Inside Zedd's Robes: So Much Stuff Edition

Upcoming Events: All new episode this weekend. Hopefully not another clip show. As always I am mum on any previews but the TV Guide one. Coincindentally, TV Guide has the following to say about the episode:

Facts behind the thousand-year legend of heroic ancient Seeker Kieran.

If you remember this was the Seeker that was mentioned by Gryff who pretended to be Richard in Identity. It will be interesting to find out more about him.

Blog News: I decided that it is too hard to read all of the Legend of the Weekers. Especially since I'm not creating them in order. That's why I have decided to create this fancy-shmancy Legend of the Seeker Episode Guide. It has all the episodes in order and it shows you what episodes that I have yet to do. You can access it from the Episode Guide link under Through the Boundary in the upper left corner.

In terms of near future for this blog, I plan to add a links page and a contacts page. I also want to create a banner for the blog and obviously catch up on the Legend of the Weekers. How fast will this happen? Probably not very fast, but keep checking back for updates.

Cool Stuff on the Interwebs:

The always lovely Bridget Regan did a pair of interviews recently. The first one is for the AMC blog SciFi Scanner. A few interesting tidbits in there about what it's like to play Kahlan. Also she is apparently not a fan of George Bush.

Bridget's second interview was with SciFi Wire. In it she talks a lot more about what's coming up for her and Richard's character. Also makes two suggestions about what she would like to see. The first is a dragon. The second:

And I'd like to maybe get Kahlan into a shorter dress, because it's hot in the middle of the summer.

Your humble blogger respectfully seconds this motion.

Roles in Bruce Spence's Career:

Check out this little clip from Matrix: Revolutions.

Ah Bruce Spence. How skillfully you play a vagrant with handgun. Almost as skillfully as you play a wizard creepily hanging out with two star-crossed lovers fighting evil. Well done sir... well done.

Legend of the Weeker: Home

Summary: Clip show time!!!

Richard wakes up and all of the sudden he is next to his brother. Michael says that he fell off a cliff and has been asleep for two days.

FLASHBACK! He retells the death of his father to Michael.

Michael is surprised to hear about this as his father then walks into the house. Richard is incredulous.

FLASHBACK! Richard tells the two of them how he met and rescued Kahlan.

His dad and Michael don't believe his story so he goes to see Zedd.

FLASHBACK! He retells the story of how he was poisoned by the vine and then learned the prophecy of the seeker.

In the real world, Richard has been put under a spell by Darken Rahl. He is meant to think he is around friends but instead he is surrounded by enemies. If they don't snap him out of it he will die.

FLASHBACK! Richard now goes into the story of the fight at the boundary.

Fake Zedd is trying to get Richard to continue the story. He is clearly trying to find some more information.

FLASHBACK! Richard briefly tells the story of the listener.

He runs off because he doesn't want to talk about Kahlan. We get to see Darken Rahl acting as the people in Richard's dream. He is trying to find the final Box of Orden. He then decides to bring back Anna, a girl from Richard's past to get this secret out.

FLASHBACK! Richard tells Anna the story of his time with Denna.

Rahl as Anna tries to get more information from him. She kisses him and tells him she loves him.

FLASHBACK! Richard summarizes the Identity episode.

A final fight over Richard's secret location of the box occurs. Rahl as Anna tries to push Richard to give him the secret of the box. Kahlan tries really hard to bring Richard back into their world. She tells him that he must get back because she loves him. And we get a final:

FLASHBACK! There is a montage of moments of Richard and Kahlan together.

Richard snaps out of the spell and they recover the hidden Box of Orden. He tells Kahlan he was able to escape the spell because he felt her love for him.

Synopsis: This is a really lazy episode. I mean it wasn't bad for a clip show episode but why did they feel it necessary to do that. It is only halfway into the first season. Instead of being a best of, the producers had to resort to drawing from almost every episode.

How trashy was Anna? What exactly was her profession? Also will we get more future appearances by her in all her trashy goodness?

It was pretty great to see how awkward the ending conversation was. Zedd quickly walking away from Richard and Kahlan as they talk about what brought him out of the spell was pretty hilarious. Did you notice how at the end he waits for them to catch up to him?

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 8 out of 10.

While Richard is in the spell Kahlan says that she loves him. He tells her that the reason that he was able to snap out of the spell is because he could feel her love for him. I mean it doesn't get much romantic than that. Well it does but it's not allowed to for these two.

Zedd's Darken Rahl's Creepiness Factor: So Zedd didn't do anything overtly creepy this week. In a special presentation for this week we try to measure the creepiness of Darken Rahl.

7 out of 10. How into being Anna was Darken Rahl? Him walking around in the trademark vest trying to seduce Richard into telling him his secrets. Not as overtly creepy as what Zedd is usually up to but creepy nonetheless. Like the guy at the bar standing against the wall drinking water watching everyone with a creepy smile on his face. You just know he has a skin suit at home that he made out of young girls.

Notable Quotes:

Richard: "I felt rage, anger like I never felt before. I was the bringer of death."

Kahlan: "This is the truth. I love you Richard."

Kahlan: "You are the seeker. Whatever lies they are telling you, use your inner power. The power to see the truth."

Kahlan: "What brought you out of it?"
Richard: "As real as it all was in every way, nothing in my life has been more real than you."

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.

Diary of a D'haran

Sorry for taking such a long break from posting. It's been a hectic few weeks. First Demmin Nas, my general, gets killed by that dodgy old wizard. The man burned alive by wizard's fire! I was devastated. Me and some of the other soldiers locked ourselves in the slavegirls' quarters with a barrel of fermented grain for a week. But then I suddenly had a realization. Two, to be honest. First, my wife would not be pleased if she found out about the truly awful things that were going on in those slavegirls' quarters. Second, Demmin Nas may have been a great general. He may have been our best hope to capture the Seeker and bring peace to the Midlands. However, he was also an ass. A mean ass, who had the power to kill his soldiers on a whim. My chance of surviving just shot up. I may live to see my pension after all. Plus we still have Darken Rahl on our side, who is worth a dozen Demmin Nases. At least.

The second big development that kept me away was that I was stationed at the Mord Sith's castle. That's right. Let that sink in. I was stationed in the home of gorgeous women clad in skin-tight red leather. The gods smiled upon me. Of course, these women were terrifying in every sense of the world. What is up with that baton they carry around anyways? I saw them do some horrible things in my time at their castle. But I also got to see them at their unbridled sexiest. Unfortunately, D'Haran soldiers are only stationed with the Mord Sith for 2 weeks. No one is quite sure why, but if you ask me it's because any longer around those excrutiating beauties and the soldiers would start to have damage due to the excitement--if you know what I mean. Plus I think only being there for two weeks cuts down on the chances that one of the Mord Sith will decide to torture you just for the fun of it. Those are some psychotic women.

Anyways, it's a return to the normal life for me. I'm back at home for a few days before heading back out into the Midlands to try and kill that pathetic Seeker again. In the meantime, wonder how the wife would look in red leather...

Legend of the Weeker: Brennidon

Synopsis: Kahlan is mediating disputes since people can't lie to her. Bored watching that, Richard heads off on a hunt for a 12-point buck. Zedd meets an old flame so he lets Richard go. During the hunt Richard comes by Brennidon, the town where he was born. He walks by the graves of the first-borns from that town. Richard is too curious to let it be so he sneaks into Brennidon

In the town a woman is about to be executed for speaking her mind. Richard saves her and is accosted by the town guards. He is then saved by a woman who hides him and tells him that she is his mother. He also meets her son named Mark. In the woods Zedd's old flame tells her he has a kid that she wants him to raise. Zedd does not believe her and asks Kahlan to settle the dispute. She determines that he is not the father but that Zedd has another secret.

Mark turns on Richard and plans to give him over to the D'harans. Richard escapes and is about to flee the town when he realizes that all the women are rounded up. At the center square, Richard's mother speaks out against the D'harans claiming she is the Seeker's mother. All the other women have a Spartacus type moment and claim they are the mothers. The D'haran says he will execute them all unless the Seeker turns himself in.

Richard goes and convinces Mark to help him out. Mark takes Richard to the D'harans and he is to be executed along with his mother. Zedd clears the air with the kid by giving him some self confidence and hearing that Richard might be in trouble he and Kahlan head off to save Richard. Richard actually got the whole town on his side and they attack the D'harans after Mark stabs the D'haran's leader. Zedd and Kahlan lend a hand.

As Zedd is admonishing Richard for being reckless, the woman claiming to be Richard's mother admits to only being the midwife at his birth. She claims to have lied because he reminds her of her son. Uhh what?!?? The real mother disappeared. As the gang rides off into the sunset we find out that Zedd is Richard's grandfather.

Commentary: Now I like this show. I always claim that for what this show is trying to be, it generally succeeds. However, if you wanted to mock this show, this is the episode to do it. There are several stunning family revelations. I'm your mother. I'm your brother. He's your son. I'm his grandfather. I felt like I needed Maury Povich to help me sort it out.

The fighting at the end of the episode was pretty half assed. Why did everything happen in slow motion? This show generally does fight scenes pretty well but there was like five minutes of nothing but slow motion. Also how hilarious was it that after pummeling the D'harans with the veggies, in the aftermath of the fight the people start gathering all the vegetables.

We did get some gorgeous shots of New Zealand scenery. I almost feel like instead of the family plotline, I would have preferred the episode be about Richard and the hunters going after the stag. I feel like they could have developed some Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd moments. Also what was with the shot of the stag in the beginning and the end of the episode?

Each episode of the show generally has a theme. This episode's theme is Believe in Yourself. That's all anyone has to do to succeed in life. The townspeople started believing in themselves and they stood up to the D'harans. So did that kid that tried to pretend he was Zedd's son. Only problem is we don't see them succeeding. I feel like they could have gotten all this self-confidence and they could come crashing down. Not like those villagers can fight off the D'harans. Nor is that kid going to become a great hunter. I hope he doesn't get mauled by another boar.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 1 out of 10. They really were not together for much of this episode. I will give a point out for Kahlan jumping up (in slow motion again) onto the platform and staring at Richard while she does it.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 8 out of 10. Noone can really pull off saying "Magical Protection" like Bruce Spence. Did anyone else wonder what the magical protection consisted of? I'm gonna guess it was something creepy and gross. Also he mentioned something to that woman implying that he remembered multiple sexual encounters with her over a short period of time. Creepy.

In case if anyone was wondering, "Magical Protection" is a metaphor for condoms. Noone was really wondering that, were they?

Notable Quotes:

Stupid D'haran: "I will kill the seeker at midday."

Kahlan: "Why didn't you warn him?"
Zedd: "Because he's the most stubborn man I've ever met."

Stupid D'haran: "The legend of the Seeker seems greater than the man."
Richard: "That legend will go on if you kill me"

Richard: "You were wrong D'haran. The prophecy was not averted."

Legend of the Weeker: Bounty

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.

Inside Zedd's Robes: Spoilery Edition

First off let me apologize for not getting the Legend of the Weeker for Bounty up this weekend. Stupid cold seems to have finally knocked me out. I should have some spare time this weekend, so I will catch up. In the words of Barack Obama: "I screwed up."

Upcoming Events: This week is another rerun. We will get to see Brennidon, the story of the town where Richard was born. A pretty exciting episode that provides us with some background on where Richard came from as well as more questions into his past.

I will really try to get the Legend of the Weeker for Bounty up on Friday and the one for Brennidon up this weekend. I also want to start catching up on the other episodes that were shown before this blog was born. To quote Bart Simpson: "I can't promise I'll try... but I'll try to try."

Cool Stuff on the Interwebs: Craig Horner had an interview with TV Guide the past week. (Warning: Minor spoilers) Horner gives us some delicious hints into what we going to see in the second half of the first season as well as what is to come in season two. He also talks about what it is like to do those actions scenes. Pretty cool.

I also ran across this review of Confession from a community of fan blogs called Firefox.org (apparently not affiliated with the popular browser). It's pretty cool so if my reviews are boring or like this week I don't put them up, check them out.

Lastly I have decided to add another section called:

Roles in Bruce Spence's career: We are going to keep a track on Bruce Spence's very very diverse career in this part of the blog. What did he do before he was cast to play a creepy wizard that helps our heroes? Tune in every week to find out.

Where you ask is Bruce Spence in this scene? Who else but the creepiest role in the clip. The actor that portrays our favorite wizard plays the Mouth of Sauron who is beheaded by Aragorn. Apparently he decided that he was going to take his career in a creepy direction in his later years.

Legend of the Weeker: Destiny

Synopsis: Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd have to find the Book of Counted Shadows which has fallen into enemy hands. Richard claims that he will find the soldier who has it. Meanwhile, Darken Rahl orders his men to break through the boundary. Chase meets Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd and listens to their story. He decides to help them, but first they go to his house to rest.

Chase's daughter sews a woods outfit for Kahlan who is thankful. However, seeing the family reminds Kahlan that she has no family left. Richard talks to her and she shows him Shar, the night wisp that Kahlan used to get through the boundary. They then head out to find the D'haran but are stopped by Michael and the townspeople. Richard tries to talk people down but they are unimpressed and an arrow is fired at him in the scuffle. Shar dies blocking the arrow and Zedd uses his Wizard's Fire to disperse the people.

Chase leaves to check up on his family, but when he gets home he finds the D'haran with his daugher. He tells him where to find the Bone Woman who knows how to get across the boundary. Richard tries to touch the boundary and is pulled back by Zedd who is poisoned by the shadows. Chase meets up with Richard and Kahlan and they head for the Bone Woman's house. There the D'haran uses Chase's daughter as bait for a Gar, that Richard promptly slays.

Richard and Kahlan chase the D'haran to the boundary and Richard gets the book back. Darken Rahl's forces break through the boundary and out of fear of letting the book into enemy hands, Richard burns the Book of Counted Shadows. Richard and Kahlan fight off the D'harans and upon Zedd's return from the Bone Woman who healed him, they embark into the Midlands to search for Darken Rahl.

Commentary: This episode is jam-packed with action. There are a few great fight scenes and the entire hour has a great racing against the clock theme. All the gang seems to be doing is trying to catch someone before something happens. The tension is a pretty solid plot device and I found myself cheering for the heroes.

At the same time there is plenty of character development going on. The overarching theme here is Richard winning the respect of people around him. Shar is given a reason to hope thanks to the Seeker. Chase is astounded when Richard kills the Gar. Finally Kahlan is awestruck at Richard in the final fight scene. Richard continues to prove himself in this episode and we can see how people start to believe in the Seeker.

The final fight scene gives us some great shots of Richard and Kahlan in action. First of all the whole thing seems to be set in an exploding forest. I understand the initial explosion but why are there repeated explosions? Also I don't think jumping in the air with the sword behind you is a very effective fighting technique.

This is the episode that got me and my roommate into Legend of the Seeker. You really get it all here. Awesome fight scenes. Great special effects. A budding romance. New Zealand. It really is one of the best episodes in the series and a great prelude to the adventures to come.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 6 out of 10. In this episode we see the beginnings of Richard and Kahlan having feelings for each other. There is the obvious moment when he watches her bent over prepping her horse. (I think another thing I need to keep track of is the amount of cleavage that they have Bridget Regan show off on this show.)

The scene at the end when Richard jumps to save her in front of the exploding tree also is pretty indicative of their relationship. Badass as she is, Kahlan still needs Richard by her side. He helps her out not only in battle but also helps her deal with her own problems. A good example of this is the scene on the porch where Richard comforts her.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 3 out of 10. Not too much Zedd creepiness though after the first half of the two hour premiere, maybe the producers didn't want to scare the children too much. A few points are gained by the eating scene in Chase's house where he devours the spice soup.

There is also the moment at the end when Richard says he will be ready for the fight ahead and Zedd laughs and says "I have no doubt."

Notable Quotes:

Kahlan: "Shar says that for the first time she can remember, her people have a reason to hope."
Richard: "I'll try not to let her down."

Richard: "One sword. Against an army?"
Zedd: "Not just any sword. It holds the strength of all the ancient seekers who wielded it before you."
Kahlan: "The people will rise up and follow you when they hear the seeker has returned."

Richard: "My destiny. My decision."

Chase: "If I believed in fairy tales I'd say I just saw my friend Richard Cypher slay a dragon. Thank you."

Richard: "Like a wise man once told me: In this life you can't go back... only forward."

Inside Zedd's Robes: Rerun Edition

Ratings: The ratings came out for the Sacrifice episode. Broadcasting and Cable reports that ratings have increased 6% for that episode to a 1.9 live plus same day national household rating. Legend of the Seeker continues to perform reasonably well. With the second season already locked up, this isn't too important but take it FWIW.

Upcoming: The episode this week is a rerun. We will get to see Bounty. The episode deals with Richard and Kahlan helping a young woman rescue her brother while Zedd tries to get to the bottom of who is making maps to track Richard's location. Not one of my favorite episodes but you do get to see Sam Ted Raimi as the mapmaker.

I will try get a Legend of the Weeker for Destiny early in the weekend and also get the one for Bounty either Sunday or Monday. Good times.

Legend of the Weeker: Confession

Synopsis: While deciding on where to take the Box of Orden, Kahlan gets word that members of the resistance are being killed. The gang splits up with Zedd going to his hometown to collect a key and Kahlan and Richard going to find out what is happening to the resistance.

Kahlan and Richard arrive to find Connor, Kahlan's old friend killed. Evidence that Richard finds points to a Niles, a highway robber who lives near a marsh with his sister Luna. Though he admits to being a robber he cannot explain his whereabouts during the time that Connor was killed. He has some of Connor's things and lies to Kahlan but they can't get a confession. The constable suggests Kahlan confessing him and she does this. He is found guilty and put to death.

Unfortunately a man shows up saying that Niles robbed him in the morning and could not have killed Connor. Though Kahlan is skeptical, Richard wants to get to the bottom of the situation. The man's story is proven true when Luna, Niles's sister has his bracelet. Richard thinks that magic is at hand.

They go see a sorcerer who lives by the town but are attacked and Kahlan is hit with an arrow. Richard follows the attacker to Niles's house. When Kahlan and the constable find him he claims that he killed a defenseless Luna who lies dead. Kahlan does not believe him, which yields them to believe that their memories are real.

They go see a sorcerer who is a hack, but he knows a lot about magic. He tells them of a magic orb that transfers your memories to someone else. The constable comes in with evidence that points to Nela, killing both Connor and Luna and using the orb to give memories of that to Niles and Richard. They confront her with this and she confesses. At her execution Kahlan notices scratches on the constable's neck that look like they came from Luna. They save Nela at the last second, and Kahlan confesses the constable. He admits his whole plot and Kahlan tells him to go die.

In the B subplot, Zedd goes to his family home and confronts his non-magical brother who is upset with him with never being around. His mother is dead, and his brother lives alone. Though at first he says that he sold the key that Zedd is looking for, he changes his mind when Zedd saves him from a debt collector. They make their peace and Zedd reunites with Kahlan and Richard. He removes Richard's memory of Luna's murder but Kahlan refuses to accept any memory wipe because she wants to remember that she is not infallible. The gang continues on their journey.

Commentary: This episode felt like an episode of CSI set in the Midlands. It was a pretty standard whodunit. The show didn't really hide the real killer very well. We had it narrowed down to the constable and Luna and when she got killed it was pretty clear who the real killer was. I also didn't buy Nela as the killer for a second. She was just too sweet.

The standard split in characters was par for the course. I guess it was a nice diversion to see Zedd dealing with family but I still like when the whole gang goes adventuring together. This plot did tie up some loose ends with Zedd's background and when they did reunite, the bond that the three of them share was apparent.

My wish for this show: that the wizard that lives in the cave becomes a recurring character. He was great. I like how his best wizard's spell is putting a piece of paper together. He was a human version of scotch tape. Well I guess that and mini Wikipedia of magic.

I really liked the question of morality that Kahlan dealt with in this episode. She was so quick to condemn that man to death and then deeply regretted it when she found out that she was wrong. Richard's gut instinct helped serve as the moral compass yet again. This is becoming a recurring theme in the series. There is a way things are done in the Midlands and Richard comes along and introduces his small rural way of life and it helps everyone out in the end.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 6 out of 10. There were a lot of great friends who care about each other moments in this episode. From the start when he would not let Kahlan go alone, to the scene in the woods where he saves her life yet again. There are a lot of underlying feelings there that they can't act upon.

We were doing fine until the end. Richard responds to Zedd's suggestion that he go back to Westland with a long stare at Kahlan and an emphatic 'Not a chance.' Kahlan responds with that kind half smile that has become a trademark of her feelings for him.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 2 out of 10. Zedd definitely has a creepy look when he walks up to his family home. I had thought that he still had a woman back there. Other than that there was really nothing to hang a creepy hat on.

Notable Quotes:

Kahlan: "I can't bring Connor back, but I swear to you on my power as a confessor, I will bring whoever killed him to justice"

Richard: "I know you... and who you are is more than some magical power you have."

Richard: "Right now I don't trust myself. What if I do something like that again?"
Kahlan: "You won't. Because I'll be with you. Every second."

Richard: "Things were never this complicated in Westland.
Zedd: "You can always go back."
Richard: "Not a chance."

Legend of the Weeker: Prophecy

Though out of order, what follows is a Legend of the Weeker for the first episode of the series, Prophecy. I may have to delay the Legend of the Weeker for this week's episode until Tuesday night. Hope you all enjoyed the episode.

Summary: In a distant land two women ride their horses at a frantic pace away from soldiers. Those familiar with the show will recognize Kahlan and her sister Dennee.

After an exciting chase scene, Dennee is shot in the back with an arrow. As she lays dying in a creek bed, she gives Kahlan a package and tells her to leave. Kahlan escapes up to a boundary of green energy where it looks like the soldiers have her trapped. She brings out a glowing pendant and it allows her to cross the boundary. The soldiers follow her.

Elsewhere a shirtless Richard is chopping wood and building a bridge. While taking a break he notices Kahlan running through the trees and the soldiers following her. Right as they have her cornered he comes to her rescue and together they are able to defeat the soldiers. Over the course of the battle, she uses her power, and when Richard wants to know about it, she rebukes him and tells him to leave her alone. Richard looks around and is bitten by a strange vine.

Unfortunately one of the soldiers survived and with the help of the Counselor's Guard is taken to Michael, Richard's brother. He spins a lie that Kahlan is a witch and Richard implicit in helping her. Richard goes to his father's house who tells him to go to Zedd's immediately, right before the soldiers arrive.

At Zedd's, Kahlan introduces herself to him and we find out he is a great wizard, tasked with protecting and training the Seeker, who is to rise up and defeat evil. Richard shows up, ailing from the vine bite which is quickly cured. Kahlan is shocked to learn that Richard is the seeker, and what's more has no knowledge of his destiny. They try to give him the Sword of Truth and Book of Counted Shadows, which are tools that he will need in his quest. Unwilling to accept what he sees as lies, Richard leaves to go to his house with both the sword and the book. He is saved from a monster by Kahlan and Zedd on his way there.

Unfortunately the soldier has already assaulted his father leaving him to die in a burning house. Richard, realizing this heads to Zedd's where the soldier lies in wait, despite the warnings of Zedd and Kahlan. The soldier defeats Richard but before killing him realizes that he has the book. He takes the book and leaves Richard alone. The episode ends with Richard accepting his destiny as the Seeker and a distraught Darken Rahl waking from a nightmare to realize his enemy lives.

Commentary: This episode is not as action packed as some of the more recent episodes probably due to it being part one of a two hour premiere. The beginning horse chase is some of the best cinematography that we get to see on this show and it definitely shows a lot of the beauty of New Zealand.

During the first few minutes we find out everything we need to know about Kahlan. She's pretty kickass (see above picture) and at the same time incredibly caring as can be seen in the scene with her sister. The introduction to Richard also sets the scene for what kind of character he is. He is quick to jump to Kahlan's defense even facing insurmountable odds.

Unfortunately, we also see the negative aspects in Richard's character. He frequently lets his emotions guide him, and this gets him into trouble. Of course Zedd and Kahlan are always there to help him out. Sidenote: How much does this episode owe to Star Wars? Answer: A lot.

In this episode, Zedd takes more of a reluctant role. He does not want this fate for Richard and makes the case for Kahlan to let him be. Of course, this is impossible because otherwise, well I don' t think anyone would watch a show about Richard living by himself on the farm. Even if he farmed shirtless. Well maybe a few people would watch but not a lot. Regardless, destiny is a prominent theme of this show and in the end Richard of course accepts his.

Richard and Kahlan's Romance Index: 2 out of 10. (For first time readers this is a measure of the chemistry between Richard and Kahlan in each episode. Points are awarded completely arbitrarily and mean absolutely nothing)

Considering these two crazy kids just met there is very little here. I will give a point out for the scene where Richard is attacked by the Gar. If she isn't interested, she is certainly holding onto Richard mighty tightly up there. The second point goes for Richard rescuing her and following her when she specifically told him not to.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 10 out of 10. (This is the counterpoint to the Romance index. The factor measures how creepy does Zedd looked in this episode. Most of the time it is high.)

Look at the picture. Look at it. Let it burn into your soul. Moving on.

Notable Quotes:

Kahlan: "I need your help wizard."
Zedd: "Sorry. I'm as deaf as a peach and as naked as a baby bird."

Zedd: "A seeker is a hero who arises in a time of trouble and suffering and seeks out evil and fights it wherever he can."

George Cypher: "Every word he told you is true... but I will always be your father."

Zedd: "In this life we cannot go back, only forward. You have a great destiny ahead of you Richard Cypher... If you are willing to accept it."

Darken Rahl: "The Seeker... He lives..."