Harlan

Lord **Harlan** is a character introduced in the second season of Apple TV+'s *SEE*, portrayed by actor Tom Mison. Born of an aristrocratic Payan family of little consequence, he spent his life climbing the political ladder, eventually becoming the ruler of Pennsa, the Payan first city. He’s known to be a fast talker, charismatic, smart and cunning.

## Character arc

### Positioning himself

Lord Harlan serves as the ruler of Pennsa, the largest of the cities in the Payan Kingdom. After the destruction of Kanzua, Queen Kane consecrates Pennsa as the new capital of the Payan Kingdom, effectively supplanting Harlan. Harlan is suspicious of the Queen's explanation about the destruction of Kanzua, but seeks to position himself to make the best of the current situation. To mitigate the damage to his position that resulted from no longer being the most powerful man in the city, he proposes a marriage alliance with Sibeth, but she demures and instead offers the hand of her sister in marriage instead.

Continuing to try to win favour with the Queen, Harlan executes a former steward of the Kanzua Hydroelectric Dam who survived its destruction and travelled to Pennsa claiming that only the Queen herself could've orchestrated its rapid destruction, presenting his tongue to her as a gift. Later, having both been told by the Queen of their upcoming marriage, Harlan works with Maghra to stop a war with Trivantes. Harlan gets married with Maghra and the pair agree a plan to send Kerrigan into Trivantes to rescue Haniwa.

### Family strife

When Baba Voss and the rest of Maghra's family arrive in Pennsa, Harlan introduces himself as Marghra's husband which confuses them. At dinner, Harlan sits with them as they get caught up on recent events. Later, Harlan discusses with Baba that he should be treated with respect. One night, Harlan hears of Kerrigan's death and he is distraught. In order to make peace with Trivantes, Harlan travels with Maghra to a meeting place with their delegation. They arrive and make greetings, but violence soon breaks out after Harlan hears Trivantians killed Kerrigan for spying. Harlan realises the meeting still needs to happen in order for peace to be achieved and arranges one in private. Here, the Payan and Trivantian delegations agree on terms of peace, including an apology by the Queen. This would not come to pass however as the Trivantian delegation is killed that night, which Harlan and Maghra deduce happened at Sibeth's hand.

Harlan supports deposing Sibeth from the throne and this happens after Sibeth declares war on Trivantes. As the battle at Greenhill Gap begins, Harlan is injured by assassins sent by Edo Voss as he defends Maghra.

### Protecting his city

With Sibeth held prisoner, awaiting execution after the birth of her baby, Harlan is keen to keep an eye on the prisoner and to enforce the agreement with Trivantes and hand Sibeth over to them. Maghra is uncertain about doing this, and Harlan has to convince Ambassador Trovere that Sibeth is no longer needed for their agreement. Harlan also gives fatherly advice to Kofun, who is unsure about being a father to Wolffe.

Harlan tries to convince Trovere to leave Sibeth in Penna, but Trovere says that cannot happen and instead asks Harlan to convince Maghra to change her mind. This plan is jeopardised however when Sibeth escapes and Harlan must strategise with Marghra and Tamacti Jun around ways to re-capture her and also to stop Trovere from finding out. When Wren tells the group about the God Thunder weapons Tormada possesses, she mentions the coal needed in their production. Harlan realises he mentioned coal to Trovere upon trying to agree a way to achieve peace without Sibeth. He confronts Trovere about this, citing she knows about Tormada's weapons. They discuss her knowledge of this, and both agree that they can still stop the war if they tell The Triangle of Tormada's plans and have Trovere seen as a hero. For this, they both have to travel to Trivantes, though Harlan wants to go in covertly.

### The way to Trivantes

The pair begin the journey to Trivantes together, where Harlan expresses his feelings for Maghra. Before reaching Trivantes, Gunter and others arrive to take Harlan and smuggle him into the city. They do so in a chicken trailer, where Harlan then makes his way into Trovere's home. He reveals himself to Bank where he tells her of the impending threat of Tormada's bombs. While Bank is hesistant to believe him, she concedes to Trovere that she will investigate. Harlan and Trovere discuss whether he should return to Pennsa at all. Later, the Triangle discuss Tormada's plans and Bank sides with the scientist. She leaves the chamber as a bomb explodes, killing other Triangle members and catching Harlan in the blast. While she examines his wounds, Harlan hears that Trovere is part of the Triangle with Bank and Tormada and she took Harlan away from Pennsa for his safety. Harlan must make a choice of allegiance.

Harlan arrives at the House of Enlightenment with Tormada's forces to inspect the bombs. As the group realise Baba and family are in the House, he pulls Tormada aside after the latter speaks to Baba, Ranger, and Sheva. Harlan informs Tormada that Baba is likely to hand over Sheva in exchange for his childrens' safety. This convinces Tormada to give Baba this ultimatum. With the ultimatum not taken up, Tormada's forces advance inside the House and Harlan tells Trovere the battle may last longer than she thinks. As Tormada's men are killed, he decides to pull out with the bombs. As they do, Harlan's men arrive to kill the remaining Trivantian soldiers. Trovere tries to use the Harlan, but he is aware of this and instead stabs her. He feels regret in doing this and comforts her as she dies. He is then confronted by Baba but is able to stave off the latter by telling him that they need to warn Pennsa of the threat from Tormada instead of chasing him. Baba reluctantly agrees to this.

### Demise

On their way to Pennsa, Harlan realises they will not get there in time, and suggests to the group shortcut through the lowlands. He says this is risky as he has lost men down there mysteriously. Nonetheless, the group agreed to this and they advance. Through the Lowlands however, Harlan and Haniwa are kidnapped by a group of cannibals from a local tribe. At the camp, Harlan tries to bond with Haniwa as she is scared. He says they never talk and the family situation is raised. They work out a plan to escape, with Harlan cutting his bonds using glass but he is interrupted by a tribe member who takes him away. Before he can be killed however he is able to escape and kill the tribe member before they can harm Haniwa. During the skirmish to get out of the cannibal base, Harlan is mortally wounded and collapses outside. He confides in Haniwa his feelings for Maghra and his city, and gives Haniwa the keys to Pennsa to give to Maghra. It is after this that he dies.

## References

1. ↑ "Brothers and Sisters"
2. ↑ "Forever"
3. ↑ "The Compass"
4. ↑ "The Witchfinder"
5. ↑ "The Dinner Party"
6. ↑ "The Truth About Unicorns"
7. ↑ "The Queen's Speech"
8. ↑ "Rock-a-Bye"
9. ↑ "Heavy Hangs the Head"
10. ↑ "Watch Out for Wolves"
11. ↑ "This Land is Your Land"
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "The Storm"
13. ↑ "The House of Enlightenment"
14. ↑ "The Lowlands"