Legend of the Weeker: Denna

Synopsis: The episode opens with a woman putting on red leather armor. Demmin Nas comes in and addresses her as Denna. He tells her that Darken Rahl needs her to train the Seeker.

The gang are walking through the woods when they are attacked. Zedd is put down with arrows and Kahlan stabs Richard. Of course it is a dream. Richard wakes Kahlan up from her nightmare and they talk. They end up kissing admitting their feelings for one another. Before they have a chance to roll around, Kahlan stops herself. In the morning Kahlan decides to leave. Richard and Zedd try to talk her out of it but end up failing. Walking away arguing Zedd and Richard are attacked by Denna and another Mord Sith. Zedd disappears and Richard is captured by Denna.

Richard is then tortured in Denna's tower. She tortures him a bit and explains that she plans to train him to do her bidding. Kahlan goes to find another Confessor for the Seeker. She meets up with Lara, another confessor. Richard is trapped in the dungeon with some guy who explains how his daughter was kidnapped and will turn into a Mord Sith. Richard plans to help the old guy escape. Meanwhile, Kahlan figures out that Lara has confessed all the villagers around her.

As Richard tries to help the trapped dude escape, Denna stops him explaining that the trapped dude has been trained and will do anything she says. Zedd, Kahlan and Lara decide that they will attack with the confessed villagers. During torture, Denna kills Richard and then brings him back to life with the Breath of LIfe, a power that the Mord Sith somehow have. She continues to torture him, goading him into telling her about Kahlan. She then tells him that Kahlan can never be with Richard because her power would be unleashed when they were... you know... doing stuff.

Denna tells him that Constance, another Mord Sith will be training him. Afterwords she explains to Richard that the Agiel hurts her just as much as it hurts Richard. Kahlan decides to go in to try to rescue Richard alone to prevent people from being slaughtered. While this is happening Richard tries to get Constance to train him so that Denna won't be hurt using the Agiel. Denna is touched by this. Kahlan tries to convince Denna to surrender but when she won't, Kahlan attacks. She is stopped by Richard who uses the Agiel on her.

Richard is put in the dungeon next to Kahlan. He tries to get Kahlan to confess him but she refuses. As the others are planning the attack outside, Lara is killed and the confession spell on the villagers is broken. Denna brings Kahlan into a room with Richard and tells him to kill Kahlan. As he is about to, he looks into Kahlan's eyes and realizes he loves her. A fight breaks out. As Kahlan is fighting with Denna she is about to be killed with the Agiel. Richard picks up the Sword of Truth and stabs Denna with it despite the pain it causes him. He explains that she taught him how to withstand pain.

Standing in the moonlight, Kahlan and Richard talk about their feelings for one another. She admits to requiting his feelings for her but also warns that they can never act on them. Richard reluctantly agrees with her. In Denna's tower, Constance runs up to Denna's dead body and performs the Breath of Life to revive her.

Commentary: This review has been a long time coming. I absolutely love this episode. The episode gives Craig Horner a lot of room to work and really relies on his ability to put his best acting forward. This role demanded a lot of him, and a lesser actor would not have been able to pull it off. The earlier episodes don't give Craig a lot to work with so his performance in this episode was a pleasant surprise. All in all, this show has brought the two lead actors into another level of acting by demanding so much from them.

This is the first time that this show really shows of the dark side of the source material. The central story arc is Richard being tortured and literally losing his mind. Even Richard's feelings for Kahlan take a dark turn as they are used against him and betray him. The show really fires on all cylinders when it is dark and really puts the main characters through some tough times. This makes their quest that much more high stakes. My only complaint is that Zedd had pretty much nothing to do in this episode. I mean he might as well not have been there.

On a second viewing of this episode, I wasn't sure how I feel about Denna. First of all, I feel almost dirty watching her "train" Richard. Her flipping back and forth between yelling at him and seductively whispering into his ear was a little distracting. I loved the trapped dude that she ends up kicking back into his dungeon, as well as the back and forth with Richard about the Agiel. She looks at him, then looks at the Agiel, then him again, then the Agiel, etc. However, the whole extended torture scene was almost like a bad porn. Kinda weird and surprising that Disney would be on board with this. Though it is good to see that they will give a bit of slack to the show to really allow the directors and writers room.

I love how much Kahlan flips out about Shota's prophecy. Clearly ends up actually fulfilling the prophecy by abandoning Richard. I thought that it wasn't exactly clear how she would have helped the situation by being there. Her initial response is to abandon Richard and then she runs to find Lara, who has gone mad with power. She first wants her to help Richard on his quest, but then realizes that in the end it might be someone that cares a ton about him, that would be best for the Seeker.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 8 out of 10. The episode begins with Richard and Kahlan making out after her bad dream. Though she claims not to have feelings for Richard, it is pretty clear that it is absolute bullcrap.

Kahlan is the reason that Richard makes it through the torture. He at first uses his mind to escape to a serene scene with Kahlan. Later when he is told to kill her, he manages to refuse after looking into Kahlan's eyes. At the end of the day they admit their feelings for one another but decide that it would be best to keep the feelings down inside.

I guess this actually works as a pretty effective motivational technique. "Kill this one dude, and then we will figure out a way to get it on."

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 4 out of 10.

He just yells and whines a lot. Oh what are we going to do about Kahlan? Oh what to do about Denna? Oh what to do to rescue Richard? You're the First Wizard. Figure out a plan. Geez.

Notable Quotes:

Richard: "Kahlan, I know we haven't known each other long but in my whole life there is noone that I've trusted more.. cared about more... Kahlan... I..."
Kahlan: "You what?"

Denna: "You may call me Mistress Denna."

Denna: "She didn't tell you."
Richard: "Tell me what?"
Denna: "If you and Kahlan were to be together. Even once. Her power would be unleashed. It would overwhelm you and destroy your soul. You would be her slave forever."

Denna: "How did you?.."
Richard: "You taught me how to withstand pain."

Richard: "Well why would you care if my feelings changed? You told me you didn't share them."
Kahlan: "Well like you said, I'm not a very good liar."

Richard: "Well, if there's one thing I learned from Denna, it's how to suffer in silence."

Inside Zedd's Robes: End of Beginning Edition

Upcoming Events: Well the season is over. If you head over to the Official Legend of the Seeker site you can read what the order of repeats will be. The new season should start up again in the fall.

Blog News: First order of business is to get the Legend of the Weeker for Denna up. I should be getting that up on Wednesday or Thursday. I totally forgot about it.

I also want to do some housekeeping on the blog so look for posting to be light early on in the summer. Also if you have any ideas on what you would like to see on this blog, then please leave your ideas in the comments. One thing that I plan to change in the off-season is to report on news as soon as I get it. When the season starts up again, I will go back to the weekly Inside Zedd's Robes post. I think though it would be better to get immediate news as opposed to waiting a week for it.

Cool Stuff on the Interwebs: The gaming and entertainment website IGN has a review of season one. It has a pretty cool analysis so have a read through.

Bridget Regan is doing a movie that has Neil Patrick Harris as its lead. Philadelphia Inquirer reports about this movie and it sounds awesome. There have definitely been some episodes this season where Bridget got to show off her comedy acting chops and it will be interesting to see her in a purely comic role.

Off from their show Bridget Regan and Craig Horner are making the interview circuit. Here is Craig on KTLA morning news;

Interesting tidbits include Craig talking in an Australian accent. He apparently learned to speak with the American accent by mimicking Leonardo Decaprio. I kind of wonder why they made him get rid of the Australian accent. Lastly apparently his stunt double has an incredibly strong punch and collapsed someone's lung on the show. Uhh terrifying.

Not to be outdone by her costar, Bridget Regan stopped by the morning show with Regis and Kelly. Here is the clip:

Hopefully interviews like this will generate more buzz on the show. Good stuff.

Roles in Bruce Spence's Career: Thanks goes out to Johanna who runs a Bruce Spence fanclub who provided me with tons of links to pictures and clips of Bruce Spence's movies. This clip is simply awesome. Forward to 4:15 for Bruce Spence's role.

FANTASTIC!!!

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Legend of the Weeker: Reckoning

Synopsis: The episode opens with Darken Rahl talking to a bunch of Mord Sith. One of the Mord Sith, Cara tells him that he will be hard to find. The show cuts to Zedd talking to Kahlan about whether they should try the Confession/Power of Orden canceling out thing. Richard comes over and convinces her to try it. While he gets the power of Orden, Kahlan confesses him. Before it has a chance to work, Rahl and the Mord Sith interrupt him. Zedd tries to stop them but his Wizard's fire is turned against him. When Kahlan comes to, Rahl tells her that the Wizard is dead and the Seeker is no more.

Rahl takes Kahlan prisoner and tells her that he wants her to be her queen. She refuses and he tells her that Richard could not have survived. Meanwhile Shota watches as Richard fights with Cara in some desolate place. Shota is then apprehended by the other Mord Sith. Richard is fighting Cara while some men attack them. As Richard chases them down he is approached by someone who lets him know that it has been 60 years since he disappeared and Darken Rahl's son, a confessor, rules like a tyrant. He is also told that Kahlan, Darken Rahl's wife has died a long time ago.

Kahlan is trapped in a dungeon but she can communicate with Shota who tells her that Richard is in the future. Cara attacks Richard but he lets her know that they are in the future. They decide to work together for a little while. Kahlan, despondent over Zedd's death and Richard's disappearance tries to figure out a way to send a message to Shota. She talks to Darken Rahl and agrees to be his queen.

The show flashes a year into the future. Kahlan is pregnant with Rahl's child. She tells her chambermaid that she needs her help. She tells her to tell Richard in the future that he needs a Confession, Power of Orden, and Agiel to get back to their time. Kahlan gives birth to a son. Darken Rahl convinces her to not kill the baby. She raises the boy as the years go by. Meanwhile Richard and Cara decide to try and kill the Master Rahl together. They spend time eating worms and hanging out naked in bed together.

Kahlan begins seeing that her son is horrible and she must kill him. She tries but is stopped by a boy that he confessed. Her chambermaid is killed by Rahl and she is to be executed by her willing son. Richard and Cara enter the palace but find it in ruins. They run into Shota who tells him the story of the Master Rahl who is afraid the ghost of Kahlan. Turns out that as soon as Kahlan was executed, the kid killed Darken Rahl.

Shota goes to be confessed by the Master Rahl. She tells him that Richard needs the power of all three things. Richard uses the power of the Boxes of Orden while Master Rahl runs in to confess him. His soldier shoot Cara but she is still able to hit Richard with the Agiel. She comes to and hits the other Mord Sith with an Agiel preventing her from killing Zedd. Darken Rahl appears but is too late. He tries to break up the Boxes of Orden and is consumed by their power. Richard tells Kahlan and Zedd everything that happened in the future that he prevented. He also agrees to stick around to help take care of the Midlands so that evil doesn't take hold in the vacuum of power caused by Rahl's death.

Commentary: Wow. What a way to finish the season. Richard travels 60 years into the future and must figure out how to get back. We also get an introduction to Cara who seems incredibly badass even for a Mord Sith. Her time travel induced truce with Richard was played out in an incredibly authentic way. On the other hand I wasn't incredibly impressed with Kahlan's story. I understand that they wanted to how much she loved Richard, but it was a little hard to believe that she would live this whole life just to get him a message. I think she could have thought the whole thing through a little better. Though she did manage to make the lives of the people in the Midlands better.

As much as I didn't buy the whole Kahlan lives a crazy life with Darken Rahl story, I was floored with Bridget Regan's performance. Watching that episode again it astounded me that this was a woman who just got into acting. The episode required her to showcase her entire range of emotions and she nails pretty much everything from the start of the episode where Kahlan worries about confessing Richard to the end scene on the beach. I really hope that there are more episodes in the future that allow this kind of range in the characters.

Kahlan sure made a gamble that Richard would be able to return to her time. Rahl had already said that the explosion should have killed him. Then Shota warns her that he needs to perfectly recreate the types of magic or else he is going to die. Kahlan's reaction? Yeah let's go have a kid with Darken Rahl and be his queen until he kills me. Also why didn't Darken Rahl kill Shota? What possible use could she have to him. He already defeated the Seeker. Did he also forget that she cannot die of old age.

Not only did this episode have solid performances by the main characters, the secondary characters were awesome too. Darken Rahl goes from creepy to menacing as he cares about his kid. The kid is a perfect Children of the Corn type and that moment when he has his friend give him his thumb as a gift made my skin crawl. I also loved Cara's attempted seduction of Richard. The whole thing felt pretty realistic even with Richard having a moment of doubt. My only question was 'Why was she naked?' The answer is probably 'Why not?'

Richard and Kahlan's Romance Index: 9 out of 10.

I can't give it a 10 out of 10 because they didn't get to roll in the hay. Other than that it was about as romantic as it gets between the two. She lived a life with Darken Rahl solely on the hope that Richard would find her message and figure out a way to return to his original time. When he came back to the world and defeated Rahl his first reaction was to kiss her. Awesome.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 3 out of 10.

Short of getting roasted to a crisp he didn't really do anything creepy. He did backhandedly suggest that Richard stick around and help them keep evil out of the Midlands.

Notable Quotes:

Kahlan: "What if... what if we're wrong? What if this is some kind of trick?"
Zedd: "You've always put your faith in the Seeker. Even before you knew his smile or the sound of his voice. And that faith has been rewarded time and again. Now is not the time to waver."

Darken Rahl: "If I was simply to take what I wanted, you would already be in my bedchamber."

Richard: "I'm sorry. I'm in love with someone else."
Cara: "Who said anything about love? I'm talking about pleasure."

Darken Rahl: "It's just you and me now Nicholas."
Nicholas Rahl: "No father. It's just me."

Richard: "Kahlan, when we first met you told you'd give your life for the Seeker... and that's what you did... even when it looked like you had no hope... you loved me across time."

Kahlan: "Richard, you've done everything we've asked of you... and more. No one can blame you if you want to go home."
Richard: "I am home."

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.

Legend of the Weeker: Fever

Synopsis: The episode opens with Jennsen feeding a family. A man named Sean runs in telling her to run with the Boxes of Orden because D'Harans are coming. Close to being captured Jennsen throws the boxes into a lake. The show cuts to Richard reading the Book of Counted Shadows. He is trying to figure out how to use the Boxes of Orden safely. Richard and Zedd decide that he must be confessed and use the Boxes at the same time.

They walk up to the house where Jennsen is hiding but there is a big red X on the door. Sean attacks Richard and then tells him that Darken Rahl has unleashed a plague onto the village. Zedd will try to heal people by drawing the sickness out and putting it in himself. Darken Rahl is keeping Jennsen prisoner. She has suffered a head injury and doesn't remember anything. He starts to tell her a story that Richard has attacked her.

Richard and Kahlan head to a garrison to try to procure a cure while Zedd starts healing people. Darken Rahl starts spinning a web of lies to make it look like Richard is terrible, using the story how he used the Boxes of Orden. She remembers the story of how she was attacked. Richard and Kahlan attack the D'haran soldiers but it turns out that the soldiers have been infected with the fever.

Darken Rahl gives Jennsen a kitten which she loves. Richard brings back the commander to Zedd while the sick people get really upset that they plan to heal a D'haran instead of villagers. Darken Rahl then tells Jennsen that he is the brother of her and the Seeker. He tells her the story of Panis Rahl his father. He tells a backward story placing himself in Richard's background. Gullible Jennsen listens to this and decides to help Rahl.

Zedd heals the D'haran commander and Richard goes with him to get Jennsen back. Jennsen begins telling Darken Rahl about her escape with the Boxes of Orden. While this is happening, Richard is tracking her moves. He figures out where she put the Boxes just as Jennsen tells Rahl where she put the Boxes. Rahl sends a quad to the lake and one of them manages to shoot Richard with an arrow. He still kills everyone and gets the Boxes of Orden.

Meanwhile the men at the camp attack Zedd and Kahlan is forced to confess one of them. She becomes ill in the process and Zedd is incapacitated. Darken Rahl decides to send Jennsen to Richard with what appears to be a cure. He has her go to Richard and try to get the boxes back by convincing him that she escaped. Richard gets back to the camp but sees Zedd and Kahlan in a bad state.

Richard plans to go to Rahl with the Boxes of Orden and take a suicide pill right before killing Rahl. Before he has a chance to leave, Jennsen meets him with the cure. He gives it to Zedd and Kahlan but Jennsen runs off with the boxes. Richard chases her down, being an awesome tracker and all, and realizes what happened to her. He then tells her the story of what happened to her about the boxes. She realizes that he was awesome all along.

D'haran soldiers attack the two of them while they are having a nice moment. Richard fights them off and comes back to the camp where Zedd makes fun of him. He tends to a recovering Kahlan and tells her that she must confess him.

Commentary: This was a pretty exciting lead up into the season finale. I always say that that the darker episodes are far better than the lighter fare. It becomes difficult to root against Darken Rahl when he is a more abstract villain. When you think about it we are asked to cheer on Richard who is basically on an assassination mission. The only way that this is possible is when we see how much of a bastard Darken Rahl really is. In this episode he unleashes a horrible plague on an unsuspecting village.

So we find out that Darken Rahl is actually Richard's brother in this show's universe. As I understand it, this isn't the way the book goes. I love how absolutely everyone of significance is related in this story. Seriously the ruling despot is related to the only pristinely ungifted one, who is related to the Seeker, who is related to First Wizard. That is some kind of family. I keep waiting to see how Kahlan fits into all this.

Ok I know that Jennsen is supposed to be a simple peasant girl, but she has got to be the easiest person in the wordl to convince of something. I can understand that Darken Rahl created this complicated lie. How in the world did Richard manage to convince her so fast? That was pretty hilarious.

Over the course of the episode, Richard figures must get Kahlan to confess him while he has the Power of Orden. I love that they are just guessing on whether this will actually work. Sounds like pretty circumstantial evidence. If I was Richard I would be a little bit worried. What if it doesn't work and you just have to walk around being her slave forever? I guess there are worse ways to pass the time. If I was everyone else I would be kind of worried too. What if Richard becomes an all powerful ruler like Darken Rahl? Just seems a little risky.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 6 out of 10.

Richard offered to sacrifice himself for her. You don't get any more in love than that. It also begs the question whether or not the Boxes of Orden will be a cure for Richard and Kahlan's love problem. The only reason I didn't rate the index higher is because they didn't spend a lot of time together in this episode. That and it doesn't really mean anything.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 6 out of 10.

I was a little disturbed by the fact that he had to take on the disease onto himself. Also while I don't agree with the sick villagers, he was kind of playing God, deciding who lives and who dies. I can kind of understand when they were pissed that he healed the D'haran.

Notable Quotes:

Zedd: "The Power of Orden possessed you. Now you must learn to possess the Power of Orden."

Sean: "Be careful not to touch anyone. If you do the fire will leap from their blood into yours."

Darken Rahl: "I didn't know how to tell you this Jennsen but you, Richard, and I share the same father."

Darken Rahl: "Have Mistress Cara gather her sisters of the Agiel."
Egremont: "My lord, perhaps you can negotiate a truce with the Seeker."
Darken Rahl: "It's far too late for that."

Richard: "You have to confess me.

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.

Inside Zedd's Robes: Penultimate Edition

Upcoming Events: It's the second last episode of the season. Some crazy stuff has got to go down. We know that Richard must now use the Boxes of Orden to defeat Rahl. The only question is how will he do it. TV Guide has the following:

Darken Rahl captures Richard's sister Jennsen and poisons her mind against her brother. Meanwhile, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd aid villagers after Rahl unleashes a plague on them.

Sounds like Rahl is getting pretty desperate. Episodes are also getting more intense which is when this show is at its best.

Blog News: So I secured http://www.hopehasawarrior.com as a domain. You can feel free to use that or just use the old address. We are getting more readership but still not enough for me to get off of the Blogger hosting. Speaking of which if you like the blog, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed at Feedburner. Thanks for all the support.

Cool Stuff on the Interwebs: There is an interview with Craig Horner on E! Online. It has a few spoilers about the end of the season so read at your own peril. What he has to say about the development in Richard's character:

Richard's going to have a lot of struggle with his magic and his powers, and he has a bit of a dark side to him that he's going to have to learn to explore and control. I'm really excited about that. I hope that comes about.

As I posited earlier, episodes with a darker theme are definitely the meat and potatoes of this show. Pretty awesome to see that this is how this season will end.

Moments in Bruce Spence's Career: This is the greatest clip I have ever seen. I have no idea what the hell is going on. Bruce Spence has apparently assembled a robot out of construction trucks and going on a rampage against what are possibly vampires.

In the middle there is a man dancing with a panda. Watch it in all its glory.

The Illiterate Midlands Peasant Returns

The IMP returns! Again! After my second diaspora away from the interwebs I have come back (again) to comment on the best show on television at 9pm Saturdays (at least that's when it comes on where I live--hooray for DVR technology).

After a few lackluster episodes (in my un-humble opinion) I have enjoyed the reunion of Zedd to team up with the unfulfilled lovers--his dodgy personal traits and creepy wisdom are what push the show from "ok" to "I think we should start a blog about this show" level of entertainment.

Turning to the most recent episode (Sanctuary), there was a lot to like. Magical paintings, Kahlan and Richard staring at each other for uncomfortable lengths of time, a creepy painter-stalker detached from reality, and Darken Rahl trying to burn Richard alive...in a painting. However, as usual, there were plenty of WTF!? moments.

First, WTF?! was up with the use of the transporter special effect whenever anyone went into the painting? Was it an homage to Star Trek's release this past week? I guess I understand using a similar visual (there's only so many ways to demonstrate transporting someone), but I swear they used the same sound effect. I kept waiting for Richard to beg Scottie to beam him up out of the painting.

Second, WTF?! was up with Richard's fight against the elite D'Haran soldiers inside the painting? I understand when 4 soliders get beat up by the Seeker with the Sword of Truth, which gives the wielder the strength of a hundred men. But when Richard went into the painting he was not the Seeker, he was just a dude named Richard with a sword. I understand that Richard has been dealing out death with his sword practically non-stop for the entire season. I assume he knows how to use a sword. But he was fighting the special forces of the D'Haran army and all they managed to do was knick his arm. And there were 4 of them and one of him. WTF?! Also, wouldn't Richard's entire fighting style be premised on being vastly stronger than everyone else since he is the Seeker? Wouldn't that put him at a distinct disadvantage when fighting inside the magical painting where he has no power?

Speaking of the magical painting, WTF?!! Seriously, there is this uber-powerful magic that any artist can learn how to use? How about this plan, the painter paints Darken Rahl, trapping him in the painting, and then burns it. Boom, problem solved. Everyone is happy in the Midlands. If that stalker James learned the magic I think Zedd could figure it out.

Last, WTF?! was up with the librarian's kid? She's gone for a couple days at work and he decides to go begging on the street to make money? They never really have a conversation about that aftr she finds him. I get that there are bigger fish to fry (like being captured by soldiers and trapped in a painting), but kids generally don't turn into Oliver Twist when their mom stays late at the library. WTF?! Also, how big is this town that no one knows the kid is not the librarian's son? It's a famous library in what looked like a small town. I am guessing the head librarian's son is pretty well known and couldn't just go begging people for money in the middle of the town without someone being like "Hey Aiden, go home to your mom. I'm not giving you any money you little prick. O, and by the way, your dad sucked, I'm glad he's dead." Ok, maybe not that last part.

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Legend of the Weeker: Sanctuary

Editor's Note: I misheard the librarian's name when I first posted this. Her name is Livia not Olivia and she is played by the lovely Michelle Langstone. Sorry about the confusion.

Synopsis: The episode opens with a woman transcribing some books. A guy walks by and gives her a picture of her son. She starts worrying about her son and runs off letting an old man read what she has read. The old man tells Darken Rahl about that she has been searching for the Book of Counted Shadows. Darken Rahl heads off for the library and Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd are there.

They don't find a librarian but introduce themselves to the gatekeeper. He tells him that the librarian, Livia, went in search of her son. Her son is begging on the street and is harassed by some local gangster. The kid steals the guy's wallet after being extorted and he hides in the painter's studio. Zedd, Richard and Kahlan show up at Livia's place.

The gangsters threaten the artist but he hides the kid. Livia tells the gang that she would help the Seeker but won't do it without her son. Richard offers to find the son. Right as Livia offers to help Zedd and Kahlan she is transported to a field with her son. Thanks to a magic picture:

Richard still runs off to the town to search for the son. The artist, James, teleports himself to the field as well. Apparently he can create worlds inside his painting. The D'harans arrive at the library and force the gatekeeper to go to find Olivia. He is saved by Zedd and Kahlan while Richard finds out that the boy went to James's studio. As the Seeker arrives he paints the library into his painting world causing it to be transported to the magic world.

He tells them that magic will not work in the painting world. Zedd, Livia, and her son are captured. The artist can only paint people out from inside the painting. He agrees to paint Richard into it. Kahlan and Richard talk about how nice a world without magic would be. He goes into the painting and kills a D'haran quad and then storms the library. Zedd knocks out the commander of the D'harans.

Darken Rahl gets information from that gangster who directs the D'harans to the studio. Rahl promptly kills him. With Richard's help Livia finds the second Book of Counted Shadows. James goes to his magic world with Kahlan and intends to stay there with everyone. Rahl captures the gatekeeper while everyone tries to convince James to let them leave.

Kahlan figures out that James is in love with Livia. Rahl lights the painting on fire lighting James's magic world on fire. James quickly paints the library back into the real world sacrificing himself in the process. The gang quickly escapes. from the D'harans. Livia gives the Book of Counted Shadows to the Seeker and goes to find the resistance with her son. Kahlan and Richard talk about how cool visiting the world without magic would be. Richard learns from the book that he must reassemble the Boxes of Orden.

Commentary: Overall a pretty good episode with a lot of exciting action sequences. The only thing about this episode was that the magic painting, which was a central tenet of the plot, seemed ridiculously powerful. Couldn't the guy just paint Darken Rahl and then light the painting on fire? Also I loved how you didn't even have to have any magic background; all you had to do is be a painter.

We got to see more three dimensional development in Darken Rahl. He had both the opportunity to seize the power of the Book of Counted Shadows versus killing the Seeker and his friends. Of course with Rahl being pretty evil he decides to try to kill the Seeker by burning the painting. It ended up being the right decision in this case but he was definitely conflicted. He also showed his badass side by killing the gangster who was trying to sell information about the Seeker. Which kind of begs the question if you are just going to kill all the informants won't they stop coming eventually?

So Richard got the Book of Counted Shadows back through a plot loophole. Now he can use it to defeat Darken Rahl. It is pretty interesting that someone decided to create a copy of the book and then hide it in a public library using some sort of library scavenger hunt. Good thing that one of Darken Rahl's more scholarly soldiers didn't stumble across it.

It's great how Kahlan and Richard keep running into people that have metaphorical connections to themselves. Well in this case the people were a direct comparison to them. James and Livia had their magical world in which they could escape the troubles of the Midlands. This world was perfect for Richard and Kahlan to escape to. This has been happening over the length of the series such as when they met that one guy liked the girl with the flower.

Richard and Kahlan Romance Index: 6 out of 10.

Their feelings are now out in the open. Apparently it's bad enough that even random strangers that they have just met can now pick up on their feelings. Talk about sexual tension so thick you can cut it with a knife... or a sword. I also loved how they are clearly talking about using the magical painting world for hooking up. Awesome.

Zedd's Creepiness Factor: 3 out of 10.

He didn't do anything overtly creepy. He was pretty useful with all the library stuff. I give him a couple of points for his overall demeanor and his deep voiced yelling.

Notable Quotes:

Zedd: "Far be it for us to question the instincts of the Seeker."

Kahlan: "Magic has its uses but sometimes it... keeps people apart."

Zedd: "What we value most is often closer than we think."

Livia: "In his heart, James was a good person. Try to make sure his sacrifice wasn't for nothing."

Richard: "It says there's only one way to defeat Rahl. To vanquish the master of all the Seeker must wield the Boxes of Orden."

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