The Bastard Executioner Episodes 1-2 Reviews: Heads Will Roll (Series Premiere)

"The Bastard Executioner" premiered last week on FX. It tells the story of a 14th century knight in King Edward I's army. Wilkin Brattle appears mortally wounded in battle but is visited by a figure in white who says he has "a destiny to claim".

Say Hello to My Little Friend

The show jumps around a little. We see five years earlier, then present day, then earlier. Brattle goes off to do something and returns to his farm to find his pregnant wife Petra dead and in a pile of bodies. Baron Ventris and his sidekick Milus Corbett (Stephen Moyer) didnt't like their tax collectors being killed by the farmers.

Brattle runs into is house, digs up the ground and pulls out his swords. There is going to be hell to pay. He and several other townsfolk encounter Ventris. A fight ensues. Brattle gets knocked out. Ventris gets a knife through the head anyway so that's the end of him. No one mourns him-- not Corbett and not his wife Baroness Ventris (Flora Spencer- Longhurst).

Guess Who?

Sorcerress Annora (Katey Sagal) has her own visions and hatches a plan. She carves a cross into the face of Brattle while he's out cold. He can steal the identity of Ventris' executioner for hire. Wilkin will now be known as Maddox. He can enter the castle and seek revenge. Only problem is the dead guy's wife and son are there. But he was a jerk so they're happy to pay alone. Next Maddox meets Lady Ventris and the sparks fly.

Milus Corbett Is A Snake In The Grass

Wilkin continues to have visions. Next we see Annora and her sidekick (I think that's Kurt Sutter) in a cave. She is nude and has tattoos of some writing all over her body. They have sexy times. The camera pans over to the sword that was used to kill Petra. Which team is Annora on?

Grade: 2 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). The show is written, directed and produced by Kurt Sutter (of "Sons of Anarchy" fame). It stars Lee Jones in the lead role of Wilkin Brattle. Other known faces include Stephen Moyer (from "True Blood") and Katey Sagal (AKA Mrs Sutter). As with "Sons" the episodes appear very long. The pilot is broken into two parts totaling one hour and fifty minutes. Season 1 will include 10 episodes.

So far, to be honest, I'm not feeling the love. The lead actor is not very compelling. All the various characters were confusing to keep track of. I'm not really interested in if Brattle gets revenge. I may check back from time to time but so far this is a pass for me.