Information

Title: Bloodline
Episode number: 16
Production number: 116
Director: Garth Maxwell
Writers: Nicole Paluga
US Air date: 21st March 2009
UK Air date: 1st October 2009
Gallery: View Bloodline images

Synopsis

Darken Rahl enlists the help of Denna, a dangerous Mord-Sith, to locate the Third Box of Orden and give him the final key to world domination. Meanwhile, Richard's quest to thwart Rahl's evil plan leads to a startling revelation about his friend, Zedd.

Review by Tracy Casebere

Yes, the bitch is back. After being threatened by Darken Rahl, Denna is on a mission to bring back the third Box of Orden. Information has reached them that Zedd has hidden the box in the forest somewhere. He initially sends his men out to retrieve it, but they get burned to a crisp one by one after trying to walk through the magical barriers that surround it. So he sends in Denna instead. What is it he says? Never let a man do a Mord'Sith's job! Too right!

Denna however, is not stupid. She knows walking through the magical barriers herself will get her killed, so she finds someone who can. Every generation or so, a child is born who magic has no effect on. They are called the pristinely ungifted. I'd however, call it very convenient. But still, at least it's an element they used from the books, even if it is a tad early.

And so Denna finds one - surprisingly easy considering they are supposed to be in hiding, but whatever. She makes Jennsen, the pristinely ungifted, go with her to the forest to retrieve the box. If she doesn't comply, her mother will be killed. Quite simple really. When a crazy woman from the Midlands who is wearing red tight leather tells you to jump, you don't argue, you just say how high!

Jennsen makes it through the barrier unscathed, retrieves the box and is about to demand that the nasty woman in red let her mother go, when the alarm triggers on the box -signalling its security has been breached. How thoughtful of Zedd to plan in advance.

Zedd, Kahlan and Richard rush on to the scene and that's when things begin to get a little complicated.

Jennsen is saved but Denna makes off with her mother in tow.

As Richard announces to Jennsen that he is the Seeker and will do anything he can to help get her mother back, she announces something even more shocking to him in return.

"She's your mother too."

I know. I know. Your jaw just hit the ground didn't it? Pick it up please so I can carry on with the review.

Finally, after twenty-three long years of secrecy, Zedd reveals he's grandfather to both Richard and Jennsen - although he only found out the latter himself when they rescued her. Family reunions are supposed to be a happy occasion (or so I'm told) but this is anything but. Richard is quite rightly angry at being lied to all these years and decides to get his mother back with more reason and gusto than before.

He makes a deal with Denna; they'll give her the third box of Orden, if she gives them the first two. It's quite an ingenious little plan if I do say so myself. Better than all his other ones so far at any rate.

Denna shouldn't be trusted though, not at all, not ever. Oh Richard when will you learn? To ensure his compliance, Denna kills his mother, and says if he doesn't come to her with the third Box of Orden by a certain time; she won't perform the kiss of life on her to bring her back from the dead.

After a close call with Darken Rahl, Jennsen manages to steal the first two boxes (she's immune to magic so she's the obvious choice to infiltrate his palace) and as they approach Denna, lo and behold she's demanded all three boxes. As if we didn't see that one coming!

What we don't see coming however, is Richard putting together all three Boxes of Orden himself and taking the power of Orden into him. With the entire world under his control, he demands that Denna brings his mother back to life.

Only she can't. She lied -shock horror- it's not like she's been an advocate of truth. The kiss of life only works for a very short period of time after death and she knew by the time they got back, she'd be too far gone to revive.

Richard is also too far gone, only his is from the power of Orden and not death like his mother. He orders Kahlan to kill Denna - slowly - and for Zedd to kill any remaining soldiers after he commands that they fight to the death. The corrupting power of Orden is completely overwhelming Richard. He is becoming the very tyrant he'd sworn to kill.

With Zedd and Kahlan both helpless against Richard, it's left to Jennsen to fix things. Unaffected by magic, she pulls apart the boxes and frees Richard from Orden.

What strengthens this episode is Denna. Even though we know she's going to do the dirty on Richard, we can't help but watch it all play out. Mord'Sith's really are the most fascinating characters in Legend of the Seeker. The back story with Richard being related to Jennsen was a little rushed I felt, especially since their relationship wasn't explored afterwards (Jennsen goes off into hiding with the first two boxes of Orden - while Richard and co remain with the third) and I can't help but feel a bit cheated with this storyline as I've read the books.

And with Denna left to flee at the end of the episode, one can only hope we'll see her again very soon. She certainly keeps us watching.

Starring

Craig Horner - Richard Cypher
Bridget Regan - Kahlan Amnell
Bruce Spence - Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander

Guest Starring

Craig Parker - Darken Rahl

Co-Starring

Jessica Marais - Denna
Kevin J. Wilson - General Egremont
Brooke Williams - Jennsen
Judy McIntosh - Tarralyn
Charles Unwin - Field Commander Trymann
Owain Pennington - D'Haran Guard

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