"Fist Like a Bullet" builds upon the premiere by exploring other characters on this ensemble cast. The Widow makes her presence known as a fighter and a strategist, disposing of assassins sent by Ryder with bloody efficiency, while slowly planning and taking her calculated move on Quinn. Unlike the aforementioned baron, who does not have a strong relationship with his son, The Widow and her daughters create a deadly team. Her oldest gets in bed with Ryder to manipulate him and her youngest, Tilda, has no problem climbing on another man's shoulder and snapping his neck.
Re-watching the pilot and now this episode, I have to admit that this show does not live up to the standard of many other AMC shows in terms of the quality of its writing. But for a martial arts thriller, Into The Badlands lives up to expectations and delivers on the action as it should. The drama in between is passable, despite the characters being archetypal. As the series progresses and characters are further explored, I have a feeling this show will only improve.
Csokas continues to deliver as the menacing baron with a drawl, Quinn. In the pilot, his true ruthlessness was kind of boiling underneath the surface, but we got to see it in true colours in this episode when he massacred Veil's parents upon the husband, the town doctor, telling him of his tumor. The position Sunny is in at the beginning of the series creates some compelling inner conflict. Would he rather continue working with this increasingly out of control baron or run off into the badlands with his lover in tow and the wrath of Quinn on his tail.
The episode also sees more of M.K. who so far is the blandest of all the characters. This could be a major problem down the road considering his importance to the narrative. In 'Fist Like a Bullet,' M.K. comes across Tilda while on the run. She immediately takes a liking to the boy, not realizing he is the one her mother is searching for. Caught between letting M.K. be played by her mother and her growing affection for the boy, Tilda decides to help him escape. All is naught, however, when The Widow walks in on them and decides M.K. will be travelling with the assassins she hired.
'Fist Like a Bullet' builds upon the premiere. It continues to develop this rich world and the various characters in the ensemble. The verdict is still up whether the series will deliver as a whole, but with a solid first two weeks, Into the Badlands remains a recommendable martial arts thriller.
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