Legend of the Seeker is one of the most fascinating shows I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Filled to the brim with both the familiar and the original, the show takes a crash course into an epic land filled with magic, forbidden love, incredible sword fighting scenes, heart-stopping scenery, and malicious forces from every side (including the hero).
The adventure starts when malleable Richard Cypher saves a strange girl in the forest and kills a man. The man, who actually turns out not to be dead, begins to hunt him to get revenge for being pushed off a cliff. (I mean OUCH!) Richard flees to the-crazy-old-man-on-the-hill's house who, after some awkward scenes with a chicken, tells Richard that he, Zeddicus Zo'l Zorrander, is actually a powerful magician and Richard is the mythical "Seeker of Truth" who must deliver the land from the evil power of Darken Rahl. (Call to Adventure). Just as Richard's having a 'wtf' moment, the strange girl from the forest, Kahlin Amnell, shows up and tells him that, as much as she doesn't like it, he is indeed the Seeker. Richard flips out and runs away. (Refusal of the Call). Richard is ready to write off this whole escapade, when he realizes that the not-so-dead-man from earlier has burned down his house and murdered his father. He sets off on a quest of revenge and eventually accepts the help of Kahlin and Zedd as well as the "Sword of Truth" and the role of the Seeker. (Supernatural Aid). The gang set off to face Mr. Murdering Scum who, in his short time in Hartland where Richard lives, has managed to kill off the villagers livestock, kidnap someone's daughter, and steal the "Book of Counted Shadows" which is the supposed "Seeker's Guide." Needless to say, Richard's kind of pissed off. The gang finally finds Mr. Unlikable at "The Boundary," the magical barrier between Hartland and the world of magic, the Midlands. Richard effectively kills the daddy killer with some sweet sword moves and destroys the "Book of Counted Shadows." (The Belly of the Whale). Kahlin is mortified but Richard explains that the repercussions of the book falling in the wrong hands is more devastating than losing the book itself. Finally, Richard accepts his journey totally and crosses "The Boundary" into the Midlands with the sole intention of destroying Darken Rahl for sending his men into Hartland. (Crossing the Threshold).
After this somewhat cliche starting point, the trials begin. In an episode by episode, monster by monster format, Richard, Kahlin, and Zedd face and defeat them all. With each encounter, they get closer to Darken Rahl. (The Road of Trials). Along the journey, Richard realizes his deep attraction towards Kahlin but that their love can never be. Kahlin is a "Confessor" which gives her the power to gain absolute control over a person if she touches them.Throughout the show, they remain very close and share their feelings with each other. (Meeting with the Goddess). On one of their many adventures, Richard gets captured by a Mord'Sith named Denna. Mord'Sith are a fearsome lot of women raised from a very early age on the belief of torture and lust. Battered and broken, Richard almost gives in to Denna's terrible power and become her slave forever, but Kahlin saves him. (Woman as the Temptress). After a lot more traveling and chaotic happenings, Richard finally gains the power to destroy Darken Rahl with "The Boxes of Ordon." These three ornamented boxes, when put together, give mastery over the minds of everyone in the world. (The Ultimate Boon). However, one cannot use the power without going insane. From another copy of "The Book of Counted Shadows," Richard discovers that the mixture of Confessor's Love and the Boxes of Ordon will grant ultimate power without insanity. (Apotheosis). Needless to say, Mr. Supreme Murderer of the Midlands is no more. Richard is free to live his life without the constant watchful eye of Darken Rahl and has matured from it. (Atonement with the Father).
Richard can now cross between the two worlds at will (Master of the Two Worlds), but chooses not to (Refusal of the Return). One things for sure though, he definitely earns the Freedom to Live. (Until the second season...)
Hopefully I haven't ruined Legend for anyone. Thanks for making it this far.
Terrific work Joclyn.
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