Information

Title: Sanctuary
Episode number: 20
Production number: 120
Director: Garth Maxwell
Writers: Mike Sussman
US Air date: 9th May 2009
UK Air date: 15th October 2009

Synopsis

With news that a prophetic manuscript lies hidden in a nearby village, the Seeker embarks on a desperate race with the ruthless Darken Rahl to locate the ancient book. If Richard finds it in time, he could learn how to defeat the evil Rahl and rescue the world from total destruction.

 

 

Review by Tracy Casebere

Previously on Legend of the Seeker: THERE IS A SECOND BOOK OF COUNTED SHADOWS. I always wondered how they were going to sort out that plot detail since Richard burned the book back in episode 2, and now we know.

What I don't get is this - if Richard can simply put the three boxes of Orden together and take in the power, then what's the point of having the Book of Counted Shadows in the first place? It's not like he needed an instruction manual the first time round, is it?

Still, this is the premise we're given and we shall see it through to the end. According to the details in Shota's vision, the trio arrive at a town in search of a librarian named Livia. All well so far, that is until the librarian refuses to help with the search of the Book of Counted Shadows unless she finds her son Aidan.

The son in question happens to be hiding at a guy's house named James who is a painter with a magical talent. James can create an entirely new world just by painting it. That's how he manages to hide Aidan so well from the big bad guys that are after him - by placing him inside the painting.

James also happens to have a crush on Aidan's mother hence his over eager helpfulness and eventually he ends up painting Livia into the new world too. Once James is inside the painting as well, he thinks they can all be one big happy family. But as we all know, there is a destiny waiting to be fulfilled and Livia needs to help the Seeker. She tells James this and that's when he comes up with the bright idea of painting the library into the painting as well.

Then it all gets a bit complicated. The entire library building goes inside the painting too, along with the D'Haran soldiers and Zedd.

It's important to note that magic of any kind (except the painter's magic) is devoid in the painting world. So when Zedd gets accidently transported in there, he takes a thrashing from the few D'Haran soldiers with him as well. They must be thugs to beat up on an old man.

There seems to be little humour in this episode and once again it focuses on more of the things you want but can't have. In James' case, he wants Livia but can't have her, Richard wants Kahlan, but can't have her and Darken Rahl wants the book but can't have it AS RICHARD HAS FINALLY FOUND IT. Yes it's true, both he and Kahlan ended up in the painting too and after rescuing Zedd, realise that the book they were looking for was in the library all along.

Fancy that, a book being in a library. You really couldn't make this stuff up.

Now, to put this into some perspective: Richard, Kahlan and Zedd along with the Counted Book of Shadows are all in the same place. A place Darken Rahl can't get to. How infuriating it must be for him. Instead of trying to get them out, he actually uses his brain and decides to burn the painting instead. In what has to be one of the slowest fires ever lit by anyone anywhere - Richard and Co. panic as the flames lick closer and closer to their very real flesh.

Richard however is not the only self-sacrificing guy. James decides to save the day and probably the entire series by painting everyone out of the picture just in time as the flames burn him alive. It's a small price to pay considering he was an annoying character. Darken Rahl is thwarted once again and the Seeker lives to see another day.

The episode ends with another heart to heart by the fire. I sense it's more of the calm before the storm (the last two episodes.) It's eventually revealed that Richard has to wield the power of Orden in order to defeat Darken Rahl. I guess they'll be heading back to Jennsen in episode 21 then eh?

Starring

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

Guest Starring

Craig Parker - Darken Rahl

Co-Starring

Michelle Langstone - Livia
Simon London - James
Kevin J. Wilson - General Egremont
Joseph Nathan - Aidan
Michael Dwyer - Brother Tovas
John Leigh - Selick
Jeff Whiting - Commander Ducat
Millen Baird - D'Haran Lieutenant
David Weatherley - Morrigan
Russel Walder - Vendor
Paul Shapcott - D'Haran Soldier

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