10 - Sacrifice

Information

Title: Sacrifice
Episode number: 10
Production number: 111
Director: Michael Hurst
Writers: Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux
US Air date: 24th January 2009
UK Air date: 10th September 2009
Gallery: View Sacrifice images

Synopsis

With Richard's help, Kahlan disguises herself as a Mord'Sith to rescue her pregnant sister Dennee - who is also a Confessor - from a D'Haran prison. When Dennee gives birth to a son, Richard is horrified to learn that it's mandated that male offspring of Confessors be put to death and resolves to save the child, putting him at odds with Kahlan.

Review by Tracy Casebere

If there is one reason alone to watch this episode, then it's to see Kahlan dress up as a Mord'Sith. She doesn't disappoint and neither does the episode. But what is it all about? For that, let's go back to the beginning. No really, the beginning of the series, episode 1.

The last time we saw Dennee it was when she was being shot in the back with arrows and had a huge smile on her face, urging Kahlan to leave her and complete the mission. Kahlan obliged, only she forgot to check to make sure her sister was dead. The only reason I say this is because in actual fact, she survived!

Yet instead of basing this whole episode on Dennee's rescue (the reason for Kahlan dressing up as a Mord'Sith), they go one twist further and base it on Dennee's child's rescue instead. Confused? Don't worry. It turns out back when Kahlan and her sister were racing across the Midlands, Dennee was pregnant. And by the time Kahlan had been informed of her sister's existence, she's ready to drop - the baby that is!

Which is just as well Richard is with them when she decides to give birth. He announces to an overjoyed crowd, "It's a boy!" Listen carefully and you might just hear the sound of their faces dropping. Have you ever seen a male Confessor? No, they'd look ridiculous in a Confessor's dress for a start.

Typically any Confessor born a male will be killed. It sounds rather barbaric and a little outdated but there is good cause, or at least there was good cause. The power of a Confessor corrupts the male, making his actions evil - so to prevent this, all were killed at birth. What ensues between Richard and the Mother Confessor, and indeed between Richard and Kahlan, is a battle of right and wrong; of good and evil; of present and future.

Richard doesn't see a threat, he just see's an innocent baby. And with that thought in mind, he does all he can to protect the boy. Kahlan at first doesn't agree with him. Her beliefs have been taught the ways of the old and although she does sympathise, she knows what must be done. It provides conflict and drives a big enough wedge between her and Richard that he decides to set off alone with the baby. A quick debate on the subject however, brings the two on the same level of thinking (basically with Richard saying: if you loved me, you'll take my side) and Kahlan does.

The Mother Confessor however, does not love Richard, nor does she take his side. Instead she commits the ultimate evil (talk about double standards) and confesses Zedd to kill Richard to get the boy back. I know, for a split second you think perhaps Zedd really is the greatest wizard to have ever lived and isn't really affected by her touch - yet that notion is soon forgotten when you see Zedd spewing more Wizard's Fire at Richard than you can shake a fire extinguisher at. On some level you know how this is all going to play out - yet it still makes for compulsive viewing.

The fight scene with all the Confessors is truly amazing to watch; they're like ninja's striking fast (albeit in slow motion) in the forest. Watching Zedd being used as a puppet when he only recently proclaimed in the last episode to be the Great Master Puppeteer, is slightly humbling. Nothing can stop a Confessor's touch - except maybe death. Just as well the Mother Confessor dies then, releasing Zedd from his psychological prison and allowing Dennee and family to live out the rest of their lives free from the exposure of corruption, at least for the moment. Who knows what's going to happen when that kid gets a little older and stumbles across the HBO channel? People aren't the only thing that can corrupt you know.

What we're left with isn't the satisfaction of knowing good, triumphed over stupidity; or even joy at seeing a happy ending. It's the knowledge that Kahlan is now Mother Confessor. Listen carefully and you might just hear the sound of book fans everywhere sighing in collective relief; and all is right in the world. It's good to have you back Mother Confessor.

Starring

Craig Horner - Richard Cypher
Bridget Regan - Kahlan Amnell
Bruce Spence - Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander

Co-Starring

Renato Bartolomei - Demmin Nass
Tania Nolan - Dennee Amnell
Louise Wallace - Serena
Rachel Forman - Alana
Roy Snow - Finn
Daniel Coppersmith - D'Haran Sergeant
Scott Harding - Warden
Conner Wright - Soldier