Last week we covered the Shannara legend, its heroes, and the quest those heroes set out on. This week we pick up right where we left off.

When we last spoke, a demonic fury was pointed directly at Wil and Amberle as they were on the cusp of certain death. But all is resolved once Allanon jumps in and beheads the demon before it can attack either of the young heroes.

Unfortunately, however, some damage is done, and Allanon’s wound gets the better of him before the three can make their way back home to Aberlon.

We must admit that last week was pretty plot heavy, but there were a lot of emotional and relationship connections made in this week’s episode, starting with the bond between Wil and Amberle. The two overcome their first awkward encounter by empathizing with each other’s grief and lost loved ones.

Wil with his mother and Amberle with her aunt and boyfriend. That connection continues to grow throughout this episode as they work together to find a cure for Allanon and escape their capture by rovers.

That’s right. Eretria’s clan swoops in and drags them off before they can do their druid friend much good.

Another dynamic that’s more closely examined this week is the relationship between King Elvintine and his children. We got a taste of it last week, but now we learn a bit more along with the extent of its complexity.

Related: An in depth Shannara Chronicles character guide

As Ander sits under the Ellcrys and drinks his worries away, the king approaches him with a passive aggressive swipe against his chosen method of coping. This doesn’t appear to come as a shock to Ander, though. A clear sign this isn’t the first time they’ve had this argument.

The son apologizes for helping Amberle train for the Gauntlet, but the king brushes off his apology, saying, “You indulge her. The same way her father indulged you.”

But this reminder doesn’t soothe Ander in any way. In fact, the mention of his older brother Aine upsets him further. “Son, gnomes murdered your brother. Not you,” the king assures. But Ander isn’t interested in hearing his father’s comforting words. He’s convinced the king would prefer he had died rather than his beloved Aine, and it’s sad to say that Ander feels the same.

Back at the rover camp, tensions are high as Wil and Amberle are being held prisoner. Eretria’s father Cephelo isn’t interested in letting either person go until Wil teaches him how to unlock the magic inside the elfstones. He’s ready and willing to manipulate everyone, including Eretria, to get his way.

But rather than cave to his demands, Eretria offers Amberle a way out unscathed. When Amberle insists she’s not leaving without Wil, Eretria bestows some pretty sound advice: “If you want to survive in this world, you need to start taking care of yourself. Because no one’s going to do that for you.”

Amberle, of course, uses that advice AGAINST Eretria, but honestly it’s a step forward in their tenacious relationship. At the very least they’re finally listening to each other.

Eretria knows this plan is a failure before they step out into the center of the group. But Amberle isn’t aware that holding the young girl hostage doesn’t do her any good. Being Cephelo’s daughter doesn’t buy her any special treatment, even inside the rover camp.

Before much more can develop on the ground, the standoff is interrupted when another demon swoops down and attacks. Wil’s elfstones protect him, Amberle, and Eretria, but as we learned last week, it’s not without a price.

After Allanon returns, healed by his own internal magic, the three resume their journey back home to Aberlon.

Before they can make it back, however, they pick up another individual on their way home: Bandon. Locked away and feared by his own parents, Allanon knows intuitively that the boy possesses magic of some kind.

Finally they return home and Wil’s initial promise has been fulfilled. Although he tries to take this opportunity to part ways, it’s actually Bandon who drags him back in. He sees visions of how people are going to die when he touches them, and he knows that if Wil doesn’t travel with Amberle on her quest, she will die at Safehold and all hope will be lost.

Quest status

Okay, so, where are we in regards to the greater journey these kids are supposed to be on?

Not much further, to be honest, but at least Wil knows for certain that the elfstones are connected to him and that it is possible for him to channel their magic. Even if he’s not quite sure how to do it yet.

The elven council backs the quest now as well, so Amberle is given permission to enter the Ellcrys and truly begin the journey granted to her by destiny. The question remains, is she worthy?

Join us next week as we recap episode 4, “Changeling,” which airs Tuesday, January 19 at 10 p.m. on MTV.