19 - Cursed

Information

Title: Cursed
Episode number: 19
Production number: 119
Director: Mark Beesley
Writers: James Stoteraux & Chad Fiveash
US Air date: 2nd May 2009
UK Air date: 15th October 2009

Synopsis

To protect his kingdom from Darken Rahl's D'Haran soldiers, a king asks the help of Shota, the witch woman. Her magic transforms him, nightly, into a vicious beast that slays the soldiers. But when the creature turns on his own people, The Seeker is called upon to stop the murders.

 

 

Review by Tracy Casebere

Being cursed is the premise of this episode, it also happens to be the title - but whatever. It's hard to think of a witty opening line for the nineteenth time you know. Anyway, it starts with a chase scene yet unlike all the other times, there is no baddie in tow, rather a swarm of bees.

What this accomplishes is a false sense of security. There's nothing really scary out in the forest, or is there? The next scene then jumps to that of a woman who's running for her life. She doesn't run fast enough or perhaps the beast is just too quick. Slash, slice, gurgle... the woman dies. Definitely not bees. So what the heck is in there? And how does Richard and co tie in to all of this?

Be prepared for a little wait until you find out. With magic comes great explanation. Sit back and enjoy a nice cup of tea or something and listen as the King recounts his dealings with Shota - the foxy witch lady. Never trust a beautiful woman who can predict your death, rule number one of staying alive.

In case you fell asleep through their little gathering of minds, I'll bring you up to speed: the King is fed up of the D'Haran soldiers trying to gain entry into his Kingdom. He stupidly makes a deal with Shota to protect his Kingdom forever more, only it's at the cost of his freedom/sanity/er, humanness. Every night at sun down, the King transforms into a snarling beast known as a Calthrop (think of a love child between a Gar and Gollum and you have your monster) and proceeds to gobble up all the D'Haran soldiers. And animals. And other innocents. And even his wife.

Handy... yet annoying. On the one hand it solves the D'Haran problem, on the other - he's now a widow, a well fed widow but still.

Nothing can stop the claw... sorry beast, not even magic. Nothing... except THE SWORD OF TRUTH.

So that's why Richard is bothering to listen to this guy. Obviously Richard isn't into killing without just reason, so he waits until the King has transformed, biting, snarling and drooling (the beast not Richard) before Kahlan jumps on the Calthrop's back like the incredible hulk and - fails. Luckily Richard is at the ready with his sword to smite that fool into submission (that's just a fancier way of saying killing.)

From here on in it all gets a little confusing and long winded (that's what happens with "prophecy".) But that's ok, we see more Calthrop (the "curse" passes onto the sovereign's successor) as the newly appointed Queen finds out as she transforms whilst in a locked room with Kahlan, who with a self-imposed Rada'Han round her neck is pretty much useless against the beast.

Help eventually arrives in the form of Zedd and Shota, who after putting their differences and history temporarily aside, manage to move the earth (literally) and save the day. I'm really trying to find the relevance to this episode in relation to the final goal: killing Darken Rahl. But I think it's one last attempt at reinforcing the fact Richard and Kahlan can't be together. And then just when you think it couldn't possibly get any better, Zedd comes galloping into the picture announcing there is a second Counted book of Shadows. Oh so that's the point.

I wonder what the next episode will be about now, hmm?

Starring

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

Co-Starring

Danielle Cormack - Shota
Beatrice Joblin - Corah
Carl Bland - King Gregor
Nathan Meister - Marius
Matthew Saville - Captain Flynne
Patrick Kake - Commander Erryll
Richard Lambeth - Lieutenant Theron
Mick Innes - Duncan
Reuben De Jong - Calthrop
Dayna Chiplin - Queen
Candace McNabb - Helena

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