The Legend of the Seeker: Season 1 DVD

ABC’s Legend of the Seeker is a television fantasy series loosely based on author Terry Goodkind’s famous Sword of Truth novels. Seeker first aired on November 1, 2008, and has just begun its second season.

Both fantasy diehards and curious channel surfers made the first season a relative success, no doubt “enchanted” by the dashing Craig Horner, who plays Richard Cypher — the “Seeker” — and his beautiful companion Kahlan Amnell, a “Confessor,” played by Bridget Regan. Without these two, Sam Raimi’s (remember Xena: Warrior Princess?) Legend of the Seeker adaptation would be about as pretty as mud.

Seeker aligns with all of the same fantasy standards we’ve seen before: there’s a Land, which is divided into Provinces. An Evil Guy (in this case, a sorcerer named Darken Rahl) controls one of these, and has plans to usurp the entire land, establish himself as the unrivaled ruler of all, and destroy all traces of Good forever and ever, amen. But wait: there is an Ancient Prophecy, and a headstrong young woodsman with — look out, Evil Guy — a Destiny he knows nothing about. He is the Seeker, the only one who can defeat the Evil Guy. And he has much to learn.

Enter the Wizard, Zeddicus “Zedd” Z’ul Zorander, played by the gaunt and gangly Bruce Spence, and of course Kahlan Amnell, the Confessor, who’s in search of the Seeker. Needless to say, Kahlan is put off by the simple minded Richard. But after learning that he is the true Seeker, and seeing him many times with his shirt off, she falls in love. The three set off in search of Darken Rahl, hoping to fulfill the Prophecy and eradicate evil from the Land.

Seeker is thankfully void of the cheesy tongue-in-cheek humor that marked Xena and Hercules. Episodes follow Richard, Kahlan, and Zedd as they make their way between the Provinces (Westland, Midlands, D’Hara). Central to the plot is Richard’s maturation and confidence as the Seeker, and his deep love for Kahlan. Though madly in love, the two “cannot be together” due to Kahlan’s magical powers. The tension created by this seeming forbiddance is arguably greater than the tension between good and evil. Many of the episodes, of course, play on this fact, putting love at the center of the conflict and causing Richard and Kahlan to (willingly, though) make sacrifices on each other’s behalf.

Darken Rahl’s D’Haran foot soldiers, wizards, and ghoulies are always around the bend, oppressing townsfolk, kidnapping innocents, and conducting shady business. The trio is never without a child, damsel, or village to rescue from the clutches of evil. The acting is fairly convincing, and the special effects have certainly gotten better, but everything still fits a typical fantasy mold.

The finale of the first season brings a heavy twist upon the trio of freedom fighters: one that will change them forever. Not to be cliché or anything. Undoubtedly, Season 2 of Seeker will be met with a fervent eagerness. Hopefully, there will be enough depth left in the characters and plot to merit another decent array of episodes. If you’re a fantasy junkie, Seeker is definitely for you. If you’re looking for unpredictable, however, you’d better stick with Lost.

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