Obsession

Beastmaster Episode Review

In which Dar needs new friends.

What Happened

Dar and Tao's nature lesson is interrupted by a Terron hunting party running down what they think is an escaped slave. Akili turns out to be a Terron warrior, however, who has fled because he fell in love with one of King Zad's favorite slave girls.

Dar offers to help Akili, if Akili will help Dar save his love Kyra at the same time. Tao argues against trusting Akili, but Dar is determined. They make their way through the jungle along a dangerous path, past a Spider Witch set by The Sorceress to protect the Terron camp.

The Sorceress indulges one of her whims by offering one of the girls, Shiloh, a chance to be free. She sends Shiloh to ask Kyra about Dar, winning from her the knowledge that Dar lives in the Mydlands. The Sorceress rewards Shiloh by turning her into a bird.

Observing the magic, Dar assumes that Shiloh was Akili's love, but Akili sets him straight: he's in love with Kyra. Well, that's awkward... Shouting that only one man can have her, Akili attacks Dar and the fight draws the guards, who capture them both.

The Terrons think that would be fun to set Dar and Akili on each other in a fight to the death. Dar pulls out his trusty Quick Like a Snake moves and wins. The Terrons, who are obviously not that bright, give Dar his weapon back, but he refuses to kill Akili and turns on the guards instead. Wounded, Akili tells Dar to go and find Kyra.

Too bad, the Sorceress intervenes. Luring Dar away, she uses her magic to make the Terron camp disappear.

Over in the other plot, a slave and animal trader named Baha kidnaps a tiger cub, drawing Ruh into a hunt. Baha has a score to settle with Ruh, the tiger that killed his son. His grand revenge plot to kill Ruh's cub doesn't work so well and Baha winds up mauled, his leg chewed off by his foe.

What We Learned

• Nature gives every animal gifts.
• Baha is not what he seems to be, a man of intelligence, strength and cunning.
• Akili means them no harm, but neither does a snake hidden in the grass, until you step on it.
• Zad doesn't punish killers.
• Tao should use his hands, because if he used his brain, he wouldn't be doing this.
• Akili was apparently not in the camp last week, when Dar showed up to rescue Kyra, or he wouldn't be so surprised they were both in love with the same woman.
• No man wants to die, but every man has his time.
• Seeing is easy. Understanding is a little more difficult.

What Did I Think?

Good performance from Keith Hamilton Cobb, with a twist at the end.