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The Premiere of Legend of the Seeker
***WARNING -- The commentary below contains spoilers -- if you've yet to watch the show or if the show has not yet been broadcast in your area and you don't want to be spoiled...stop now**
Judging from the buzz on various boards, many of us were eagerly anticipating the premiere of Legend of the Seeker this weekend. For me, it was worth the wait even if the show wasn’t a “blow me away” sort of premiere. I went into the show with little expectation since I was not at all very familiar with the basis of the storyline. What I saw, I enjoyed. Gorgeous landscape, pretty people, sword fights…really what’s not to like?
If the premiere of Seeker suffers from anything, it’s predictability: unbeknown to a young man (Richard Cypher) he has a destiny (he’s the seeker and must defeat Darken Rahl); family is killed because of said destiny (father killed by Fane); young man is a bit brash (runs off leaving Kahlan and Zed behind) and his actions result in him losing a valued object (the Book of Counted Shadows); goes to get valued object back; somewhat succeeds but makes his destiny more difficult in the process (burn the book); at the end accepts his destiny and we are off and running. But even predictability can be enjoyable to watch and I didn’t let the all too familiar plot (sort of like a combination of Lord of the Rings, Xena, Hercules, and Beastmaster all rolled up into one) take away from the basic entertainment that was on the screen.
If I have one big complaint it’s most of the Australian and New Zealand actors suppressing their accents. Having them talk with their normal voices would in no way take away from the show. It’s a fantasy show taking place in a fantasy world…I would say accents would work just fine. Besides…they are cool accents! The minor complaint is about the actors portraying Kahlan and Darken Rahl. Bridget Regan comes across as a bit stiff and almost too regal to play a woman willing to lay down her life for the Seeker and I was hardly given chills when Craig Parker was in the scenes as Darken Rahl. I am going to have to see a bit more from him to honestly believe he is the embodiment of all that is evil. But Craig Horner is quiet wonderful as Richard – and the man looks great without a shirt and knows how to wield a sword. (BTW – am I the only one who noticed the odd costume change for Kahlan towards the end of the show? Chase’s family gives her new clothes in the middle and then by the time Richard and Kahlan get to the boundary to fight off the incoming army, Kahlan is back in the her Confessors robes. I guess they must have had time for her to change while racing to save the world).
I will admit that I am not at all familiar with the Terry Goodkind novels on which the series is based. I have friends who adore the books though and voiced concerned that a lot of the maturity of the books was going to be lost since this show was being billed as a family show. My understanding is that the books do contain intense violence and mature adult themes with regard to the relationship between Richard and Kahlan. Obviously the creators are taking a lighter step with regards to at least there two concepts. I will leave it up to those who have read the books to comment on just how much has changed.
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Nov 2, 2008 1:52 PM
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hi escapism. It has not yet premiered in my area, but I did not mind reading your blog. It so happened I bought the first of Goodkind's books last month, before I knew that a TV series was going to premiere. It is interesting to me that some of your criticisms are being echoed in Matt Roush's own evaluation. He was underwhelmed by the overall acting. Hopefully, it is a matter of a series findings its sea-legs and it will eventually gel. I plan to at least watch it and give it a chance before deciding. Reading the book will not sway me either way.
I am wondering if the Raimi and company plan to give the series that sort of sardonic wit that their Xena, Hercules and Beastmaster series had? And like you, I am wondering if they plan to suppress somewhat the more adult themes present in the book?
Thanks for the blog. Hopefully, there will be more to comment on in the near future.
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Nov 2, 2008 2:16 PM
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Hi maria --
I looked for Matt Roush's critique but couldn't find it on TVG. I generally stay away from critics reviews until after I see the show. The funny thing is...I rarely agree with Matt so I really am looking forward to reading what he has to say. If I am echoing him in anyway...I think I need to be afraid...very, very afraid! 
I think if I has been expecting more from the show I would have been far more disappointed. But when I am simply entertained, as I was last night, then I will forgive most issues that I have with any show that might not reach "wow" status.
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Nov 2, 2008 3:10 PM
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My bad: Matt's review is in the hard copy of TVG. But he ends up the section with the following:
"I'm all for comfort-food TV and as gee-whiz escapism [no relation to you, escapism! Maria] goes, this is more enjoyable than NBC's Crusoe dud, but anyone seeking an original thought will be epically disappointed." (TVG for Nov. 3-9 issue)
So you see, he agrees with the predictability factor to which you refer. He is also disappointed with the blandness of the actors. But sometimes, it takes a while for actors to find the right combination of chemistry so I am willing to try it out.
Insofar as Matt's reviews are concerned, I admit that tuned into the likes of Dexter and Mad Men because of his assessment and championing of these shows. Ditto for Gilmore Girls. Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad not so much. I may not always agree with him, but I generally appreciate his balanced and mature reviews of shows.
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Nov 2, 2008 3:40 PM
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Hi CA! I forgot it was on, even though I had put it on my calendar. I just happened to stumble onto it fifteen minutes in so was glad I caught most of it.
I didn't even think about the accents! I agree, I wish they had just let them speak in their own cool accents. Maybe the producers think we're too slow to be able to understand them if they do??
I am not familiar with the books at all, so I enjoyed it for what it was - a new fantasy TV series. I'll be interested to hear what the book fans think, since it's really difficult to do a book true justice on TV or film. They just have to pick and choose the things they want to include, and usually a lot of the story has to be left out.
I really liked Richard, but I agree with the Kahlan character not quite selling it to me yet. I'll give her some time to settle into the role. For me she just seemed blah. I was distracted (loose horses in my yard - long story) and didn't notice the costume change at the end. Good catch!
I'm interested to see how the show develops and reading your future blogs on it!
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Nov 2, 2008 4:01 PM
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I loved it except for the fact that I couldn't watch the first hour, because the CW was without sound!!!! ack! I had found the first half hour on itunes and watched it. I was intrigued.
I too never read the books and frankly it didn't matter. It has everything in it to keep me happy...I'm so easy to please at times. Look forward to your blogs.
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Nov 2, 2008 4:38 PM
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Maria -- That explains it! I have the hard copy version of this weeks TVG somewhere around here! I do have to admit, that of all the critics out there Matt Roush is close to, if not at, the top of my "I can stand" list!  Actually, I do find myself agreeing with him on some things -- Friday Night Lights being the perfect example. I just wish I knew what he had against shows like Criminal Minds!
Hi Coug -- Horses lose in the yard? Okay. I am the first to admit to sometimes needing closed caption to understand foreign accents but still, I think they could have kept that part real and it might have even enhanced the show more. Bridget Regan has potential...I think she just needs to loosen up a bit. Apparently in the books Kahlan and Richard are quite attracted to each other -- I see a glint there (more so from Craig Horner/Richard) but I am going to have to see more from her.
Hi Lacey -- For me, it really depends on the book/movie. I've seen movies that were in more entertaining then the books but more times then not, the movies don't do the books justice. I suspect that I will read the books at some point. A few of my friends really like them and I look forward talking with them about the TV version vs. the books. Should be interesting.
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Nov 2, 2008 6:24 PM
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I accidentally stumbled on the show airing on Saturday. I really enjoyed it so much. It reminded me of Hercules and Xena and I can't wait to see more episode. After all the political stuff going on it was a pleasant break, a very nice escape. I hope they keep it around a while and give it a chance.
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Nov 2, 2008 9:32 PM
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I liked it! I haven't read any of the books either, so my expectations were not high. I thought the acting was fine, but I do wish everyone got to keep their accents.
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Nov 3, 2008 9:59 AM
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CA - thanks again for being so careful with the spoiler warnings! I may choose to read a spoiler, but nothing annoys me more than to stumble on one unawares. I always know I can read your postings without getting blind-sided.
As for Seeker, I did watch it and found lots to like, but it didn't exactly grab me. Unfortunately, in my area it appears to be going to be on at 11pm. I am an old codger and don't watch TV that late. I have to really like a show to keep recording it and then trying to find time to watch it during the week. I will probably tape it this week, just in case the timing is temporary. But with the jury still out on general principles, this week's ep will have to be pretty incredible to get me to continue watching if I have to record it.
Fortunately for those who want the show to continue, I am not exactly their target demographic. However, I will say I think the demos are a little behind the times. What people tended to watch who were my age 15 years ago is very different from what my generation watches now. Almost everyone I know watches and/or reads at least some scifi/fantasy. I have any number of books that I've lent to everyone from people's grandchildren to my mother-in-law. Seeker is being heralded as the return of independent TV - we can hope.
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Nov 3, 2008 11:16 AM
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Just caught up on the TV viewing for last week, especially the opening for this show. Having just barely finished reading the first couple of books, I was very curious as to how the TV folks would handle the violence etc. Guess they just ignored it! Seriously, I think the first 15 min of the show they'd gone through 3/4 of the first book. And at 800+ pages, that's moving!
Overall, I'm liking what I've seen so far. They've definitely strayed from the books, but that's not all bad. I've always enjoyed the offerings from Tapert & Raimi; this, like their other shows, just asks you to suspend belief and enjoy this fantasy world's logic.
There are definitely some themes in the book that I'm sure won't make it to the show: lots of graphic descriptions of physical, mental & sexual torture. It'll be interesting to see how the screenwriters incorporate these themes since they're so crucial in the development of the characters.
Yes, the change in costume for Kahlan was a bit disconcerting (continuity, anyone?) but then that's showbiz. One of our family's joys watching westerns is to pick out how the horse changes in mid-ride: 3 white feet to none, bay to sorrel, mare to gelding. Movie magic??
For now, it's a pleasant escape. Especially since Primeval ended its run last weekend on BBCAmerica.
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Nov 9, 2008 12:13 AM
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