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Legend of the Seeker: Bounty
As with last's week blog, this one comes with the same warning -- Spoilers are included so if the show hasn't yet aired in your area and you don't want to be spoiled...stop reading now!
Having a destiny must suck. No matter what you do, something is bound to go wrong. In the Seeker’s case, its having a bounty place on his head and finding that the people of the Midlands are skeptical about his prophecy AND are willing to just about anything to get him in order to get the bounty. Which is pretty much what last night’s episode was all about; issues of trust and loyalty not only between Richard and Kahlan but with the people of Midland and the Seeker.
Overall I enjoyed this episode more then the premiere. I found it less predictable (I really didn’t see Lily being as conniving as she ended up being) and I didn’t feel like it was a rehash of anything I’d seen before, with the exception of a point made in a following paragraph. There is an intriguing power struggle between Richard and Kahlan that I wasn’t expecting and that has been a bonus to their relationship. Kahlan is very Machiavellian in her approach to the task at hand whereas Richard is far more concerned with doing what he sees as right - -not necessarily doing what is safe. Even after being betrayed by Lily, Richard still assists her in getting her brother from jail; even going against Kahlan’s advice. In the end, Richard and Kahlan find their common ground and the Seeker begins to earn the trust of the people of Midland as Lily tells the tale of the Seeker’s heroic measures to help her save her brother.
I have to note that when I read in the blub on what last night’s episode was about, the description of one character caused me pause --an evil cartographer – I did a bit of a chortle. Let’s face it, when one thinks of evil – map making isn’t the first thing that immediately comes to mind. That said, I love Ted Raimi in just about anything he does and it was no different last night as the magical cartographer who takes the object of a person and then puts it to parchment so that bounty hunters can track them. I am sure other thought of the Marauder’s Map from the Harry Potter books/movies – and there in lies one of my main issues with LoTS – I am reminded of too many other shows that preceded it. But I do think that as this show finds its own identity, much of my concerns will go by the wayside.
I am in a nitpicky mood so I will bring up the other issue with the show and that is the whole slow sword fighting sequence. If all the fights were done as slow as the ones with Richard and Kahlan, then each show would be about 30 minutes longer then the hour allotted. For me, the slow-mo sword fighting is just irritating and in no way enhances the effect.
Craig Horner continues to stand out as the strongest of the cast. His portrayal of Richard as an eager but smart hero makes me just like him more and more. I still find Bridget Regan to be a bit stiff and as a result I am not warming up to Kahlan as I think I should. My suspicion is that it is going to take more time then normal for this show to find its footing. There is far more that I like about the LoTS then I don’t, so I will keep coming back for each episode.
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Nov 9, 2008 3:32 PM
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Dude, Tim Raimi twice in one week!
I thought of the Marauder's Map as well, but I liked how they showed Richard's location by a little ball of light. I also liked how Zedd was able to magically remove the ink & reconstitute Richard's amulet.
I agree that LotS reminds me a lot of other shows & the slo-mo fights are very Matrix-y. I'll get tired of that effect before much longer.
However, as you said, there is more that I like than dislike, so I'm also going to keep watching. It's not just 'cuz Craig Horner is a doll either. *grin*
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Nov 10, 2008 9:45 AM
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I finally was able to watch both the 2 hour premiere as well as this episode.
It's ok. Like everyone said, it's very much stuff that we've seen before. I haven't read the books, but I have been told that I should. So, I too come to this as my only "in" into this universe.
It is very much a derivative of Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Herc/Xena.
Regardless, I do find it entertaining, so I will be watching it.
I want to add that I have a friend who if she lost...oh maybe 60 pounds...could pass as Bridget Regan's sister. So despite any lack of acting ability from her, I do find it fun to watch her and think how much she looks like my friend.
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Nov 11, 2008 7:20 AM
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