There is no doubt that I will be happy to see what happens after "Graymark." With this episode, there seems to be a doubling of efforts to send our adventurers on their way to Paranor for what seems to be a final showdown of everyone involved. Although "Graymark" acts almost as a transitional episode, it does so in a strong, simple story that takes advantages of the strengths of what The Shannara Chronicles has learned in the last season. There's a hope in me that some of the structural strengths found in this episode continue through the rest of the season as it provides a strong reminder of what episodic television can do. It's one of the other things I've bemoaned about the show during its first season and witnessing "Graymark" makes me happy that I've stuck with the show to see it improve; part of the fear I had coming into the second season was that it would inherit some of the poor pacing and structure that had been present in the first season.
"Graymark" acts as a fantastic self-contained story, likely due to Javier Grillo-Marxuach involved in writing the episode. Part of the main conceit is quite simply to have the gang break Allanon out of Graymark - which looks a bit like a Cold War-era Soviet fortress complete what looks like appropriated symbolism that the Crimson could have taken on. It could be very well the opposite, that the Crimson has used what looks like a red eagle in a Soviet bloc-style design; the hammer and sickle being the only thing missing from it. Regardless, the jailbreak conceit of the episode takes up much of the proceedings, having everyone involved contribute to breaking both in and out of the fortress.
There is a strong notion of the past catching up with all of the characters in this episode, as everyone seems to have some troubled past that they can't seem to shake. For most, the recent past is more than enough to have turned Jax into a bounty hunter, and Riga and the men of the Crimson towards their anti-magic stance. Riga and Jax especially, their problems lie with the demon invasion of the Dagda Mor and the damage it did to what seemed like background characters as Wil and Amberle completed their mission in Arborlon to restore the Ellcrys. Interestingly, one of the two men finds meaning in the chaos and horror that ensued while the other loses theirs, allowing some additional depth in the world that Shannara has created. It's also what helps make Jax's sudden turn away from simple mercenary to regain some purpose feel satisfying despite an obvious signaling he would eventually find himself alongside Will and his friends.
The reunion with Wil and Eretria itself feels well deserved, as the two actors communicate a great relief between two characters who have been through much and separated by a gulf that is a year of remorse. It's between those two we learn though Wil and Eretria eventually forged new lives after the events of the first season, they never felt completely satisfied in what they had created, with Wil using revealing that he used the Elfstones for understandably selfish reasons, furthering his self-harm. It's with the two reunited in this episode that forms much of the emotional core of the episode, though Wil and Allanon's eventual sit-downs will likely prove just as powerful. On a similar note, it is Allanon who reveals to Wil his regrets at how he handled Bandon last season, and the reason why the two men are in their current predicaments.
Other thoughts:
- Once again, the plotlines in Leigh are kind of in a holding pattern for now, which is fine because Wil and Allanon's quest to stop the warlock lord is much more interesting unless things change. Especially if Tamlin and the Crimson seem tied somehow.
- With Mareth being able to sense Allanon - or his staff at least - it somewhat does make that claim that she is Allanon's daughter that much stronger
- I do wonder what other magic relics Riga holds in his safe, unless they've all be taken by Mareth.
- I'm not a book reader, but it seems like an interesting concept for what seems like this world's rendition of a vampire to also be magic immune. Certainly helps explain why Allanon was so quickly dispatched in Leigh.
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