“Every decade, syndicated television has its rare share of gems that truly shine on television. In the 80s, there was ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, in the 90s there was ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and now, I have to say that ‘Legend of the Seeker’ must be put on that list. A television series that is well-cast, well-written and awesome costume and set design. It’s hard to believe that this series is not shown throughout the USA but for those who have been curious about the series and have heard the rave reviews, this is one series that is truly fantastic. ‘Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season’ is highly recommended!”
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TITLE: Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season
DURATION: 22 Episodes (950 Minutes)
DVD INFORMATION: Color, Digitally Mastered, Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles
RATED: TV 14 LSV
COMPANY: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2009
Directed by Mark Beesley, Michael Hurst, Jonathan Brough, Charlie Haskell, Garth Maxwell
Written by Terry Goodkind, Chad Fiveash, James Patrick Stoteraux, Kenneth Biller, Mike Sussman, Arika Lisanne Mittman, Stephen Tolkin, Nicki Paluga, Erin Maher, Kay Reindi
Executive Producer: Kenneth Biller, Joshua Donen, Ned Nalle, Robert G. Tapert, Sam Raimi
Co-Executive Producer: Stephen Tolkin, Barry M. Schkolnick
Producer: David Roessel
Supervising Producer: Chad Fiveash, Mike Sussman, James Patrick Stoteraux
Original Music by Joseph LoDuca
Cinematography by Aaron Morton, Kevin Riley
Set Decoration: Megan Vertelle
Costume Design: Jane Holland
Starring:
Craig Horner as Richard Cypher
Bridget Regan as Kahlan Amnell
Bruce Spence as Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander
Craig Parker as Darken Rahl
Kevin J. Wilson as General Egremont
Tabrett Bethell as Cara
Jay Lagaia as Chase
David de Lautor as Michael Cypher
Ben Fransham as Gar
Renato Bartolomei as Demmin Nass
Danielle Cormack as Shota
Jeffrey Thomas as George Cypher
Tania Nolan as Dennee Amnell
Jessica Marais as Denna
Jennifer Rucker as Emma Brandstone
Catherine Stephen as Laura Brandstone
Shot with state-of-the-art visual effects and with the exotic and rugged New Zealand landscape as its backdrop, Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season chronicles the extraordinary transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into The Seeker, a magical leader who joins with a beautiful and mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, on an epic journey to stop the bloodthirsty, sinister tyrant Darken Rahl from conquering all mankind.
In the province known as Westland, a wizard reveals to ordinary woodsman Richard Cypher the truth: that he is a child of prophecy, the first true Seeker the world has known in a thousand years, destined to wield the powerful Sword of Truth and defeat the evil tyrant Darken Rahlan.
In 1994, Terry Goodkind would embark on the beginning of his novels known as “The Sword of Truth”. With over 25 million copies of his books sold worldwide, many enjoyed the story of the adventures of three individuals: Richard Cypher, Kahland Amnell and Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander on their quest to end the tyranny of their work caused by Darken Rahl.
14 years and eleven novels later, plans for a syndicated television series loosely based on the books would become reality and would include the name of Executive Producer Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man” and “Evil Dead” films), Robert Tapert (“Xena: Warrior Princess”), Joshua Donen (“Underneath”, “The Quick and the Dead”), Josh Shiban (“The X-Files”, “Enterprise”), Kenneth Biller (“Six Degrees”, “Smallville”, “Dark Angel, “Star Trek: Voyager”) and co-executive produced by Stephen Tolkin (“Summerland”).
Because TV syndication requires a story for each episode, there is only so much that could be attributed to the book in 40-45 minutes of television. So, creatively there are differences from the television show and the book and thus the episodes are loosely based on the series.
The story of “Legend of Seeker” takes place in three main provinces: Westland, The Midlands and D’Hara.  The Westlands is separated from the Midlands due to a magical boundary in order to prevent magic from entering the Westland. In D’Hara, the evil Darken Rahl uses his black magic to cause fear within his people and has amassed a great army but now he wants more power and wants to expand his domination into the midlands.  Darken Rahl has sent his men after two Confessors who have stolen a book.
During these dark times, one can hope that an long-old tale of a prophecy comes true. Those who are familiar with the prophecy hope that one day, a person known as the Seeker will eliminate the tyranny of D’Hara and free those who have lived under oppression and tyranny due to Darken Rahl’s leadership. But with no Seeker having appeared, many feel that the prophecy is just a myth.
For Darken Rahl, he feels known one can stop him because he eliminated all the first born sons in a village where the Seeker was to be born. So, for over two decades, he has lived comfortable…that is until now.
When two Confessors (a group of women who have magical powers who oversee the welfare of the people in the Midlands) try to escape Darken Rahl’s army, they escape from D’Hara into the Midlands where they go and search for a wizard named Zeddicus “Zedd” Zu’l Zorander who is supposed to be training the Seeker.
One of the Confessors named Khalan Amnell was able to successfully make it through the boundary but was still chased by a few men of Darken Rahl’s army. As she was surrounded by the men, a young man named Richard Cypher manages to save her in the process. While Khalan leaves Richard to find Zed and the Seeker, the two are then encountered by Richard in which it is revealed that Richard is in fact the Seeker.
Throughout the first season of the series, we get to see Richard, Khalan and Zedd go through village to village in order to escape from Darken Rahl but to also fight against those who are oppressed by him and let people know that the prophecy of the Seeker is true. Along the way, the three help people in need and help to rid of Darken Rahl’s control in those villages.
But as the three protagonists fight for the common folk, we see how powerful Darken Rahl is and the people he has working for him. But at the same time, through the courage of Richard, Khalan and Zedd, the word about the Seeker and how he stands against Darken Rahl starts to spread throughout the three provinces.
The main characters in the first season of “Legend of the Seeker” are:
Richard Cypher (played by Craig Horner, “Blue Water High”, “H20: Just Add Water” and “Monarch Cove”) – Richard is learning to be the Seeker. Throughout his adventure, he learns a lot about himself and the people in the land and wanting to help them. He’s a kind-hearted man who will fight evil. He is attracted to the Confessor Kahlan and is the main protagonist of the series.
Kahlan Amnell (played by Bridget Regan, “The Black Donnellys”) – A Confessor who’s mission is to protect the Seeker. A Confessor can help those who confess and inside, they know the truth. When she touches a person, she can control them by making them confess and briefly taking over their body and making them do whatever she wants. She has pride in her work as a Confessor and is kind-hearted but she’s also developing feelings towards Richard, which she knows that as a Confessor, she is unable to love someone else or else she will end up stripping out his soul. So, she tries her best to keep her emotions in check, no matter how difficult it may be for her.
Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (played by Bruce Spense, “Bullpit!”, “Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”) – The powerful wizard who is a member of the First Order that is still alive. He has not trained the Seeker but now, knowing his duty is to protect and train him, he is willing to sacrifice his life in order to make sure The Seeker defeats Darken Rahl.
Recurring Characters in the first season of “Legend of the Seeker”:
Darken Rahl (Played by Craig Parker, “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”, “Power Rangers Ninja Storm”, “Diplomatic Immunity”) – The main antagonist of the series. A ruthless tyrant who rules D’Hara with an iron fist and now wants to rule the Midlands.
Dell “Chase” Brandstone (played by Jay Laga’aia, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”, “Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones”, “Xena: Warrior Princess) – The head of the Councilor’s Guards in Hartland. A good friend of Richard and the first person close to him that believes in him as a Seeker. A family man who is a warrior but also has a kind heart.
Michael Cypher (played by David de Lautour, “Power Rangers: Jungle Fury”, “What I Like About You”, “Being Eve”) – The brother of Richard who thinks Richard killed their father and has sided with bad magicians. He is also the Councilor in Hartland.
Denna (Jessica Marais, “Packed to the Rafters”) – The ruthless Mord’Sith who was the first to torture (train) Richard but learns that no matter how she hurts him, he still feels pity on her and makes her wonder how this man is so different from other men she has tortured.
Shota (Danielle Cormack, “The Cult”) – Has an unknown relationship with Zedd. A powerful sorceress that Zedd does not trust but her reasoning of wanting to assist the Seeker is not known.
Dennee Amnell (Tania Nolan, “Go Girls”, “The Hot House”) – The younger sister of Kahlan. Was thought to be dead but she may be alive.
Here is a listing of the episodes with a brief, spoiler-less summary of “Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season”:
DISC 1
- EPISODE 1 – Prophecy – Darken Rahl sends his soldiers led by Fane to capture two Confessors who have escaped D’Hara and to get back a book. One of the confessor’s named Kahlan searches for a wizard named Zedd and the Seeker.
- EPISODE 2- Destiny – Richard Cypher, Kahlan and Zedd try to fight off Fane and Darken Rahl’s soldiers who are trying to destroy the boundary.
- EPISODE 3- Bounty – With a bounty on the Seeker, a map maker has created a magical map that details where the Seeker is located.
- EPISODE 4 – Brennidon – Richard goes to the hometown where he was originally born and try to find out if his mother is still alive.
DISC 2
- EPISODE 5 – Listener – Darken Rahl’s army are trying to bring a boy who has the power of a Listener (the last one died 700 years ago), a power that one can read a person’s thoughts. Richard, Kahlan and Zedd try to get the boy away from Darken Rahl.
- EPISODE 6 – Elixir – Richard, Kahlan and Zedd visit a town where someone is peddling magic on the street and giving people the opportunity to experience magic on their own.
- EPISODE 7 – Identity – The sorceress Shota sees in her visions that the Seeker will be killed in three days. So, she uses a spell by switching the bodies of Richard and a man named Griff without Richard knowing.
- EPISODE 8 – Denna – The seeker is captured by the Mord’Sith, Denna. The Mord’Sith are women who are known by using “training” (torture) in order to make a man subservient and do whatever they want.
DISC 3
- EPISODE 9 – Puppeteer – With Darken Rahl going after the third Box of Orden (which will allow him complete magical power) to become popular, Zedd comes up with a trick in order to get the third box before Darken Rahl gets it.
- EPISODE 10 – Sacrifice – The three meet the Mother Confessor and the remaining and living Confessors. Kahlan learns that her sister may still be alive.
- EPISODE 11 – Confession – Murder takes place in the city and the Kahlan’s power may have sent the wrong man to his death.
- EPISODE 12 – Home – Darken Rahl uses the wizard Giller to put Richard in a dreamlike state and try to tell reveal where the third Box of Orden is located.
- EPISODE 13 – Revenant – Zed, Richard and Kahlan try to hide the third Box of Orden in the tomb of the past seeker Kieran. But the spirit of Kieran seems to be alive and hiss spirit seems to be evil.
DISC 4
- EPISODE 14 – Hartland – When Richard and Kahlan return to the Hartland, they realize that the whole area is now under D’Haran control.
- EPISODE 15 – Conversion – Darken Rahl’s wizard Giller is experimenting on ancient magic on Rahl’s prisoners. But it appears that his experiments on Chase’s wife Emma, may have unleashed a power of the Confessor.
- EPISODE 16 – Bloodline – Zedd hides the third Box of Orden and reunites with Richard and Kahlan in D’Hara. And a return of the Mord’Sith, Denna.
- EPISODE 17 – Deception – Richard and Khalan return to the Midlands to aid rebels who are fighting against D’Hara.
- EPISODE 18 – Mirror – Thieves plot to steal Richard’s Sword of Truth.
DISC 5
- EPISODE 19 – Cursed – The sorceress Shota uses magic on King Gregor to become a beast known as Calthrop during the Sunset in order to protect his kingdom. But loses control and now becomes a threat to his own kingdom.
- EPISODE 20 – Sanctuary – Richard, Kahlan and Zedd visit a library to find the only copy of the “Book of Counted Shadows” but where is it hidden?
- EPISODE 21 – Fever – Darken Rahl’s army raids a village where Jenssen is living and beat her to the point that she loses her memory and brainwashes her into thinking the Seeker is evil.
- EPISODE 22 – Reckoning – Richard has managed to obtain all three Boxes of Orden but what happens when he puts them together? Especially when the Mord’Sith Cara tries to interfere with Richard’s plans and takes both of them 58 years into the future where Khalan has given birth to a son who becomes the new tyrant in the future.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season” is featured in Widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions and all I can say is how wonderful this series looks. With the series filmed in New Zealand, the look and feel of this new world is so lush and vibrant, I was really amazed by its high production value, it’s costume and set design as well.
“Legend of the Seeker” is an impressive series with production that you would more than likely see on movies but to see it each week on television, let alone a syndicated televisions show (especially during today’s worldwide economic recession and the studio financial cutbacks) is amazing. All I can say, is that I hope this series gets the High Definition treatment and is released on Blu-ray because the series looks absolutely beautiful.
As for the audio, the audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and there is a good amount of action in the series, especially the clanging of the swords, Zedd’s fire blasts, the series definitely uses a good amount of sound effects during the action sequences. With that being said, the series is definitely more dialogue driven and thus, you hear mostly everything through the front and center channels. I preferred setting my receiver setting on stereo on all channels but for the most part, dialogue and also the Celtic music is clear and understandable.
Subtitles are provided in English SDH, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Seasons” comes with the following special features:
DISC 1:
- Audio Commentary for “Prophecy” by Executive Producer Ken Biller, Co-Executive Producer Stephen Tolkin, actors Craig Parker (who plays Richard) and Bridget Regan (who plays Kahlan).
- Audio Commentary for “Destiny” by Executive Producer Ken Biller, Co-Executive Producer Stephen Tolkin, actors Craig Parker (who plays Richard) and Bridget Regan (who plays Kahlan).
DISC 2:
- Audio Commentary for “Denna” by actors Craig Parker (who plays Richard) and Jessica Marais (who plays Mord’Sith Denna).
DISC 3:
- Audio Commentary for “Puppeteer” by actors Craig Parker (who plays Richard) and Bruce Spense (who plays Zed).
DISC 5:
- Forging The Sword: Crafting a Legend – (16:23) Craig Horner takes us behind-the-scenes to the making of “Legend of the Seeker” in New Zealand. Interview with Mark Beesley (Director) who directed the pilot and how they will make this show different than other similar style of shows. And also the Executive Producers who discuss how the talent were cast and filming in New Zealand, horse training, fight choreography, set and costume design and how they would bring the fantasy world to life.
- Words of Truth: A Conversation with Terry Goodkind – (13:35) An interview with Terry Goodkind, the creator of “The Sword of Truth” novels and his wife Jerri Goodkind. Terry shows us his world and what he’s passionate about.   His passion for art, making violins and more. Also, how “The Sword of Truth” was created and being relentless.
- Deleted Scenes -A total of eight deleted scenes: What Does Adie See?, Confessor to the Seeker?, Benedict’s Plight, Using Pain, Richard’s Training, Night Confessions & Promises, Memories Are Slippery Things and This is the Truth
Every decade, syndicated television has its rare share of gems that truly shine on television. In the 80s, there was ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, in the 90s there was ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and now, I have to say that ‘Legend of the Seeker’ must be put on that list. It’s hard to believe that this series is not shown throughout the USA but for those who have been curious about the series and have heard the rave reviews, this is one series that is truly fantastic and definitely worth watching!
This was a series that from the moment I started watching, I was instantly hooked and it was like a marathon of “Legend of the Seeker” weekend because I enjoyed it so much. From the first episode, what caught my interest was the fact that it was shot in New Zealand. The shots were absolutely beautiful and the whole concept of the Seeker, the Confessor, the Wizard and this tyrannical dark ruler was actually fascinating to me and I found that each of the talent casted for their roles were absolutely perfect.
I should emphasize that before watching this series, I haven’t read any of Terry Goodkind’s novels and I am familiar with disgruntled fans who were hoping the novels would receive a Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings film adaptation and also upset about the fact that the series is “loosely” based on the novels. But for what the writers and crew had to work with, I happened to find each episode so captivating, beautiful and just so addicting.
It’s one thing to watch the adventures of Richard, Kahlan and Zedd but when you see the Mord’sith character, you start to see how the series is a bit derivative to films like “Star Wars” and also Biblical stories and action sequences that are reminiscent to “Matrix” and “300”. But since I’m a fan of those stories, those little moments that are integrated into each episode, I personally wasn’t disappointed by any of that. The writers managed to keep each storyline quite fresh and entertaining that I felt that with each episode, you got something different each time.
“Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season” has definitely made me a fan but I do find it surprising that even ’til now, the nearest airing of this syndicated show is nearly 200-miles away (the official website has a zip code tracker to show you watch channel the show airs) and that is disappointing. But for now, for anyone who has been curious about this show, this complete first season on DVD is definitely worth owning. I enjoyed this series so much that I am hoping to hear it gets a High Definition transfer because the series looks quite beautiful. But overall, among the many television shows that are airing on the networks and cable networks, it’s nice to hear that there is a rare gem that exists in syndication.
“Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season” is highly recommended!