2 - Destiny

Information

Title: Destiny
Episode number: 2
Production number: 102
Director: Mark Beesley
Writers: Ken Biller and Barry Schkolnick
US Air date: 1st November 2008
UK Air date: 13th August 2009
Gallery: View Destiny images

Synopsis

In disbelief, Richard returns to his father, only to find that Fane has mortally wounded him. With his last breath, George reveals that what Zedd says is true. Richard confronts Fane, wanting vengeance. But Fane escapes with the coveted Book. Knowing he must stop Fane, Richard accepts his destiny as the Seeker and begins his training under Zedd.

Rahl orders his forces in the Midlands to take down the Boundary into Westland and kill Richard, while Fane tries to return to Rahl with the Book. Just as Rahl's forces come through the Boundary, Richard catches up to Fane and retrieves the Book. Surrounded, Richard calls upon the newfound power of the Seeker and defeats the attacking troops. The Boundary now open, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd head into the Midlands to begin their dangerous quest to find and defeat Darken Rahl.

Review by Tracy Casebere

The episode may be entitled Destiny, but it soon becomes clear that it's less about predetermined events and more about choice. Richard, fresh from making his choice in the last episode, has accepted the Sword of Truth; he's taken on the role of the Seeker and he's ready to fight all the evil in the world. He just needs to find a bridge first.

"How will we catch up without a bridge to cross?" Good question Kahlan. Maybe if Richard took his shirt off, he could build another one. Not to worry though, that's what he was doing yesterday (I told you there was a point to that scene) - and so the show goes on.

And on it goes to Darken Rahl. There's something sinister about that man. I'm not entirely sure if it's because he writes messages in blood, or because he wears a red velvet bathrobe. All I know is that behind the soft, shiny hair and the softly spoken voice is a character just waiting to be explored.

At present, all we know about him is that he's a Lord in the pursuit of world domination. His character lacks a certain depth - why is he evil? Why does he want to dominate the entire Middle Earth, sorry Midlands? (Craig Parker was in Lord of the Rings don't you know.) I guess at this stage, the 'whys' aren't important. We just need the action and we need it now.

Enter two brothers (Richard and Michael), a lot of angry villagers and a Glo Worm with a death wish. Michael, still adamant Richard is possessed by Kahlan the witch -who isn't a witch at all and if he spent five minutes trying to get to know her rather than kill her, would work that out for himself- decides to join his angry villagers in a little unjustified bloodshed. Only that Glo Worm decides to swoop in, literally, and save the day (well Kahlan's at any rate.) Shar (who isn't really a Glo Worm, rather a 'Night Wisp') deflects the arrow that was meant for Kahlan, and in doing so, short circuits himself/herself? Does light even have a gender?

Up till now, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd have been in a mighty fine rush to get to the Boundary, yet somehow they still find it in their hearts (and schedule) to spend ten minutes creating a little leafy coffin for Shar to send her/him/it up the stream, not so merrily, merrily, merrily. With that touching scene over and done with, we can finally get onto the good stuff. Almost.

Richard has to slay a Dragon first (Chase's words, not mine - it's actually a Gar) and he doesn't slay it as much as lop the head off. This scene is one of my favourites so far this episode, not for the "special effects", no definitely not for the that, rather for the look on Richard's face after the decapitation; he looks awed at the fact the sword really does cut. What was he expecting, the blade to break or something? Get with it Richard! We have a lot more righteous killing to do with that sword yet!

If slaying dragons wasn't your thing, then perhaps you'd enjoy the chopping down of a few soldiers. Richard finally gets to sink his sword into Vane and no, not in the name of revenge but in the name of fighting evil. I'm in a quandary over the last battle scene, which happens to be less of a battle and more of a merry dance amongst a forest fire. On the one hand, we get to watch Richard kick and slash something fierce (book fans will get my choice of expression!) but on the other, it just seems a little rushed; which is more ironic than a certain Alanis Morissette song considering the slow motion button was overused, again and detracts from the action.

Poor Richard, the heat of the fire must have affected his brain because instead of guarding the newly re-acquired Counted Book of Shadows with his life, he tosses it into the fire like a piece of kindling. Don't worry though, that was what was supposed to happen. It was written in the prophecy that he was to stop Darken Rahl from getting the book. That's all right then. Richard would argue it wasn't prophecy, but choice. He chose to toss it in the fire. That may be the case but he still stopped Darken Rahl from reading its secrets and thus, fulfilling that part of the prophecy. He's still reluctant and still the Hero. We love a bit of angst.

We predict lots of decision making in the coming episodes; lots of 'who's right, who's wrong, who's good, who's evil' type debates and moral reasoning. Legend of the Seeker has the action, it has the fantastical landscapes and it has the hot guy and the hot girl. But it also challenges the actions of those who make decisions based on beliefs, on hope, on fear and love. This is a fantasy series, but there is nothing fake about it.