Episode 2: Baneling Discussion

[Vilepickle]

Discuss all thoughts and opinions related to episode 2 here. You may include spoilers, because viewing this thread assumes that you've already seen the episode.

[WizardOrion]

Staking my claim

[djrackley]

I've seen this episode twice now and I'm STILL not 100% certain on a lot of the things that went on in the episode. For some odd reason, I just like totally spaced out most of this episode. I might have missed a lot of things.

I don't know why, but I felt like this episode wasn't all that great. Like it was a filler episode that just didn't have any of the stuff in it that makes it "fit" in with the other parts of the story. I mean, I know they were looking for the Abbot so they could find out how to find the Stone of Tears, I get that. But once they arrive in that death camp, it all just kinda goes the way of "blah" for me. Like I just can't really seem to care anymore. I did like Cara making an attempt at compassion. It was quite humorous.

Other than that, this episode strikes me as being entirely forgettable. I'll TRY to watch it again later, and if my opinion changes, I'll make another post of it.

[Vilepickle]

So much blood. It was like the genre shifted to horror for an episode, heh.

[treborn]

Although not what i expected by the name. overall a good episode with 2 nice and bloody twists. richerd adopting a bringer of death like mind set (one of his nicknames) and development of cara.

[theophile]

So far, I'm liking season 2 better than season 1. It's a bit darker, bloodier, and slightly less campy. I'm feeling more of an episode-to-episode continuity, unlike last season. Cara adds a dimension to the group that was sorely lacking, and I really, really hope she develops that dry, sardonic wit that the book Cara has.

I think a couple adaptations in this episode actually improve on the books, unlike last season. First, I think the "baneling" concept as presented in the show is better than in the book, where it was really just a regional phrase for a dark wizard or sorcerer. I also like how the tear in the veil has real-world consequences in the show (the Keeper's ability to send people back to wreak havok); in the books, a tear in the veil usually was just an ominous event that could be a problem if not rectified. Third, I find the reluctance of many D'Harans to accept Richard's rule as being far more realistic than what happened in the book. Even with the bond, I always found it tough to swallow how the portrayal of D'Harans went from irredeemably sinister to downright philanthropic seemingly overnight. I like the idea of making Richard earn D'Hara's allegiance.

Loved seeing Richard with a bow. Hopefully as he comes into his power, we'll see some of those impossible, long-range money shots.

Couple negatives: I'd like to see Richard learn another move besides the slow-motion, two-handed lumberjack chop. While I'm at it, Kahlan needs a few new moves too. I think the personality of Mord-Sith is better in the books. I prefer them as personal protectors of the Lord Rahl, rather than the mercenaries they seem to be in the show. A complete and sudden change of allegiance seems much more reasonable for them, and I would have liked to see that sudden fierce loyalty as a sort of first step to Richard embracing his birthright.

[derascal]

Review of Episode 2: Baneling
By: derascal
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Directed by: Michael Hurst
Written by: Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux

Summary: Richard, Kahlan, Zedd and Cara must find the Stone of Tears in order to seal the rift in the veil caused by the explosion of the Boxes of Orden.

Review:
This was an outstanding episode that was tightly managed. Episode Two begins with our favorite couple. Everyone will notice the relationship has changed, deepened. He holds her hand with assurance and Kahlan doesn’t try to jump and run off afraid of his touch or how she might loose control. Richard and Kahlan are committed to each other. (Besides saving the world from the Keeper, they have their own stress – the problem now is figuring out how they can be together. The angst we have known is over hopefully.) It has been replaced by a tension between Cara and Kahlan and for the moment, Richard wondering what is going on. (Remember Richard is “if I say it, I will do it” kind of guy.) At this point Richard accepts Cara as one of them – 1) she helped him kill Darken Rahl, 2) she helped find the girls and killed Triana, a top ranking Mord-Sith, and 3) she is pledged to defend the house of Rahl whether Richard accepts the title or not. This is shrewd because the Mord-Siths have great power with the agiel, can use the breathe of life, and can take orders or use her own initiative. (I don’t know if Cara is as lethal as Denna, but Cara and Richard have history together and have taken each other’s measure. They are a good fit for a team despite the fact that Cara finds that Richard “has too much of a kind heart”; yet, both Cara and Richard enjoy a good physical fight. Cara is probably more devious than Richard. She does not admire “compassion” and just like Denna she finds Richard’s demeanor is difficult to understand because he is “one of a kind.” They spent a lot of time together in the “future.” We know that Denna was a Rahl favorite and personally trained by him. Cara’s history for the TV series has not been discussed. Richard, who tends to give the benefit of the doubt and second chances, champions Cara. But remember she does know Richard’s feelings for Kahlan and the situation between them, she once taunted him about it. To this point in time LOVE is not in Cara’s desires, but pleasure including pleasure through pain is part of her repertoire .)

(Our crusaders find that the D’Harans have destroyed the Abbey and taken the monks according to Cara to Tathfraine, a D’Haran death camp. (Strange that the D’Haran’s have a death camp. I thought the D’Harans usually killed everyone as they went, or took prisoners to torture. I think that was a favorite past time of Darken Rahl.) Richard, Zedd, Kahlan and Cara arrive just in time to stop the total annihilation of the city: resistance fighters, women, children and other citizens. (BUT WAIT .. what is with Kahlan?? She confesses a soldier and quickly runs back into the battle??? What happened to her being vulnerable after the confession?) Richard gave directions to bury the dead so disease does not spread through an already vulnerable population. Both he and Kahlan model for Cara to show compassion to the villagers to help them get back on their feet. When presented with a similar situation, Cara agrees to allow a young man, Gerald, to borrow a horse and take his brother’s body outside of the village to bury. But as luck would have it, he takes the treasure stolen from the villagers and exchanged the body for the valuables. When he searched for money or a quick souvenir, Gerald found the flower necklace, he opened it and he was marked by the vial of ink with the imprint of a rune. Cara is sent by Richard to find Gerald and once again proved that she is an invaluable part of the team.

Richard also learned that Abbot Henry had already been killed. Then it is discovered that someone is killing the prisoners. As Richard discussed the problem with Zedd, they figure out that The Keeper has sent “banelings” through the rift. It turns out Eleanor is a “baneling”. Eleanor also killed Gerald, but Cara used the “breath of life” to revive Gerald. Richard figured out that Darken Rahl had become the Keeper’s official host and “makes the Keeper’s deals.” Areas such as Tauthfraine are in such turmoil and easily invaded by the Keeper. And Richard who was “marked” by the Keeper has been used to fill the Keeper’s armies with dead souls. To Richard’s credit he burns the bodies which destroyed the source for more soldiers, no bodies to inhabit.

Abbot Henry appeared and he too was a “baneling,” but because he has not killed anyone, the Keeper called him back. Despite Richard’s efforts to find Abbot Henry someone “appropriate to kill”, due to Eleanor’s efficient work , he is unable to find a suitable victim. (Some may find this appalling that Richard is willing for someone to be killed. But Richard has tough decisions. To kill a D’Haran or someone on the D’Haran side is not that offensive to carry out. He even tells Kahlan that life is valued and will be protected, but for the greater good he is willing to allow the appropriate people to be killed.) But with no one available to die, Abbot Henry is called back to the Keeper. He departed having revealed part of the information the Seeker needed: he must find the locket and the vial that is inside. The first one to open it will be marked by the Rune, which explained why it is on Gerald’s palm. Now, the rune must be taken to Pamoora in order to find the Stone of Tears. According to Abbot Henry, “It is the key.” (Question: key to what?)

Darken Rahl is not pleased that Gerald was taken from The Keeper. The Butcher and his men take the deal and efficiently decimate a city and go back to Tathfaine for
Gerald and the locket. Before Richard, Zedd and Cara leave to find the Butcher and his army, they return to Tathfaine. Richard figured out that as he kills the enemy he fills The Keeper’s ranks with soldiers if they have a body to inhabit. Richard, Kahlan and Zedd understand the The Keeper’s threat. Richard says they must continue to “kill to save an innocent life.” He must destroy the enemy.

The finale: William is a baneling. Were you that surprised? Tight shot of William: 1) when the resistance fighter releases the children, 2) William in Mom’s arms, 3) William and Mom talking about “the butcher” killing the people as they lock up the city, 4) William and the group of children without parents and 5) only William is taken by Bertran (Question: Is it possible some of other children are banelings too?)
Two dark endings for the first two episodes. But then so many of you wanted Richard to grow up.
(I miss the eye-messages between Kahlan and Richard, but again we know the commitment was mutual in Reckoning and has matured. These two love each other deeply, but the events that require his attention are serious. They both have steadfastly declared their love for each other. She knows he wants her for his wife and just as he accepted her gifts will continue to honor her. Kahlan too has a destiny to fulfill as The Mother Confessor, but we know that Richard twice has “told” her he will be back for her. The good thing is that Kahlan knew she should be beside the Seeker and Zedd is with him. But WHY WHY does Zedd not tell anyone about Shota’s other prophecy?? )

Looking forward to the next installment: Episode III – Broken