ABC Studios
(Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2 – Series Premiere)
It’s been awhile since I’ve read Terry Goodkind’s The Sword of Truth fantasy series, and admittedly I haven’t even yet finished it. I did notice when reading it that it seemed very derivative of lots of other fantasy stuff and, more specifically, of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series. It didn’t make the series any less entertaining, in fact in some ways it was even more entertaining to find those parallels.
Tonight, while watching the two-part premiere of the new The Sword of Truth Wizard’s First Rule Legend of the Seeker, I found myself having just as much fun finding the parallels between the opening sequences of the show and Star Wars: Episode IV. Now I can enjoy the hell out of something and make fun of it all at the same time, and that’s exactly what I was doing here. I think Legend of the Seeker is incredibly well done for a syndicated fantasy-adventure series. The effects were adequate to the cause, and even a slight tip of the hat above the likes of Primeval and Doctor Who, though that may be because it’s been more subtle thus far. Save a dragon gargoyle-like monster, it’s mostly fire.
The Sword of Truth: Episode I – Wizard’s First Rule
Ironically, these events do not transpire in the book in quite this order, or in as short a span of time. In fact, while the TV series Richard destroying the Book of Counted Shadows shortly after first acquiring and after only having read the opening sentence, in the book series his father gave it to him years before and had him memorize it. Zedd says of its destruction that perhaps being the Seeker won’t come with an “instruction manual.” Did they have those back then? I think not!
It looks like they’re setting up a much more open framework, so that the series can progress in a manner more similar to Raimi’s other syndicated successes: Hercules and Xena. The looming threat of Darken Rahl will always be a major plot point and will probably be addressed in some fashion by the end of this 22-episode first season, but between then and now we can have lots of episodic adventuring fun.
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Nov 02, 2008 @ 18:00 EST5EDT
While I enjoyed the show and plan to watch again it does differ quite a bit from aspects of the book which were disturbing. That being said they stick close to the main principles and story lines enabling for a great story that doesn’t need to be shown on HBO or Showtime.
Oddly, watching the show made me more interested in reading the book. I liked the show production-wise, cinematography-wise, and effects wise – it definitely looks like a million per ep (a la Xena ’00). However, the writing feels a bit trite – I don’t know if that’s the script or source material.
I love fantasy, but I’m a bit disappointed in the lead actor. His abs are fantabulous, but his acting style (& dialogue) seems wooden. I don’t understand how they’re hinging the return of fantasy on 6-pack abs (even KS had charisma). Is the hero as dim in the novel? Heck, I’m kind of disappointed in the entire cast. The guardian initially seemed interesting, but afterwards she either complained or seemed helpless & her relationship with Rich feels forced. I loved Laga’aia as Draco, but he doesn’t have that same fire as Chase.
Admittedly, I was skeptical of Xena & Hercules in their early days, but I watched every episode from start to finish. KS was charismatic, LL did great crazy eyes and I loved the tongue in cheek humor. I believe the shows of old succeeded because of Raimi, et al’s personality, and I hope that comes through in future eps.
I enjoyed this show … it wasn’t the best thing on TV … but it was enjoyable which is what really matters.
At the very least it will fill the void left by Primeval being finished and it doesn’t hurt to have eye candy like Bridget Regan.