REVIEW

Reviewed by BlackDaemon
blackdaemon@ausxip.com

For a synopsis of this episode, see below

"Legend of the Seeker" revives the sword and sorcerer genre and brings it back to television in serial form.

"Prophecy", the first episode of the series, opens with a dramatic chase scene as darkly armored guards pursue two seemingly unarmed women on horseback. One young woman sacrifices herself so that her sister, Kahlan, can continue on their mission - to find and protect the one true Seeker, the legendary hero who will defeat the dreaded Lord Darken Rahl, master of dark forces bent on subjugating all that is good in the world to his evil will.

Over the course of the episode we learn that the Seeker is actually Richard Cypher, a young woodsman who has lived his whole life in the quiet of Westland, with his father, George, and older brother, Michael, who is Councilor of their homeland and its ruler. Craig Horner portrays the lead role of Richard Cypher, and we are introduced to him in typical beefcake fashion. (At least the introduction wasn't as heavy handed and homoerotic as "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys", but I digress.) Richard is sweating alone in the woods, doing woodsman-like tasks while looking young and rakish. When he takes a break to eat an apple and gives the first bite to his horse, we know for sure that this is a Good Guy.

As a long-time viewer of "Xena: Warrior Princess", I found it challenging and distracting at first to watch "Legend of the Seeker". Several times during the first two episodes, I recognized sets from X:WP and would smile to myself - which detracted from the action of the scene I was watching. Isn't that the glade where Xena surrendered in "The Reckoning"? Hey, I recognize that road from "Endgame"! Didn't Gabrielle argue with Varia on that sand slope? It took two viewings to stop searching every scene for a hint of a long-gone series.

It is, however, clear to me that "Legend of the Seeker" greatly benefits from the experience of the behind-the-scenes participants of the show who cut their teeth on X:WP and "Lord of the Rings". The costumes are beautiful, the editing is tight, the special effects are seamless, the music is hauntingly perfect, and the direction is concise. There are times when the flow of the show feels more like a feature film than a television episode.

As a fan of the series of books penned by Terry Goodkind, starting with "Wizard's First Rule", I'm concerned about what material will make it into the series and what won't. For example, there are extensive adult themes late in the first book that would never make it on syndicated television, with good reason. It's not certain whether Kahlan's full powers will ever be revealed to the extent that they are in the text - though Regan's acting implies that they will - but I expect that there will be significant discrepancies between book and program. To that end, I'm postponing a re-read until after I've had a chance to get used to the modified storyline in the television series.

What's good: the plot's exposition is clear, and if you've never read the books, you won't miss a thing. The production is wonderful, and if there are any errors in the show, blame them on the actors because the visuals are nearly perfect.

What's bad: Richard is a little whiny, and Kahlan is little stilted, but frankly, they should be in this first episode. Richard's whole world has changed in one afternoon, and Kahlan shouldn't be comfortable around anyone. Zedd is a bit rough, but this could be attributed to the eccentricity of being a wizard. Craig Parker is a welcome addition to any cast, but he plays a bit young for Darken Rahl, and conveys his incredible evil by voice tone alone. Hopefully, that will change in future episodes.

Jay Laga'aia was a welcome face as Chase, one of the Councilor's Guards, and there are a few other familiar faces for X:WP viewers, like Jeffrey Thomas who plays Richard's father, George, and Craig Parker as Darken Rahl.  Andrew Robertt is heavy handed as Ranssyn Fayne, but such is the nature of the bad guys.

The episode ends when Richard stops denying the truth that is right in front of him and accepts his destiny by taking the name of the Seeker. "Prophecy" sets the stage for "Legend of the Seeker" quite well, as subsequent episodes have proved, by introducing viewers to the characters and the legend and mythology of the Seeker.

SYNOPSIS:

Kahlan Amnell, pursued by soldiers of Darken Rahl, the tyrant who wants to rule the Midlands, flees that province and uses magic to cross the Boundary into Westland. Richard Cypher, a simple Westland woodsman, helps her escape them. Ranssyn Fane, commander of the soldiers, survives his confrontation with Kahlan and Richard and continues to pursue them. Returning home, Richard is sent by his father, George, to find an old man named Zedd.

Richard learns that Zedd is really a powerful wizard from the Midlands, and Kahlan is a Confessor, a woman with the power to make someone tell the truth. Zedd reveals that Richard is the Seeker, the person destined to defeat Darken Rahl. Zedd hands Richard a magical weapon, the Sword of Truth. And Kahlan gives Richard the object of Fane’s pursuit, the Book of Counted Shadows, which contains the secrets Rahl needs to capture ultimate power.

In disbelief, Richard returns to his father, only to find that Fane has mortally wounded him. With his last breath, George reveals that what Zedd says is true. Richard confronts Fane, wanting vengeance. But Fane escapes with the coveted Book. Knowing he must stop Fane, Richard accepts his destiny as the Seeker and begins his training under Zedd.

Rahl orders his forces in the Midlands to take down the Boundary into Westland and kill Richard, while Fane tries to return to Rahl with the Book. Just as Rahl’s forces come through the Boundary, Richard catches up to Fane and retrieves the Book. Surrounded, Richard calls upon the newfound power of the Seeker and defeats the attacking troops. The Boundary now open, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd head into the Midlands to begin their dangerous quest to find and defeat Darken Rahl.