Four and a Half Torches (Out of Five)
Warning: The following review contains spoilers for the “Princess” episode of Legend of the Seeker.
Sing it with me now: “The rain in the midlands stays mainly in the Valley of Perdition …”
Legend of the Seeker has had a string of great episodes, and this week it continues its winning streak with “Princess,” which at long last gives us something I didn’t even realize I was craving: a comedy episode!
The action starts immediately, as Kahlan is plucked off the ground by a pair of dragon-monster-things and taken to the castle of a wicked monarch who has made a deal with the Sisters of the Dark and the newly resurrected Nikki (in a new body … just go with it): he’ll hand over Kahlan in exchange for eternal life.
So, what’s the only way into the castle? In disguise, of course! And from an eavesdropping spell that Zedd cast, he heard that a princess and her entourage are on their way to the castle even as they speak. How does Zedd know where to find them? Magic!
If this all seems incredibly contrived to you, that’s because it is. But guess what? It’s supposed to be funny! Seeker has proven that it can bring the drama and the serious plots when it wants, but this week they kicked back and had a little fun, and invited us along for the ride.
The purpose of the ep wasn’t to create a Shakespearean tragedy, but rather come up with an excuse to turn Cara into Eliza Doolittle, to bleach Richard’s hair, and to put Zedd in drag for almost the whole show (which he seemed to really enjoy, by the way).
And it was funny, particularly the scene in which Zedd is attempting to train Cara in courtly femininity, telling her to always defer to her “masculine betters.” Her response? “There’s no such thing.”
Genius.
Also amusing was having Craig Horner, now under the persona of a blond lothario prince, strutting around the castle as women throw themselves at him. The show sometimes seems to go out of its way to ignore how freaking sexy its three young leads are, and I’m pretty sure that Craig Horner gets a similar reaction from women wherever he goes in real life, so it brought a chuckle to see it lampooned on screen.
Interesting that in such a silly episode they snuck in the very plot-centric fact that Nikki has been brought back to life, now younger and blonder. I also liked the world building in the very first scene: apparently, you can get a Mord-Sith for hire whenever you want to resurrect someone. Did you know that? I didn’t. It was similar to the discovery last week that if you’re clever enough, you can make money off of a Baneling’s plight.
Also interesting was the slight subplot involving Kahlan and the king’s wife. We learn that in this kingdom religion is used to oppress its women, so Kahlan must give her a crash course in Feminism 101 while simultaneously Richard is busying himself cracking the skulls of the Sisters of the Night. Another joke, maybe?
Finally, the adorable ending scene with Kahlan teasing her comrades about their respective costumes was almost worth the price of admission alone. They concluded the show the way every good comic episode should end — with a smile.
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I loved this episode. It did Cara good. Funny lines. It was really funny when Richard said ‘Then all we need is a princess’ Cara just nodds along not realizing they want her to be the princess. Finally realizing it: ‘Oh no’ Priceless! About the ryming in the bedchamber. It took me a few seconds to guess the word, but when I had it (and chuckled for quite a while) I realized it could’ve also been: prick. Oh well, who cares? I think we all thought the same.
I love Tabrett, she plays Cara’s character so well and she’s so beautiful.
And I also don’t like the new Nicci. Jolene was much better.
loved the fabulousness that was this episode
hated the new blond nikki
It was Parker Stevenson. :)
I think Princess is a lot better than Mirror, in every way, plus it has Cara which would make it better anyway. :) I laughed so much watching this episode and Tab was brilliant as always.
It is driving me crazy on who played the king in the Princess episode. I can’t find the entire cast list and missed the credits.
It was a cute episode by the way.
Thanks for the reply. Cant believe it was parker stevenson.
Re Zedd/Herald —two fantastic seasoned actors…they used their screen time expertly.
Mirror is still my fav over Princess, but I enjoyed the opportunity for the cast to show their comedy-styles…loved the slapstick in Mirror with Zedd/Richard….how can you not adore the Saffron blonde in Princess?? Richard always has priceless expressions of emotions. that the stills just cannot capture…and these were priceless…I am sure they had too much fun on this epi. lol
Zedd’s tongue-n-cheek…delivery is always timed and executed with great technique when written well…loved him as Aunt Thyrce…(my parents used to love “Some Like It Hot” with Lemmon, Curtis and Monroe) what a romp that was!!
Appreciated Cara and Kahlan as always…:)
I’m really struck by how pro-female this show it. The final fight scene — all women! Really cool.
And who knew? Zedd made a convincing woman! I’m starting to love that actor.
Great episode. After the highly enjoyable Mirror, Mirror in season 1, I was afraid TPTB had decided to avoid any predominantly comedic episodes in season 2.
Thankfully, they delivered Princess which felt like any number of comedy/disguise episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess, but that isn’t such a bad thing (for me). The “men are evil” dialogue in the dungeon got a tad boring and repetitive, especially in a show which has two female leads kicking azz each and ever week (and looking fabulous while doing so), but I guess they had to give Kahlan someone to talk to in the dungeon.
Aside from the whole immortality thing, I fail to see why anyone would want to marry the Margrave. Such a bizarre character with his requirement for rhyme. Also, kind of good to see Sister Nicci back, although it’s a shame they still haven’t found a strong female actor who can equal either Bridget Regan or Tabrett Bethell (sp?) in terms of screen presence.
I’m a HUGE fan of SoT/Cara so I’m glad they’re using LotS/Cara and, as I said before, I didn’t know Tabrett was so good so I can only appreciate a good performance, but I have a question: this frakkin’ Stone of Tears…where is it? Did they forget the main mission?
BTW can’t wait for an episode with Cara and Jack Bauer working together protecting the President of the United States of Midlands :P
You forgot to mention all the brilliant lines Cara got, in this episode!
How about that rhyme she tells the Margrave, in his bedpost? Took a few seconds to guess the word, which made me laugh harder!!! And I also chuckled at that line - “I think we should dig a tunnel.”
Anyway, good episode really, but sad that it had to go on a break *now*.
As I was watching it, I realized if I were to quote every awesome line Cara had, we’d be here for a while, but yeah, the writers gave her some real great stuff to chew on!
Wasn’t this episode 13? Or did you skip Hunger? Nice review :)
Good catch, thanks. Fixed.