History YMMV / TheShannaraChronicles

* CriticalDissonance: Critics are split pretty even among those that find the show divisive, with the show having a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Fans are a lot more forgiving though.

** Season 2: [[MagicKnight The Warlock Lord]] was a heartless druid who attempted conquest on the Four Lands before being killed by Wil's father, Shea. It's revealed that the Warlock Lord made a bargain with [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Tamlin]] to kill her husband and give her the throne, in exchange for getting access to Heaven's Well. Upon his resurrection, the Warlock Lord dispatches numerous soldiers of the Crimson, before [[OffWithHisHead ripping off General Riba's head]]. At Bandon's request, the Warlock Lord resurrects his girlfriend Catania, only to brainwash and seduce her in front of Bandon before having him kill her, and kills Bandon for turning against him. The Warlock Lord's plans for Heaven's Well is to use his blood to taint the Silver River, having his dark magic consume the land. When the key to Heaven's Well is passed down to Lyria, the Warlock Lord uses Eretria's demonic heritage to brainwash her and track Lyria down. Finding them at the Enclave, the Warlock Lord personally slaughters dozens who stand in his way, including [[WouldHurtAChild a young boy]], before killing Allanon. During the final fight, he fatally wounds Wil as the two [[MutualKill impale each other]].

** Season 2: [[MagicKnight The Warlock Lord]] was a heartless druid who attempted conquest on the Four Lands before being killed by Wil's father, Shea. It's revealed that the Warlock Lord made a bargain with [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Tamlin]] to kill her husband and give her the throne, in exchange for getting access to Heaven's Well. Upon his resurrection, the Warlock Lord dispatches numerous soldiers of the Crimson, before [[OffWithHisHead ripping off General Riba's head]]. At Bandon's request, the Warlock Lord resurrects his girlfriend Catania, only to brainwash and seduce her in front of Bandon before having him kill her, and kills Bandon for turning against him. The Warlock Lord's plans for Heaven's Well is to use his blood to taint the Silver River, having his dark magic consume the land. When the key to Heaven's Well is passed down to Lyria, the Warlock Lord uses Eretria's demonic heritage to brainwash her and track Lyria down. Finding them at the Enclave, the Warlock Lord personally slaughters dozens who stand in his way, including [[WouldHurtAChild a young boy]], before killing Allanon. During the final fight, he fatally wounds Wil as the two [[MutualKill impale each other]].

* FoeYay: Very present among the main characters.
** Eretria with Wil from the moment they meet; the two even [[spoiler:sleep together in Episode 4]].
** Eretria with Amberle. The two often end up in each other's personal space, usually with a knife to the other's throat. Eretria even reveals she is bisexual while propositioning Amberle, when they are both naked in a bath. The "Foe" part of this starts tapering off during "Breakline", when they begin to form a genuine bond after learning that they have something in common (namely, that both of them are orphans).

* JerkassWoobie: Bandon is this to some fans as of the second season. As just about everyone tries to explain to him, [[spoiler: trying to resurrect the Warlock Lord]] is a really awful idea that will just cause him even more misery, but given how much crap he's been through both before the series and during it, you can understand why he's so bitter and desperate for any kind of solution, however flawed.

* TheWoobie: Even among a cast of characters who all have their own woes, Wil takes the cake. He grew up as the son of a drunken, half-crazed father and was mercilessly bullied by the other children [[HalfBreedDiscrimination for being a half-Elf]]. His mother practically died in his arms in spite of him using his every effort and all his medical knowledge to save her. He got conned, drugged and robbed by a [[ConMan Rover woman]], then woken up by a [[PerpetualFrowner cheerless Druid]] who [[UsefulNotes/VictimBlaming berated him for being conned, drugged and robbed]] before dragging him off on a quest that is not just demoralisingly likely to fail, but will likely make him [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity end up like his father]] even if it succeeds. He developed feelings for a lovely Elf Princess, only to have her start giving him the cold shoulder because [[spoiler: she's been told that she may have to kill him to save the world.]] He got [[spoiler: conned and robbed ''again'' by the same Rover woman (okay, so [[TooDumbToLive he brings some of his Woobie-ness on himself...]]) who [[FemmeFatale seduced him]] in the bargain this time. And who then bragged about the seduction to the Elf Princess, so that her shoulder got even colder.]] All that is in ''the first four episodes.'' At a certain point you have no choice but to conclude that the world just really freaking hates Wil Ohmsford.

* HilariousInHindsight: The actress who plays Queen Tamlin (Caroline Chikezie) is no stranger to playing ActionGirl characters - she also played [[http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Nasuada Nasuada]] in {{Film/Eragon}} and [[http://props.handheldmuseum.com/Aeon%20Flux/AeonFlux_QuillGunCaps1.jpg Freya]] in [[Film/AeonFlux Aeon Flux]].

** "[[Recap/TheShannaraChroniclesS01E06Pykon Pykon]]": [[TortureTechnician Dontes "Remo" Remikin]] was the head of the titular [[PoWCamp prison camp]] during the War of the Races, wherein numerous prisoners of war were tortured and murdered. When Pykon was decommissioned, Remo stayed in the Fort and developed a habit of kidnapping and killing passing travelers, keeping his daughter Mag isolated from the world. When the heroes arrive at the camp for shelter, Remo treats them as guests before drugging them, and after he watches Amberle and Eretria take a bath. He picks out Amberle, whom he intends to turn into a lobotomized SexSlave, as he did with Mag's mother. Before Wil overpowers him, Remo threatens to [[EyeScream cut out one of his eyes]] so he'd watch as he rapes Amberle, and in his final attempt to kill the heroes, mortally wounds Mag with no remorse.

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad The Warlock Lord]], from season 2, was a heartless druid who attempted conquest on the Four Lands before being killed by Wil's father, Shea. It's revealed that the Warlock Lord made a bargain with [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Tamlin]] to kill her husband and give her the throne, in exchange for getting access to Heaven's Well. Upon his resurrection, the Warlock Lord dispatches numerous soldiers of the Crimson, before [[OffWithHisHead ripping off General Riga's head]]. At Bandon's request, the Warlock Lord resurrects his girlfriend Catania, only to brainwash and seduce her in front of Bandon before having him kill her, and kills Bandon for turning against him. The Warlock Lord's plans for Heaven's Well is to use his blood to taint the Silver River, having his dark magic consume the land. When the key to Heaven's Well is passed down to Lyria, the Warlock Lord uses Eretria's demonic heritage to brainwash her and track Lyria down. Finding them at the Enclave, the Warlock Lord personally slaughters dozens who stand in his way, including [[WouldHurtAChild a young boy]], before killing Allanon. During the final fight, he [[spoiler:fatally wounds Wil as the two [[MutualKill impale each other]]]].

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad The Warlock Lord]], from season 2, was a heartless druid who attempted conquest on the Four Lands before being killed by Wil's father, Shea. It's revealed that the Warlock Lord made a bargain with [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Tamlin]] to kill her husband and give her the throne, in exchange for getting access to Heaven's Well. Upon his resurrection, the Warlock Lord dispatches numerous soldiers of the Crimson, before [[OffWithHisHead ripping off General Riba's head]]. At Bandon's request, the Warlock Lord resurrects his girlfriend Catania, only to brainwash and seduce her in front of Bandon before having him kill her, and kills Bandon for turning against him. The Warlock Lord's plans for Heaven's Well is to use his blood to taint the Silver River, having his dark magic consume the land. When the key to Heaven's Well is passed down to Lyria, the Warlock Lord uses Eretria's demonic heritage to brainwash her and track Lyria down. Finding them at the Enclave, the Warlock Lord personally slaughters dozens who stand in his way, including [[WouldHurtAChild a young boy]], before killing Allanon. During the final fight, he [[spoiler:fatally wounds Wil as the two [[MutualKill impale each other]]]].

** Other fans, however, point out that he had creepy {{yandere}} tendencies towards Catania in the first season, then his [[spoiler:calmly nd gorily murdering the child in season two just to prove a point to Flick]] pretty much eliminated any good will they had for him.

** Eretria with Amberle. The two often end up in each other's personal space, usually with a knife to the other's throat. Eretria even reveals she is [[BiTheWay bisexual]] while propositioning Amberle, when they are both naked in a bath. The "Foe" part of this starts tapering off during "Breakline", when they begin to form a genuine bond after learning that they have something in common (namely, that both of them are orphans).

* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: ''[[{{HSQ}} Holy. Shit.]]'' The visual effects in this show are ''incredible'' and easily on par with contemporary movies. The demons in particular are very detailed and impressive.

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad The Warlock Lord]], from season 2, was a renegade and heartless druid who wrecked havoc in an attempted conquest of the Four Lands during the War of the Races before being killed by the previous Shannara and Wil's father, Shea Omsford. Taking preparations for his resurrection, the Warlock Lord left behind followers later joined by a corrupted Bandon. It's revealed that the Warlock Lord made a bargain with Queen Tamlin to kill her husband and give her the throne of Leah, in exchange for getting access to Heaven's Well. Upon his resurrection, the Warlock Lord dispatches numerous soldiers of the Crimson, killing their general Riba in a particularly brutal manner, culminating in him [[OffWithHisHead ripping off Riba's head]]. At Bandon's request, the Warlock Lord resurrects Bandon's dead love Catania, only to brainwash and seduce her in front of Bandon before [[KickTheDog having him kill her]], and later killing Bandon for turning against him. The Warlock Lord's plans for Heaven's Well is to use his blood to taint the Silver River, having his dark magic consume the land with death, torment, and enslavement. When the key to Heaven's Well is passed down to Lyria, the Warlock Lord uses Eretria's demonic heritage to slowly being her under his thrall and track Lyria down. Finding them at the Enclave, the Warlock Lord personally slaughters dozens who stand in his way, including a [[WouldHurtAChild young boy]], before killing Allanon in front of his daughter Mareth. When he gets his hands on Lyria, the Warlock Lord begins putting his plans for Heaven's Well into action, and during his fight with Wil and Mareth, taunts them about their fathers' failures and [[spoiler:fatally wounds Wil as the two impale each other]].

* SpecialEffectsFailure: Pay close attention to the gnome healer who comes to speak with Wil in "Druid" - after he blinks a few times you can clearly see that his contact lenses have unfortunately slipped out of place (making him appear to be looking in two directions at once). Also, his voice is noticeably muffled by the prosthetics he's wearing, and you can see his mouth and chin beneath them. It's especially jarring because the show usually has VisualEffectsOfAwesome.
* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: ''[[{{HSQ}} Holy. Shit.]]'' The visual effects in this show are ''incredible'' and easily on par with contemporary movies. The demons in particular are very detailed and impressive.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: Pay close attention to the dwarven healer who comes to speak with Wil in "Druid" - after he blinks a few times you can clearly see that his contact lenses have unfortunately slipped out of place (making him appear to be looking in two directions at once). Also, his voice is noticeably muffled by the prosthetics he's wearing, and you can see his mouth and chin beneath them. It's especially jarring because the show usually has VisualEffectsOfAwesome.

* HilariousInHindsight: The actress who plays Queen Tamlin (Caroline Chikezie) is no stranger to playing {{badass}} ActionGirl characters - she also played [[http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Nasuada Nasuada]] in {{Film/Eragon}} and [[http://props.handheldmuseum.com/Aeon%20Flux/AeonFlux_QuillGunCaps1.jpg Freya]] in [[Film/AeonFlux Aeon Flux]].

* HilariousInHindsight: The actress who plays Queen Tamlin (Caroline Chikezie) is no stranger to playing {{badass}} ActionGirl characters - she also played [[http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Nasuada Nasuada]] in {{Film/Eragon}} and [[http://props.handheldmuseum.com/Aeon%20Flux/AeonFlux_QuillGunCaps1.jpg Freya]] in {{Film/AeonFlux}}.

* HilariousInHindsight: The actress who plays Queen Tamlin (Caroline Chikezie) is no stranger to playing {{badass}} ActionGirl characters - she also played [[http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Nasuada Nasuada]] in {{Film/Eragon}} and [[http://props.handheldmuseum.com/Aeon%20Flux/AeonFlux_QuillGunCaps1.jpg Freya]] in {{Movie/AeonFlux}}.

* HilariousInHindsight: The actress who plays Queen Tamlin (Caroline Chikezie) is no stranger to playing {{badass}} ActionGirl characters - she also played [[http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Nasuada Nasuada]] in {{Film/Eragon}} and [[http://props.handheldmuseum.com/Aeon%20Flux/AeonFlux_QuillGunCaps1.jpg Freya]] in [[Movie/AeonFlux]].

* CompleteMonster: [[BigBad The Warlock Lord]], from season 2, was a renegade and heartless druid who wrecked havoc in an attempted conquest of the Four Lands during the War of the Races before being killed by the previous Shannara and Wil's father, Shea Omsford. Taking preparations for his resurrection, the Warlock Lord left behind followers later joined by a corrupted Bandon. It's revealed that the Warlock Lord made a bargain with Queen Tamlin to kill her husband and give her the throne of Leah, in exchange for getting access to Heaven's Well. Upon his resurrection, the Warlock Lord dispatches numerous soldiers of the Crimson, killing their general Riba in a particularly brutal manner, culminating in him [[OffWithHisHead ripping off Riba's head]]. At Bandon's request, the Warlock Lord resurrects Bandon's dead love Catania, only to brainwash and seduce her in front of Bandon before [[KickTheDog having him kill her]], and later killing Bandon for turning against him. The Warlock Lord's plans for Heaven's Well is to use his blood to taint the Silver River, having his dark magic consume the land with death, torment, and enslavement. When the key to Heaven's Well is passed down to Lyria, the Warlock Lord uses Eretria's demonic heritage to slowly being her under his thrall and track Lyria down. Finding them at the Enclave, the Warlock Lord personally slaughters dozens who stand in his way, including a [[WouldHurtAChild young boy]], before killing Allanon in front of his daughter Marreth. When he gets his hands on Lyria, the Warlock Lord begins putting his plans for Heaven's Well into action, and during his fight with Wil and Marreth, taunts them about their fathers' failures and [[spoiler:fatally wounds Wil as the two impale each other]].

* JerkassWoobie: Bandon in Season 2 (for most of Season 1, he's just a regular [[TheWoobie Woobie]]). As just about everyone tries to explain to him, [[spoiler: trying to resurrect the Warlock Lord]] is a really awful idea that will just cause him even more misery, but given how much crap he's been through both before the series and during it, you can understand why he's so bitter and desperate for any kind of solution, however flawed.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: Pay close attention to the dwarven healer who comes to speak with Wil in "Druid" - after he blinks a few times you can clearly see that his contact lenses have unfortunately slipped out of place (making him appear to be looking in two directions at once). Also, his voice is clearly muffled by the prosthetics he's wearing, and you can see his mouth and chin beneath them. It's especially jarring because the show usually has VisualEffectsOfAwesome.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: Pay close attention to the dwarven healer who comes to speak with Wil in "Druid" - after he blinks a few times you can clearly see that his contact lenses have unfortunately slipped out of place (making him look like he's looking in two directions at once). Also, his voice is clearly muffled by the prosthetics he's wearing, and you can see his mouth and chin beneath them. It's especially jarring because the show usually has VisualEffectsOfAwesome.