2.10 "Perdition" (spoilers) - rerunning weekend of 8/7

[Boomstick]

After "Dark," I found this one disappointing and predictable. There seems to be a trend of taking an episode or two getting the heroes into trouble, then quickly re-establishing the status quo.

As I suspected, Leo was promptly done away with. On one hand I get it; if they don't want to create a conflict between Leo and Richard as to who's the 'real' Seeker, they've got to get rid of him. On the other hand, it turns Leo into a disposable character and cheapens everything he accomplished, including the stuff with Cara. She'll probably return to being exactly as she was before. Hopefully they avoid doing something lame like having Leo come back in some way--it shouldn't be as a baneling, though, since they burned his body.

As a rule I dislike "illusion" episodes, where one or more characters are hallucinating or trapped in an illusion of some kind. I always feel cheated, like my time is being wasted. I can only think of one example a well done "illusion" episode, that being The Inner Light from Star Trek: TNG.

In "Perdition", we have Richard trapped in the magical Valley of Perdition, convinced he's living his worst nightmares. This world of illusion that Richard believes himself to be in would probably only serve to confuse casual viewers: yet another seeker is introduced, he's married to Khalan (and has a child with her), Cara is a baneling, and Zedd is dead. To make matters worse, Khalan is supposed to be without powers, but I swear she uses them during a battle as some point, I'll have to go back and check.

Anyway, after all this, Richard conveniently marches out of the Valley of Perdition by strength of character just as the episode is wrapping up. Just poor writing, I think. There could have been any number of ways to keep him separated from the group for the duration of the episode other than this.

Sister Nicci met a quick end for all her alleged power, I thought. She didn't feature in the episode as much as she should have, and is this really it for her? A two-episode guest stint doesn't really qualify as a "recurring guest role," which is what Blalock reportedly had. I guess we'll find out.

"Perdition" feels like a throwaway episode meant to get the gang back on track to with the main quest. A disappointing conclusion after a couple of good set-up episodes. The only thing I though they did really well was handling the character of the Sister who eventually helped Khalan and the gang. You can see her development as she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the lies and manipulations of the leader of the Sisters over the course of the episodes.

[Kea]

As I suspected, Leo was promptly done away with.-Boomstick

Can I ask how?



As a side note…I actually think I saw part of seeker today.

I turned on the TV very early this morning. First of all my network apparently does not work when there is snow outside. Or sunshine, or wind or rain…or when I want to watch something…well you get the idea. Stupid DTV.
But suddenly it came on…for 30 seconds…with no sound and it was more like a picture slide show.

I know I saw Zed. There was this ball of fire. Some blonde person in red, that I know august is going to say I have seen before…

And then some shaggy guy…I think that was Richard…and then I lost the signal again.
I have no idea what episode it was…
And FYI it was on at a different time then what any of my TV guides say!!!

At least I know the network is still showing the show…sort of…

[august]

I didn't have as much of a problem with this one. Although I pretty quickly figured out that Richard's delusion was just that. Still, that was an awfully believable scenario, and we got to see exactly what would happen, if the Keeper's plans come to fruition. Several lines really sent a shiver down my back - Kahlen mentioning in passing that there had already been two other Seekers before the current one.... and Darken Rahl informing Richard that as the last living mortal... there was no one left to kill him.

Also pretty much assumed that Cara (the dream Cara) was indeed a baneling. I agree that Richard miraculously becoming the first person to ever escape the Valley of Perdition simply by the inspiration of Kahlen's love was a bit far-fetched.

What I did like was the big final battle smackdown scene, with all of Jolene's side wearing veils that obscured their faces. Meaning it was surely the same six stunt-women who were Confessors in the middle of season 1, Mord-Sith towards its end, and the "good" Sisters of the Light in previous weeks.

And a showdown between Jolene, Kara and Kahlan? OK, was this dueling cleavages, or what?

[Boomstick]

Originally Posted by Kea

Can I ask how?

In true heroic fashion, he jumped in and "took a bullet" (or, in this case, wizardy-lightning) that was intended to kill Kahlan. I have the worst time remembering how "Kahlan" is supposed to be spelled.

"A" before "H"....

[Kea]

In true heroic fashion, he jumped in and "took a bullet" (or, in this case, wizardy-lightning) that was intended to kill Kahlan. I have the worst time remembering how "Kahlan" is supposed to be spelled. -Boomstick

Ah thank you. I was going to say they have bullets now…LOL!!! I thought with a sword but wizard spell thing makes sense.

As for spelling Kahlan’s name…your not the only one with problems Boomstick. I couldn’t remember her name at first and then just called her K. LOL!!!!

And a showdown between Jolene, Kara and Kahlan? OK, was this dueling cleavages, or what?-August

LOL oh august!!! LOL!!!

[Boomstick]

Originally Posted by august

And a showdown between Jolene, Kara and Kahlan? OK, was this dueling cleavages, or what?

So who wins?

[Bern]

Originally Posted by Boomstick

After "Dark," I found this one disappointing and predictable. There seems to be a trend of taking an episode or two getting the heroes into trouble, then quickly re-establishing the status quo.

As I suspected, Leo was promptly done away with. On one hand I get it; if they don't want to create a conflict between Leo and Richard as to who's the 'real' Seeker, they've got to get rid of him. On the other hand, it turns Leo into a disposable character and cheapens everything he accomplished, including the stuff with Cara. She'll probably return to being exactly as she was before. Hopefully they avoid doing something lame like having Leo come back in some way--it shouldn't be as a baneling, though, since they burned his body.

Yeah, I also figured Leo wouldn`t be around too long so it was hard to invest in the character at all. And he was a good character. Also they don`t come out and mention it (do they?) but it seems understood that offing Leo makes Seeker status revert back to Richard automatically, but since Richard was never dead or gone, doesn`t the magic or the sword somehow know its "partner" is still alive? I guess I`m wondering about the . . . validity of Zedd`s naming a new Seeker. Trying to remember if there`s any mention (show or book) of two Seekers being around simultaneously.

As a rule I dislike "illusion" episodes, where one or more characters are hallucinating or trapped in an illusion of some kind. I always feel cheated, like my time is being wasted. I can only think of one example a well done "illusion" episode, that being The Inner Light from Star Trek: TNG.

In "Perdition", we have Richard trapped in the magical Valley of Perdition, convinced he's living his worst nightmares. This world of illusion that Richard believes himself to be in would probably only serve to confuse casual viewers: yet another seeker is introduced, he's married to Khalan (and has a child with her), Cara is a baneling, and Zedd is dead. To make matters worse, Khalan is supposed to be without powers, but I swear she uses them during a battle as some point, I'll have to go back and check.

I just kind of rolled with it all, but I agree it made me want to check my watch to see when they`d get back to reality. The only plus to me is examining the possibilities of what could be, or if there is some foreshadowing of things that might come up, but since it`s all an illusion there`s no reason to believe any of it will happen later.

Anyway, after all this, Richard conveniently marches out of the Valley of Perdition by strength of character just as the episode is wrapping up. Just poor writing, I think. There could have been any number of ways to keep him separated from the group for the duration of the episode other than this.

LOL Actually Richard seems to get out of a lot of situations by strength of character, so that didn`t bother me so much. It was more "What took you so long?" for me.

Sister Nicci met a quick end for all her alleged power, I thought. She didn't feature in the episode as much as she should have, and is this really it for her? A two-episode guest stint doesn't really qualify as a "recurring guest role," which is what Blalock reportedly had. I guess we'll find out.

I guess technically if it`s two eps then it counts as having recurred. :shrug:
That`s not to say I agree with it.

"Perdition" feels like a throwaway episode meant to get the gang back on track to with the main quest. A disappointing conclusion after a couple of good set-up episodes.

I dunno. I guess. I`m having a hard time between the stuff I remember from the book (and the stuff I don`t) and not wanting it to taint my enjoyment of the show. I guess I keep wondering why they always have to be together all the time, and why they can`t split off and go on separate adventures. All the fantasy books do it, so if you do a show or movie why not keep doing it? I`ve missed a good bit of this season, but don`t they most of the time go everywhere together except when someone`s separated for an episode or two? I guess Richard`s been gone a while if Zedd felt like he had to name a new Seeker, or Zedd could feel that the Seeker was gone? Maybe being with the Sisters in that place masked the magic/aura/whatever so Zedd thought he was gone. But I`m wrong there, because doesn`t that compass thing keep leading them to Richard? Or at least Kahlan is sure that`s what it`s doing. She always figured they`d find Richard, right? Was he really lost, or did they know where he was and that`s part of why Zedd named a new Seeker, since Richard was busy? How many eps was Richard not with them? The very beginning of the book has them splitting up, Richard and Kahlan go one way and Zedd and Chase another, then Zedd is off with other characters and Richard and Kahlan are separated. Kahlan spends most of the book doing one thing, Richard spends maybe half traveling to and then with the Sisters, Zedd has other fish to fry but it all comes together in the end . . .

The only thing I though they did really well was handling the character of the Sister who eventually helped Khalan and the gang. You can see her development as she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the lies and manipulations of the leader of the Sisters over the course of the episodes.

I agree. But I`m mixed up on whether the leader is really a bad guy. I was kind of confused by the Sister thing anyway in the book. It seemed like they were trying to do the right thing (the Sisters of the Light anyway) but they were waaaay wrong. So with the show I can`t tell if they`re trying to be like the book or if they`re doing their own thing with the Sisters. It would help to watch it more and pay better attention.

[august]

Originally Posted by Boomstick

So who wins?

That would be those heroes of that old campfire song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" : you and me brother.

[Boomstick]

Originally Posted by Bern

Also they don`t come out and mention it (do they?) but it seems understood that offing Leo makes Seeker status revert back to Richard automatically, but since Richard was never dead or gone, doesn`t the magic or the sword somehow know its "partner" is still alive?

The sword is the symbol of the title, but you could say it's the character traits that make a Seeker, so they don't really need the sword.

Possibly...I don't know. From a TV writers standpoint that could work.

[Zagor]

Originally Posted by Boomstick

As a rule I dislike "illusion" episodes, where one or more characters are hallucinating or trapped in an illusion of some kind. I always feel cheated, like my time is being wasted.

I'm not a fan of them either - mainly because it's always obvious immediately that it's not really happening. I think this one can be excused however as it made it clear pretty early on it was an illusion, but it was fun watching it develop anyway and the concept of Richard being the last person alive was quite cool. By the way, if you're looking for a good illusion episode check out Trip in LEXX. That one's messed up even for LEXX.

I'm fairly sure Kahlan didn't use her powers in the illusion though she did use them back in the real world - maybe that's what you're thinking of?

The face off between the heroes and the sisters was very cool looking even though it seemed a bit easy in the end. Yeah, they lost Leo but then they were always going to lose Leo.

And Darken Rahl was in it so I'm happy.

[Michael]

It seems to me that one thing Richard's hallucination reveals is how strongly he feels about Kahlan. We sort of take this for granted but the hallucination reveals something of Richard's character and feelings.

You have to wonder what sort of greeting Leo received in the Underworld. The Afterlife in the Seekerverse doesn't seem very inviting so I have to wonder what the Sisters of the Dark expect to receive in return for their service to the Keeper.

[Zagor]

Originally Posted by Michael

You have to wonder what sort of greeting Leo received in the Underworld. The Afterlife in the Seekerverse doesn't seem very inviting so I have to wonder what the Sisters of the Dark expect to receive in return for their service to the Keeper.

One wonders what's the point of fighting the Keeper if everyone ends up with him when they die. All you're doing by fighting him is ensuring yourself an eternity of torture once you do die.

[Michael]

Actually, I just finally saw "Extinction" last night and APPARENTLY when everything is normal the Creator protects "good" souls. I guess only the evil dead are supposed to reside with the Keeper. That also seems to be how Terry Goodkind set it up in the books, according to this Wikia article (please forgive me for being a hypocrite -- I just don't have time to look for something authoritative).

[august]

This is the upcoming rerun for the weekend of 8/7. You know, if they had run these as consistently in order the first time around as they do now, I could have kept up better.....

[EDSEL_PK]

I lost track of LOTS. Now that it's winding down, I'm bummed. I've seen a couple recent eps, and enjoyed them.

I was going to name my firstborn Zeddicus Zul Zorander. And I just got my first taste of the sweet goodness that is Tabrett Bethell (Cara).