Among the forgotten meanders of fantasy TV series, one stands out above the others for being inspired by the literary saga of the author Terry Goodkind. A Seeker, a Confessor, and a Wizard meet in the Westland: this is the beginning of Legend of the Seeker.
Dark creatures, monsters, and wizards
La spada della verità (2008) © IMDB
Just like its predecessors Xena – Warrior Princess and Hercules, Legend of the Seeker also sees its best footage shot in the heart of New Zealand. Unlike the other two series, however, this Tv show has nothing to do with the historical background of ancient Greece but it is set in an imaginary world divided into three regions: Westland, the Midlands, and D’Hara, a kingdom ruled by the cruel dark wizard Darken Rahl (Craig Parker).
In the first season of the series, the main protagonists, the Seeker Richard Cypher (Craig Horner), the beautiful Confessor Kahlan Amnell (Bridget Regan), and the eccentric Wizard Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (Bruce Spence), are looking for a way to save the world by Darken Rahl’s aims of conquest.
This is how they come across creatures of all sorts that will test Richard’s abilities. Indeed, according to a prophecy, he is the chosen one who will be able to defeat Darken Rahl once and for all.
Although fairly successful, this television series has not met with great resonance. Fans of the literary saga have turned up their noses in front of the differences between the show and the books, and critics have pointed out some greyness in the script. As such, Legend of the Seeker was canceled after only two seasons.
Zedd the Magician
Among the main characters of this series, the wise Wizard of the First Order Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander, nicknamed Zedd, certainly deserves a space of his own.
Craig Horner, Bruce Spence, and Bridget Regan in La spada della verità (2008) © IMDB
A great connoisseur of magic, an eccentric luminary, and a strict teacher, Zedd plays an important role throughout the show. He is the point of reference of the Seeker, a trusted friend, and a wise counselor. In the unfolding of the episodes, however, he too adopts some questionable decisions; on the other hand, you know, wisdom comes from experience!
A little crazy, visionary, and battle mate, Zedd is the kind of wizard that we all want by our side. The kind of magician who would change the course of the future to save the life of a friend, who knows effective tricks and remedies. Although his performance has been belittled, Zeddicus remains one of the best characters in Legend of the Seeker.
Cara, the Mord-Sith
As the story unfolds, a new character is added to the gang. Cara (Tabrett Bethell), beautiful and ruthless, starts by being an enemy, an assiduous antagonist under the command of Darken Rahl. And in the end, she becomes a friend and travel companion.
Bridget Regan in La spada della verità (2008) © IMDB
In her character stands the contrast between good and evil, between right and wrong. She is a Mord-Sith, a warrior woman from D’Hara, created to protect the Lord of D’Hara from magical creatures and people. Her submission to Darken Rahl is total, the only purpose of her life is to protect him and obey his orders. There is no firmer devotion, yet …
Yet Cara will go against everything she believes to side with the Seeker. Her arrival in the group brings a bit of confusion and adds spice to dialogues that otherwise would have seemed redundant, too equal to themselves. She is an interesting figure, trained in combat, the victim of a very hard discipline, and poor in sentimentality.
Changing sides, Cara is forced to learn herself again, to understand how the world works and what is the right thing to do. She is a character who in her simplicity appears more complex than all the others.
A troubled love
Bridget Regan in La spada della verità (2008) © IMDB
From the very first episodes of the series, it is clear what will inevitably happen between Richard and Kahlan. The two characters fall in love, but they cannot be together. Kahlan’s Confessor powers are very strong, and she risks subjecting Richard to her will. A Confessor is not allowed to love, as with one touch she can destroy a man, installing a deviant love for her, making him her slave.
This is how a game of looks and yearning begins. Kahlan is a strong character, with interesting nuances, who meets Richard’s more ordinary personality. Once again we find the theme of impossible love, which keeps those directly involved in check. But feelings cannot be kept hidden forever, there must be a solution somewhere to be together.
What could have been
Legend of the Seeker enters the Old But Gold column for what it could have been. It was a TV series with great potential, which revealed a corner of that world created by Terry Goodkind. The fantasy that comes to life and enters homes, the magic that affects the wrinkles of everyday life.
For what it was, for what it could have been, we remember with a hint of regret Legend of the Seeker.
