Into the Badlands Season 1 finale recap: “Hand of Five Poisons”

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Marton Csokas as Quinn and Aramis Knight as M.K. - Into the Badlands _ Season 1, Episode 6 - Photo Credit: James Minchin III/AMC

This is a good title for the season finale of a glorious series – and it aptly describes what I may use to slap the powers that be at AMC if Into the Badlands is not renewed! It’s been a blast watching this over the past six weeks, and I KNOW many others share in my sentiment. There is nothing else like it on TV.

But let’s get to it.

Sunny races through the poppies with his payment to the River King. I tweeted something about substituting Bale’s noggin for M.K.’s, and that’s exactly what Sunny’s does! Now I feel smart.

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Lance Nichols as The River King – Into the Badlands _ Season 1, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Patti Perret/AMC

With skepticism, the River King compares Bale’s head to the poster. Sunny swears it’s M.K.’s and insists they leave ASAP. The River King, perturbed by Sunny’s pushiness, agrees to pull out at exactly midnight. “Time and tide wait for no man. Not even you.”

Well, that’s settled. Less than a day from freedom. What could possibly go wrong? As much as I’d love to see the escape go smoothly, I’d rather have a second season, so I hope everything goes wrong. And it does!

The news fails to excite Veil. Quinn got to her. Everyone is a slave to their nature, and Sunny’s a natural killer. He swears everything will change once they vacate the Badlands, but she wonders. She’s not sure she’ll be leaving – he’ll know her decision if she’s there when he comes for her. He leaves, perplexed and worried.

Penrith’s (Lance Henriksen) disciple travels along the winding path to a large steepled building. Inside, he addresses the three cloaked “brothers,” though one of them is a woman. They are the Abbots. He hands them the poster of M.K. and tells them he’s in the Fort.

Prior to this, I thought maybe Ryder was the dark one who needed cleansing, but I’m wrong. The Abbots throw a large trunk into the back of an old-timey Ford pick-up and head off like they’re going to a picnic.

At the Fort, Lydia tends to recently poisoned Jade. I was sure Lydia did it … wrong again!

Jade’s eyes flutter open. She appears confused. Quinn enters just in time to clear things up. He holds Lydia’s secret box of Monk’s Hood, accuses her of the deed, and banishes her from the Fort. She protests as she’s escorted out, but Quinn ignores her. Lydia looks at Jade and sees the slightest smirk. Quinn kneels at Jade’s bedside to apologize, and she says, “Quinn, there’s something I have to tell you … it’s about Ryder.”

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Sarah Bolger as Jade – Into the Badlands _ Season 1, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: James Minchin III/AMC

As if her situation isn’t bad enough, Ryder meets Lydia at the gate to say his crappy farewell. Her “abandonment” sticks in his craw, even if it was for his own good. His arrogant lip-service is just more testimony to his terrible judgement. I KNEW Waldo’s sage advice fell on deaf ears. Ryder will never trust the people he should … he’s too busy trusting those who placate him.

He shoves a bundle containing Lydia’s totems into her hand, but she lays it out for him before departing. It’s obvious Jade poisoned herself. Quinn may be temporarily fooled, but he’s no idiot to Ryder’s shenanigans. He’ll be lucky to make it another month inside the Fort because he really is “a stupid, petulant boy.” As Lydia leaves, Ryder looks a little concerned, and he should. He’s screwing up … a lot.

It’s what he knows best. Soon after Lydia’s ousting, he casually shares information insinuating Sunny may not be as trustworthy as he once was. Quinn agrees that Sunny’s loyalty has always been unwavering, but now, maybe not so much. Ryder’s instructed to lock down the Fort and send Sunny to the chapel for a chat. He practically skips from the room to carry out the orders.

Sunny, looking puzzled, meets Quinn, who asks him what he’s been doing. Sunny replies he’s been looking for the wounded Widow. Quinn scoffs … it’s not like Sunny to leave an enemy unfinished. Sweat beads on Sunny’s brow. He knows this is it. Quinn calls him out as a traitor, strips him of his sword and title, and orders several Clippers to imprison him until further notice … and then fetch Veil afterward.

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Daniel Wu as Sunny – Into the Badlands _ Season 1, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: James Minchin III/AMC

M.K. sees this and demands to be killed along with Sunny. Quinn puts his hand on the boy’s shoulder stating he’s too valuable for that.

Veil returns home to pack. It seems she’s made up her mind, but she’s grabbed from behind and whisked away to The Widow’s. It’s probably better than being whisked away by Quinn.

The Widow looks like s-t and requests to be sewed up; she has somewhere to be. Veil assesses the situation, stitches the wound and sets out three vials. Two are poison and one is a cure. Veil is smart. She’ll reveal the cure only upon her safe return home. Tilda obliges.

There’s really more to this. The Widow divulges important info to Veil. First of all, her dislike of men stems from abuse. Secondly, she fights because she wants a world of equality for women – one in which her children, and Veil’s, will be safe. Finally, she’s set a plan in motion to ensure Quinn won’t live through the night, and after the s–t goes down, Veil is always welcome in the sanctuary. I question her rectitude, but feel less hateful nonetheless.

Unable to locate Veil, Quinn visits Sunny. With Sunny in chains, Quinn takes the opportunity to poke him a bit. He threatens Quinn’s life if anything happens to Veil, but Quinn says he would never harm her … or the baby. In fact, he’ll enjoy raising Sunny’s offspring in the Fort. And then there’s M.K. – worth more than an army of Clippers. He can’t wait to fill the boy’s back with tattoos. He delights in the fact that Sunny’s rage grows with every word.

Sunny swears Quinn will be his first clip when he’s free. Quinn smiles and says, “Just like I told Veil. You’ll always be a killer.” He leaves Sunny’s cell very pleased with himself.

He’ll regret it later.

With no other options, Lydia returns to Pernith. She begs forgiveness. I’m surprised by this, but desperation does change people. He cannot deny her, and she graciously accepts his terms to renounce material possessions, regain spirituality, and never leave again. This is later sealed by a baptism. It appears she’ll be better off, but nothing in this series is ever as it appears.

Quinn knows he’ll need M.K. later, so when M.K. asks about Sunny’s fate, Quinn says it’s up to him. M.K. doesn’t want to be a killer, but Quinn puts a spin on things. He doesn’t want M.K. to be a killer exactly — he just wants him to be the best he can be — to meet his full potential.

He empathizes with M.K.’s desire to go home. He, too, imagined a place beyond the Badlands – a peaceful place free of problems – but such a place is an illusion. M.K. is unconvinced, so he gets a history lesson.

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Marton Csokas as Quinn and Aramis Knight as M.K. – Into the Badlands _ Season 1, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: James Minchin III/AMC

I like Quinn’s little speech. Maybe it’s because I taught American Lit, or maybe I’m just so sick of politics right now, I could puke. Whatever the case, it’s a pretty good monologue.

He walks over to a model of the White House. It was once “the seat of power” for the world – a place where “enlightened” men made a lot of empty promises of “a future where impossible dreams could become a reality.” The Badlands are the ugly result. “You don’t fix it by running. You fix it by fighting.”

I have to question this … what does Quinn want to fix? The world’s regression to a feudalistic society which has benefitted him greatly? I don’t think so.

M.K. isn’t swayed. “I see what you did to Sunny now.”

Quinn changes his tactic. He claims innocence. He gave Sunny everything necessary for a better life, but didn’t make him a killer. Sunny was that to begin with. Then he uses the Tilda card. The Widow’s termination is imminent, but Tilda will be brought to the Fort for M.K. Oh yeah, and Sunny will be spared.

M.K. reluctantly nods. Quinn is thrilled! Now, off to the Tick Tock for some “wicking” lessons before Tilda arrives … this is a ruse, of course.

Earlier, Ryder met with Zephyr to solidify a plan, but neither knows of M.K.’s talents, nor the real purpose behind Quinn’s errand. Ryder assumes Quinn and M.K. will be easy targets without Clipper protection, making it simple for Jacobee to kill Quinn and Zephyr to kill Jacobee.

Zephyr turns to inform The Widow, but Ryder stops her. The Widow’s wounded – possibly dead. Excluding her means more for them! The two barons-to-be grin. Muwahahahaha!

“Sunshine! Whatcha doin’ in there?” Guess who? The guard tells him Sunny can’t have visitors, so Waldo snaps his neck. I love Waldo! He frees Sunny, disclosing The Widow’s plan to kill both Quinn and Jacobee. The traitor is revealed! Sunny is shocked, but Waldo explains. “The system is broken. We gotta blow it up and start again.”

He throws Sunny a pendant exactly like M.K.’s. Sunny was wearing it when Waldo found him. Wait, I thought Quinn found him. Sunny asks about M.K., and Waldo advises Sunny to forget him – he’ll be in town when The Widow attacks. He rolls off, recommending Sunny be smart, grab Veil and get going.

Once home, Veil questions Tilda’s loyalty to “a woman who forces girls to kill to show their love.” Tilda feels she has no choice. Veil says she does. The blue vial holds the cure, but Tilda can choose what she tells The Widow.

As Quinn and M.K. stroll into town, it’s void of people and completely silent. M.K. is surprised, but Quinn isn’t. Quinn calls out Jacobee’s army. Jacobee steps from the shadows … then Zephyr … then Ryder. Now Quinn is surprised. Ryder claims he’s just following Quinn’s advice about taking power, but Quinn astutely informs Ryder he “always took it with (his) own hands.” Ryder can’t seem to do anything on own but act like an ass.

Quinn cuts M.K. and quickly puts an end to the ambush. He ducks behind a building to enjoy the show, and that is where Sunny finds him. Smiling sheepishly, Quinn utters, “I assume a conversation is out of the question.” Sunny runs him through, snarling, “You’re gonna be my last tattoo!”

Hey! Quinn’s dead! Ryder’s already Baron by default and he doesn’t even know it!

He spends his first moments as Baron crawling away from M.K., looking like he’s about to piss himself, but Sunny grabs M.K., urging him to control it. He turns on Sunny and Ryder scurries off.

Then, the Abbots arrive.

They step from the truck and immediately go for M.K. Each blow from the main Abbot (Cung Le) sends a spark of light into M.K.’s body. He touches the boy’s forehead, delivering another spark, and M.K. goes limp. Sunny knows they intend to take M.K. away, but he won’t let them go without a fight. It’s one of the best I’ve seen, even though Sunny loses.

Like M.K., the Abbots change, but remain controlled. They beat Sunny with no weapons, break his sword and knock him through several walls. As he lay lifeless in a pile of rubble, the Abbots make off with M.K. Sunny is still down for the count when a mysterious shadow falls over him.

Tilda returns home. The Widow asks her which bottle holds the cure, but we don’t hear Tilda’s reply.

Veil returns too late. She finds the carnage and Sunny’s broken sword. She has missed the boat … but Sunny has not. Daylight wakes him, and he finds himself chained in the cargo hold. The River King drops Bale’s head at Sunny’s feet, pissed he’s been double-crossed. But all is not lost for the River King. He’s a trader and Sunny’s skills make for a very valuable commodity … Sunny’s getting out of the Badlands, but not as he’d planned.

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Madeleine Mantock as Veil – Into the Badlands _ Season 1, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: James Minchin III/AMC

M.K. wakes in the trunk. Just as we began with his voice-over, we end with it. He doesn’t know if he and Sunny deserve redemption, but there is one thing he knows for sure … “The journey has just begun.” Whoo-hoo!

Let the comments commence!

  • What is Jade’s deal? Did she poison herself? What did she tell Quinn? Is Ryder in on any of it?
  • Is Tilda’s answer to The Widow’s question indirectly answered by her absence at the ambush?
  • Will Lydia stay where she is? What will happen when she finds out about Quinn’s death?
  • What’s in store for Sunny, Veil and M.K.?
  • Season 2— t0 be or not to be?

10 Comments

  1. I miss a few episodes. Are you going to bring them back? So that those who miss episodes can catch up ?

    • I think you can access missed episodes on AMC’s website. You can access the first two further down in my recap blog. I’m not sure when they are running them on TV again.

  2. I wanted to say that I’ve been reading your recaps from the beginning, and you and maybe one other recapper actually likes the show! I have no idea why others seem to find it boring or actively dislike it.

    Anyway I will be extremely disappointed if we don’t get a second season. I loved it and the fight scenes were incredible. If it’s any help, I read an article featuring the writers and they said that they’re optimistic about being green-lit.

    • I have also been disappointed in the lack of enthusiasm…kinda makes me wonder where the appreciation for creativity, fantasy and originality has gone. As soon as I saw the ads, I asked to recap the show. It got me because it just looked so different, and I wanted to be a part of it. I can see how the first two episodes may have turned viewers off, but the need for instant gratification is kind of sad. I think so many viewers miss out on a lot of great stuff if they aren’t immediately sucked in. If a good story reveals all at the beginning, why keep reading?

      This series is great. I think it takes a different kind of audience to appreciate it. I read a press release before I began writing, and the intricacies that went into the fight scenes are amazing. It’s so much more than just another series on AMC. Into the Badlands is truly original. And I’m pissed at some of TWD fans…another series I absolutely love…for giving ITB the pooh-pooh just because it came between TWD and TTD for a few weeks.

      One thing I have to say about ITB is this: It’s deeply symbolic and requires a different kind of thinking to really absorb it. AND THE FIGHT SCENES ARE BAD ASS! Maybe if more people appreciated the grueling work and concentration involved in martial arts, they’d feel differently.

      I will remain hopeful for that green light! Thanks much for reading!

    • You’re not kidding! If they leave us hanging with so much unknown stuff, I’m going to be REALLY pissed off. I remember watching the first season of ‘The Killing’… we were supposed to find out who killed Rosie (I think that was her name) and then WE DIDN’T! And AMC pulled the same crap they always do…no news of a second season for MONTHS! I thought my head was going to explode. I don’t get it! Just spill the damn beans! We’re going to have to wait a while for a second season to start anyway – isn’t that torture enough?

      Thank you for liking my review. It makes me happy. I love the series, too. It’s totally unique. It’s a seriously welcome stray from the norm.

  3. There’s no way, and I mean NO WAY that there can’t be a season 2 after this season finale (and I take the word ‘season’ instead of ‘series’ finale to be a clue that there will be a second season). The real question isn’t if but when will it start? I’m betting…and it’s just a hunch… that we may see it either before or coinciding with the new season of The Walking Dead on February 14th. Six episodes was just a taste, leaving your mouth watering for more. Try taking only six steps. You’re not getting very far. Or six shots…you’re still gonna be thirsty and not even slightly buzzed. OK, maybe just a touch warm, but still not enough to wet the whistle.

    I was glad to see Jade is still among the living, but we don’t know who or what poisoned her. That’s one of the big unanswered questions. Also, we see The Widow eyeing up the three vials. Will she wait for Veil’s return to administer the correct one, or she herself try to guess which of the three is the cure and chug it down? The biggest…and most obvious… (for me anyhow) unknown is Sunny’s fate. By all accounts he should be dead. Did Veil find him? Is she helping him? Reviving him? She found his broken sword, which gave her a clue he was in major trouble. Will Quinn be Sunny’s last tattoo as he promised? Will M.K. escape, or will he be killed? These are the things I wonder. My gut feeling is that both will survive and be a vital part of the sure-to-happen second season. News of when that begins will be a great way to start 2016. Until then, thank you for these six thorough and fun to read / easy to read recaps. You do excellent work!

    • Again…I SO appreciate your following! My thoughts…Jade is shady…she poisoned herself, and she’s surely got more crap up her sleeve…you’re glad she’s alive because she’s kinda cute…admit it! 🙂 I doubt Veil is helping Sunny…he’s on the boat without her, but who picked him up while he was knocked out cold? The Widow is awaiting Tilda’s return with an answer regarding the vials…but we do not know the answer Tilda gives. I think Sunny WANTS Quinn to be his last tattoo, but he didn’t foresee being chained in the cargo hold of the River King’s vessel. M.K.’s not getting killed…just cleansed, whatever that means.

      Regardless, I think you are right about a second season…without one, it would be like tearing up half a book and throwing it away. Fans will be angry. SECOND SEASON, DAMMT! Angry fist…

      • Hmm, you just might be right about Jade poisoning herself. In the back of my mind I thought it was possible, but only remotely. And you also just might be right about why I was happy to see her survive 🙂

        While Veil may not be helping Sunny, she certainly knows he’s either dead or at the very least in grave danger. But who will she tell this to and will it lead to his rescue?

        And Lydia finally changed outfits!! Well, she pretty much needed to for the baptism, but she at least found something a little less formal in her closet 🙂

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