ABC’s ‘The Quest’ finale review: Was Shondo, Lena, Andrew, or someone else the One True Hero?
Tonight, we had the epic end to “The Quest,” and we really do mean “epic” here. Heck, the second hour was some of our favorite reality programming of the past year. It was entertaining, fast-paced, and even surprising at times. If this does turn out to be the last chapter of the story, at least it went out with a flourish.
We don’t want to really hide our excitement over the big reveal any longer: Lina is the One True Hero! We certainly did not predict that going into the finale, and that is what makes this so rewarding. It took something more than just huge muscles and athletic ability to save Everealm; it took someone with patience and determination to make it to the end, and complete all of the final obstacles to defeat Verlox.
The one person who did not make it to this episode was Patrick, and that was sad for him … but to be honest, the finale was the first time that we were able to tell him and Andrew apart. These two guys did learn that being bros is not at the top of the One True Hero’s resume, and Shondo was done in more by some unfortunate skills at a scale.
After some epic goodbyes to the fallen, the final twenty minutes or so were very different than the rest of the series … mostly because it was almost entirely story-based. We were happy that the show didn’t sacrifice the story in the end for the sake of making this a reality competition show, since Lina deserved her moment. It’s not like there is any other tangible prize to winning this show. She also got to basically command an army of her former paladins.
Was there a lot of drama going into the battle against Verlox? Not really in our eyes, mostly just because this show would become the reality version of “The Leftovers” otherwise. Of course Lena won! But in the end, this was more about the journey, and it happened to be a really awesome one. This finale was so impressive visually, and hats off to the producers for managing to do so much with so little. This was a reality show about goodness, a geek’s dream to be in that world, and a wonderful bit of summer fun. Hopefully future audiences check out this show down the road to see the hero’s journey they missed out on. Grade: A.
Also, that cliffhanger! At least they left the door open for something.
What did you think about the finale for “The Quest”? Share in the comments right now.
Juan P
September 13, 2014 @ 3:23 am
The show was incredible. The writing, acting and production was insane and so immersive. Its so awesome to watch a reality competition about fighting for something bigger than money and with people who have some character and class. I really really hope they produce a second season.
Astral Wayfinder
September 13, 2014 @ 12:57 am
Andrew pulled a Christian when he chose Lina. Remember his comment about the final challenge being a cut throat fight if Patrick made it through? He chose Lina because he thought she’d be no challenge. Note how he won’ t even meet her gaze around the stone table. And noté Lína’s expression too. There was no love lost there. And of course she should’ve been there. Doesn’t matter if she made it through by judgement four times; those were the rules–her peers put her through. Oh yeah– the last last guy who made that judgement lost to her. Oops.
RB
September 12, 2014 @ 3:30 am
Overall a good show, great concept, lots of fun. But I was tremendously disappointed in the ending/result. They need to get rid of the “voting” and just eliminate people on the basis of the challenges … Lina should NEVER have even been in the final challenge, except that Andrew was thinking with … well, you know. What an idiot.
darthvadersmom
September 12, 2014 @ 3:15 am
Jim should have been the hero. The only reason that Bonnie didn’t go down and he did was that she watched what he figured out and claimed it like she’d thought of it. Then the group stabbed him in the back by standing with that rat Christian who had smarmed his way very obviously with people before the vote. Jim was honest and fair–no games like that. He was really smart, good, and generous. He didn’t play false ally or have to create a niche like songstress to be a valid contestant or play on sympathies. He was helpful to others and had a wide skill set. He and Shondo should have come down to the wire together for different reasons. I don’t think the winner had the same qualities as either of those two, But I still loved the show and hope for a second season.