Following the spectacular season premiere, episode two of Legend of the Seeker falters in the fact that it concentrates the majority of the action within a single location. This wouldn't have been a problem if the story weren't so chock full of revelations that will dramatically impact future episodes, but that not being the case I was left feeling disappointed by how the writers chose to bring about these events.

The episode begins with a bit of light exposition to catch up new viewers with the events of the last episode but quickly transitions to Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, and Cara as they enter the monastery of the abbot they set off to find at the end of the last episode who holds the key to finding the location of the Stone of Tears. Problem is, the monastery has been burned and there is no trace of the monks who inhabited it. A bit of speculation later, Cara decides that they were likely taken to a nearby death camp and so the quartet of heroes make their way there off-screen.

Meanwhile at the death camp, D'haran soldiers are hanging the prisoners of Darken Rahl's war at the order of a commander known affectionately as "the Butcher," an evil for the sake of it character whose sole purpose is to further the story. A few hangings and an attempt to end the killings by a reluctant D'haran soldier later, our heroes arrive just in time to thwart another round of hangings.

From this point forward important developments happen at a brisk pace, all of which I won't spoil for you here. What I will say is that by the end of the episode there are a lot of new dangers and moral obstacles for our heroes to face, many of which promise to make this season a much more engaging one than the last.

Best moment: Cara takes Kahlan's advice and attempts to show compassion to a freed prisoner whose brother was hanged by the D'harans.

Worst moment: While there really weren't any regretable moments in this episode, at one point Richard says hung instead of hanged, completely ruining what he was trying to say. But of course this is just nitpicking.

Episode rating: 3.5/5 - Keeping to a single location for the majority of the episode wouldn't have been a problem if this episode had occurred further along in the season, but since so many new and important plot points are revealed throughout the episode it becomes an issue. Of course, the premiere episode was a tough act to follow, and even with my complaints this one was still wholly enjoyable.