Information

Title: Deception
Episode number: 17
Production number: 117
Director: Chris Martin-Jones
Writers: Raf Green
US Air date: 28th March 2009
UK Air date: 8th October 2009
Gallery: View Deception images

Synopsis

In an effort to crush the resistance, Darken Rahl enlists the help of his evil sorcerers to create lethal weaponry that wipes out entire villages. Richard infiltrates an enemy camp in order to steal the deadly weapons from the D'Harans.

Review by Tracy Casebere

God, what a way to start an episode: kill an entire village of people and start with the children no less. Who said this was a family show again?

But like most bad things that happen in the Midlands, it's usually connected to Darken Rahl and in this instance, it rings truer than the Sword of Truth could ever hope to achieve.

So what has Rahl been up to since he was last thwarted by Richard and co all of one episode ago? Well, for a start he's killing off entire villages that help the Seeker, and does so using a magical contraption. But then what else would he use, a good old fashioned gun? I think not. Magic it is!

Deception is the name of the game but in this case - just who is deceiving whom? At the start, one would be right in assuming that the D'Haran's are the bad guys and the rebel forces are the good. But all becomes blurred as Richard takes it upon himself to infiltrate the D'Haran camp that is holding the magical weapons of mass destruction, and we watch as he fights, kicks, spits and talks his way into their confidence. As one soldier puts it, Richard is getting closer to the captain than a "fly at a cow's ass."

At least we know Richard can act.

Like a stupid thug.

But what is obvious in this episode is the "humanising" of the D'Haran soldiers and the "dehumanising" of the rebel forces. Once Richard gains the confidence of the captain, we learn that underneath all the uniform and you know, the killing thing, he actually has a family. And isn't such a bad father.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the rebel forces (having had to endure months of battling with the D'Haran soldiers) want nothing but revenge. You can hardly blame them really, but Kahlan is adamant there will be no more killing.

The trouble with advising people against something though, is that it usually pushes them into doing it more. So when Kahlan's recently confessed D'Haran soldier comes over all helpful and friendly, the rebels kill him. That's not justice, that's revenge. And we all know the Seeker stands for justice. After all, you have to stand for something; otherwise you'll fall for anything.

Like most of these episodes now, they are following a pattern: find the grey areas in morality and magic and then leave them unanswered. Yes there are good guys and bad guys on both sides, but it's the side you pick that counts.

By the end of the episode, we don't really care who is on what team, we just want to see Zedd again. Where is he?

Starring

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

Guest Starring

Don Hany - Captain Ensor

Co-Starring

Phil Brown - Garrick
Dean O'Gorman - Carver Dunn
Fraser Brown - Sergeant Frye
Rowan Bettjeman - Dror
Gabrielle Anwen - Chloe
Rod Lousich - Voss
Kevin Keys - Guard
Edward Hall - Ty
Francis Dale - Tanner

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