If you miss the magic of Lord of the Rings, the teacher student relationship of Obi-Wan and Luke Skywalker and the medieval wackiness of Xena and Hercules then you should give Legend of the Seeker a try.

[via Wikipedia] Legend of the Seeker is a live-action weekly television series loosely based on The Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind. The series follows the epic journey of a young woods guide named Richard Cypher (played by Craig Horner), a mysterious woman named Kahlan Amnell (played by Bridget Regan), and a wizard named Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (played by Bruce Spence) to stop Darken Rahl (played by Craig Parker) from unleashing an ancient and terrifying power.

The first thing that makes this show a winner is that the entire first season is available on Hulu for free. The episodes don’t expire so you can take your time watching without fear of a show not being there when you go back to watch.

The second thing that I like about the show is that it has Star Wars actors in it. The actor that I immediately recognized was Jay Laga’aia as Chase. He was Captain Typho in Star Wars 2 and 3. Bruce Spence is also a main character as the wizard Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander. He was Tion Medon in Star Wars 3. There are tons of some of the regular faces that we see in science fictions shows but most of the actors are little known. I’ve never seen the main two actors Craig Horner as Richard Cypher and Bridget Regan as Kahlan Amnell or the main baddie as Craig Parker Darken Rahl before this show. [Update: Craig Parker is Haldir from Lord of the Rings! My favorite elf from LOTR was on this show the whole time and I totally didn’t recognize him! This show just went up a notch for me.]

The special effects can be good or bad depending on your expectation. I say that they are good for a modest budget show like this. A pickier person might call them low budget and cheesy. I think effects work for this show. I don’t have a problem with them.

The story isn’t complex or confusing. You don’t really have to watch the episodes in order but I recommend it. It’s just easier because the story is linear and reveals the back story in order. The stories topics cover magic, plague, sex, sibiling rivalry, shape shifting, hell even time travel.

I like this show because doesn’t take it self seriously and it’s a break from mindfrak shows like Battlestar Galactica and Lost. Don’t take my word, give Legend of the Seeker a chance.

[Updated 6/2/09] I forgot to add that Legend of the Seeker has been renewed for a second season. The new episodes will probably start in November or so.


Legend of the Seeker Official Website