FLAIL, plus bonus recipe
Legend of the Seeker 2.22 - "Tears"
I think they got better about naming episodes as they went along; the names in the first season and the first part of the second season were very literal, but this episode certainly had enough tears--and caused them. I was biting my nails the entire time. Way to crank up the angst to 12, show.
Because this episode systematically dismantled everything that is awesome and wonderful about our heroes and their circumstances, and used their best qualities against them. (OF COURSE Richard was going to help the orphaned child; and I twigged right away that he was probably evil, because statistically speaking, 50% of the adorable children on this show are.) It was the polar opposite of teamy goodness: everyone separated almost right away, and then Kahlan, the heart of the group, turning against them.
One thing I've really liked about Richard and Kahlan, and am glad the show has explored some, is that while they are adorable about 95% of the time, it's because there's balance in their personalities: Richard with his idealism, his faith in his friends and the goodness of others; Kahlan with her strong sense of fairness and compassion. But when Richard loses control of his anger, or Kahlan is stripped of her compassion, they are both extremely scary killers. And I liked that this episode brought that same sense of balance to Cara, whose impulse toward ruthlessness is being tempered over time with what she fears is weakness, but is really love. She hesitated, because she was afraid that she'd kill Kahlan and not be able to revive her; she was needed to revive Richard instead, and her part in saving the world was every bit as important, and stemmed from that hesitation.
I can't really talk about the plot, because there was so much of it. But it was all very pretty, and it was all the worst thing that could possibly happen at that moment. I do think that once they've had a chance to catch their breaths, Our Heroes are going to be seriously annoyed that they spent most of the season chasing all over the Midlands after the Stone of Tears when Kahlan could just cry one up with the appropriate motivation. (Her tears are magic!)
I also think they left of the last part of the final scene:
RICHARD: Well, now that we've saved the world, Kahlan and I have to check out something very important. In the woods. Over there.
KAHLAN: Yes, Richard is right. Don't wait up! It could take us a while.
They exit, trailing pieces of clothing.
ZEDD: I know there's no reason for me to stop them, but old habits die so hard.
CARA: *rolls eyes*
More seriously, 50mm and I had a discussion about whether the writers had inserted the resolution to Richard and Kahlan's romantic dilemma because they realized that a Season 3 was unlikely. I think it's possible, but at the same time, that's the way Goodkind resolved the problem in the books, except with more telling and much less showing. In any case, if this is the series finale, it's a fitting end to the show, a good place to leave the characters rejoicing in their triumphs, before the next disaster.
* * * * *
I made this recipe Thursday, and liked it so much that I made it again today with the rest of my bunch of mint. It's very easy, and peas are in season right now in the Bay Area.
Pasta with Mint Pesto, Peas, and Ricotta Salata
* 4 garlic cloves
* 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 1/2 pounds peas in pod (to yield about 2 cups shelled peas)
* 1/3 cup packed mint leaves
* Salt and pepper
* 8 ounces dried pasta shapes - artisan pasta really shines in this recipe, but Barilla or similar would work great too
* 4 ounces ricotta salata
Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it has lost its rawness but is not yet turning color, about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat. Pour the oil and garlic into the bowl of a blender or food processor and let cool.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, shell the peas and reserve them in a bowl. Shave the ricotta salata into very thin pieces.
When the water is boiling, add the pasta. Three to four minutes before it is ready to drain, depending on how large the peas are, add the peas. Add the mint, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a couple of dashes of salt, and freshly ground pepper to the bowl of the blender or food processor and blend until smooth and bright green. The ricotta salata is salty, so be conservative with the salt you add to the pesto.
When the pasta and peas are al dente, drain them and toss them with the pesto and the ricotta salata.
Serves 2 as a main dish, or 4 as a side dish.
This entry was originally posted at http://danceswithwords.dreamwidth.org/147162.html (
comments). Comment at either site.
I think they got better about naming episodes as they went along; the names in the first season and the first part of the second season were very literal, but this episode certainly had enough tears--and caused them. I was biting my nails the entire time. Way to crank up the angst to 12, show.
Because this episode systematically dismantled everything that is awesome and wonderful about our heroes and their circumstances, and used their best qualities against them. (OF COURSE Richard was going to help the orphaned child; and I twigged right away that he was probably evil, because statistically speaking, 50% of the adorable children on this show are.) It was the polar opposite of teamy goodness: everyone separated almost right away, and then Kahlan, the heart of the group, turning against them.
One thing I've really liked about Richard and Kahlan, and am glad the show has explored some, is that while they are adorable about 95% of the time, it's because there's balance in their personalities: Richard with his idealism, his faith in his friends and the goodness of others; Kahlan with her strong sense of fairness and compassion. But when Richard loses control of his anger, or Kahlan is stripped of her compassion, they are both extremely scary killers. And I liked that this episode brought that same sense of balance to Cara, whose impulse toward ruthlessness is being tempered over time with what she fears is weakness, but is really love. She hesitated, because she was afraid that she'd kill Kahlan and not be able to revive her; she was needed to revive Richard instead, and her part in saving the world was every bit as important, and stemmed from that hesitation.
I can't really talk about the plot, because there was so much of it. But it was all very pretty, and it was all the worst thing that could possibly happen at that moment. I do think that once they've had a chance to catch their breaths, Our Heroes are going to be seriously annoyed that they spent most of the season chasing all over the Midlands after the Stone of Tears when Kahlan could just cry one up with the appropriate motivation. (Her tears are magic!)
I also think they left of the last part of the final scene:
RICHARD: Well, now that we've saved the world, Kahlan and I have to check out something very important. In the woods. Over there.
KAHLAN: Yes, Richard is right. Don't wait up! It could take us a while.
They exit, trailing pieces of clothing.
ZEDD: I know there's no reason for me to stop them, but old habits die so hard.
CARA: *rolls eyes*
More seriously, 50mm and I had a discussion about whether the writers had inserted the resolution to Richard and Kahlan's romantic dilemma because they realized that a Season 3 was unlikely. I think it's possible, but at the same time, that's the way Goodkind resolved the problem in the books, except with more telling and much less showing. In any case, if this is the series finale, it's a fitting end to the show, a good place to leave the characters rejoicing in their triumphs, before the next disaster.
* * * * *
I made this recipe Thursday, and liked it so much that I made it again today with the rest of my bunch of mint. It's very easy, and peas are in season right now in the Bay Area.
Pasta with Mint Pesto, Peas, and Ricotta Salata
* 4 garlic cloves
* 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 1/2 pounds peas in pod (to yield about 2 cups shelled peas)
* 1/3 cup packed mint leaves
* Salt and pepper
* 8 ounces dried pasta shapes - artisan pasta really shines in this recipe, but Barilla or similar would work great too
* 4 ounces ricotta salata
Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it has lost its rawness but is not yet turning color, about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat. Pour the oil and garlic into the bowl of a blender or food processor and let cool.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, shell the peas and reserve them in a bowl. Shave the ricotta salata into very thin pieces.
When the water is boiling, add the pasta. Three to four minutes before it is ready to drain, depending on how large the peas are, add the peas. Add the mint, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a couple of dashes of salt, and freshly ground pepper to the bowl of the blender or food processor and blend until smooth and bright green. The ricotta salata is salty, so be conservative with the salt you add to the pesto.
When the pasta and peas are al dente, drain them and toss them with the pesto and the ricotta salata.
Serves 2 as a main dish, or 4 as a side dish.
This entry was originally posted at http://danceswithwords.dreamwidth.org/147162.html (
comments). Comment at either site.