1 - Marked

Information

Title: Marked
Episode number: 1
Production number: 201
Director: Mark Beesley
Writers: Kenneth Biller & Stephen Tolkin
US Air date: 7th November 2009
UK Air date: 15th February 2010
Gallery: View Marked images

Synopsis

In the riveting second season premiere, Richard discovers that in defeating the sinister tyrant Darken Rahl, victory is short-lived when he inadvertently opens a rift to the underworld, unleashing an even greater evil on the world of the living. As Richard, Kahlan and Zedd prepare for a quest to find the Stone of Tears, the only force that can close the rift, Triana, a defiant Mord'Sith, challenges Cara's authority.

Review by Tracy Casebere

There is pure joy in my heart - Legend of the Seeker has returned for its second series, along with our favourites, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd. And even the velvet clad Darken Rahl, who was killed in the last series makes an appearance or two.

And from the looks of things, Richard has been letting his hair down (or is that grow?) a bit since he fulfilled the prophecy last series, as the episode kicks off with him sitting pretty in a pub - a far cry from the action packed premiere of last year.

Indeed it takes a full four minutes before anything exciting happens, (unless you count Kahlan dodging questions about her (lack of) relationship with Richard as such) when suddenly out of nowhere, the trio is confronted by a snarling piece of CGI (that's a Screeling to you and me) that is unfortunately immune to just about everything; even swear words like "bastard" - Richard, what were you thinking?

This is a kid's show, isn't it?

Wrong. It's an awesome show, one that's only just started.

And so, it seems, has Richard's problems.

We quickly learn that since using the power of Orden to defeat Darken Rahl, Richard had inadvertently caused a tear in the veil that separates the world of the living, with the world of the dead. Bugger.

And it’s this unforeseen consequence which drives the entire second series. I think Zedd sums it up best: "The greatest harm can come from the best intentions."

Or as Britney would say: "Oops, I did it again."

With Zedd's (not Britney's) pearl of wisdom still ringing in his ears, Richard learns he is the new Lord Rahl. Unfortunately, the previous Lord Rahl just won't die. Darken Rahl is ordered by the Keeper of the Underworld to do his bidding upstairs (where the not-so-dead people live) and the first thing on his agenda is to order Mord'Sith Cordelia, sorry, Triana, to kill Cara. You remember Cara, right? She's the hot blonde that tried to seduce Richard in the final episode last year. Oh and she also helped him defeat Darken Rahl.

Is she good, is she bad? Who knows! Who cares! She's back and that's all that matters.

There are a lot of loose ends to tie up in this episode, some of which get resolved by the end of it, others, not quite so. And things get complicated further when Shota makes an appearance. She tells Zedd of a new prophecy (what else would the witch have to say for herself?) which involves everyone's favourite Seeker, Richard - who will fail in his quest to defeat the Keeper. Wait, it gets worse. Apparently, the only way for the world of living to survive is if Zedd names a new Seeker.

But then what happens to Richard?

*Insert sound of head scratching here.*

Like I said, some storylines definitely don't get resolved in this episode.

But as that prophecy hasn't yet -adopts grave voice- come to pass, we'll take our chances with Richard thank you very much.

Speaking of whom, is trying desperately to appease both the D'Haran soldiers and rebel forces that can't seem to accept Richard is both the SEEKER and LORD RAHL. Thankfully, he manages to unite everyone (albeit briefly) to overthrow the Mord'Sith's and D'Haran's still loyal to Darken Rahl. Cara also finds the time to payback Triana (not by giving her a haircut, but by killing her) and Kahlan saves the girls that were captured by the Mord'Sith's earlier on in the episode.

Phew. Team Seeker has certainly been busy this past hour. But as they say, it's not over until the fat Screeling sings. Remember that nasty piece of dead wood? It's still, er, alive and kicking. Richard has about one-point-three seconds to make a decision on how to kill it. He opts for taking a bath. No, really. After coaxing the Screeling into taking a nice refreshing dip with him, he shouts at Zedd to do a bit of jiggery-pokery and freeze the damned thing - Terminator 2 stylee.

And just in case Richard hadn't already GOT THE MESSAGE that the Keeper wants him dead (because sending a Screeling after you just isn't enough) Darken Rahl personally leaves him with a nice gift: a hand print burned onto his chest; the mark of the Keeper.

Something which I'm sure will keep Zedd, Kahlan and Cara talking about for days; or at least until Tuesday when the next episode of Legend of the Seeker, Baneling, airs on Sci-Fi at 8:00pm.

Starring

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

Guest Starring

Charisma Carpenter - Triana
Craig Parker - Darken Rahl

Co-Starring

W. Morgan Sheppard - Voice of the Keeper
Danielle Cormack - Shota
James Gaylyn - Commander Trimack
Jordana Beatty - Rachel
Shane Cortese - Morwyn
Kirk Torrance - Krilmark
Bronwyn Bradley - Martha
Paul Barrett - Panis Rahl
Jeff Szusterman - Captain Frannick
Andrew Cottle - Rider
James Nola - Teenage Darken Rahl
Kieran Price - Handsome Young Man
Rodney Cook - Storag
Alex Catchpole-Ozpinar - Young Tarralyn