Lower Decks

Legend of the Seeker
“Sanctuary”
Originally Broadcast the Weekend of Saturday, May 9th, 2009

What an odd episode this was. It was yet another good episode (I’ve lost count) but still an odd one. It was a continuation of a plot point introduced in the previous episode (“Cursed”) about another existing copy of the Book of Counted Shadows. While searching for said book Richard, Kahlan and Zedd visit a library, meet a librarian, her daughter and their friend, a painter. Dramatic happenings ensue.

The library is a pretty big one, with lots of books and scrolls and all manner of other library things. Livia, the librarian, has been trying to finish her late husband’s work (he was killed by D’Harans) and find another copy of the Book of Counted Shadows. That’s the book that Richard was given in the pilot, the one that was supposed to teach him all about being the Seeker, only to quickly lose it. If I recall correctly he burned it rather than let it fall into the hands of Darken Rahl.

Unfortunately for Richard, Kahlan and Zedd, they aren’t the only ones looking for the book. Darken Rahl is aware of its existence. And he’s sent soldiers ahead to find it before he himself drops by. Livia has her own problems. Her son, Aidan, has been getting into trouble. James, a family friend, uses his magic painting skills to send the boy into a painting for safekeeping.

While Richard goes to look for Aidan, Zedd turns invisible and heads to the library to search for the book. Things go awry quickly. James soon sends Livia, Richard, Kahlan and himself into the painting. And then he paints the entire library (with Zedd inside) as well. Zedd’s powers are useless in the painting. Only James’s work. When Darken Rahl learns that the Seeker is inside the painting he promptly burns it.

James doesn’t have time to paint everyone back outside individually. But he can paint the library with everyone inside it. As the flames burn ever closer to the library’s walls the painter paints furiously. At the last minute he finishes. The library is safe. James, however, is killed. Livia and Aidan are sent off to safer pastures with thanks.

The Book of Counted Shadows is left with Richard. Leafing through it he learns that the only way to kill Darken Rahl is to use the power of Orden. That means the three boxes of Orden have to be brought together again and Richard has to use them himself. The last time he did that (in “Bloodline”) he became almost as evil as Darken Rahl. So that’s not good.

The idea of a painter being able to paint people into his paintings is a novel one. It worked pretty well, too. because the only magic that worked inside the painting is James’s, Richard and Kahlan could have lived a nice life together without having to worry about Kahlan confessing Richard. That’s the approach James tried to use to convince them to stay. Kahlan, at least, thought it would have been a nice place to visit. Too bad James was burned alive.

So the question now is whether or not Richard & Co. can gather the Boxes of Orden again. And if so, can Richard control their incredible power long enough to destroy Darken Rahl? There are two episodes left in the season. I assume it will be the finale before Richard and Darken Rahl actually confront one another. Will we have a cliffhanger? We’ll see.