We enjoyed a Cara episode and a Kahlan episode, so it’s about time Seeker gave us a Zedd-centric story. “Wizard” continues Season 2’s trend of excellent, action-heavy episodes but differs in that it was quite humorous and lighthearted. Despite the fact that events spiral downward into a complete disaster that almost results in the Sword of Truth (and Richard) ending up in the Keeper of the Underworld’s deepest, darkest cellar, I was smiling the whole time at the antics of the amnesiac wizard.
I must applaud the performance delivered by Gabriel Mann, the actor who played the magically young Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander in this episode, channeling Bruce Spence’s old Zedd brilliantly. Mann really captured Zedd’s physicality. Don’t you just love watching that ridiculously tall, spindly figure tramping around the forests and hills in his long, cumbersome gown?
So now we’ve discovered some of Zedd’s repressed desires! How funny is it that Cara immediately knows to look for him at the Winterhaven brothel? Once inside the brothel, I felt like the scene shifts to an Old West saloon; Salinda’s sometimes twangy accent adds to that ambiance. Once Shota makes Zedd young again and restores part of his knowledge, the besotted wizard pursues Salinda and, supremely confident, revels in his newfound powers. He’s like a benign version of Darken Rahl.
Although Richard doesn’t make any progress toward finding the Stone of Tears, we are reminded of what’s at stake (i.e., why he needs to find the Stone of Tears). We revisit the Underworld, where Darken Rahl still speaks for the Keeper. I always look forward to seeing how Rahl will interact with the poor souls who find themselves staring up at his charming face. (Their initial reaction is probably Why is he the only one wearing clothes, and where can I get some?)
This episode also provided some wonderful grandson-grandfather moments between Richard and Zedd. Often, that relationship gets lost in the Seeker-Wizard relationship, but this week both aspects were highlighted.
A couple other things:
Leave a comment. Let me know what you thought of “Wizard.”
Clacked by Ruby T.
on Dec 06, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I thought the ending just showcased the villain’s typical arrogance. Rahl wanted to gloat by telling Richard and Zedd he was going to trap them in the Underworld before he started to close the gates for dramatic effect. If he had just done it the other way around, he would have won.
I did feel bad for Salindra, though. It’s hard to fault her for betraying someone she’d only known for a few days rather than being tortured by the Keeper for eternity.
I agree. From the start, Salindra made it clear that she was not in love with Zedd. Her character was consistent.
Regarding Rahl, he was like, “Mwahahahaha… You can never escape the Underworld!!!” and then Richard and Zedd walk right out. I was expecting something to happen. Rahl could have at least sent a few screelings after them. He must have thought to overpower them with his charisma.