Blog

Is a Confessor's power really all that reliable?

Posted by Tracy Casebere

I'm not ashamed to admit it, I watch the Jeremy Kyle show - someone has to. It was during a recent episode that I realised the lie detector test they use to 'catch out' guests works in the same way as a Confessor.

A lie detector test cannot tell if you're lying, only if you believe you are.

In Legend of the Seeker episode 11, Confession, Kahlan's power ends up committing an innocent man to death. How is that possible if a confessed person cannot lie? It plays on the weakness of belief. If you believe in something so entirely, it wouldn't be a lie to you, it'd be real.

Confessor-500.jpg A Confessor therefore, cannot tell if you're lying, they can only tell if you believe in what you're saying. In the end it comes down to perception. Perception is a very selfish ideal, very one minded. Yet it's only validated through the eyes of others. Think of it as interpretation.

How is it then, that in today's world, the results of a lie detector test wouldn't stand up in court as evidence, yet in the Seeker's world, it serves as judge, jury and executioner? Who decided to give Confessors this much power? That's something I'd like to know.

Of course Kahlan does use other methods to catch someone out; basic psychology, reading body language - instinct. But then 'Body Language Reader' doesn't have the same ring to it as Confessor, does it?

Richard also made an interesting point in the episode: If confessing someone makes them fall in love with you, then maybe what they're telling you is what they think you want to hear? And although Kahlan vehemently refutes his argument, it makes you wonder. Especially since Finn in episode 10 is able to get around Dennee's command of drowning their child, by guessing what she really wanted despite it contradicting with her orders.

If Kahlan ever decides to quit her role as Confessor to the Seeker, there's always a position available as "Lie Detector" on the Jeremy Kyle show. Could you imagine the tag line? Husband believed I cheated - taken lie detector test to prove him wrong: Now I'm in love with a Confessor. It'd bring viewers in by the millions. ITV take note.

All joking aside though, if I were Richard, I'd be wary of accepting Kahlan's help again. Her power is not as infallible as she thinks it is. Her reliance on magic, her trust in it, shouldn't be favoured over more "real methods". Judging things by what you see with your eyes, with what you know in your heart - by what you feel in your gut is just as important. Why do you think Richard is such an effective Seeker? He's instinctual. Something most heroes tend not to show, relying solely on "magical powers" or weapons, or even their good ol' trusty wizened wizard.
 

Comments

  • Probably alot of people said this but the man she confessed actually believed what he said! With the orb thingy (forgot what it is called) he had the memories in his head! so technically...he DID do it in his own mind, therefore telling the truth of what he saw himself do? Idk <3 confessor btfo, Maybe i'v been confessed?

  • What the books portray & what the TV show has are two very different powers . In the books, a confessed person literally loses his/her mind & becomes utterly devoted to the Confessor, which forces the truth; this is not the same as being in love with the Confessor. While the TV version has muddled the concept of the Confessor's power, the false memory device was also something new.

  • Interesting blurb Tracy - can't help but point out that the 'real methods' that you quote are but another individuals perception:

  • True - but I meant that relying on magic (Confessor's power) isn't something that everyone has. Trusting your gut, heart, eyes etc are all things everyone can do - and something both Kahlan and Zedd forget to use as they seem to rely on their powers a lot.

  • love the review!

  • thankyou tracy love the revie keep it up

  • ur crazy