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Did You Take Off Your Shirt Before You Tried To Hug The Sheep? Because That Might Have Helped.
General thoughts:
I don't believe that Kahlan OR Richard recently lost their families. Richard doesn't seem nearly depressed enough, and Kahlan (considering that she was the eldest sister) doesn't seem nearly guilty enough. Actually thinking her sister's death was worth it to find the seeker would be one thing - but like Kahlan's ruthlessness, the writers consistently back away from it.
On that subject, I love how our heroes (and especially Kahlan) is shown killing people. Over and over again. I think the collateral damage is excellent.
I wish the the Avatar writers had gotten a crack at writing this - then I think we'd have a more consistent (or less nonsensical) reasoning for how they get food and changes of clothes and money. Because they never carry packs yet Kahlan changes back and forth between her white and green outfits and not carrying food and water is just dumb.
And even more satisfying, not every single soldier would be male.
Specific episode thoughts:
"Bounty" made me happy for several reasons: the buxom barmaid planning to turn Richard in and totally fooling him, Richard chained spread-eagled on the bed of a wagon, and Kahlan rescuing herself for that scary beastie and then going off to rescue Richard.
"Listener" was probably my favorite episode so far. I really liked the child actor - that character was awesomely bratty. I loved him blackmailing Richard into getting him the food he wanted and when he screamed and though Richard was actually going to kill him? Both hilarious and realistic.
I really, really love Kahlan's back story and want more details - did her mother keep her father around just until she had two daughters and then send him away or was he only a good man when he'd been confessed or what?
Also, Richard's little 'if we ever get to be parents we'll have actually had practice' line was only what everyone in the audience was thinking.
And right after my favorite episode thus far was "Elixir" which is the worse episode of the season on the 'strength' of Kahlan's fucking -I don't even have the words - thing where she comforts that rapist asshole who's drugging the chick he wants to nail.
Protip, Kahlan: Love without choice isn't 'not real love' it's rape.
Seriously, watching that scene made me shudder to think of her presiding over a rape trial.
Which, again, would be an interesting character trait, except I think the writers are just sucking. The horrible drug metaphor was just the icing on the fail!cake.
"Denna." What to say about this episode. Um. Well. It's hella BDSM-tastic from the opening scene of Denna's boots and leather-clad ass to the hottest scene of the episode, when one of the other dominatrix(es? ii?) gives Denna the breath of life.
I kept imagining the fandom secret about how LotS episode 8 made them realized that they were into BDSM.
Also, was the epic OTP eye-fuck between Kahlan and Richard just an epic OTP eye-fuck or did she actually confess him and just dodged the bullet of stealing his will? I'm guessing the former, but I debated.
This may be a good point to mention that I actually really, really love why Kahlan and Richard can't happen and the consent stuff that directly relates to Kahlan's powers is quite well done.
"Puppeteer" has another fantastic child actor. Remembering that Zed had/has a daughter (did we know this for sure or just that one of his kid's had been a parent of Richard?) made a lot of sense to me, both with how he treats Kahlan and how he treated Rachel. Awww, he would be the coolest grandpa ever. When he gets to be wiley like a fox, he's quite fun to watch.
And finally, an adorable video with the two main stars:
I don't believe that Kahlan OR Richard recently lost their families. Richard doesn't seem nearly depressed enough, and Kahlan (considering that she was the eldest sister) doesn't seem nearly guilty enough. Actually thinking her sister's death was worth it to find the seeker would be one thing - but like Kahlan's ruthlessness, the writers consistently back away from it.
On that subject, I love how our heroes (and especially Kahlan) is shown killing people. Over and over again. I think the collateral damage is excellent.
I wish the the Avatar writers had gotten a crack at writing this - then I think we'd have a more consistent (or less nonsensical) reasoning for how they get food and changes of clothes and money. Because they never carry packs yet Kahlan changes back and forth between her white and green outfits and not carrying food and water is just dumb.
And even more satisfying, not every single soldier would be male.
Specific episode thoughts:
"Bounty" made me happy for several reasons: the buxom barmaid planning to turn Richard in and totally fooling him, Richard chained spread-eagled on the bed of a wagon, and Kahlan rescuing herself for that scary beastie and then going off to rescue Richard.
"Listener" was probably my favorite episode so far. I really liked the child actor - that character was awesomely bratty. I loved him blackmailing Richard into getting him the food he wanted and when he screamed and though Richard was actually going to kill him? Both hilarious and realistic.
I really, really love Kahlan's back story and want more details - did her mother keep her father around just until she had two daughters and then send him away or was he only a good man when he'd been confessed or what?
Also, Richard's little 'if we ever get to be parents we'll have actually had practice' line was only what everyone in the audience was thinking.
And right after my favorite episode thus far was "Elixir" which is the worse episode of the season on the 'strength' of Kahlan's fucking -I don't even have the words - thing where she comforts that rapist asshole who's drugging the chick he wants to nail.
Protip, Kahlan: Love without choice isn't 'not real love' it's rape.
Seriously, watching that scene made me shudder to think of her presiding over a rape trial.
Which, again, would be an interesting character trait, except I think the writers are just sucking. The horrible drug metaphor was just the icing on the fail!cake.
"Denna." What to say about this episode. Um. Well. It's hella BDSM-tastic from the opening scene of Denna's boots and leather-clad ass to the hottest scene of the episode, when one of the other dominatrix(es? ii?) gives Denna the breath of life.
I kept imagining the fandom secret about how LotS episode 8 made them realized that they were into BDSM.
Also, was the epic OTP eye-fuck between Kahlan and Richard just an epic OTP eye-fuck or did she actually confess him and just dodged the bullet of stealing his will? I'm guessing the former, but I debated.
This may be a good point to mention that I actually really, really love why Kahlan and Richard can't happen and the consent stuff that directly relates to Kahlan's powers is quite well done.
"Puppeteer" has another fantastic child actor. Remembering that Zed had/has a daughter (did we know this for sure or just that one of his kid's had been a parent of Richard?) made a lot of sense to me, both with how he treats Kahlan and how he treated Rachel. Awww, he would be the coolest grandpa ever. When he gets to be wiley like a fox, he's quite fun to watch.
And finally, an adorable video with the two main stars:
no subject
I love Denna. shes just about the hottest chick Ive seen on a show in a long time. I love beautiful evil girls, and she just drips sadism and sex appeal. Wait till you see the scene between her and Rahl. And those outfits? omg can I has one pls? XD
I think they picked the wrong girl for Kahlan though. Shes not a bad actor, but she isnt capable of being...hard enough, to portray Kahlan's ruthlessness and practicality. Her voice, her facial expressions...she just comes across as too sweet for some of the characteristics Kahlan has shown so far. Unlike Denna, whose actress nails that character.
no subject
I think they picked the wrong girl for Kahlan though. Shes not a bad actor, but she isnt capable of being...hard enough, to portray Kahlan's ruthlessness and practicality. Her voice, her facial expressions...she just comes across as too sweet for some of the characteristics Kahlan has shown so far.
Hmmm. I don't know if I agree. Because it's not that I don't BELIEVE the actress when she's being hard or practical - it's that the narrative never lets her BE ruthless and practical. Does that make sense?
But I have to admit, I'm biased because she is absolutely adorable and her and the actor who play Richard do have nice chemistry.
no subject
This may be a good point to mention that I actually really, really love why Kahlan and Richard can't happen and the consent stuff that directly relates to Kahlan's powers is quite well done.
I hope the tv show handles it better than the book. I read the first book, and the resolution to that question was so stupid it kept me from reading any more books.
Kahlan's fucking -I don't even have the words - thing where she comforts that rapist asshole who's drugging the chick he wants to nail.
That was so bad. I think the show tried to portray it as "harmless" flirting or kissing, not as far as actual sex, but still, GROSS. To experiment, I try and think "it's innocent, not as far as rape" but then I imagine someone I don't like with their hands on my waist and their tongue in my mouth...gross. It's still a huge violation.
On that subject, I love how our heroes (and especially Kahlan) is shown killing people. Over and over again. I think the collateral damage is excellent.
The violence and the prettiness of the show are two of its high points for me. I love that Richard accepts Kahlan as a guardian figure, and that they fight back to back.
no subject
Okay, I have to know now.
To experiment, I try and think "it's innocent, not as far as rape" but then I imagine someone I don't like with their hands on my waist and their tongue in my mouth...gross. It's still a huge violation.
It's an epic violation. You could just see it on the girl's face when she pushed him away and if I go further about how this ties into cultural ideas about how men 'deserve' a woman... I will be her all night.
I love that Richard accepts Kahlan as a guardian figure, and that they fight back to back.
Word. I actually love how competent both Kahlan and Zedd are - both of them are fully capable of rescuing themselves, and do.
BOOK SPOILERS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
If you're sure....
Well, it was a long time ago that I read it, but it went like this, ad libbed:
Kahlan: I must confess you to resolve some plot issue where if I didn't the bad guy would win and the world would end!
Richard: Do it!
Kahlan: I'm super sorry about this! *magic Confessor touch*
Richard: Are you done yet?
Kahlan: What? How are you still sane and not a stalkery slave to my will? You're supposed to worship me now.
Richard: Don't you see? I already love you. I love you so much that it's like I already am your slave because I would do anything for you.
Rashaka: Wait, reader here, I'm confused.
Book: About what?
Rashaka: So did she confess him or not?
Book: She did! But it doesn't matter, because he already loves her. Moving on.
Rashaka: Wait, wait, I'm still confused! Obviously he still has free will. So did it A) not work because he already loves her and if he loves her then the power has no effect, meaning she failed to actually complete the Confession? or did it B) successfully work, but Richard is too stupid to know the difference between loving her because he chooses to and loving her because of magic? If it worked, why does he retain his free will and not act like a crazy zealot slave-worshipper?
Book: You ask to many questions. There's like 20 sequels in this serious. Get over it.
Rashaka: What?
Re: BOOK SPOILERS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
I'm voting for this one.
And I have to say, I think that it is likely the tv show will do something in this vein.
Re: BOOK SPOILERS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
A part of my romantic sense likes the general idea of "I already love you so much it changes nothing", because on the surface it sounds epic and sweeping. But even when I read this at 12 or 13, the critical thinking part of my brain couldn't leave it alone, because the lack of consent thing was always presented as such a huge, life-shattering issue with Confessing someone that there's no way you'd be so enamored you wouldn't notice. Even at twelve I'd figured out the difference between "I'm a metaphorical slave for your love, metaphorically" and actual, ya know, slavery.
Anyway, maybe the tv writers will work out some way to ease the brain-hurt of this and make it more palatable for viewers. But, who knows, the books were popular, so probably other people have a higher tolerance for this kind of thing than I do.
Re: BOOK SPOILERS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
It does make this kind of romantic sense, but that doesn't really hold up well with how the confessing has worked before - plus, I would expect that if the loophole was really 'must be in love' than other people would have discovered it before now.
no subject
Denna did nothing for me. Their handling of her character and the Mord-Sith in general is just kind of awful. Kahlan in red leather, though...that was when I understood the appeal of BDSM for the first time.
no subject
Which IS the creepy consent issue. Oh, show.
I haven't gotten to Kahlan in red leather, although I'm sure Richard agrees with you.
no subject
He suggests it!
no subject
Oh, Richard.
no subject
I'd probably run into the ISSUES wall if I didn't keep falling into the BAD WRITING ravine first. As I struggle to lift myself out, I glance over the edge at the ISSUES wall and shake my head.
no subject
no subject
I did that for half a dozen episodes, but the show damn near lost me entirely with the line: "I know now that there's more to being the Seeker than just a magic sword."
I... I... this isn't 11am on a Saturday, and I'm not watching Muppet Babies, am I? It's especially tooth-grinding, if you consider that the episode with that quote didn't do ANYTHING to prove that there was anything actually special about the Seeker except the magic sword.
I'll keep watching and just hope that's as bad as it gets.
no subject
But this TV show sure has taught me there's more to being a Seeker than the shiny toys! There's...propaganda, and being sanctimonious, and your family being killed because some megalomaniac you didn't even have a reason to fight just decides to shoot himself in the foot. Oh, and lots of people wanting to kidnap and sell your ass. Frankly, someday I want to see a dissembling of that fantasy trope. It'll involve some wise old man taking advantage of some old prophecy and just giving some suitably moral young person a magic weapon and calling them 'Destined.' That kind of thing is all about morale, theoretically.