UPDATE: I incorrectly identified Sam Raimi as the mapmaker. In fact the mapmaker is played by his brother Ted Raimi. Apologies. This has been corrected. Thanks to Anonymous for the tip.
Better late than never.
Synopsis: This episode recaps the previous episodes something not usually done. Two bounty hunters are searching for the Seeker. They find Richard's bone necklace and take it to a mapmaker (Ted Raimi) to get him to create a map to track the Seeker.
While hunting for food, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd are ambushed by the bounty hunters but quickly defeated. They steal the bounty hunter's money and use the food to eat at a tavern. There they realize a bounty has been placed on Richard's head and are attacked by the patrons. A girl, Lily, helps them and she gets them out of there. She needs their help to rescue her brother from a Shadrin, a monster that lives in a cave. They are ambushed en route by yet another bounty hunter who has a map that tracks Richard. Turns out the mapmaker has decided to make and sell multiple copies.
After defeating him, Richard and Kahlan go to save Lily's brother while Zedd goes to find the mapmaker. Zedd finds him and threatens him into not making any more maps to track the seeker and to create a map for Zedd to find the last bounty hunter with a tracking map. Meanwhile, Lily traps Kahlan in the cave with the Shadrin and captures Richard in order to trade him to the D'harans in exchange for her brother who was sentenced to death for stealing some food.
Kahlan escapes out of the cave and saves Richard. They are attacked by the final duo of bounty hunters but with help from Lily and a timely arrival by Zedd these bounty hunters are too defeated. Richard decides to help save Lily's brother because that's what Seekers do. Lily tricks the D'harans into following a map that leads to the bounty hunters who are trapped in the Shadrin Cave. Zedd seals them inside and Richard and Kahlan save Lily's brother. All is well and the gang continues on their quest while Lily spreads the good gospel of the Seeker and what a swell guy he is.
Commentary: This is the episode that really got me into this show. They have a moral dilemma to solve. There is a monster. Killer fight scenes. The show has a positive message. All in all it is pretty standard action fare which is exactly what you expect from a show like this.
I understand that the sword gives Richard the power of all the Seekers before him. Which one of those Seekers was badass enough to stop arrows with his sword. Once again the story borrows heavily from Star Wars. Here we see Richard going all Jedi on some arrows.
The producers of this show really love to show off girls with cleavage. Not only that, they reference it in the storyline. My question is, these girls run through the drafty woods all the time... don't they constantly get colds having their chest exposed like that? I mean I understand Kahlan's ceremonial white dress is cut a certain way. But why on earth would you make her a woodsman's outfit like that. Girl needs a scarf.
Lastly the D'harans really need a good PR person. Their image is just not great. And since most of the people seem to know that, why anybody still trusts them is beyond me. I guess when your leader slaughters his own trusted advisors it's to be expected.
Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 5 out of 10.
You cannot tell me that Kahlan did not get catty at the end of the episode when Richard is saying goodbye to Lily. And what was with that overt threat to Lily that she better hope that they never meet again? Kahlan isn't allowed to fall in love with the guy anyways. She needs to relax. Of course Richard just does not listen to her.
Zedd Creepiness Factor: 8 out of 10.
He was pretty threatening with the mapmaker. Forced him to put a knife to his own throat. Like a wizard version of "Stop hitting yourself." Also he brutally murders all those D'harans and the two bounty hunters by trapping them in a cave with the Shadrin. Real dick move there dude. Lastly when Richard and Kahlan try to catch a rabbit (with their bare hands???), he helps out by doing the following:
Rabbit stew was NOT for supper afterwards.
Notable Quotes:
Kahlan: I've sworn to protect you with my life. Even from yourself.
Kahlan: Zedd, tell me you don't trust this woman.
Zedd: No. But I do trust Richard, and the people must know that the Seeker will stand and fight for them.
Lily: The seeker is on our side. He's fighting for us. The least we can do is help him out.
Zedd: The people will know that the seeker has returned.
6 comments:
Small correction: The mapmaker wasn't played by Sam Raimi, but by his brother, Ted Raimi.
Thanks for the catch. I always read the last name and must have just assumed they were the same person.
Is Ted Raimi like Clint Howard?
I don't think he is as stereotyped as Clint Howard. Howard pretty much only plays ugly guys. Though Ted Raimi does frequently play himself. Check out his imdb page.
May I just say your phrase Wizard's verision of stop hitting yourself made me laugh nonstop for five minute. I love reading your blog and am looking forward to more. NEW EPISODE THIS SATURDAY!!! YIPEE!!
that scene where Richard gets all Jedi with the arrows and then flips the sword around and hits that guy in the face is DEFF one of the most badass scenes evarr on LOTS!
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