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Television Review: The Shannara Chronicles (Season 1, 2016)@drax347d
The 2010s were the Golden Age of Television, but not so much for MTV. A television channel that for decades had been one of the pillars of global pop culture, exerting an immeasurably large (and not always positive) influence on other people’s film and television work, and dictating everything young people were supposed to love, has recently been forced to copy other people’s trends at the time. This is evident not only in how reality shows began to dominate its programming lineup instead of music videos, but also in its live-action shows lacking any particular originality. One such example is the TV series The Chronicles of Shannara.
The first season was based on The Elfstones of Shannara, a sprawling fantasy novel by Terry Brooks, which was the second part of his The Sword of Shannara trilogy. The story unfolds in the so-called Four Lands, a world that at first glance resembles a typical Tolkien-esque realm of elves, dwarves, trolls, gnomes, and wizards. Yet within it, one can occasionally stumble upon the ruins and other artefacts of a modern world that had apparently disappeared in a nuclear apocalypse thousands of years ago, after which survivors turned to magic instead of science. In the elven kingdom stands Ellcrys, a magical oak tree that begins to wither, opening a dimensional rift through which demons led by the dark wizard Dagda Mor (Jed Brophy) will surge into the world. Elf princess Amberle Elessedil (Poppy Drayton), a member of the order tasked with guarding Ellcrys, discovers that the tree can only be revived if a mysterious artefact hidden in the land of the trolls is found. On this perilous journey, she is accompanied by Will Ohmsford (Austin Butler), a young healer of mixed human-elf heritage who possesses “elfstones” that enable combat against demons, and Eretria (Ivana Baquero), a young woman raised among a band of roaming human scavengers.
Lack of originality has dogged Shannara since its first literary incarnation, namely the 1977 novel The Sword of Shannara, which critics lambasted for being overly inspired by Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. These comparisons, however, did not prevent Brooks’ book from becoming a bestseller and the foundation for an extraordinarily successful series that, until 2020, spanned 25 novels. Attempts to adapt Brooks’ world for big or small screens were numerous, though they were often hindered by the success of other projects—Peter Jackson’s Tolkien adaptations, Game of Thrones, and the general perception that the current television landscape was too small for three such major fantasy franchises. The Shannara Chronicles also suffered in comparisons with Legend of the Seeker, a 2008 fantasy series based on Terry Goodkind’s epic cycle, which shared much of Shannara’s setting, locations, ambition, and, ultimately, fate, being cancelled after two seasons.
Brooks’ world was adapted to television probably because MTV executives concluded that Shannara could benefit from other pop culture trends, particularly those tied to Game of Thrones or young adult dystopian sci-fi novels. The series is thus tailored primarily for a teenage audience, especially American. This is immediately evident in the characters speaking modern American English instead of British accents—rather unusual for fantasy fare—which, like certain Valley-speak phrases, will shatter immersion for some viewers. This is a far smaller issue than the noticeable budget constraints, which make epic battle scenes look far less spectacular than those in Game of Thrones, while exotic creatures resemble 1960s Star Trek humanoids. Comparisons with Game of Thrones suffered further by The Chronicles of Shannara adhering to a PG-13 rating: under MTV’s standards, explicit bloodshed and beheadings were permissible for teens, but no coarse language or nudity was allowed.
On the other hand, the first season of The Chronicles isn’t a complete waste of time for those who invest ten hours in it. The plot is adequately fleshed out (with a mini-cliffhanger left hanging for good measure), and the cast tries hard—particularly British newcomer Poppy Drayton and Spanish actress Ivana Baquero (famous for her role in Pan’s Labyrinth). Both of them handle American accents flawlessly, and their pairing with young Austin Butler creates a sufficiently engaging love triangle (with room for discreet lesbian undertones). New Zealand’s fantasy-ready locations are well exploited, and the country’s talent pool—home to actors known for Spartacus, including Manu Bennett, here impressively cast as the druid Allanon—adds depth. The standout, however, is the electronic score by Felix Erskine and Lucas Barton, which creates an indelible atmosphere and distinguishes the series enough from its far more famous and superior inspirations to spare viewers cringe-worthy déjà vu.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in the original Croatian version is available here
›The shannara chronicles review with spoilers (1 & 2 seasons)@roadstories1935d
Cuando leí un poco sobre esta serie de ciencia ficción y fantasía, me transportó rápidamente al Señor de los Anillos, ya que se trata de combatir el mal y hay diferentes razas, en este caso hay Elfos, Gnomos, Humanos y los Druidas. Que por cierto esta raza está casi extinta, o más bien en los primeros capítulos se da a entender que en la primera guerra contra los demonios todos estos murieron.
Las primeras escenas muestran a un grupo de jóvenes que tienen que prepararse para ser escogidos; solo los primeros 7 que logren llegar a la meta se convertirán en los protectores del Ellcrys, un árbol mágico que tiene atrapado a todos los demonios de la guerra pasada, pero el cual para muchos era solo un mito.
No es común que una mujer participe en este tipo de evento élfico, sin embargo una de ellas sucumbe al posible llamado del árbol siendo que desde el momento en que ella acepta saber la verdad sobre su destino, su vida cambia por completo. Es entonces cuando se dan cuenta que el árbol está muriendo y con ello los demonios están siendo liberados, por lo que las 4 tierras tendrán que unirse nuevamente para evitar el caos mayor que sería una guerra.
Para ello el destino les da papeles a cada personas especial, podemos ver el resurgir de un viejo druida, un mitad elfo y humano con poderes, una princesa que se convirtió en la principal salvadora y única elegida para la salvación del Ellcrys, pero además de eso hay una vagabunda cuyo rol es muy importante en esta historia.
Queda claro que ninguno de ellos excepto el druida, sabían lo que iba a suceder, ninguno tenía claro el papel que debía jugar en esta nueva guerra, la verdad es que nadie lo tiene claro, por lo que el mal se aprovecha de cada una de las brechas y dudas. Hay traiciones y decisiones personales que arriesgan las diferentes misiones, pero también hay muchas escenas de acción.
When I read a bit about this science fiction and fantasy series, I was quickly transported to the Lord of the Rings, as it is about fighting evil and there are different races, in this case, there are Elves, Gnomes, Humans, and druids. By the way, this race is almost extinct, or rather in the first chapters, it is implied that in the first war against the demons all of them died.
The first scenes show a group of young people who have to prepare to be chosen; only the first 7 who make it to the goal will become the protectors of Ellcrys, a magical tree that has trapped all the demons of the past war, but which for many was just a myth.
It is not common for a woman to participate in this type of elven event, however, one of them succumbs to the possible call of the tree being that from the moment she accepts to know the truth about her destiny, her life changes completely. It is then when they realize that the tree is dying and with it, the demons are being released, so the 4 lands will have to unite again to avoid the greater chaos that would be a war.
To do this fate gives roles to each special people, we can see the resurgence of an old druid, a half-elf and human with powers, a princess who became the main savior and the only one chosen for the salvation of Ellcrys, but besides that, there is a wanderer whose role is very important in this story.
It is clear that none of them except the druid, knew what was going to happen, none had clear the role to play in this new war, the truth is that no one is clear, so evil takes advantage of each of the gaps and doubts. There are betrayals and personal decisions that risk the different missions, but there are also many action scenes.
En esta primera temporada la princesa pierde a muchas personas que ama, y en su intento de protegerlos busca ayuda de un familiar para poder entender lo que está pasando y sus visiones. Desde ese momento que deja su tierra se convierte en una traidora ya que hizo un juramento de cuidar el árbol mágico. En su encuentro con su tía, uno de los demonios es enviado para asesinarla, mientras otro demonio "cambiante" está dentro del palacio matando a todos de forma estratégica y creando discordia entre los elfos, los príncipes y el druida.
Pero también en la aventura se crea un círculo amoroso entre el mestizo, la princesa y la vagabunda. Sin embargo, estos están constantemente siendo enemigos y amigos a la vez, todo por cumplir una causa, por una parte la liberación, y por otra una lucha interna por saber la verdad del pasado y lo que debe enfrentarse en el presente.
Al final el árbol muere, pero hay una posible esperanza en manos de la princesa al obtener la semilla, la cual debe ser llevada a un lugar remoto desconocido para ellos, pero cuyo destino se encarga de encajar todas las piezas necesarias para darles el trayecto correcto. Es entonces cuando cada parte importante de esta historia se descubre, pero además de ello los sacrificios necesarios que se deben dar para salvar a las cuatro tierras.
In this first season, the princess loses many people she loves, and in her attempt to protect them she seeks help from a relative to understand what is happening and her visions. From the moment she leaves her homeland she becomes a traitor since she swore an oath to take care of the magic tree. In her encounter with her aunt, one of the demons is sent to assassinate her, while another demon "changeling" is inside the palace killing everyone strategically and creating discord between the elves, the princes, and the druid.
But also in the adventure, a love circle is created between the half-breed, the princess, and the wanderer. However, these are constantly being enemies and friends at the same time, all to fulfill a cause, on the one hand, the liberation, and on the other hand, an internal struggle to know the truth of the past and what must be faced in the present.
In the end, the tree dies, but there is a possible hope in the hands of the princess by obtaining the seed, which must be taken to a remote place unknown to them, but whose destiny is responsible for fitting all the necessary pieces to give them the right path. It is then when every important part of this story is discovered, but also the necessary sacrifices that must be made to save the four lands.
Al final de esta temporada también se deja ver que el mal dejó una semilla en uno de los druidas que estaba siendo entrenado, por lo que no descansará para tener una oportunidad más para acabar con las cuatro tierras.
At the end of this season it is also shown that the evil left a seed in one of the druids who was being trained, so he will not rest to have one more chance to finish with the four lands.
En la segunda temporada, ya no vemos a la princesa ya que esta se convirtió en el nuevo árbol mágico, así que el mestizo queda destrozado al perderla, pero intenta seguir adelante con sus dones para curar. Sin embargo ofrecen recompensa por su cabeza, por lo que nuevamente se enfrenta al enemigo, aunque este tiene ayuda de una extraña con poderes mágicos que al final termina siendo una druida más, pero no solo eso, sino que tiene un parentesco con el druida de la primera temporada.
Esta temporada se centra en la resurrección del Rey de los hechiceros, y además del conflicto que la guerra de la primer temporada dejó en ciertos pueblo élficos, puesto que se levanta una revuelta de elfos rebeldes que buscan acabar con toda la magia, que si bien para ellos, les trajo desgracias y muertes. Por lo que todo se complica, por todos lados hay un conflicto y muerte, ningún sitio es seguro por las diferentes traiciones y cada vez más el mal gana más terreno y ventaja.
El mestizo en su camino está totalmente desconcertado, pero tal y como sucedió en la primera temporada, hay eventos y piezas claves que le llevan a tomar el camino correcto aceptando su verdad y lo que debe hacer nuevamente para salvar a las cuatro razas. Sin embargo, siendo humano confía en quien no debe y hace que las cosas se compliquen más de la cuenta.
A diferencia de la primera temporada, vemos más sangre, más sacrificios y traiciones de lo esperado. Pero también hay nuevos amores y amistades que se juntan para enfrentar la circunstancia de cada uno, por un lado una nueva druida que tiene sentimientos encontrados por el mestizo y su padre el druida Allanon, una vagabunda que se siente traicionada por su nuevo amor y por el linaje que lleva en sí como contenedor de un mal, y por otro Allanon que se arrepiente de todo lo que hizo con aquel joven druida y el hecho de tener que dejarle una carga fuerte a su hija.
In the second season, we no longer see the princess as she became the new magic tree, so the half-breed is devastated to lose her but tries to move forward with his gifts to heal. However, they offer a reward for his head, so again he faces the enemy, although he has help from a stranger with magical powers that in the end ends up being a druid, but not only that, but she has a kinship with the druid of the first season.
This season focuses on the resurrection of the King of sorcerers, and also the conflict that the war of the first season left in certain elven people, since a revolt of rebel elves who seek to end all the magic, which although for them, brought them misfortunes and deaths. So everything is complicated, everywhere there is conflict and death, nowhere is safe by the different betrayals, and increasingly evil gains more ground and advantage.
The half-breed on his way is totally bewildered, but as it happened in the first season, there are events and key pieces that lead him to take the right path accepting his truth and what he must do again to save the four races. However, being human, he trusts the wrong person and makes things more complicated than they should be.
Unlike the first season, we see more blood, more sacrifices, and betrayals than expected. But some new loves and friendships come together to face the circumstances of each one, on the one hand, a new druid who has mixed feelings for the half-breed and his father the druid Allanon, a wanderer who feels betrayed by his new love and the lineage that carries in itself as a container of evil, and on the other Allanon who regrets everything he did with that young druid and the fact of having to leave a heavy burden to his daughter.
Al final el mal es traicionado por el mismo mal, el Rey de los hechiceros acaba con la rebelión de los elfos y consigue expandir el mal en las cuatro tierras, sin embargo el sacrificio del mestizo hizo que todo volviera de cierto modo a la "normalidad" después de acabar con el mayor hechicero.
In the end the evil is betrayed by the same evil, the King of the sorcerers ends with the rebellion of the elves and manages to spread the evil in the four lands, however, the sacrifice of the half-breed made that everything returned to a certain way to "normality" after finishing with the greatest sorcerer.
Por lo que se deja ver al final del último capítulo, hay una tercera temporada, pero bien les puedo decir que no me gusto para nada esta serie, en lo absoluto, si termino viendo la tercera temporada espero que sea la última y la veré solo con la esperanza de que la arreglen un poco, pues todo pasa muy rápido y a decir verdad es como una historia muy cliché y repetitivo.
From what is seen at the end of the last chapter, there is a third season, but I can tell you that I did not like this series at all, not at all, if I end up watching the third season I hope it will be the last and I will watch it only with the hope that they fix it a little because everything happens very fast and to tell the truth it is like a very cliché and repetitive story.
