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.

I was introduced to The Quest by my girlfriend, and not a minute into watching it, I was hooked until the end and beyond. The premise of the show is highly original and entertaining, an unexpected breath of fresh air beside many other reality shows that seem that much more shallow in comparison. The Quest not only creates a unique and intriguing reality competition between twelve likable contestants, but it goes far, far beyond that. The fantasy backdrop for the show is rich, immersive, and well-imagined, and did wonders in making the show worth watching. The supporting cast such as the Queen, the Fates, and the contestants' mentor were all highly skilled and believable characters, and their ability to improvise convincingly and appropriately was unmatched. By the same token, the twelve contestants were also very likable and worth cheering for the whole way through. One of the best parts about The Quest is, however, the importance of the titular Quest on top of the more traditional reality competition. This show really made it seem to both fans and contestants that there was more at stake than winning a prize, and the camaraderie between the Paladins that such a view caused was wonderful to see. I wholeheartedly recommend the Quest, and sincerely hope that it is renewed for many additional seasons.

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!

I stumbled across this show somewhat on accident and I'm really glad I did. This is the best reality show and probably one of the best shows in general that I have ever seen.The fact that it is not your typical reality show is what first piqued my interest. The show is set in a fantasy realm complete with characters and creatures that would be perfectly at home in any fantasy tale. However, twelve people are summoned from the real world to this fantasy realm to aid its citizens in defeating evil. Another reason I really like the show is that it emphasizes positivity and the good in people. Yes, the contestants or "Paladins" as they are called are whittled down one by one as is the case in most reality shows but these "banishments" do not include much of the backstabbing and politics that seem to be inherent to so many reality shows. The Paladins seem to truly care about each other and just want to do what they believe is for the good of the Quest not worrying about their personal feelings towards each other.