Safehold – Amberel ,Wil and Eretria follow their map to Safehold and search for the Bloodfire. After having taken the crown, Ander struggles to win the confidence of the Elven court and rally them against the demons. Allanon pushes Bandon hard to master his powers but he’s not the only interested party.
For the third week running, the most interesting part of Shannara’s episode becomes its melding of post-apocalyptic ruins and fantasy as the fabled Safehold turns out to be the ruins of San Francsico. The city name sign with its missing letters is a great touch (so much so that it really didn’t need Wil to spell it out) but this the good use of the genre mash-up continues beyond this opening reveal. The road tunnel journey that follows has every feel of classic dungeon caper (complete with trolls!) yet with a more unique twist thanks to its more developed architecture. It’s almost a shame the trio don’t spend longer down there and a bit less on the surface. The sole obstacle/encounter they do face is a nice tense affair as the trio sneak precariously past their foes. Yet their time in the church (the place of Amberle’s vision) seeking the Bloodfire is far less effective thanks to the pair of lady guardians they face. The makeup and costume effects are top notch as the ladies' faces flash in and out of beauty and gruesomeness. It’s merely the way most of their powers consist of manipulating teen angst against their foes that drags everything down. The whole section of turning the trio against each other and digging up a full season of emotional baggage falls very flat and needless; it’s like playing D&D after your Dungeon Master has been binge watching Made In Chelsea. We just don’t need more bickering for the sake of injecting drama. The end play out does offer some degree of redemption though, in the way it gives each of the 3 leads a crucial in getting Amberle to the Bloodfire, like well constructed Horcrux defence measures, one alone could not have done it. This gives them all a good sense of purpose and enhances the significance of many prior events.
From last week’s end position, there were signs that some story would have to be rushed and that is somewhat evident in Ander’s teething issues as the new King. Having him face some distain and resentment towards his ascension is a good emphasising tool, and in fact it would have been nice to see this stretched back further into episode, downplaying his prior indecision over taking the throne and spending more time examining his fight to keep it. We still get some good moments with Ander but the biggest loss comes from his opposing forces who feel completely shallow and lifeless. Yes, Ander still needs to be shown as the hero but at least big us some decent insight into the hearts and minds of those who would depose him. Even just a simple scene showing some conspirators expressing their doubts but being talked into for the greater good would have suddenly added a 3rd dimension to the story by giving it some depth. Instead, there is not the slightest believability to their endeavours or any doubts that Ander will finish the episode sporting some jaunty royal head gear.
The battle for Bandon faces similar shallow problems. The base idea of Allanon and Dagda Mor fighting over control of him is great but the key problem is Bandon himself. Despite being easy on the eyes, his lengthy absence has withered what little interest there was to his character that will make most viewers very indifferent to his fate. Marcus Vanko doesn’t help this along with his performance of Bandon’s inner conflict (although bonus points for a Mortal Kombat worthy “Finish him!”). It’s not necessarily bad it just doesn’t add anything or give us anything else about his character we can latch onto. Bandon’s biggest characterization throughout the season has been the implied connection with Catania following Bandon saving her life. That means that seeing the pair come together should be real a payoff but sadly the chemistry just isn’t there and Catania is too minor a character to make us overly bothered about putting her in yet more peril. Overall, The Shannara Chronicles is doing very well with building stakes on its bigger picture/fate of the world story but being found far more wanting over the personal stakes of its characters.
The episode may end predictably with the last leaf falling and the Dagda Mor being freed but not without some visual style and reaching this point now leave show more time for Elves Vs Demons in the final episode. Ultimately, Safehold’s downfall is being forced into too much of a setup episode too late in the season. It’s unfairly paying for the sins of its preceding episodes. Still a worthwhile conclusion can cover up all manner of sins. Shannara has wavered over its debut season so do many shows that turn out to be great. Now, it all comes down to one episode and one chance to show it has that potential. Let’s see if it’s got the stones for it.