Friday, February 26, 2016

The Shannara Chronicles - Safehold


As the last leaf from the Ellcrys falls and civil war threatens to end Ander's (Aaron Jakubenko) rule before it ever begins, Wil (Austin Butler), Amberle (Poppy Drayton) and Eretria (Ivana Baquero) finally make it to Safehold through the tunnels beneath the ruins of San Fransisco. While Ander strikes an unlikely truce with the Gnomes to stop his position being usurped by an ambitious member of the High Council, the fate of several members of the quest is left in question as "Safehold" comes to a close.

The back-up stories of Ander's reign being threatened and the Dagda Mor's (Jed Brophy) continued thrall over Bandon's (Marcus Vanco) continue to showcase just how screwed the Four Lands are if Amberle fails her quest. Loosing control and attacking both Allanon (Manu Bennett) and Catania while continuously spurning Allanon's teachings to control his powers continues to paint Bandon the least likable character on the show. If the Elves are going to get slaughtered by the Demons let's hope he ends up on the front line.

Safehold is less impressive than expected as the underground maze that leads the threesome to a sacrifice that apparently (remember the show has already shown us death isn't permanent) ends the life of one member of the quest and leaves the fate of another completely undecided. While it's obvious Amberle will return to continue her journey with Wil, I am curious to see whether this is the last we see of Eretria whose connection to Safehold and the Blood Fire is suggested but not explained in the episode.

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