The Bastard Executioner - Behold the Lamb / Gwel Yr Oen - Review
Last week on The Bastard Executioner, The Wolf returned and was revealed to be the half-brother of Lady Love. Annora appeared to have the gift of stigmata and she also gave a warning to Father Ruskin, something he took on board. Prichard tortured a knight for information, which was a final gift from Milus. Wilkin and his friend’s vengeance mission came to close and Jessamy grew more jealous of Wilkin, resulting in an unforgivable betrayal.
"My name is Wilkin Brattle, I was a knight in Longshanks army. Ventris was my commander; he sent me and my legion to an ambush of certain death. I was sparred by a miracle and fled to your land, only to be roused again in blood." Wilkin
‘Executioner’ continued this past Tuesday with a powerful episode. A lot of development happened this episode with multiple characters, but the main thing that took center stage was Wilkin's confession to Lady Love. The season has been building up to the moment when Wilkin would share the entire truth with Love and it certainly didn't disappoint - I hadn't even considered it being so soon, though. It was unexpected, but it does allow an honest partnership between Love and Wilkin now, and grounds for a potential relationship, which is what this episode really pushed for.
The scene between him and Baroness was brilliantly written, and one of my favorite scenes from the entire series. The dialogue was fitting to the characters, and it gave both Lee Jones and Flora Spencer-Longhurst some fantastic material to work with and for both to really show they can act with not just words, but with their emotions. They were excellent.
Milus has always made ample threats, but he's not always carried them out. This episode he did, and regrettably he killed Calo in the process. Milus continues to show that he is a man of his word, and someone who should not be crossed or messed with. Even though Wilkin and Toran didn't kill the knight, should Milus had overlooked it, it would have shown signs of weakness - something he couldn't afford to look.
Milus is a fascinating character and his story to Calo about his childhood peaked my interest so much so that I hope we get a flashback or something about his past. His childhood sounded troubled and that might just give us an idea of why he's so despicable and cruel and thrives on power. I would also like to get a sense of direction in regards to Milus and Wilkin's relationship. It's a complicated one, but they can't remain 'enemies' forever. There is only so much of the same feud I can take before it becomes stale and repetitive.
"I'm sorry I lied to you Lady Love. My time with you...it was worth the punishment I'm about to receive." Wilkin
There was also more development on the Lady Love front. She is becoming a stronger character by the episode and showing that she is capable of ruling - which includes making the hard decisions. She chose to save Wilkin and condemn an innocent man, not because she wanted to but because she couldn't see Wilkin killed because of the burden he carries thanks to her husband. Also, that he is being manipulated by another. She doesn't know its Milus, but she knows all he has done is not in his nature. He wouldn't do the crimes had he had a choice. That's why she saved him, because he's a good man.
Lady Love is an intelligent woman, and I'd like to think she is smart enough to figure out that Milus is behind everything. When she does, it will be interesting to see her reaction and what she does to him. She already disapproves of him effectively ruling Ventrishire for her and is becoming distant to him. I wouldn't be surprised to see Milus cut from being Chamberlain soon. Love needs people she can trust, and Milus isn't one of them. He's loyal, but he's not trustworthy.
One thing I didn't like about this episode though was the sex Wilkin had with Jessamy. After countless episodes of the show focusing on the strain of their relationship because of her insistence to hold onto the past, Wilkin making love to her came out of nowhere. Even more so, when just last episode, she betrayed him. He was sad and upset, and it does show his heartbreak, but I'm never a fan of a show using women as 'objects.' They weren't getting closer at all, they were being drawn more apart so to have them have sex was terrible writing.
Elsewhere, Father Ruskin continued to aid Annora. He had doubts about her, but after spending some time with her, I believe he will continue to help keep her safe and warn her about any danger she might be in. He might also have a connection to the knights from England. He seems too shady around them as if he knows them. We never did get an explanation as to how he knows how to fight - as for a priest that's quite a rare thing. The good thing though about Annora and Father Ruskin's developing relationship is that Timothy Murphy is finally linked to a storyline after being on the sidelines for too long, and I'm now very excited to see where it's all heading. My guess would be that Ruskin ends up killing someone to protect Annora.
After the reveal last episode that The Dark Mute is a Templer Knight, I had hoped we would get some more background on this, but we didn't. Hopefully soon. I'm still not a fan of the character after what he did to Wilkin's wife, but seeing him stand on the hill looking proud and heroic was a great moment. He wants to protect those he loves, and that to me doesn't sound like a man who's out for blood. There has to be more to him killing Wilkin's wife. If you really look at it, had he not killed his wife, Wilkin wouldn't be on the path to saving Wales and possibly ruling it. Wales needs a kind-hearted leader, and Wilkin can be that. Though it was a despicable crime, her death was inevitable. She had to die in order for Wilkin to full-fill his greater destiny.
Summary
‘The Bastard Executioner’ continued this past Tuesday with another solid episode. It wasn't the greatest, but those moments such as Wilkin's confession more than made up for the less entertaining scenes. Lee Jones continues to show his worth as an actor, but I'm still not completely sold on Flora Spencer-Longhurst performance, but I can't fault her in her scene with Wilkin as she was exceptional. There are only three episodes left and with the possibility of the season ending on a cliffhanger with no second season - ratings aren't great - the show needs to pick up the pace and wrap up some of these storylines. I enjoy a show spending time laying out a storyline first, but with this show there's not much sense of direction in terms of where everything is heading. Just when you think you know, something else happens that changes things. Overall, it was an enjoyable hour of television with brilliant performances from the two leads.
As always, thank you for reading. Let me know in the comments what you thought of Behold the Lamb / Gwel Yr Oen!
