The Bastard Executioner

The Bastard Executioner is an utterly brutal and uncompromising look at the price of imperialism and the inhumanity that comes in its wake.

Set in the 14th century Britain and Wales this series offers up a glimpse into the carnage and misery caused by Britain's imperialist ambitions as it seeks to conquer and pacify its neighbours, the Welsh.

Focusing on one Welsh soldier wearied by war and bloodshed we see how he like those around him is shaped by events he has little control over.

This series is an interesting premise that has a certain honesty about it. Knights and the so called nobility are seen for the murderous, sadistic thugs they really were. Indeed, this reflects the reality of what the Norman caste system was all about, entrenched, ritualized inequity and predatory economic parasitism.

The acting is of a good standard and there are a few well known faces, such as Stephen Moyer, of the True Blood series. The story is an interesting one too. That said, the extremes of violence depicted in this series may be a blood soaked trip too far for some. I have a strong stomach but even I was shocked by what I saw at times.

As it stands I'll offer up a seven out of ten for The Bastard Executioner, which I may review as the series progresses.

THE BASTARD EXECUTIONER: (FX) If you're going to steal ideas, steal from the best and that's what the Bastard has done. It out-bloodies Game of Thrones, it has the atmosphere and spectacle of Outlander and a plot devise taken straight out of The Return of Martin Guerre / Sommersby. and a cast of thousands. However, the show captures all this with a certain degree of success, if not excess. It is bloody (worth mentioning twice), gruesome, brutally violent (not for the squeamish) and all filmed in excruciatingly close close up. Basically, a good man from the 1400's turns vengeful when his family is massacred and his village is destroyed by the minions of the oppressive Baron when the people rebel against unfair taxation. He takes on the identity of another man and the wife of that man vouches for him because he displays a kinder version of the real SOB husband she had. His first duty is the execution the one man who knows who he truly is. And thus the tail begins. All the elements appear to be there. The language sounded a little artificial at first, but I guess that's the way they talked in 1400 Wales. Score: 8. It has potential.

Anyone who judges a show or writes a show off after only watching one episode is a complete idiot. Just like all the idiots who decided not to watch game of thrones because they didn't like the first episode. These are character driven series. Game of thrones is awesome because of the way the characters develop. This show will do the same. Enemies will become friends, likable character will become hated, and the boring will become exciting. Characters have not developed and the plot hasn't thickened yet. So hold your criticism for a few more episodes before you say no to this show.

The cast is great and this show has all of the awesome Kurt Sutter violence you could ask for. So chill out and watch.

This show gets better and better and is now my "top watch" for the week. The first 2 episodes are harder to deal with but set up the plot line somewhat. There will be gore so I don't allow my kids in room while watching. As the show progresses, you see a lot of characters evolving in a way that leaves you wanting more and more. I believe it to be fairly accurate in time, nothing is jumping out at me as incorrect. Dismiss early on reviews, this show has a lot of promise and later episodes really make for great TV. I DVR'd the first 5 episodes and ended up binge watching to find out what happens next, then was left with a feeling of incompletion and heaviness. Kept thinking about it throughout the week as well while waiting for the next episode. Not many shows can make you feel that way. (Have watched & reviewed: From series premiere through 10/20/15 showing. There is a 2 week hiatus and it returns on 11/3/15).

OMG...I'm in so much shock. Being an avid SOA fan and After so much anticipation for this show, what a let down. The first scene (dream) was an absolute waste and shouldn't have been shown at all in my opinion. That actors "war cry" was more like a welp cry. If you don't have the conviction to do it, cut it out. Ugh. And while Katey Segal was absolutely brilliant in SOA, she doesn't feel right for this part at all. Perhaps it's the bad accent? Whatever it is, she doesn't fit. Stephen Moyer is great and more natural in this (I wasn't a fan of him in Trueblood). My favourite character is the guy who loves the animals and talks to them. And let's not even get started on how poorly done that white/grey castle in the background (and up close) is. Heck, when the band came across their entire village being killed, I felt like they lost their livestock...it was so bad (especially the primary actor). This felt like I was watching a high school play. Some actors were believable, but I think the failure here is on Sutter for how it plays out in the end. I hope they flesh it out and I hope it becomes brilliant...I don't think I will keep watching it though. Just being honest. Oh, btw, Griffith is pretty hot at least lol