SYNOPSIS:

Richard learns that Darken Rahl's most trusted commander, Demmin Nass, is assembling a massive force of D'Haran troops. But when Richard refuses to believe an evil witch woman who says Nass will kill him, she casts a spell which causes Richard and an unsuspecting villager to trade identities, convincing everyone that the villager is really the Seeker.

REVIEW

"Identity"
Reviewed by BlackDaemon

This episode's teaser opens with a mysterious woman's vision of the future in which the Seeker dies at the end of a D'Haran soldier's sword. With no explanation of who the woman is, we move on, and learn a bit about the people who chafe under Darken Rahl's rule. Those who secretly rebel against Rahl's tyranny are known as the Resistance. Kahlan leads Richard and Zedd to just such a person, a wealthy merchant who serves the local contingent of D'Harans but siphons some of his wealth to the resistance. He introduces Richard to his son, Gryff.

Our heroes have an interim quest within their ongoing mission to find Darken Rahl and kill him. They're searching for the city of Calabra, trying to find out why Darken Rahl is interested in a city that has been destroyed for over a hundred years.

Richard learns more about the lore of the Seeker from Gryff, who is near Richard's age and is about to be wed to Bronwyn, his arranged bride. Gryff isn't excited by his future, and is smitten by romantic notions of adventures and destiny having studied the tales of previous Seekers. Richard, on the other hand, is at least politely jealous ofGryff's ability to settle down with a woman and start a family - something he wishes he could do with Kahlan.

Soon, fate intercedes on their behalf in the form of an old woman, who warns the Seeker against his journey to Calabra. When the Seeker disregards her warning, she takes matters into her own hands and casts a spell over Richard and Gryff. To the world, Richard appears to be Gryff, and vice versa. Gryff eagerly leaves town with Zedd and Kahlan, off to search for Calabra and face Demmin Nass, a D'Haran soldier who will lead them to Rahl. Gryff is excited to be off on his own adventure. Richard, on the other hand, is forced to stay and marry Gryff's betrothed. The old woman's plan to save the Seeker from an untimely death seems genuine, but her reasons remain unclear.

When Gryff comes to understand his true reason for being in Calabra, which is to die in Richard's place, he wants no part of adventure. Unfortunately for him, it's too late, and as Demmin Nass comes to the command tent, Gryff is standing there with Richard's face, holding the Sword of Truth.

What's great about this episode: the introduction of Demmin Nass as a new villain is very welcome. Nass is one of Rahl's most trusted commanders, and is a more likely candidate for a mid-season foe than Rahl himself. Kahlan's confession is a must-see; she finally admits the reason why she and Richard can't be together, though unfortunately, Richard isn't the one who hears it. There's been so much dancing around the subject that it was refreshing to have someone just come right out with a little information. And so far, there's been no mention of the loophole that could bring Richard andKahlan what they both want.

What's not so great about this episode: Zedd. It seems as if his role in some episodes (including this one) is to be the grandfatherly nay-sayer. It's repetitive and tiresome.

This episode also has a couple of familiar faces for Xena fans: Renato Bartolomei (XWP's Beowulf) is a deliciously evil Nass, and Danielle Cormack (Ephiny) plays the sorceress with just the right amount of mystery.

In the end, Richard and friends discover that the old woman was merely a disguise for the sorceress Shota, an old nemesis (and lover) of Zedd's. While Zedd is insistent that Shota can't be trusted, Shota makes it clear that while she has no love for the Seeker, she has less for Darken Rahl, and would be powerless if Rahl commanded the world with magic. She offers one final warning of prophecy: the Seeker will be betrayed by the one closest to him, the one in white. And now, Kahlan is the harbinger of doom, for if the Seeker is destroyed, all is lost.

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