BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Tommi Horttana Before watching this show, you should know something I didn't know at the time: This show is entirely for real. If you don't know this, it feels cheesy and clichéd, but knowing that, it's the most genuine and heartfelt reality show I've ever seen.When I watched this for the first time, I was constantly suspicious. I just didn't dare to believe that they really could immerse 12 people in a fantasy world, without directing them, telling them what to say, or filming everything multiple times, and still produce a story as coherent as this. But based on numerous interviews and interactions with the fan community, they really invested in the immersive experience of the participants. The actors weren't there just to play the scenes we see - they were there hours upon hours just to interact with the contestants, talking, improvising, and never breaking character. In fact, many of the scenes we see are not scripted at all, even though they suspiciously feel like that. Oh, and that CGI stuff? Mostly practical effect created on the set for the contestants to gawk at.The contestants (called paladins in the show) truly engage themselves with the fantasy realm and its fate from day one. They take the need to find the One True Hero to heart, and act accordingly, instead of just maximizing their chances of victory. There's hardly any scheming or backstabbing when it comes to the voting, and the paladins compete in a positive and honorable atmosphere. And many of them even look inside themselves and ponder the meaning of heroism, which in my opinion lifts the otherwise cheesy premise to another level. All in all, a very welcome exception to the way reality shows tend to bring out the worst in every person.I'm not saying this show is perfect. As the first season of a show with an untested concept, you can tell they're still finding their way. They took a very straightforward approach to the storyline, the reality aspect with its challenges and votes doesn't always mesh seamlessly with the storytelling, and the comments from the contestants can feel very over the top at times. But all that feels minor in comparison with the sheer positive energy and the simple idea of living in a castle surrounded by living and breathing knights, serfs, and royalty, and working together to save the realm from evil.

Charlene Ragsdale Why would a person who doesn't like superhero's, fantasy or reality TV want to watch this show? Good question! I saw the previews and thought, "this might be interesting to watch". After the first episode I was hooked. BTW, I read Chronicles of Narnia as a child, does that count? A show that my entire family could watch and enjoy. Great plot, amazing scenes, friendship, sword fights and to overcome evil.The plot shows thinking, planning, survival, team work and more. There were victories and even sadness as each Paladin was banished, one by one. On the finale, I found myself jumping up and down to root on the One True Hero to victory over Verlox. Watch this show. You will not regret it. I am still watching the shows online and cannot wait for Season 2. It's for everyone.

mio-fox Competitive Reality TV... A genre of television that was generally spoken of with distaste by many, including me. The Quest changed that. The show proved that reality TV can be entertaining without embarrassing or exposing its contestants, that reality does not necessarily mean showing the lowest places in people's life, illuminating every dark corner of and grabbing at every chance of drama. The Quest gives you 12 people that are firmly rooted in life, but at the same time well-traveled in the realms of fantasy, who get the chance every fantasy fan dreams of. They get transported to a fantasy world where they get to fight against impending darkness, sometimes through teamwork, sometimes through competition. The competitive aspect is a strong one in this show, yet there is no exaggerated drama or open hostility between the contestants like that which usually wears out my nerves speedily in other competitive shows. Some might assume that this lack of clashing personalities and drama would make the show boring to watch, that it would be a teletubbyesk love peace and harmony compilation. Way off the mark! Since the competition for becoming the one true hero is embedded into the background story of a dark invasion that threatens to take over the last free kingdom of twelve, there is plenty of conflict, mystery, treachery and danger. The professional actors that carry this background story do an extraordinary job. Crio, the Dreamer, played by Jan Hutter who made a character his own that was planned to be played by a much older, stouter actor and who delivers marvelously as the paladins' first and truest friend in Everealm and the Queen's loyal steward. The Queen herself, played by Susanne Gschwendtner as regal and aloof as a Queen can be, got to little screen time for my taste, but what we see of her is great. Especially her warming towards the paladins is beautiful to witness. The same holds true for the head of her army, Sir Ansgar, played by Peter Windhofer. He is the one who gives the paladins their battle training, criticizing and pushing them mercilessly. Yet when he cracks a smile once in a while, he raises the heart rates of both female contestants and viewers alike. His counterpart is the Grand Vizier, magician and consultant to the Queen and rather hostile towards the paladins, played wonderfully dislikable by Marcella De Nardo. Around these four a colorful group of monsters, magic beings of hostile or benign nature and numerous medievalish extras ensures that paladins and viewers alike can totally immerse in the "land of beauty and great magical power". My friends and I have been on the edge of our seats for the newest episode every Thursday night, eager for another exciting forty minutes of dreams and magic, treachery and loyalty, friendship and fate. I guess this sums up why I give ten stars to this show. There may be tiniest inconsistencies in the plot line, but the endearing, sweeping character of the whole show covers them with ease. I DO hope there will be a 2nd season!

atlasmb I will update this review later, but here is a description of this show."The Quest" is part Renaissance Faire, part cosplay, part fantasy novel, and part Big Brother. Twelve paladins, who have been carefully chosen for their love of fantasy, are assembled to complete a quest that takes place in Everealm. In the first episode, this fantasy adventure is beautifully staged and one can sense the excitement of the competitors as they are immersed in a "realistic" fantasy world and delivered to Castle Saenctum. (The word paladin, by the way, has come to mean a chivalrous hero.)The mythology surrounding the game is explained to the paladins along the way. Each is given a piece of the Sunspear, entitling them to fight for the preservation of Everealm against the evil Verlox. They must compete to stay in the quest. At the end of episode one, a bow and arrow competition was used to select the two in jeopardy. Then the other paladins chose the one to be eliminated.Part of the magic is the total immersion of the paladins in the Renaissance world of the castle, where they live during the competition. The environs surrounding the castle are filled with period actors. And they are guided through the adventure by Crio "The Dreamer", who is an excellent actor. He gives the action an authentic air. The tools in use, the weapons, the costumes--so far, everything lends itself to the creation of this Renaissance illusion.So what we have here is a fusion of reality show and fantasy, part scripted, part unscripted. Unlike some reality shows, it appears some "action" is created and presented only for viewers, to maintain the illusion.This should be enjoyable for anyone who engages in fantasy gaming, fantasy novels, cosplay, etc. or for fans of superheroes. What a dream, to be allowed to live and compete in this world. The production values are excellent. At one point, you can hear a competitor say, "This feels real."Interestingly enough, seven of the twelve paladins are women. But that did not seem to affect the dynamics of the first episode. One poster on the bulletin board asked what the winner wins. Good question. Apparently, the reward is being the surviving hero of Everealm. That seems like more than enough for those permitted to live the dream.I think most viewers will root for their favorite paladin. I have already chosen Lina as my champion.Update 8/17/14: After three episodes--and three eliminations--we find that the social part of the game is significant. If the other competitors like you, it is much more difficult to be eliminated.The actors that surround the paladins are convincing. The challenges the paladins must face have been interesting (e.g. breaching a series of doors to obtain ingredients necessary for a potion). The paladins themselves are fully engaged. Though their enthusiasm might feel cheesy at times, it fuels the show.