Godflame

*This article is about the series' first episode. You may be looking for* the God called "God flame"*.*

## Godflame

### Director

Francis Lawrence

**Godflame** is the first episode of the Apple TV+ original series *SEE*. It debuted on November 1, 2019, the same night as the following two episodes. The episode was written by Steven Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence. Godflame introduces the world of *SEE* and the major characters of Baba Voss, Maghra, Queen Kane, Paris, Tamacti Jun, and Bow Lion.

## Synopsis

*Queen Kane hunts down Jerlamarel, while Maghra gives birth to two, sighted twins. Meanwhile, Baba Voss has to lead what remains of the Alkenny to a safe refuge.*

## Plot

A virus in the 21st Century devastates the Humanity, with only around two million surviving the outbreak. All of the survivors emerge from the plague completely blind. Hundreds of years into the future, vision is a myth whose mere existence is considered to be heresy.

On the outskirts of the Payan Kingdom, the Alkenny live in their village high in the mountains. As Maghra prepares to give birth with the assistance of Paris, Maghra's husband, Baba Voss, leads the defense of the village against an army of Queen Kane's Witchfinders. The Witchfinders, led by the Witchfinder general, Tamacti Jun, have arrived seeking a heretic, known as Jerlamarel. One of the Alkenny, Gether Bax, has betrayed his own people after Maghra arrived in their village at the end of winter, already three months pregnant. Although now married to Baba Voss, Gether Bax found a necklace with Jerlamarel's name on it. As Maghra gives birth to twins, Baba Voss and the Alkenny warriors fight the Witchfinders on the mountain slope, triggering a rockslide as their final means of defense. However, Gether Bax's information on the village defenses prepared the Witchfinders for this and most of their army is untouched.

At the village, the Alkenny are divided on what to do. Some wish to give up Maghra's children to the Witchfinders in an attempt to appease them, although Baba Voss and several others stand in their way. Paris presents them with an alternative; a bridge across the ravine towards the Sun Grave built by the twins' true father, Jerlamarel. Led by Baba Voss, the Alkenny escape across the bridge ahead of the Witchfinders. Tamacti Jun makes Gether Bax test the bridge before sending his men across, resulting in Gether rejoining the Alkenny just before Baba destroys the bridge.

At Kanzua, capital of Paya, Queen Kane receives word from Tamacti Jun of his failure. Convening her council of Lords and Ladies, she decrees that the Witchfinders have new orders -- to search for the heretic Jerlamarel, who claims to have the power of Sight. Fearful of the possibility of passing on the power to his offspring, Queen Kane also charges the Witchfinders with finding his children, and to stamp out the heresy of Sight.

The survivors of the Alkenny are told about Jerlamarel and his power by Maghra, along with instructions from him to find a safe refuge. Travelling for thirty days and thirty nights, the Alkenny come to a refuge where Jerlamarel has left them building materials and livestock to start a new village. As Baba Voss takes stock with the newborn babies, they blink in the sunlight: they *can* see.

## Cast

### Starring

* Jason Momoa as Baba Voss
* Sylvia Hoeks as Queen Kane
* Hera Hilmar as Maghra
* Christian Camargo as Tamacti Jun
* Archie Madekwe as Kofun (credit only)
* Nesta Cooper as Haniwa (credit only)
* Yadira Guevara-Prip as Bow Lion
And
* Alfre Woodard as Paris

### Guest Starring

* Tantoo Cardinal as The Dreamer
* Mojean Aria as Gether Bax
* Marilee Talkington as Souter Bax
* Bree Klauser as Matal
* Peter Bryant as Lord Dune

### Co-starring

* Luc Roderique as Arca
* Camillia Mahal as Scentier 1
* Dagon Nish as Scentier 2
* Sharon Taylor as Ilun
* Brianna Clark as Sinjay
* Mainei Kinimaka as Belu
* Christian Sloan as Witchfinder Ayura
* Josh Blacker as Witchfinder Warrior
* Oliver Peters as Alkenny Chanter
* Spencer Prewett as Alkenny Drummer
* Hiro Kanagawa as Lord Unoa
* Adrian Hough as Lord Sak
* Alex Bulmer as Lady Zee
* Donovan Tildesley as Lord Carne
* Jefferson Halliday as Courtier
* Ellen MacNevin as Lady in Waiting

## Appearances

**By type**

Characters

* Gether Bax (First appearance)
* Souter Bax (First appearance)
* Belu (First appearance)
* Bow Lion (First appearance)
* Lord Carne (First appearance)
* Lord Dune (First appearance)
* Haniwa (First appearance)
* Ilun (First appearance)
* Jerlamarel (First mentioned)
* Tamacti Jun (First appearance)
* Sibeth Kane (First appearance)
* Kofun (First appearance)
* Maghra (First appearance)
* Matal (First appearance)
* Paris (First appearance)
* Lord Sak (First appearance)
* Sinjay (First appearance)
* The Dreamer (First appearance)
* Lord Unoa (First appearance)
* Baba Voss (First appearance)
* Lady Zee (First appearance)

Events

Locations

* Paya
	+ Kanzua
		- Kanzua Hydroelectric Dam

Organizations and titles

* Payan Kingdom
	+ Witchfinder

Weapons and technology

Miscellanea

* God flame
* Heretic
* Kill Dancer
* Payan Constitution
* Presage
* Quartermaster
* Scentier
* Sight
* Sun Grave
* Witch

## Interesting details

* The deadly virus causing humanity's general blindness originated in the 21st century.
* Humanity have been blind for so long (estimated to 500-600y as we learn later) that sight is a matter of belief — and therefore potential heresy.
* Baba Voss' people are the last of the Alkenny tribe.
* Gether Bax betrays the Alkenny because he's trying to avenge himself on Voss and Paris — both of whom he holds responsible for accusing his mother of witchcraft.
* The music playing on the vinyl player in the Queen's room is "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed.
* The war dance performed by the Alkenny has similarities original New Zealand Haka.
* The caged birds residing in Queen Kane's palace are Gouldian Finches. The species is native to Australia and is classified as endangered. The Finches are considered to be the most beautiful bird in the world.