I say we completely give up the ghost and visually "admit" to the audience from the start that Zelda and Shiek are one and the same. This keeps Zelda in the story as it were and let's the audience know that we know they are not morons! lol

I say when Link pulls the sword, there's a silent dramatic 'Time is passing and you're missing it Link!' montage. During that we see Zelda become Shiek for the first time.

Just my two cents. ;)

It makes sense. While there's something to be said for the white flash and sudden reveal, seeing some, y'know, time-lapse photography of clouds moving and all, it makes it more dramatic.

One thing I do want to preserve is the surprise of what happens to Castle Town. When Link walks out of the Temple of Time, after what to him has been ten minutes, and the town is *ravaged* and filled with ReDeads... that needs to be a shock.

But we do need to acknowledge that, y'know, 90% of our audience will already know that Sheik is Zelda. We just have to make sure LINK doesn't know. But little hints and peeks behind his back will, I think, strengthen the character.

The only problem with that is she is Shiek because Ganon can't discover that she's Zelda, even though there are only so many main characters she could be (obviousness).

DruidDan, when you say "admit" does that mean only the audience knows, or Link knows as well too?

Only the audience

It's an interesting idea. As the viewer you want to stay with Link because, like in the video game, you are Link. There would be very few opportunities to reveal Shiek's identity strictly to the audience. Showing what happened during the seven years is an interesting idea though, and is one of those few opportunities.

Yeah. In fact, the only other opportunity I can think of at the top of my head is the scene at Lake Hylia. For a moment, the camera changes angle, and it's as if we're seeing Link through Sheik's eyes.

That could be an opportunity for the wind to blow and for the audience to see the other, blue eye-- provided we use the "glitched glamour spell" theory.

I kind of like that theory, at least it's not nearly as bad as what Dr. Blight had to deal with. Lol...what? you don't get that? ...I'm old...