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The Bastard Executioner - Kurt Sutter takes on Medieval Times - S1 - Tuesdays on FX

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A few thoughts....

- The plotting up front is a complete mess. The basic premise that's established by the end of the episode is intriguing, and I like the setting, but it takes way too long to get there.
- The tone vacillates between camp and pseudo-serious, and the show would be much better off if they stuck with one or the other.
- Moyer does a solid job chewing scenery and twirling his moustache, and I like the female lead (Lady Love?) as well. Wilkins is a bit dull, so hopefully they can flesh him out. His sidekick (Marshal?) isn't bad.
- The violence was waaaaay over the top and gratuitous. I wouldn't mind if it served the story a little better. The battle scene wasn't bad, but the way they splayed his wife and unborn child out there was too much for me.
- They need to bring this Matthew Rhys disguise over to The Americans sometime next season.

Overall pretty disappointing, and not really my cup of tea. It's unfortunately not bad and campy enough to be entertaining, nor is it good enough to merit weekly viewing. I'll probably check in with the show from time to time, but due to the flaws and the overlong runtime, I doubt I'll be glued to my set every Tuesday watching this.
 

styl3s

Member
I didn't hate it. I'm interested to see where the plotline with the main character's new adoptive family goes. But this is far far away from the better medieval-themed shows out there.
Although it didn't immediately grab me like SOA i was thoroughly entertained and was kept interested.

It's clearly not on the level of a Vikings or Game of Thrones but it's one of few period piece/fantasy shows i can actually watch without wanting to kill myself from boredom *looks at outlander*.
 
That was a boring, cheesy chore. I'll probably keep watching for a little while at least, but it'll be relegated to a weekend "DVR mop-up" slot until it gets so bad I drop it.
 
I can't tell if it's because the accents are really good or really bad, but half the time I was unable to understand what people were saying - could someone with a better ear for this sort of thing let me know which? Barring Gemma, who was terrible but coherent. It's like season 3 of Sons all over again.
 
I can't tell if it's because the accents are really good or really bad, but half the time I was unable to understand what people were saying - could someone with a better ear for this sort of thing let me know which? Barring Gemma, who was terrible but coherent. It's like season 3 of Sons all over again.
I had the subtitles on, so I can't help you there.
 
Whether they were good or bad, I agree that they were incomprehensible half the time. I rewound and turned on captions a few times but ended up not caring enough to even do that about an hour in.
 
I've decided I'm game for episode 3 since I've read several reviews that say that's where it picks up, but I'm not going to stay past that unless it truly impresses me. SoA had me on the first episode.

Edit: Or episode 2 rather, depending on if you consider the pilot one or two episodes.
 

TripOpt55

Member
I was kind of indifferent to this. Better than I expected though and I will probably keep watching for now as it could be interesting heading forward. It definitely took way too long to get where it was going. Also the bit with the cut open pregnant wife and the child pulled out was really the most disturbing thing I have seen on TV in a while. That was fucked up. I could have certainly done without ever seeing that.
 
I got confused when the main character became the executioner because the other guy with him was the real executioner, right?

And why does it seem like the Knight wields more power/influence then the dead baron?
 
I got confused when the main character became the executioner because the other guy with him was the real executioner, right?

And why does it seem like the Knight wields more power/influence then the dead baron?

They gave this random no-name executioner a bit too much scrutiny for a bunch of lofty nobles, but he's the main character so he had to be the center of attention somehow. Really the set-up to him becoming the "executioner" is all kinds of contrived to me. How long do they expect to keep that up?
 
Ooof. It bombed.

Good.

It looked cheap, was littered with cliches, most of the cast sucks, and the first hour was so dull that only a true TV GAF champion compulsive geek like myself would've made it past that. The only person who had any presence at all and looked like he was having a little bit of fun was Stephen Moyer. The lead makes Kit Harington look like Bryan Cranston.

Someone tell me about Landgraf and that sterling FX quality, I need a good laugh. The last three dramas they've aired are this, Tyrant, and The Strain.
 
Good.

It looked cheap, was littered with cliches, most of the cast sucks, and the first hour was so dull that only a true TV GAF champion compulsive geek like myself would've made it past that. The only person who had any presence at all and looked like he was having a little bit of fun was Stephen Moyer. The lead makes Kit Harington look like Bryan Cranston.

Someone tell me about Landgraf and that sterling FX quality, I need a good laugh. The last three dramas they've aired are this, Tyrant, and The Strain.
Hard to argue with that.
 

Pachimari

Member
I have seen 22 minutes and I quite like it, though I'm not feeling some of the actors and the CG looks real cheap. I might just go back and catch up on Game of Thrones instead. I'm still only at Season 1.
 
- EW: Bastard Executioner premiere gets slow ratings start
The Bastard Executioner had a somewhat modest opening in the ratings Wednesday night. The two hour premiere debuted to 2.1 million viewers and a 0.8 among adults 18-49.

By comparison, last year FX premiered The Strain to 4.7 million viewers (8 million after encores were added), Fargo opened to 2.7 million and Tyrant similarly debuted to 2.1 million viewers. The year before, The Americans and The Bridge both debuted to around 3 million in the overnights. So Bastard is firmly on the low side of FX series openers in recent years.

Obviously, these ratings will rise, and perhaps dramatically so, via DVR playback and repeats, which continue to have a growing impact on series performance.

The Bastard Executioner is creator Kurt Sutter’s follow-up series to his hit Sons of Anarchy. Set in the early 14th century, the story follows a knight (Lee Jones) in King Edward I’s army who tries to escape the horrors of war.

Bastard has taken some lumps by critics, with EW giving it a “C”. At the Television Critics Assocation’s press tour In August, FX chief John Landgraf defended Bastard and urged critics to be patient, noting Sons of Anarchy likewise had a slow start.
More via the link.
 

ivysaur12

Banned
Okay, a 0.8 isn't bad in the cable landscape today, but I'm sure FX had loftier expectations. Though I'm sure that number will drop.
 
Okay, a 0.8 isn't bad in the cable landscape today, but I'm sure FX had loftier expectations. Though I'm sure that number will drop.

Yep. Not to sound like a broken record, since I know I've probably made this comment a bunch of times, but I really want to see where the numbers are at around episode 5-6. Like you, I'm almost certain they'll drop, and perhaps by a lot.
 

styl3s

Member
2 million fast national numbers.
Didn't the first episode of SOA do like 2-2.5 million? I didn't think SOA even did great numbers till season 2 and then raising again in season 3.

He should of went with a prequel SOA show, this show doesn't seem like the kind of stuff a lot of SOA fans are interested in especially when you have shows that like GOT and Vikings that do it 1000x better. I'll still watch and even if the numbers drop or stay around 2 million it wouldn't surprise me if FX renews it especially considering the relationship they have and look at Tyrant.
 

ivysaur12

Banned
Yep. Not to sound like a broken record, since I know I've probably made this comment a bunch of times, but I really want to see where the numbers are at around episode 5-6. Like you, I'm almost certain they'll drop, and perhaps by a lot.

But I'm also sure they'll make most of their money internationally, so I'm sure that their US numbers are more gravy than anything. Still not great because they'll probably go down.
 
This show screwed up the biggest thing you can possibly screw up: the lead is terrible. He has the charisma of, well, me. At least he looks better than I do.

He's certainly no Charlie Hunnam and that sweet, sweet ass.
 

Tucah

you speak so well
I gave up on this after the first hour. I don't know what I expected after, well, the majority of SoA, but I think I'm definitely done with Sutter. Just dull as hell and seeing impressions here certainly don't make me want to continue to check out the rest.
 
- The Bastard Executioner - Inside TBX: Creating A Medieval Epic (cast & crew interviews + behind the scenes footage)

- Deadline: Kurt Sutter’s ‘Bastard Executioner’ Ratings Debut To 2.1M Viewers For FX
While the comparison is a bit long in the tooth, TBX’s premiere was steady viewershipwise with the 2.53 million who tuned in for the September 3, 2008 debut of Sutter’s previous series Sons Of Anarchy. That 10 PM premiere on a Wednesday got a 1.2 rating among the key demo. Closer to home, the September 9, 2014 seventh and final season opener of SOA had a then record 6.2 million total viewers with 4.1million among the 18-49s. That result went up to 9.25 million viewers and 6.1 million among the demo in the Live + 3 results FX loves. The December 9, 2014 finale of SOA set a new record for the series and FX with 6.4 million total viewers with 4.2 million among adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. That rose to an audience of 9.26 million and 6.07 million in the demo in Live + 3.

FX are expected to release Live + 3 results for TBX, which stars Lee Jones as the cutting lead, Stephen Moyer and Katey Segal, among others, later this week.
 

RatskyWatsky

Hunky Nostradamus
So what happened over at FX? How does USA make a Mr. Robot and they make this and sex&drugs&denisleary'smidlifecrisis?

Sutter and Leary gave FX two of their most iconic shows, so why wouldn't Landgraf want to continue those relationships? It's not his fault that they couldn't repeat their previous successes (although he probably could have given them helpful notes or something) (also, it's still way too early to pass judgement re: TBX).
 

faridmon

Member
So what happened over at FX? How does USA make a Mr. Robot and they make this and sex&drugs&denisleary'smidlifecrisis?

FX still makes great TV and I certainly prefer it to the superfluously designed USA shows. Shows just Married, You're the Worst, The Strain and The Americans amongst others are definitely better anything USA have to offer.
 
I'll wait on this. The back half of SOA was such an interesting trainwreck until the snoozefest final season. I don't have it in me for more drawn out Sutter stuff.
 
FX still makes great TV and I certainly prefer it to the superfluously designed USA shows. Shows just Married, You're the Worst, The Strain and The Americans amongst others are definitely better anything USA have to offer.
You clearly have not watched Mr. Robot. Please rectify that.

And dead souls, why did you have to remind me of sex&drugs. I'M STILL WATCHING IT :(
 

faridmon

Member
You clearly have not watched Mr. Robot. Please rectify that.

And dead souls, why did you have to remind me of sex&drugs. I'M STILL WATCHING IT :(

I have, wasn't big fan. Hated most of the characters and the plot was just too trippy to be taken seriously

This show, however, is just trite. But again, never liked the medevil setting it was going for since it just screamed ''Game of Thrones'' rip-off. Although shows like Viking and Rome have don historical setting successfully.
 

RatskyWatsky

Hunky Nostradamus
I actually think the show is more similar to 'Outlander' than anything - UK setting; budding rebellion against the corrupt authoritarian figure(s); a charismatic, yet cruel and sexually fluid knight who serves as the main antagonist; village healer who everyone thinks is a witch...

Anyway, I thought the premiere was alright.

Random thoughts:

The pacing was definitely off - the two hour premiere felt about an hour too long and I think they could have easily cut most of the scenes from the first episode without losing anything of value.

I was fine with the level of violence - I expected there to be a lot of gore and whatnot in an FX series about an executioner. There were only a couple moments that struck me as edgy for the sake of it - the unborn child getting sliced out of its mother's womb and then laid to rest on her chest, for instance, was ridiculously over the top.

Like in FX's last few dramas, the male lead lacks charisma and screen presence. This is a problem. Nailing the casting (especially when it comes to the lead) is one of the most important things a show can do.
 
I actually think the show is more similar to 'Outlander' than anything - UK setting; budding rebellion against the corrupt authoritarian figure(s); a charismatic, yet cruel and sexually fluid knight who serves as the main antagonist; village healer who everyone thinks is a witch...

Anyway, I thought the premiere was alright.

Random thoughts:

The pacing was definitely off - the two hour premiere felt about an hour too long and I think they could have easily cut most of the scenes from the first episode without losing anything of value.

I was fine with the level of violence - I expected there to be a lot of gore and whatnot in an FX series about an executioner. There were only a couple moments that struck me as edgy for the sake of it - the unborn child getting sliced out of its mother's womb and then laid to rest on her chest, for instance, was ridiculously over the top.

Like in FX's last few dramas, the male lead lacks charisma and screen presence. This is a problem. Nailing the casting (especially when it comes to the lead) is one of the most important things a show can do.
You know who had a lot of charisma yet never got credit for it as far as semi-recent FX goes? And seemed like he'd have none prior to the show airing (and in the early going)? Holt McCallany. Lights Out.
At least it's done this week. I've watched it all too.
We must both be hypnotized by Bob Kelly pantomiming the drums.
 

Macattk15

Member
I hated it. I just couldn't get into the time period / setting.

The dragon demon thing coming out of his tattoo in the beginning dream sequence had me literally laughing out loud.
 
The dream sequence kind of reminded me of Vikings

Why do I have a feeling that Katey Segal killed the wife just so she has a part in the series

Kind of doze off at some parts
 
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