Syfy Blogs Legend of the Seeker: Revenant - Episode 13

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Legend of the Seeker: Revenant - Episode 13

Revenant: To me the title of this episode relates less about the return of someone, and more about the return of a recurring theme throughout the series. Namely: love, more specifically: Richard's and Kahlan's.

The frightening thing about this episode isn't that Darken Rahl fails to make an appearance yet again; it's knowing that Zedd went through all the trouble of locating a key for some ancient tomb to hide the third box of Orden in, yet we watch as two thieves simply waltz their way in at the beginning. Ok so maybe some unknown force attacked them upon entering. But if entry is so easy, surely Darken Rahl could sort out the ghost problem once inside? It's hardly a "safe" enough place to hide the box. What was Zedd thinking?

Regardless of the weak plot, this episode goes on to tell us the story of a previous Seeker, Kieran and his Confessor Vivian, who died fighting in a previous war. The thing about history though, is it can be rewritten. Something Richard finds out upon entering Kieran's tomb.

What Richard learns is the real story of the Seeker before him, and in doing so, understands more about his own destiny. Sometimes in life, in order to go forwards you must go back. Zedd said something similar at the start of the series and it's even more relevant in his quest now than it was then.

Unfortunately for Richard, the only way forward, and therefore exit from the tomb, is through the very door that he was told not to open. He discovers Kieran's decapitated body hidden in a grave. Because Richard is a man of honour, he decides to place the remains in the rightful grave. Only doing so unleashes Kieran's spirit into him.

Through Richard's body, Kieran relates to Kahlan what really happened almost a thousand years ago. He fell in love with his Confessor, much in the same way Richard fell in love with Kahlan. He talks about a bond that exists between a Seeker and his Confessor and how his own wizard, Amfortas believed his love was getting in the way of the mission.

Do you see any similarities here?

Amfortas, fearing for the safety of the world, killed Kieran, binding his soul and stopping it from crossing over to the underworld where it would have joined Vivan's. But now his soul is free and inside Richard, Kieran sets about bringing Vivian into existence.

It seems through magic and forsaken spirits, Richard and Kahlan will finally be together - and on top of a grave no less. Zedd has other ideas though, and interrupts them just before we go from a family show, to an x-rated one.

The ending of course is a happy one. Kieran and Vivian get to be together in the underworld, and Kahlan and Richard are back to their normal selves. The only problem now is that Richard had a taste of what could have been his. He understands perhaps a little better, the depth of his love for Kahlan (and loins). And not only that, but to a degree it's something he cannot control. It also opens up more questions, things which were hinted about the Seeker. Magic for instance, Kieran had it in abundance; does this mean Richard should also have it?

If you enjoy the love story aspect of the series, you'll be more than happy with this episode. It provides an interesting look at the dynamics of the group too. Revealing the lengths Zedd will go to, to ensure Richard fulfils his destiny.

The only question to ask now, is will Richard ever get a chance to kill Darken Rahl? We're over half way through the series and so far we've learnt more about Richard and Kahlan's love life than we have about Darken Rahl himself. But then maybe that's the key to this whole thing anyway? Only time will tell.

Written by Tracy Casebere

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