A riveting episode when the traitors finally make their move on the day Port Prosperity is surrendered to Gath. The current king and the destined king receive some advice from the imprisoned king, Abaddon.
Abaddon: (to Silas) "It is better to be feared than loved."
So, Silas shows his ruthlessness by killing anyone who doesn't leave Port Prosperity. He also decides to execute David at the same time as the meeting between Gath and Gilboa. This ruthlessness even extends to his own children. He tells Michelle to forget about David. Jack has to beg for forgiveness on his knees and kiss the ground as his father ordered.
Silas: "That's the second time your mother's given you life. It'll be the last."
A chilling scene between father and son which really ends any familial ties betwee them. Silas is really getting into being a tyrant while Jack's humiliation just increased his hatred.
Abaddon: (to David) "It is always better to be loved than feared. Some of us made the mistake the other way and it does not go well. Die loved, you die happy."
I was amused that the advice is opposite to the one for Silas. He's grateful to David because it allowed him to become Silas' advisor when it comes to ruling. Of course, he would give him false advice since they are old enemies. I think he was telling the truth to David.
It's the day to formally end the war between Gath and Gilboa. Also the day that David dies. Silas delivers a speech (with Jack at his side) while miles away, David is being prepared for the firing squad. Watching the king from the balcony is William and Andrew, waiting for Jack to make his move.
Silas: "Peace is not a lamb, but a lion. And it requires force and discipline. Otherwise, it will go wild and feed on you."
A man throws a shoe at him but Silas just makes a joke out of it. He nears the end of his speech....
Silas: "Peace at any price."
Then an assassin posing as a photographer pulls out a gun and fires. Jack tries to block the bullet but Silas is still hit multiple times. I like the detail of blood splattering on the Gilboan flag on the table. Meanwhile, David's executioners are killed first.
One of my favorite scenes because it switches between Silas and David which heigtens the tension.
The media reports that the king is dead. Rose is shocked when Jack says he will assume his rightful place on the throne. He invites David to be his advisor because he needs a good man by his side. During the meeting on what they should do about Gath, his uncle interrupts him.
William: "Enough! We suffered enough peacock speeches under him. If there's to be change, let's start there."
He declares that Silas was killed by Gath and war is the anwer but Jack disagrees. William orders him to sit down, backed by some guns. It's made clear that Jack is just a puppet. William will take over for Jack so he can mourn his father's death. Andrew has bad news, though, because Silas is alive. While William panics and orders everyone to find Silas, Michelle helps David escape since he knows the location of pilgrimage.
David arrives at the king's hiding place. It was Thomasina who helped Silas escape. David wants him to take back his crown but when Silas seems to give up...
David: "No. You don't deserve to die loved. You don't deserve it, you son of a bitch! Get up!"
Finally, an angry David. Something must have gotten through the king because....
Silas: "I am the king."
The final showdown is going to be interesting because Silas is back!
PAUSE by Kjwan
I thought I didn't need you
Thought I could rule the world without you by my side
As the world bears down on my shoulders
I find the fear doesn't subside
Where have you been?
I've been so alone
I don't know how I've lasted this long
You said "The fires won't consume you,
And in the rivers you won't drown"
I wish to pause this moment
'Cause as I cry I start to realize
What's missing was you
I need you
You give me strength
You take away my fear
There was a void in my heart that only you could fill
I mainly love this episode because it further explores Richard's character. More insight into his mind is always welcome. His time in Perdition exposes his worst fears which ultimately is about failure. In Richard's personal hell: Kahlan marries someone else, Cara betrays him, and everyone dies because of his mistake. The opening scenes of Kahlan's visit with Richard at the Palace of the Prophets was excruciatingly painful and Bridget and Craig acted really well. As usual, Kahlan looks good when she's with any kid, a daughter this time. So, last season it was Darken Rahl, now Richard encounters another scenario where he loses Kahlan to another man, the Seeker Phillip. I hope he's learned something from this experience, like I don't know, figuring out a way around Kahlan's power! My favorite part in his delusion is the last baneling attack led by Cara. Kahlan's devastation over her daughter's death was painful to watch. She didn't even want Richard to heal her because her family is gone. Another huge blow to Richard which worsens when Darken appears to gloat.
In the real world, Kahlan and the others head for the Palace of the Prophets. During the journey, Cara and Leo's attraction develops. Leo's talks with Cara always involve animals and this time it's about birds. She responds typically and it's still amusing. The best part is the girl talk that results with Kahlan. Richard should be pleased that his fear that the two women are not getting along is false. I also like that Kahlan and Zedd has a conversation on too. She tells him that he can be worried too even if everyone relies on him to be the rock of the group. More meaty scenes between these two please.
When they arrive at the palace, the Prelate greets them and lies about Richard. Annalina is just like her counterpart in the books wherein she's very focused on her literal interpretation of the prophecies and acts without the consent of the people involved in said prophecies.
Annalina: "She'll understand we were acting in her best interest."
Um, no, Prelate, Kahlan will probably kill you because you let Richard die. I could almost see that realization on Verna's face, almost. Thankfully, Verna follows her own convictions and defies the Prelate. She takes Kahlan and the others to Richard. Before Zedd can try to get him out of the desert, the Sisters of the Dark, led by Nicci, attack them. An epic battle ensues. I love the visuals here specially the Sisters in their orange garb walking dramatically towards the heroes. Then there's a brief magic battle between Zedd and Nicci but he loses. The others take over with some great fight sequences. I knew that Leo would die in this episode but his death scene was quite surprising. He takes a magical attack meant for Kahlan and gets roasted. Hmmm...I guess Shota had good intentions when she recommended him to Zedd to become the Seeker.
It's only the powerful Nicci left but Richard finally appears. Cue in the Seeker theme and he blocks her lightning attack. Zedd joins in and uses wizard's fire until she's in flames. I'm a bit confused about the final blow. Zedd used fire but I'm not sure if the lightning was his doing. There was also an odd greenish smoke after Nicci's body looked to have exploded. I'm guessing she'll be back in the future. I'm also glad that Verna didn't die in this battle. I look forward to see her in future episodes too.
Rerun of episode 4, "Touched", this week.
[09 Dark] [08 Light] [07 Resurrection] [06 Fury] [05 Wizard]
Silas asks Jack to lead the trial as Minister of Information. Jack's uncle advises him to do as his father asks because when the trial ends and the hero is killed, the people will turn against their king.
David: "I serve the king! That is all I am guilty of!"
That's the gist of the mock trial. The scenes outside the trial were much more interesting.
While Silas is busy crucifying the hero, the traitors are very busy. William approaches Reverend Samuels again to help him overthrow Silas. He's reluctant at first but....
Reverend Samuels: "Don't give God reason to tear from you this kingdom."
Silas tells the reverend he has no right to judge him for wanting revenge since he exacted his own after his wife's death. I think this is the point Samuels decides to betray the king. David is too important to die for a king's vanity. He tries to convince David to flee the country but the hero refuses because it would truly be treason. David then tells Jack about the coup. This is probably the beginning of Jack wavering in his duty to his king.
My favorite part of the episode is the last 7 minutes. Silas and David talk after Michelle, the only witness to acquit him, doesn't show up. Silas tells David that his heroism inspires treason. The fact that David feels guilty about other people's actions to undermine his king proves he is no traitor. It's a bit irritating that he even feels that his king deserves his loyalty. Doesn't he realize he's being manipulated? The next day, David pleads guilty before the court. Jack steps up and admits that it was all a setup concocted by him and the king. Then things go crazy. Jack and Silas have a shouting much until.....
Jack: "You're no king."
Silas: "And you're no prince, you faggot!"
Silas finally loses his cool. And calls everyone traitors. He orders Jack arrested and David guilty of treason. However, Jack is saved because the army is now loyal to him. The coup is about to begin.
Definitely the best part and very pivotal to the story. Jack's one act of honesty brings about his father's downfall more beautifully than any of William's plans.
William: "We act now."
Jack: "And our country will have its new king."
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