Editor’s Note: In honor of this week’s season finale of Legend of the Seeker, we offer not the usual snarky recap, but a review of both the last episode, and of the entire season.
Rating of the finale:
Five Torches (Out of Five)
Rating of the entire season:
Four Torches (Out of Five)
And so it ends. The first season of the syndicated fantasy series Legend of the Seeker has come to a close.
The entire season was good, but the finale episode was downright fantastic.
If the first season of Seeker had a flaw, it was that it was a little too true to its source material, the novels of Terry Goodkind upon which the show is based: it’s not that they aren’t fine books, and it’s not that the show hewed religiously close to them (it didn’t).
It’s just that many of the elements that didn’t quite gel on screen seemed to have been taken directly from the books: the mythology of the Mord Sith, the lame-ish reason why Richard and Kahlan can’t ever express their love for each other, and, quite frankly, the Confessor’s powers in general (especially the blood-rage).
It’s not that these things didn’t made sense; it’s simply that their explanation required complicated exposition that might work fine in a book, but that interrupted the flow of a TV story.
In other words, these elements weren’t seamless.
The finale, on the other hand, was practically perfect in every way.
The overall arc of the season was, of course, about the fact that Richard was destined to kill Darken Rahl.
But by the end of the last episode before the finale, it was all looking a little too destined. Richard had assembled all three of the Boxes of Orden, not to mention the Book of Counted Shadows, and he and his companions had come up with a pretty good plan to take on Rahl: have Kahlan “confess” Richard, enabling him to use the power of the boxes without having them turn him evil.
In other words, there wasn’t much tension. I was happy for Richard, but when it comes to a gripping adventure, the last you want is for your “all-powerful” villain to be the decided underdog.
Then came the opening sequence of “Reckoning,” the finale, where Richard and Kahlan finally try to put their plan into effect — only to immediately see it completely screwed up as one of the Mord Sith interrupts them mid-spell, and then Rahl suddenly appears (in a particularly cool special effect) to kill Richard.
The inevitable showdown that we’d long expected — and, frankly, was getting a little boring to hear about — was suddenly completely shaken up. The story went off in a completely unexpected direction (where, it turns out, a rare combination of the magic of the Confessor, the Mord Sith, and the Boxes of Orden had propelled Richard many years into the future).
Frankly, that opening sequence was so great I’m a little confused why it wasn’t the last scene in the episode before. Talk about a great would-be cliff-hanger!
Richard and Kahlan’s plan thwarted, the story veered off into a truly terrific episode where both Richard and Kahlan had to confront their greatest challenge yet: their loss of each other. Better still, Kahlan had to do it without her Confessor powers, and Richard had to do it without any prophecy (or Zeddicus) to guide him.
The inevitable show-down between Richard and Rahl, when it did finally come, was both unexpected and thoroughly satisfying — which is really saying something, given all the build-up. And the reunion between Richard and Kahlan was pretty much the best moment the two of them had all season long — which is exactly as it should have been.
“Reckoning” was, quite simply, the best episode of the season.
What of the entire season? The strong episodes (e.g. “Puppeteer,” “Mirror,” “Cursed”) were excellent, the weaker ones (e.g. “Deception,” “Sanctuary”) were borderline unwatchable.
But the season was unquestionably better, and more consistently “good,” than the first season of the producers’ previous TV project, Xena: Warrior Princess. (Then again, maybe it should have been better, given that the producers of Legend had the experience of six seasons of Xena, not to mention several other series, enabling them to hone their game. But it’s very fair to say that they have broken some seriously new ground on Seeker, and are not simply revisiting past successes.)
Some special mention must be made of Bruce Spence, the actor who plays Zeddicus. While Craig Horner and (even more so) Bridget Regan are fine in their respective roles, Spence is a revelation — by turns, commanding, touching, and funny. He has the smallest part of the three leads, but he easily makes the strongest impression. He’s clearly an old pro.
All in all, Legend of the Seeker is extremely well-done fantasy.
Contrary to many previous press reports, as of last week, Disney had apparently still not officially renewed the show for a second season (though as before, things look very good). But if there was ever a show that deserved another season, it’s this one.
Interested in buying The Sword of Truth books (or any other product)? Support TheTorchOnline.com by purchasing them through this link.
Similar Posts:
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This series is so lame compared to the books. The books have a dark edge which a Dsiney series just doesn’t get. It would have been great if done by HBO. A pity.
I just finished streaming this series through netflix. I picked up the show without knowing a drop about it, or what it was supposed to be based on.
I think that the folks that read the wizards first rule or the sword of truth would be a lot happier if they thought of this show as a completely different fantasy story all together, because clearly that is what it is.
If you keep wishing it to be like the books you will only hate it more and more. It looks like it has what it takes to be a long standing syndicated television series and honestly, I wouldn’t mind that, as with Hercules and Xena both being gone we havn’t had a semi cheezy fantasy series to enjoy.
Now that this one was anything less than extremely well done, but its the same bag of fantasy story tricks that sucker punch us weeklings into liking it no matter what.
The green explosion death of D.R. was definitely lame, mainly because it wasn’t even clear to me whether or not Richard became the ordin wielding confessed dominator that he was supposed to become, or not. I assumed he did not become one as it would be hard for the writers to go on with the show without an equally cheezy scene where somehow Richard gives up the power of ordin or has it stolen by some petty thief that finds some insanely rare piece of lost magic (as always).
D.R. being stabbed by the confessed general was completely acceptable, it was in a future we knew would not stand for long. It just wanted to cut to the chase and show us “D.R. is killed by his son” they only have 43 minutes.
Overall the show is just flat out enjoyable. Sure you can find holes in the plot and other problems, but you just need to make some shakey explanation for those holes and go on with the adventure.
I have to say that D.R. was probably my favorite character, mostly because I half believed that he was a good guy when he was deceiving the people he captured. He never came off very fake at all, while both Richard, Kahlan and Zed are guilty of that at times.
So now we are left with a world free of Darken Rahl, while Richard, Kahlan, and Zed set up as a perfect ready-for-combat team. How do you think the next season will go? Is it possible that there will be some serious problems in the shambles of Darken Rahl’s empire that they will have to face? Maybe some ancient magic that needs to be uncovered or defeated or harnessed? Perhaps another scary tyrannical ruler to defeat? We all know that the answer to all of these questions is a strong -yes-.
And I am pretty sure that unless they really botch the heck out of the next season, it will be a lot of fun to watch. It won’t be based on any novels, besides the main concepts which are just cliches from the genre anyways.
So I am really looking forward to it.
Nice write-up. Reckoning was one of their better episodes. I do not know if it was the best, though I can not think of one better off hand. However it did feel a little rushed.
I hear mixed things about the books. They are long and contain material that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
The show’s first season was interesting, at times exciting but not always fun.
Here is my take on it with a little humor and lots o’ pics if you are interested.
http://fortresstakes.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/legend-of-the-seeker-2008-2009-season-1-22-episodes/
I have to agree that the season finale was the best episode. The unexpected twist was just what it needed. However, I disagree with the rest of the analysis of the entire season. What the series didn’t need was what it ultimately appeared to be, another Xena/Hercules series….boring and repetitive. Having read the complete series I for one would have liked it much better had it stuck closer to the books. Watching the first season blending episodes from several of the books combined with the many added scenes from the writers made the series somewhat confusing. I found the characters from the books well defined which lead to a serious disappointment when introduced to the TV characters. Then there are the characters from the books that never materialized, another disappointment. After I watched the first two or three episodes I thought that perhaps they would have seen the problems with the TV series and redirected it appropriately…sadly this was not to be. Now that they have announced a second season starting this fall I again hope that they will redirect the TV series closer to the books. I am certain viewers will enjoy it more if they did.
I loved Deception LOL.
I read the books and i like the serie. Yes they changed a lot of thing, everything actualy but its a serie BASED on the book. They took the characters and the story line and made 22 episodes with it. its great!
As a purist towards Mr. Goodkind and his series, I honestly believe this series is crap. Sorry for all of those people out there who liked it. But if your going to go off a LOOSELY based idea of this series, then it was excellent, for those people who did not read the books first and watched the series. I personally believe Mr. Goodkind should have had more influence, or command, of this series.
Love or hate my opinion, that’s exactly what it is, my opinion.
I thought the show was terrific. The only thing I really had a problem with was Richard’s mother being killed off as soon as she was introduced, but even more so - the Sister’s of Light being these pleasant guardians of special children. Honestly The Stone of Tears is an amazing book and would have made an awesome arc for the second season, but I can’t really see how they’re going to do that now.
I mean, Sisters of the Dark would make for great TV.
To the author of these blog reviews, i don’t really understand the problem you have with the COnfessor’s magic and powers. I didn’t feel it was burdened down in exposition at all, in fact it seems pretty simple, and episode 10, Sacrifice, was one of the best of the season with the COnfessor lore (the dichotomy between Denee raising her son and Rahl’s son going evil was a little off putting though).
Hmmm am I the only person who started to hate the books after the first few? I really enjoyed the first two or three in the series, and I applauded his willingness to go to a really dark place in the training of the Mord Sith. By the fourth or fifth book his misogyny and right wing heavy-handed allegories left me sick and frankly bored. By the time the goat saved the world I decided I’d had enough.
This distaste for the written series, in particular the virulent misogyny, completely put me off watching the series.
I just finally watched the finale and only have one major problem with the whole first season. Why didn’t Kahlan react to the fact that Richard wasn’t confessed after Rahl died? Yes the writers took their liberties with the story, but they did get back to the fact that Richard was confessed at the end of the first book. With them not explaining the power of “Love” to Kahlan, there is no wedding. I really hope season two does not go off and become a medieval version of Knight Rider.
Because the magic of the boxes protect him. In the books that’s not what happens but it is said that the boxes can protect from the confessors.
I have read all of this series except the last one or two books and I was excited to learn about the series, although a little wary. Overall, I enjoyed it. There were a few episodes that were totally invented that almost stopped me from watching any more, but I endured. And I did like it. The two things that bothered me and my husband the most was Richard’s naiive attitude and the lack of explanation of the Sword.
In the books, Richard learned to fight from the Sword, and it channeled the power and experience of all the past Seekers into him (or something like that - the Dance of Death. It’s been a couple years since I’ve read the books). And the blade turned white or red depending on the reason Richard needed to kill the person.
And Richard would make really hard, cold decisions and did not hesitate about killing someone. He understood the need to do things for the greater good. All the silly things he protested in the series would never have been an issue for him in the books. When he stopped Kahlan from killing the boy confessor; he would have agreed with her in the series. And, I forget the episode, but he didn’t kill a D’Haran soldier because he didn’t really want to be a soldier. Richard WOULD have killed him in the books, because the man decided to join the D’Harans in the first place, when he could have chosen to rebel. Richard would have seen it as “he forfeited his life by serving Rahl.” It goes on and on. He came across as a little too whiny and naiive (reminiscent of Luke wanting to go to Tosche Station……).
But again, it’s a Disney series. So I understand why they made some of their decisions.
i do not agree at all. i will agree that it is hard to discribe blood rage. but it is only used once in the book when kanlyn thinks Richard is dead. and it is not describled much more.
the thing i thought was a little strange was the fact that there are no mud people and no scarlet. WHAT HOW CAN THE STORY HAPPEN WITH OUT THEM. the sisters off light are not hunting richard um big deveation richard is not a war wizard um again big deveation. who read the books before putting it into perduction? dont get me wrong i dont think think that you could match the book word for word but not following the books in at least the general flow of the story is pritty bad if you ask me.
I don’t much agree with this review at all … I haven’t read the books but I have no problem AT ALL with what was mentionned here about the show being too close from the books. I even prefer when something is really exactly as the book it’s insppired of. I don’t see a problem with the blood rage and so on … neither, sanctuary and deceptions weren’t bad at all … strange review….
I LOVED this show from the very beginning. Once I found out it was based on a series of books, I got a little scared. I HATE when tv shows RUIN books (or movies). I decidedly dod NOT read the books yet,as I was afraid i would HATE the show then. (which is the highlight of my week, by the way!).
Reading all of these comments makes me KNOW, without a doubt, that I have to read them ASAP now. At least the first one. I can only imagine what I am missing. I can liken it to all my friends who have “seen” the movie Twilight and not READ the books. There was sooo much left out that I couldn’t imagine anyone even LIKING that movie. So, I am sure many of you feel that way about this series.
I am now bound to these actors though, as I have watched them grow so much in the first season. I love all of them. Hopefully reading the books won’t change my mind. :)
I can’t for this to come out on DVD, although HULU is wonderful!
I enjoyed the series, but was disapointed that it didn’t stay truer to the Wizard’s First Rule. While I understand that introducing new stories is a must in order to have an entire season of episodes, it was the underlying story about the battle between Richard and Rahl, as well as introducing things from later books that bothered me. I prefer the way that Richard was able to figure out how to trick Rahl into opening the wrong box as well as learn how he and Kahlan can actually be together at the same time from the book. I also didn’t like that the Sisters of the Light were introduced the way they were in the show. The Sisters were the true reason that Jagang was able to invade from the old world.
I personally think the show was pretty much a flop. I have read all the books and own over half. Collecting the black cover hardbacks. I enjoyed seeing some things in the show but, it really seemed like the producers had no clue where they were going.
I do like the idea that Richard & Kahlan could have dealt with other issues besides those addressed in the book and I think that seemed like where the show was heading. But, if they want a successful second season they really need to work on their continuity. The books were always were fleshed out very well.
Very cool conclusion to the first season. And a pretty strong first season - particularly compared to some other TV shows which had weak first series (Buffy and Xena among others).
Issues with the finale would include Nicholas Rahl. Firstly, I would expect the child of Darken Rahl and Kahlan to be far more attractive AND brunette! I thought it was particularly interesting that they devoted an entire episode earlier in the season to establishing that not all male confessors would turn *evil*, yet they essentially proved that with this episode. So, should the terrific trio feel bad about killing the previous Mother Confessor now? Also, does Kahlan now know that Darken Rahl has killed her sister and her nephew (the aforementioned male confessor)? Did Shota tell Richard that news in the “future” so that he could pass it along to Kahlan?
Secondly, for an all powerful ruler of the land, Nicholas Rahl wasn’t that impressive (and he seemed quite stupid). I guess living in a cave surrounded by people you had confessed would make you “relax” your defences a little, but he seemed incredibly paranoid. I was very surprised that his plan for defeating Richard and Cara was basically a few soldiers. And of course, I was even more surprised that Richard’s plan worked so well - Nicholas clearly didn’t inherit any brains from either his mother or father (Darken Rahl at least took along his Mord Sith).
I also thought that Nicholas might have used his personal knowledge about Kahlan and Richard’s paternity to distract Richard during the confrontation. Instead he just waltzed in with his prematurely bald head and did pretty much exactly what Richard wanted.
Thirdly, unimpressive “death” of Darken Rahl. Both Rahl and Craig Parker deserved a better send-off than a very lame “death by magical green fire for no discernable reason”. I’m hoping Darken Rahl returns in some manner because he was “finished” far too easily for my liking. Not to mention the fact that it was just a “happy accident”. Given all of Rahl’s knowledge about the boxes, surely he would have known that it was dangerous to stab the Boxes of Orden (or did it have something to do with him using the Sword of Truth - because he’s evil did the sword kill him).
Quibbles aside, it was a very satisfactory episode and it definitely leaves me wanting more from the series. Overall, Craog Horner and Bruce Spence have both improved in terms of their acting and solidifying their characters. Bridget Regan continues to impress as Kahlan, especially in that super-white dress she is stuck wearing.
Y’all really liked the finale? It lacked in many ways. Too much was unexplained. People say that it would have taken too long to explain thoroughly the mythology of certain aspects, but c’mon! The show is an hour long. People who have read the books might be alright with that, but lets face it, for those of us who hadn’t, we need a little more to keep us hooked. Luckily, the action and the little they did explain kept me interested. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the series as a whole, I just think they could have ended it a lot better. For all the hype, Richard and Rhal didn’t even have a final showdown.
I have news for you. The people who actually read the books dont know the answers either. Since the writers have decided to change so much in such a drastic way, you can not compare this lame show to the books. Any attempt to do so is just silly. If any of you who actually liked this show have not read the books I suggest going out and getting Wizard’s First Rule ASAP so you can see what the Sword of Truth is really about.
hey Cym1 I hate to tell you but there was no big fight in the first book between Richard and Darken Rhal.
The first season of the series covers the first TWO books, so to speak (it’s only VERY loosely based on the books after all).
I loved watching the seeker, please - we need more adventures…
Well I have to say the Finale was interesting but I have a few Problems with the way things were Done:
First off why does Disney have to take over everything and not always Or usually for the Good
Terry should have been left as the main Righter /Adviser for the show
Introducing the Rada Han Before Richard meets the Sisters of the Light and he hasn’t been to the “Palace of the Profits”
THey Should have made Richards ordeal with the Mord Sith a 2 Part and Killed Denna as in the Book
Devotion almost seemed an after thought /Throw in using it in a Hick Town more as a dominance thing than what it was truly to represent and this should have been in the Mord Sith episode as it was introduced then in the Book
Some of the earlier stuff that happened in the series I put down to rookie mistakes but it continued throughout they should not have been given any other book then TWFR
From my experience, having not read the books (although I’ve looked them up and intend to purchase), I was completly entertained. I coundn’t wait for the next week. A few questions: 1) did they swich actors whom played Darken Rahl?
2) Don’t you think that Kaylain should not use so much makeup since she’s out there fighting and never a smuge?
3) How many books were covered in this first season?
Thanks!
I don’t think they changed actors, did they?
Bridget Regan is a beautiful woman — I don’t htink they want ANYTHING to interfere with that! lol
Not sure about the books. Does anyone else know?
no they didn’t change actors, but during the episode he got to show a lot range to his acting. I actually felt for him at times.
Mostly it’s the first book. Richard’s sister doesn’t come along until about book 6 or 7,i think, and they aren’t related by mother. Rahl is killed at the end of the first book and is really about the least of what they face. I would have never been able to watch the 2nd season had they not killed him. i enjoyed this season, but I could never have forgiven that. Seems like their were some other elements from later books, but i can’t remember them at the moment.
Rahl is killed at the end of the second book. Or perhaps the publishers divided the books up somehow in translation?
I think despite all of the changes to the books they did a good job. (i own all the books!)The season finale was great simply because they explored the whole posibility of a male Confessor. Something they hinted at being terrible but Terry Goodkind never blessed his readers with. I cant wait for season 2, and Jagang the Dream Walker. Oh, and they really should let Richard become a War Wizard like he supposed to. I liked the Cara character, even though she would totally would have not been so hot!
The one negative note was Darken Rahl would have never been killed in such a cheap way, a sword in the back!? Yeah Right!
I would have to agree with Ken, at least in part. The entire premise for this series was that the Seeker would fulfill his destiny by killing Darken Rahl. The writing and directing seemed to have lost its sense of continuity with the last two episodes. So Richard was Darken Rahl’s BROTHER! (Certainly not so in the book where Rahl is identified as Richard’s FATHER - a much better story line). And, why wasn’t that revealed to Richard that Rahl was his brother. We never heard anything about it again come the last episode. One could go on and on with the imperfections of the last episode culminating with Rahl’s death by Egremont. WHAT! Whose idea was that? After waiting months to see the pivotal scene of Richard battling with Rhal (and killing him) we get Rahl being dispensed by a rather minor character in the series. I truly enjoy this series up to the last two episodes. The finale was so poorly done when it could have been the very best of the season.
Maybe Rahl lied about them being brothers. In the book Rahl has no idea Richard is his son either.
Finaly got to watch it today. I was so relieved when they killed Rahl. Yes the best epidsode of the season. The failed elements from the book you mentioned seemed to me to fail because the shows producers tried to fit ideas that spanned much of the first book into single episodes. The Denna episode should have been a two parter, of course the brutality of that part of the book wopuld never make it on the small screen.
Perhaps the shows success will inspire the writers to have more arcs through out the show. i think they’ve left themselves alot of wiggle room and i for one am willing to overlook future contenuim issues if it means a better overall story.
My friends who haven’t read the books love the show and frankly if everything was the same the episodes would be boring to watch. I’ve had my moments though.
That one in the tomb with ghost of the old seeker. Oh I just turned it off. Wish they’d found a better role for old dude from Hercules. Hey if they do follow books how bout Kevin Sorbo as Nathan Rahl. There’s some stunt casting for you.:)
Never would I thought I would here the words “It was a little too true to the source material” This show is absolutely horrible. Ken Biller and his crew should be ashamed of themselves. Not for trying to create new stories within the world of the sword of truth, but for changes they have made to so many of the characters and the general “Lore” of the books. Unfortunately Mr. Goodkind no longer has any say in what happens in the TV show. I would bet that given the opportunity he would give back what ever payment he received for the rights to the story so that the people at disney can no longer butcher what he has spent the better part of 2 decades creating.
Just to be clear: I specifically said the series is NOT faithful to the books, just that some of the elements that don’t quite work in the series are TAKEN from the books.
Sorry you don’t like the show, though. I think it’s pretty decent.
hey Brent, I did read the books and did like the show. But just the be clear with what you wrote.
“If the first season of Seeker had a flaw, it was that it was a little too true to its source material, the novels of Terry Goodkind upon which the show is based: it’s not that they aren’t fine books, and it’s not that the show hewed religiously close to them (it didn’t).”
now on a lot of the show I wish they would have followed the book closer, come on Cara dies in the book, Chase was missing a lot of weapons if you follow the books, Zed was the only known wizard left, and no one knew his name because of the web he cast before leaving midlands, Kahlan was the mother comfeser from the beginning of the book, oh and come on it was the 3 boxes of orden being put into play that should have been the underline sorry of the whole show.
I agree with Gerald. Your writing was very ambiguous. The reason it didn’t gel is because the GOOD stuff was from the books and the REST was crap. On top of that the writers and producers were lazy. They wrote some stuff took others from the book. To be wholly true, the series should have either not strayed far from the books or have not been biased on the books at all. Look at the new star trek for example, they did an AMAZING job making an alternet universe. What the LOTS writers did crap.
Good show, good finale, good review.
Awesome finale to an amazing season! There’s always a twist to surprise us, the fight scenes were great, LOVE the costumes, characters, music, props, everything!! Can’t wait until next season, and hopefully Season 1 will be out on DVD soon.
Great fight scenes, all did well. Appropriate ending for the nasty Darken Rahl, and Tabrett Bethell was wonderful as Cara. I so agree with you about Bruce Spence, Brett. He just seems to stand out and above all others in the show. It was good to watch how Richard matured throughout the episodes. Bridget Regan has proved her worthiness in the role of Kahlan Amnell. She shines!
Also very impressed by the finale. Was shocked when Alice was killed!
Oh, and Kahlan’s storyline was INTENSE. Bravo!
Very much agreed! She actually had the more interesting story, didn’t she? (Then again, she often got NO storyline in some of the earlier eps, so it evens out…)
Hmmmm, pretty much spot-on.
this show is immensely cool. i seriously hope it will continue for at least a few seasons, and now that we’re on the in-between i shall read the books (though i’m aware of the differences). bruce spence is awesome, kahlan is hot. denna is incredibly hot, and jennsen is hot in an extremely innocent and virtuous way. terrific
I love the Legend Of The Seeker and hope season 2 comes out on DVD. I also hope they will finally have Richard and Kalyn or Richard and Kara get together finally. I hope they do not have the Seeker Die.