'Legend of the Seeker' review
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On one hand, the debut of Legend of the Seeker this weekend should be cause for happiness, the return of original scripted programming to a syndicated TV landscape dominated by tough-talking judges, paternity tests and makeovers.
But the show itself -- from the folks behind Xena and Hercules, two of the last big syndicated hits -- is a bit of a disappointment. Fans of the show's source material and of the fantasy worlds conjured up in those previous shows will probably find some things to like, but at the moment Legend of the Seeker doesn't look especially legendary.
The Seeker in question is Richard Cypher (Australian actor Craig Horner), who when we meet him has no greater worry than finishing construction on a small footbridge over a creek near his home (work he naturally does shirtless). That changes pretty quickly with the arrival of Kahlan (Bridget Regan), a witch who has crossed the Boundary (capital B definitely required), the magical barrier separating Richard's peaceful land from the turbulent realm of evil ruler Darken Rahl (Craig Parker, whose role will presumably grow from his handful of scenes in the two-hour premiere).
Richard soon learns that he's destined to fight the forces of Darken Rahl, and that the goofy old man who lives on the hill, Zedd (Bruce Spence), is actually a wizard who's been keeping an eye on him all these years and will now give him some on-the-job training.
Thus begins a pretty familiar hero's journey, with the sometimes impulsive youngster having grave responsibilities thrust on him, along with a more worldly and wary partner (who in this case also happens to be a gorgeous woman) and a wise old sage showing him the way. If you've seen Star Wars, read Harry Potter or otherwise consumed any number of other, similar works, you'll be familiar with the setup.
Which isn't necessarily a bad thing -- it's a good premise, which is why it's been used so many times. But there aren't enough distinguishing details in Legend of the Seeker to make it stand out from all those other stories, which given its auspices is a bit of a letdown.
The series is based on Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" novels, and among its executive producers are Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, who brought Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess to television in the mid-'90s. And while it shares a genre with those shows, Legend of the Seeker isn't as fun as either of them.
The new show offers up precious little in the way of humor (a quality that helped Xena and Hercules appeal to pretty wide audiences). The action scenes aren't anything to write home about either. There are a number of 300-style slow-motion sequences in the premiere, but the swordplay and stunt work looks about like you'd it expect it to look for a mid-budget syndicated series.
Legend of the Seeker isn't likely to inspire the sort of devotion that some previous Raimi-Tapert efforts have. If the show can find its inner jokester, though, it could broaden its appeal beyond the fantasy fanatics who are likely to tune in.
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Legend of the Seeker premieres the weekend of Nov. 1 in syndication. Check your local listings or LegendoftheSeeker.com for times and stations.
the books have a nice following still waiting to see how the producers play the moriths (women that wear skin tight red leather and torture people) into this show maybe if they play up to the Battlestar crowd and make it a soap style adult/late teen show (which are the people that read the books it will do ok)
Has the review read the books? None of that campy-vibe from Xena/Hercules really belongs on the show. So if they left it out it may not just be some peoples thing. Hopefully enough people don't rely on it for good TV.
The less than stellar action if of course a problem then. Too bad. Lets hope the other aspects of the series can carry it- ***uming they weren't cut out of the show.
Yeah, fine---because those 2 dozen CSI, Law & Order & hospital clones are all so unique? Those shows are virtually the same predictable scripted plotlines repeated ad nauseum. At least this one has actual depictions of swords & witches. Instead of clichéd metaphorical ones. . ..
Boy I can't wait until the later seasons when it all turns into lunatic Ayn Rand rantings.
Who'd have thought that a bad series of books would turn into a bad TV show?
The show wont push Goodkind's philosophy. He has no say in anything. It'll push liberal Hollywood's if anything. It'll also cut out Richard's speeches.
With that said, if you think the first 4 or 5 books are bad you're reading too much Ayn Rand between the lines and not enough of the actual story.
i'm thinking the reviewer doesn't do manual labour either since whenever i have to chop wood/ build a deck/ repair a fence/ etc and it's warm outside?
*I* take my shirt off... and i'm female.
This show has very little in common with the books except the names. Production values are very poor making it look like a b movie or soap opera. I have read all the books and can say that I am very disappointed.
I am a die hard fan of the sword of truth series, I have read all the 11 books twice and have been waiting for years for this particular series to be created on film. unfortunatly, I just finished watching the new premier of "Legend of the Seeker" and all I can think of doing is sending the makers of this show one of terrys book and tell them to read it. I feel bad for all the people who invested money in this crap, because not only is the show itself terrible for people who have never heard of the Sword of Truth series. but It is also one of the biggest disappointments ive seen as a fan, in a long time. good luck getting any kind of fan base for the show. I think im going to go into my backyard now and film a better recreation of the books
The Show is not the books people. That said, I thought the show has its merits and will be tuneing in weekly. To see Richard and Kahlan battle the forces of darkness. i hope it goes all the way to the last book thats a good 11 seasons. Hope to see it every week for a long time to come. to the authors of the show if you want this show to be a hit? read the books and follow Terry's lead and you will be working for 11 years guys
Being a fan of the outdoors, adventure, and enhanced color, I'm hooked.
Crusoe (recorded), 2 hours of Seeker, then Seeker on the news - fantasy overload! :-)