1 - Prophecy

Information

Title: Prophecy
Episode number: 1
Production number: 101
Director: Mark Beesley
Writers: John Shiban and Ken Biller and Stephen Tolkin
US Air date: 1st November 2008
UK Air date: 13th August 2009
Gallery: View Prophecy images

Synopsis

Kahlan Amnell, pursued by soldiers of Darken Rahl, the tyrant who wants to rule the Midlands, flees that province and uses magic to cross the Boundary into Westland. Richard Cypher, a simple Westland woodsman, helps her escape them. Ranssyn Fane, commander of the soldiers, survives his confrontation with Kahlan and Richard and continues to pursue them. Returning home, Richard is sent by his father, George, to find an old man named Zedd.

Richard learns that Zedd is really a powerful wizard from the Midlands, and Kahlan is a Confessor, a woman with the power to make someone tell the truth. Zedd reveals that Richard is the Seeker, the person destined to defeat Darken Rahl. Zedd hands Richard a magical weapon, the Sword of Truth. And Kahlan gives Richard the object of Fane's pursuit, the Book of Counted Shadows, which contains the secrets Rahl needs to capture ultimate power.

Review by Tracy Casebere

Two riders, one amazing landscape and probably the most nail biting chase scene you'll see all series: welcome, you are now watching Legend of the Seeker, Episode 1. Two sisters, Kahlan and Dennee are pursued across a mountainous landscape by arrow wielding soldiers. One such arrow barely misses Kahlan's head and is shown in spectacular slow motion style.

Dennee however, is not quite so lucky and after taking an arrow in the back, she just manages to hold on long enough to give Kahlan a book which, in her own words, "is more important than me." This whole scene is pretty eerie; what with Dennee practically begging Kahlan to leave her to die for the sake of some book (all the while she has a smile on her face.) But leave she does, and that's how Kahlan ends up running head first into a magical barrier. Luckily, this is a fantasy series and magical barriers are easily overcome, or rather walked through - with the help of a Glo Worm (remember those?). Ok it's a bit more than a Glo Worm, but we'll find out about that later. For now we'll move onto Richard.

Another scene set to get your heart racing (although this time for a very different reason, and if you're so inclined) is Richard chopping wood, shirtless. Perhaps 'Legendary abs of the Seeker' would have been a more apt name for the show? But what is the whole point of this scene? Well apart from showing us how much he works out, its other point is to show us just how hard working, kind and chivalrous Richard is (all important qualities in a soon-to-be reluctant hero.) And this sentiment is only reinforced when he sees a lone woman being hounded by a band of not-so-merry men in the forest. Brave words Richard ("I'm not going anywhere"), but unfortunately you're no match for a hardened thug, sorry, solider. And whilst Richard is sparked out cold from a nice little left hook, we get to see Kahlan kick some ass, or rather, grab some throat.

With only a mere touch, the soldier who was just about to run her through with his sword, is now running his sword through his buddies. Pretty neat trick. This is clearly one woman who can look after herself. And this is one of the reasons that make the series so watchable and appealing, because Richard and Kahlan can both look after themselves (or Richard will once he stops falling into fists.)

The story begins to slow in pace and allows for some plot details to emerge; we learn who the soldiers are (or rather were as there is only one left now), we learn that Kahlan crossed the barrier to find a wizard named Zedd (who has a penchant for moonlighting chickens in the nuddy) and we learn that Richard is the Seeker (who has a destiny - but then again, who doesn't?) And finally, we find out what will keep the series (and hopefully Seeker) going until the twenty-second episode: Darken Rahl. It's the Seeker's goal to ultimately defeat Darken Rahl (who Zedd describes as a twisted wraith of evil) as is told in the Prophecy. Richard plays the reluctant hero with all the gusto of, well, a reluctant hero, and proclaims quite defiantly "I'm not killing anybody." That's the spirit. It wouldn't make much of a show if he didn't though.

Thankfully, -and I mean this in the nicest possible way- Richard's father is killed by the last remaining solider, Vane. It spurs Richard into eating his earlier words by going after Vane with the Sword of Truth, which isn't just a piece of steel, no sir, it's an evil fighting piece of steel. Does Richard carry out his threat? Will Richard become the first true Seeker in a thousand years? Will the person who presses the slow motion button during every fight scene get bored? Will Clara the chicken ever be the same again? All these questions and more will be answered in episode 2: Destiny. One thing's for sure, Prophecy started something which should definitely be seen through to the end. It only gets better.