The vivid almost gory opening sequence of Into the Badlands sets the intense tone for the series.
Yet the show executive produced and starring California native Daniel Wu is so much more than that.
The new futuristic martial arts television story is set to debut this Sunday on AMC at 10 p.m./9 Central/8 Mountain time.
The complexity and depth of the characters is refreshing.
Wu plays Sunny, the head clipper and right hand man to Quinn (Marton Csokas). Badlands is run by seven barons, but Quinn is the most powerful of them all.
His rival baron is The Widow (Emily Beecham). She is Badlands’ newest Baron and determined to pull together an army of clippers to dethrone Quinn as the most powerful.
This is a show that puts men and women on an equal footing. The Widow, who is officially introduced in the second episode, is capable of taking on a band of enemies just as swiftly as Sunny. Her daughter Tilda (Alexia Loannides), also introduced in the second show, is equally as efficient in putting down her enemies. These women don’t wait around for the men to come rescue them.They can fully handle their enemies on their own.
Sunny is definitely the badass of this series. He’s strong and powerful and yet soft and tender. The fight sequences as choreographed by executive producer Stephen Fung are worthy of a full length feature film. They were filmed using three cameras. Wu’s artistry in disposing those who dare to challenge him is captured in the fast action fighting sequences. In the two episodes I previewed, there were two well done fight scenes in each show.
You won’t hear Sunny citing any fortune cookie proverbs and you won’t see him being emasculated. He has a secret sexual relationship with Veil (Madeline Mantock) that will test his loyalty to Quinn. He also befriends M.K. (Aramis Knight), a young boy who possesses mythical powers and who further adds complexity and intrigue to the series. Both M.K. and Sunny long to someday go home. M.K. also forms a bond with Tilda, The Widow’s daughter, tacking on yet another layer to the plot.
Each of these characters has a subplot that make Into the Badlands more than just comic book. I look forward to seeing it all unfold. Season 1 is scheduled to consist of just six episodes. That’s the advantage cable has over free TV. They can put so much more into the story and production knowing they only have six episodes to fill.
The bloody fight scenes might make some members of the audience squirm, but one shouldn’t dismiss Into the Badlands as just a macho TV show. The relationships the characters develop with each other should hold the interest to those interested in more than just the fight scenes.
Into the Badlands should be a refreshing addition to your television must sees.
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