Olde-school fantasy debuts

Now here's something you don't see every day:

Legend of the Seeker

is a quest saga based on

The Sword of Truth

, the epic fantasy series written by Terry Goodkind.

The show comes from syndication hall-of-famers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, who gave us

Hercules

and

Xena: Warrior Princess

. (They also just signed on for a big-screen remake of

Spartacus

.)

Shot in scenic New Zealand,

Legend of the Seeker

debuts tonight with a two-hour pilot (8 p.m., MYPHL17) before settling into its regular slot, Saturdays at 5 p.m.

Our adventure begins as Kahlan (Bridget Regan) uses an enchanted gemstone to open a portal in the shimmering but impenetrable barrier between the Midlands and the Heartland. Both sides look like Crusades-era theme parks.

Raimi and Tapert's series always have a feminist edge. So it is here, as Kahlan is more than a match for any man, however brawny. And she looks good sitting a galloping horse. (Although her billowy white dress makes it look like a music video for Enya.)

Now say hello to Richard (Craig Horner), a simple woodsman. We know this because when we first meet him, he is chopping wood. Shirtless. Odds bodkin!

When Richard gets in trouble with the authorities, his father sends him off to Zedd's remote shack.

"That crazy old man?" Richard squawks. "He talks to his chickens."

Ah, but Zedd (Bruce Spence) is a powerful wizard hiding his light under some ruffled feathers. And he holds the key to Richard's formidable destiny.

Richard resists his new role, as willful young men are wont to do. Until it hits him over the head four or five times.

Then it's hi-ho, off to vanquish he goes, flanked by Kahlan and Zedd. They have to cross back to the Midlands though the barrier, which turns out to be remarkably porous for an impenetrable wall.

What made

Xena

and

Hercules

such a delight was the mix of myth and merriment.

Legend of the Seeker

is far more solemn.

Despite abundant action, the pilot feels slow-moving. Maybe it's the ponderous exposition, which swipes elements from Scripture, Arthurian legend,

Lord of the Rings

, and

Star Wars

.

Or maybe it's the wacky dialogue.

When Richard mewls, "I'm supposed to kill him alone?" Zedd huffily answers, "What do we look like, boy? Grilled sardines?" Personally, I wouldn't trust the seafood in a place called Midlands.

And when Zedd catches his young charge ogling a fetchingly posed Kahlan, he observes, "You think because I'm old I don't remember what it's like to get my britches in a bunch over a woman?"

Gadzooks, would you keep your bunched britches to yourself, old man?

The syndication business has become nearly extinct in the last decade.

Legend of the Seeker

is unlikely to reverse that decline. But it does provide a refreshing change of pace. Verily.