The Shannara Chronicles
Season 1 Episode 4: “Changeling”
Directed by James Marshall
Written by Terry Brooks (novel), Alfred Gough, and Miles Millar
Starring Poppy Drayton, Austin Butler, Ivana Baquero, Manu Bennett, John Rhys-Davies, Aaron Jakubenko, Emilia Burns, Daniel MacPherson, James Remar, Marcus Vanco, and Brooke Williams, Jed Brophy, Mattias Inwood, James Trevena-Brown
MTV
Air Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2016, 10pm

Episode four of MTV’s The Shannara Chronicles, “Changeling,” brings some closure to the killer inside the walls of the castle and opens up a new journey for the three protagonists.

Read here below for a review of episode 1.4 of The Shannara Chronicles. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

The plot of this episode primarily focuses on the changeling, or shapeshifter, who has been lurking inside the castle walls. This creature, who has been sent by the evil demons, is intent on killing Princess Amberle (Poppy Drayton) because she is the only hope for the Elven people and the world. The last living member of “The Chosen,” (the others were killed by this same monster), Amberle is committed to saving the mystical Ellcrys tree and therefore saving her people. The changeling has eluded capture so far due to its ability to disguise itself as anyone.

Enter Eretria (Ivana Baquero) the Rover. She’s back for the elf stones. Still under the rule of the Rover leader who refers to himself as her “father,” the young woman still mistakenly believes that if she does what he says, she can make a deal to free herself. She should actually be smarter and team up with the likes of Wil (Austin Butler) and Amberle, but she is stubborn and also a bit emotionally broken due to her difficult upbringing.

I really like Wil, but he has got to be the most naive character on this show. You know the phrase, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?” This is 100% accurate for Wil, who seems to make decisions when it comes to women based completely on his primal, animal instincts and without the use of his memory, logic, or common sense. I cannot believe he falls for Eretria’s seduction again. AGAIN! For a royal half-elf with a magical destiny, he is really stupid sometimes. Needless to say, Eretria gets what she wants, for now.

After Eretria appears to kill someone within the walls, she is arrested and sentenced to death. It’s clear that the changeling is the one actually responsible. Thankfully, the changeling is killed by Allanon (Manu Bennett) before it almost kills Amberle. Somehow, the story leads to the love triangle heading on a quest (with Eretria in custody) together to save the Ellcrys. Amberle now knows that Eretria and Wil slept together, and she is clearly jealous. The two women are at each other’s throats over Wil and the story is sort of played. Let’s hope that they can all learn to get along, but I’m guessing this is the beginning of the fantastical teen drama that is about to unfold.

This episode furthers the plot and the actors seem to be more comfortable in their personas. As usual, stellar performances are given by John Rhys-Davies (King Eventine) and Manu Bennett. King Eventine doesn’t take any nonsense from his insufferable son, Arion (Daniel MacPherson) and there is hope for the Elven people with his leadership alongside Allanon the Druid.

If you love teen drama, love triangles, and fantasy (think Twilight movies), The Shannara Chronicles is for you!