Legend of the Weeker: Elixir

Synopsis: The episode starts with Richard slicing up some floating fruit for Zedd. Richard then stumbles to get clean in some scenic waterfalls. Enter Kahlan with the same thought.

Before she has a chance to admonish him for being pervy, someone steals their horses. The trio heads back to Drundril, a nearby town. The kid sells back the horses for a vial of something. He then uses said vial to seduce some girl who freaks out after making out with him. Richard, Kahlan and Zedd explore the town and look for the kid. Some trashy bartender serves Richard a drink and then he sees the kid by the lake. They convince the kid to lead them to the peddlers. A fight breaks out and Kahlan confesses one of them.

When the men find out that Zedd is a wizard, they run off. A shopkeeper recognizing the Sword of Truth invites them in. In a cave a wizard is told about Zedd in the town. The shopkeeper tells them that magic potions are being sold and pretty much ruining the town. The confessed guy runs up and lets them know where to find the magic peddlers.

Richard asks all about Kahlan's power. He runs up to ask her when Zedd won't explain and they are attacked with some magic and knocked out. Zedd is then captured when his magic has little effect. Richard wakes up and is worried that Kahlan is hurt but she's okay. The wizard takes Zedd to a different cave and Richard and Kahlan can't find him. Kahlan explains her power to Richard and he wants to try to use a magic potion to find Zedd.

The shopkeeper runs up and yells that the horse thief boy is in trouble. Zedd catches up with Jeziah, the other wizard. Jeziah shows him an quillion, a crystal that drains wizards of their magic. He has been selling the magic potions to raise a militia against Rahl. Jeziah tries to convince Zedd to join him but Zedd won't do it because it hurts the town. Zedd is then captured by the wizard using a Rada'Han collar that blocks his power. Richard trades in his father's pendant to get some magic to find Zedd.

The kid tells Kahlan that he was trying to do impress a girl. Richard uses the potion to try to find Zedd. Zedd lectures Jeziah on becoming just like Rahl. While Richard and Kahlan are arguing about using magic to find Zedd, that confessed guy attacks him. He knocks Richard out and the magic wears off. Richard remembers the vision and uses some clues to figure out where Zedd is being held.

They find Zedd and attack the gang with the wizard. Jeziah turns invisible. Too bad Richard had that sweet lesson with the invisible fruit. Richard slices Jeziah and the Zedd stops him that with the Rada'Han collar.The confessed guy is killed saving Kahlan. Zedd gets his power back and Richard gets a valuable lesson in using magic responsibly. Kahlan gets back Richard's pendant and they leave the village in a better place. The kid gets his crush a flower. Zedd tells Kahlan that her and Richard can never be.

Commentary: This is a great episode. It has everything that makes this show great. Zedd is creepy yet waxes wise. Kahlan is gorgeous and hounded by her magic. Richard is impetuous but badass when he is needed the most. All the themes of the series are touched upon here. Helping the less fortunate. Forbidden love. Magic and its consequences. Good stuff.

Not only that, but I think this episode they really went all out on the New Zealand visuals. The country where they film this is absolutely gorgeous. Pretty much every single transition shot was some beautiful countryside. I once read an analysis of the bizarre popularity of CSI: Miami. The reviewer defined it as HD-porn, where the show's less-than-stellar content was masked by beautiful visuals that look great in HD. Never one to read a good idea on the internet and not rip it off, I shall now refer to episodes that are heavy on great New Zealand visuals as "HD-Pornoriffic". This will also be a tag. Though I think the content of Legend of the Seeker is already great and is only enhanced by the HD-Pornoriffic visuals.

The show maintains it's heavy reliance on Star Wars mythology. The scene with the floating fruit and the fruit turns invisible. Only thing missing from that was Han Solo making fun of "hokey religions and ancient weapons". The Sword of Truth can also deflect Wizard's Fire. I don't mind because the geek in me loves Star Wars, but I sure hope Lucas is collecting royalties. Of course it's a pretty timeless story so some similarities are bound to arise.

A episode like this shows how much is lacking from the later episodes where Zedd is not around. The theme of the ambiguity of morality in using magic is interwoven throughout the plot of the episode. Kahlan has to come to terms with how the Confessor's power affects her life. Zedd must deal with Jeziah using magic to an ultimately good end but having terrible short term effects. Of course, Richard is new to this whole magic thing and has to see when it is okay to use magic and when he needs to rely on himself. Only thing is Richard uses magic on a daily basis considering the Sword of Truth is nothing but magic. Kahlan's argument doesn't hold a lot of water here.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 7 out of 10.

This episode is pretty focused on the developing feelings between Richard and Kahlan. There is that first awkward interaction when he spots her bathing. He is also pretty worried about her when they are knocked unconscious. At the end when she gets him back his father's pendant, it is almost like she is trying to impress him. That is some sort of grin she has on her. Did anyone else wonder what she did to that trashy bartender to get the pendant back?

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 5 out of 10.

Zedd eats a lot of food. His yelling at Richard for losing the horses was pretty hilarious. Also, I love how dramatic he gets whenever he uses Wizard's Fire. He also tries to get a rat to gnaw on a man's junk to escape Jeziah. Talk about using any means necessary.

Notable Quotes:

Richard: "Kahlan, about back at the river. I didn't see anything."
Kahlan: "Richard... you should never lie to a confessor"

Richard: "I want to help these people. But my mission is to fight Darken Rahl."
Zedd: "Rahl isn't the only evil in the Midlands."

Kahlan: "People deserve a chance to change. To be better than the world made them."

Richard: "I know you want to protect me because I'm the Seeker."
Kahlan: "It's not just because you're the Seeker. Richard... I..."

Zedd: "I see the way he looks at you and how you are starting to notice him. But you know neither of you can ever act on these feelings."

Editor's Note: Have your own favorite quote from the episode? Did we forget to mention your favorite moment and now you're angry? Leave it in the comments and we'll update with the best of. Like the blog? Sign up to receive our Feed through Feedburner.