember Falls.
After learning more about the Lord Captains-like the fact that there was more than one-in Ember's End, it makes me wonder about Helmer's reaction to the news of Perkinson's betrayal and death. I imagine he must have seen the Fowlers as a chance to make up for the loss of the King's Arm. If he and Perkin One-Eye were indeed friends as the final book seems to imply, he must also have felt he was making amends for "failing" his fellow Lord Captains by taking Perkinson under his wing-if you'll pardon the pun. And then the guy goes and betrays everything his father ever stood for; must have been a hard blow for Helm. If anything, it's probably worse than the loss of one of his King's Arm bucks, because at least they died faithful.
Next, we have Tameth Seer and Bleston. Now, throughout the second and third books, they act like Tameth is Bleston's faithful counselor, absolutely loyal to him and completely faithful that he is destined to rule over all Natalia. However, in the fourth we learn that Tameth has been nursing a hatred of Bleston's Waywards-calling them "you usurpers"-ever since they first arrived in Terralain. It kind of makes you wonder: was he acting so enraged at Picket to hide the fact that he secretly wanted to shake his hand? Or was it, perhaps, that his anger stemmed from Picket doing something he had wanted to do himself for years, namely killing Bleston?
Make sense. Or he could’ve said something like,” He’s not even helping us” like you said. Who know?
True. One thing that stuck out to me is in book two when Perkinson says to Heather,” Prince Kylen doesn’t know about this. He’s not even——“ Perkinson began but King Bleston cut him off. I wonder if he was going to say,” He’s not even the proper heir” or something like that. Maybe “ He’s not even his son” only S.D. Smith knows.
Helmer's backstory changes so much. It adds a whole new layer of depth to the scenes with him and Picket in Book 1.