The Shannara Chronicles continues it’s vastly upgraded run on Spike this week with the episode that finally brings together our heroes. However, the reunion does not take place surrounded by hors-d’oeuvres and a mediocre DJ. Eretria (Ivana Baquero) and Wil (Austin Butler) reunite with Allanon (Manu Bennet), but some reunions are happier than others.
The first episode helped viewers catch up to the future-fantasy show and all the players in this world. But episode two laid the groundwork for the rest of the season. Now, episode three shifts to a higher gear, infusing the narrative with deeper dilemmas for the heroes to face. The journey is moving ahead, and Wil is growing more confident with every new action.
The introduction of badass, weapon master and bounty hunter Garet Jax (Gentry White) made the dynamic of this RPG party much more interesting. Jax is now the classic anti-hero and serves to shift allegiances that are developing with each new scene.
In episode two, King of the Elves, Ander Elessedil (Aaron Jakubenko) is courted by the Queen Tamlin (Caroline Chikezie) and set to marry her daughter, Eretria’s ex, Lyria (Vanessa Morgan). The dynamic between Ander and Lyria continues to grow, affecting the future of the world and its people. It’s an interesting subplot that makes the overall narrative feel a lot more developed and bigger than the character story at the heart of it.
Super-Druid Allanon is captured by the leader of The Crimson, General Riga (Desmond Chiam) at the end of episode two. Riga’s mastery of subduing magic makes Allanon an easy prisoner to deal with. Riga’s agenda to silence magic seems misguided, and it would not be surprising if Riga turns to the good side of things by the end of the season. We also move a step closer to learning if illusionist Mareth Ravenlock (Malese Jow) is truly Allanon’s daughter.
One of the great things about Shannara is how it balances all the different plots. Sure, they’re each straightforward but woven into each other neatly which is not easy to do. In the mix is Bandon (Marcus Vanco), the elven seer and Shannara’s version of Anakin Skywalker, is getting closer to completing his quest of resurrecting the Warlock Lord. Bandon is ripe to become the character with the most interesting story arcs. A tormented soul who is overcome by his powers and lost between truth and desire.
Episode three continues to the beautiful new direction that the production of the show is taking. With each new episode, the visual and oral narrative of the show develops further.
