Synopsis: The episode starts with Richard fighting a D'haran in a tent and getting killed by him. Ends up this is a vision by a woman named Shota. She predicts the death of the Seeker in three days. Meanwhile, a D'haran commander is making a deal with some shopkeeper. He is approached by Kahlan, Zedd and Richard. Turns out he is working both sides and getting money for the resistance.
The gang wants to find out what the D'harans are doing at the ruins of Kahlabra. The son of the merchant Gryff, who is about to get married has been studying all the Seeker lore. Turns out this is an arranged marriage for influence and wealth. An old woman warns Richard not to go to Kahlabra and it turns out to be Shota in disguise.
The man leading the D'harans is Demmin Nas, a horrible man. Richard comes up with a plan to infiltrate the D'haran base and have Kahlan confess Demmin Nas to get close to Darken Rahl. Richard tells Kahlan and Zedd about the woman's prophecy but they choose to go ahead with the plan. The old woman comes to Gryff and weaves a spell to make Richard look like Gryff.
Richard must now get married to Gryff's wife at the point of a sword. He is handcuffed to her and excuses himself from the wedding with the groan-inducing "we are going to make children right now" line. The woman didn't want to marry Gryff anyways so they decide to escape to get to Kahlabra. Gryff suggests a distraction to get into the D'haran's camp.
At the campfire Gryff pretending to be Richard tries to kiss Kahlan but she stops him telling him that their love can never be. As Richard and his "wife" try to escape they are accosted by Shota's helper. Richard defeats them and the woman realizes he is the Seeker. She takes him through some caves to get there faster. Richard talks the woman into realizing that Gryff isn't all bad.
Kahlan is all freaked out that fake Richard tried to kiss her. Zedd convinces her to tell him about her powers. In some cosy hiding out in the wagon Kahlan tells fake Richard that if she ever gets "intimate" with a guy she will release her power and it will take him over. Meanwhile Demmin Nas is blowing up some caves. The same caves that Richard and that wife of his are taking a shortcut through.
Richard and the wife are captured and Richard convinces the D'haran to let him escape or else he will tell Demmin Nas about the bribes. Kahlan and Fake Richard get into the command tent and Kahlan asks him to read something in High D'haran. She realizes he isn't the Seeker, but the trap is already set. Demmin Nas is evacuated into the tent and defeats Gryff but Richard stops him just in time.
A fight breaks out and the good guys kill most of the D'harans but Demmin Nas escapes. Richard forgives Gryff for pretending to be him. Richard reads the document and they find out that Demmin Nas got a Box of Orden. One of three that gives ultimate power to the one who yields all three. Shota approaches the gang and tells that there is a prophecy that the "one in white" will betray Richard. Kahlan is frightened about this.
Commentary: I dreaded having to go back to do this episode. Something about magic spells causing mistaken identities makes me uneasy. I think it's a requirement if you do a fantasy show you must have an episode based on a mistaken identity spell. It's awkward for everyone. Of course Kahlan chooses this time to tell Richard her most sacred secret. Awfulness ensues. Oh also he almost dies and everyone learns a valuable lesson: Be yourself!
There is a lot of magic in this episode that is introduced and has an impact on the rest of the season. The Boxes of Orden are an important factor in several other episodes. As is the constant fear that Kahlan has over being with Richard. These important themes are kind of glanced over in this episode. Overall I feel this episode is like an exposition for the remainder of the season.
I love how in this show frequently things are exploding for no reason. Why did the mines start exploding at the end of the episode? I understand that they brought a few explosives in but apparently the D'harans prewired some self-destruction in the mines. That seems safe.
The whole Shota thing was just bizarre. Kahlan freaked out when she heard that the prophecy is that she will betray Richard. How does she even know that she is the one the prophecy speaks of? Self-centered much? All this happens immediately after Zedd tells them that Shota is not to be trusted. Of course he also says he had a sexual tryst with Shota. Weird. But if this the effect that random people are going to have on Kahlan, Darken Rahl should just send some people to tell freaky prophecies to the gang.
Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 4 out of 10. I understand that most of the romantic things that Kahlan said, she said to Gryff who was pretending to be Richard. It was a bit disconcerting that she couldn't see the difference, but you go ahead and tell me that this look is of someone that isn't infatuated:
And if you don't buy that then there is that little look that Kahlan gives to Richard at the end of the episode. You know she wants to tell him everything. It's just gonna be a hard thing to do.
Hee hee, I wrote "hard thing to do".
Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 6 out of 10.
Nice creepy wagon driving there Zedd. Why exactly did the D'harans let Zedd into their camp? They couldn't at least check what they were putting into the commander's tent? I swear the security lapses in the D'haran empire are maddening. Darken Rahl pretty much stands no chance. Also I love how Zedd says creepy remarks that have remarkable relevance for Richard and Kahlan. Good job.
Notable Quotes:
Zedd: "Of all the magic in the world none is more powerful than love."
Kahlan: "The dome of Aydindril has stood for thousands of years."
Gryff as Richard: "I think the lesson is if you want something to stand, you have to risk letting it fall"
Kahlan: "In a moment of ecstasy it would be unleashed."
Kahlan: "After worrying all this time, I told the wrong person."
Shota: "It is written that the Seeker will be betrayed by the one closest to him. You will be betrayed by the one in white."
