The Bastard Executioner episode 6 recap: Game of thorns …

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Pictured: (l-r) Trevor Sellars as Robinus, Ed Sheeran as Cormac. CR: Ollie Upton/FX

Did everyone come into this week’s episode of The Bastard Executioner expecting the punisher’s “wife” to dole out some serious punishment after the way we left off last week? Well, our helium-voiced little Mrs. Maddox is not about to let us down.

• The Bastard Executioner Season 1 recaps: Episode 1  and 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 |Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9

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THE BASTARD EXECUTIONER — Pictured: Sarah Sweeney as Jessamy Maddox. CR: James Minchin/FX

We open in the Maddox bedchamber, where Jessamy gazes at a just-waking-up Wilkin. She tells her faux spouse that he is lovely when he sleeps. He tells her that she’s been awfully … vigilant … lately.  It’s not really a compliment. She doesn’t seem to care.

“As a devoted wife should be … to keep her blessings in good order,” Jessamy says serenely. Wilkin laments the disorder of his own affairs and she tells him that they will quiet, especially when Luca takes over the family, er, trade.

Oh hell no to that, says the boy’s protective new dad. Again, Jessamy is undeterred. It’s Luca’s birthright and duty, she says. Just like it was Wilkin’s … er, the guy Wilkin is pretending to be. That little matter taken care of, off she goes to tend the day.

In Lady Love’s chamber, the baroness hands Isabel an official-looking scroll and tells her to have the Reeve post it. Isabel gives her a pointed look, but Love says that whatever’s on there is the King’s proclamation and thus, the shire must hear it. The pair agree to go berry picking later in the day to relieve the stress of all this pretending and have a little girl time.

Milus, meanwhile, is having himself a time that involves ladies of varying statures and a cage full of live rats (mercifully we don’t get to see the sum of that equation) when Tell comes calling with Lady Love’s scroll. The Chamberlin shakes his head at its contents.

Meanwhile, Annora is tending to her mortar and pestle when a spot of blood appears on her palm. She stops her work and pulls out a thorn. The wound heals instantly.Well, that was certainly biblical.

Back in Ventrishire, Toran shows Wilkin a clandestine load of armor and swords pilfered from the tinker’s pile to bolster The Wolf’s armory. “At least it will be a familiar blade that tries to kill us when the rebels attack our next caravan,” Wilkin snarks of the task they have before them. And here comes Mrs. Vigilant. She wants to know where her man is going. To the rock beds to do some trading, he tells her. Grain. You know how it is. A shire’s gotta eat. Someone is feeling extra jealous today and asks the 14th-century version of whether or not there will be prettier girls than her at the party.

Wilkin nods at the newly enslaved Ash and Calo — who look much better than I expected after their time in the hole — on his way out of town.

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“Thorns/Drain” Episode 6 Pictured: (l-r) Lee Jones as Wilkin Brattle, Sam Spruell as Toran Pritchard. CR: Ollie Upton/FX

Meanwhile, Tell posts the news of Love’s pregnancy, which Father Ruskin reads to the assembled residents. Jessamy looks stunned. Does she suspect Wilkin is the father after last week’s embrace — or does she suspect something more than just adultery? Anyone? Theories?

Out on the trails, Toran and Wilkin meet up with a pair of Ventrishire soldiers who say they will travel with them to keep them safe … and have a little fun in the neighboring berg while they’re at it. Wilkin protests and one goes and one stays. The wagon immediately hits a log and the ensuing rattling betrays their cargo. Better to mind your own business in the company of the punisher, ill-fated Huxley. But, all in all, you had the blade coming to you. Poor Wilkin. So many unsanctioned punishments.

[Also does this show not have the best theme song on TV? I still get goosebumps from that thing.]

Out in the berry patch, Lady Love is dealing with some nosy guards, too, while elsewhere in the woods Cormac (Oh hey, Ed Sheeran) and Robinus, the Archdeacon of Torture, are still on the trail of the seraphim. As sunlight washes over his face, Robinus praises his underling’s cunning. Somehow I think it may work against him.

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Pictured: (l-r) Trevor Sellars as Robinus, Ed Sheeran as Cormac. CR: Ollie Upton/FX

Back in their cave, Annora hands The Dark Mute a bloodied palmful of the thorns. “They will begin their search at the castle,” she tells him. He tells her he will ready his service and heads back into the bowels of the cavern to pray.

Then we finally get our first look at native Welshman Matthew Rhys’ (le sigh!) mysterious Wolf, who is collecting the offering from Wilkin and Toran. He says the mission might really be God taking the reins and guiding the pair to holier ground, and offers them refuge in his ranks. Wilkin says they can’t do that, but The Wolf can make him a promise that he won’t harm the baroness in the Byth Encil’s adventures. The Wolf agrees.

The Wolf is a fibber. Well, sort of. Two seconds later, as Lady Love is lamenting the lack of adventure in her life, she and Isabel are set upon by captors who turn out to be said Wolf and his men. The Wolf hauls Love off for himself.

Hmmm. Love speaks awfully brazenly to this supposedly ferocious rebel leader. And that would be because … the Wolf is her blood. Her half-brother “Griffy.” And not a beloved half-brother, at that.

She asks him why their meeting, in the ruins of their granddad’s fortress, had to be so … clunky. “One has to protect our history … and honor the myth,” he tells her. She honors his history by insulting his commoner mother. They trade a few more jibes about who had the better upbringing and who daddy liked best, then get down to business: their shared goal of a free Wales.

“Change will only come about with even temper and open heart,” Love reminds Griffy.

“I did not start this revolution, Love,” he reminds her right back. “Longshanks planted that seed of hate years ago, ripping from our hearts our most sacred title and crown and placing it on the head of his own frivolous son.” That would make a man mad.

As for his own murderous reputation — well, that is mostly myth, too. “I am more legend than law,” he says, adding that half of the attacks blamed on the Byth Encil weren’t its doing at all, including the attack on his sister’s caravan following the trip to the fishing village.

Oh. Well then that’s a MUCH worse situation.

“A revolution with no leader is chaos,” the baroness worries and he tells her that’s why he captured her today. See, he needs to be able to provide for his men in order to organize them effectively, if you get his drift. And he knows she’s been spiriting away artifacts, soooo … perhaps a small donation?

She asks why he doesn’t just go and steal himself one or two. Because he is The Wolf, not Robin Hood. He’d like to give to the poor honestly. “Bestow one to me,” he tells her. “A gift to me to restore our noble Wales.” But if she doesn’t do it, he swears he won’t be mad. There probably won’t be peace. But he won’t be mad.

Back at the Maddox house, Wilkin calls a family meeting. A serious one. Enough already with the “good Maddie” this and “good Maddie” that, he thunders at poor Jessamy. Everyone in the room knows the truth and so does the Chamberlin, so here’s the deal: This morning, he murdered one of the men responsible for the death of his real wife and unborn child. Their deaths are why he is here. Seeking revenge is the only reason he has stayed. But now Huxley is dead and they must all get out of town before Milus finds out.

Jessamy doesn’t care for the plan. He makes her cry, then apologizes and says he will protect her … if she’d just freakin’ get ready to go already.

She walks out on him instead. Luca says he will pack and tend to his nervous mother, too. But he has a question first. After they are safely squirreled away, does Wilkin plan to leave them or is he Luca’s forever favver?  “I will never be your father — not of birth,” says Wilkin leaning down to the boy, “but I’ll not leave you son.” Sniffle! Gah! I love Wilkin-Luca bonding time. And Isabel-Love bonding time. And Love-Wilkin bonding time. Let’s have an execution and toughen me up.

Meanwhile, Toran tells Ash and Calo that they will be the ones to lead Jessamy and the children to safety and that it’s of the utmost importance to Wilkin. Even more so than staying here to prepare for revenge. I’m guessing that’s mostly because once Milus discovered what happened in forest, it’s off with everyone’s head.

Freed by Griffy and his men, Isabel and Love are reunited and Love apologizes to her pal for having to keep yet another giant secret. The faithful Isabel — Isabel! I love you, so! —  says if it’s in the name of peace, it shall be an honor. They tell the fretting guards that they were off, um, staring at a bog. One with … strange muds. It could happen.

Meanwhile, Tell comes calling at the Maddox home: Milus needs Wilkin. Pronto. He’s not there, says Luca. Rather, he is discussing the plan with Berber the Moor — who is now a court transcriber watched over by someone who looks an awful lot like the Wolf. BtM suggests they might not have to leave if the rebels can be blamed for Huxley’s death. Wilkin says it’s not that simple. Nothing with Milus ever is.

Annora appears in Ventrishire as Father Ruskin gives a sermon to the children. She fills his hands with thorns, too, and he says he’ll have no part of her sorcery. They are not to heal, she says of the offering. They are to warn that danger is on its way. He drops the bits on the ground. Leviticus 14:20, mister, she instructs, then pulls another thorn from her chest, hands it to the priest and tells him he will know the evil when he sees it. God will tell him what to do.

At the castle, Tell tells Milus he has yet to find the punisher, but in the meantime, there is someone else who like to have a little chat about him. That would be Mrs. Punisher. She smiles at Milus shyly. Oh lady. Just stay home and tend the baby we haven’t seen all episode. Stop poking myriad bears.

Afterward, Milus comes to Lady Love with news that a rebel has confessed to the murder of Baroness Pryce. One under the order of the Wolf, just like the way things went down after the trip to the fishing village — even though she knows that is not true. The trial and punishment of the Godless killer, he assures her, will be swift.

Well, maybe not that swift. The Archdeacon of Windsor is here to interrupt the proceedings.

Speaking of interruptions, Toran tells Wilkin that the gate guards think Jessamy and the children are heading off to visit family. Maddox says he will challenge Tell to a fight to distract him while it happens. Too late. Here he is now, at the Chamberlin’s behest. Jessamy steps out of the shadows, too, a satisfied smile on her face.

Father Ruskin, Milus and Love tend to the arrangements of their guests — Robinus will get the guest quarters. His man will bunk with the Father. Mass will be held on Sunday. Milus excuses himself to tend to other matters. Which would be telling Wilkin that Jessamy told him that Huxley and his men made improper advances toward her and Maddox is mad with rage. He will be confined to his little room of misery until he gets himself under control. But Milus knows it’s all a load of bull. He also knows Wilkin was once the King’s knight and the captives were his kinsmen. So let’s make a deal.

Milus needs fearless, lawless warriors just like them and he has a tempting offer to seal the deal. Come hither, poor guardsman Norris. Tell us about the torching of the gentlemen’s village and the murder of their innocents. Or get knocked out cold by Milus and offered to Wilkin and his men to do as they please. Whatever gets the job done. Milus says the chance to avenge their family in this manner is his final offer, and he would advise them to take it.

Oh and by the way, Wilkin? “The wife, she is quite mad. Take concern in that.” Truer words likely never spoken.

Alas, poor Norris. Wilkin goes to gathers the others to decide what to do about the situation … and him.

In the catacombs, Love delivers a bejeweled bracelet to the Wolf and tells him she needs a big, strong Wolf right now. Live up to his history AND his myth. She wants his word that they will seek peace together — an alliance of noble and rebel. Jesus was a rebel, he tells her, slipping into the darkness. Father Ruskin spots him taking off his disguise. Fingers the thorn. Thinks the Wolf is the problem instead of the deacon, perhaps?

When Wilkin, Ash and Calo return, they discover Toran has taken matters — and an instrument of torture — into his own hands, doing something seriously unpleasant to Norris’ mouth. The others are mortified. But the torment has been fruitful. The only thing he has yet to find out is who killed his wife. If he’s going to forever indebted to Milus, at least he’d like the relief of knowing that much and “the comfort that madness will serve.”

Norris gives up the info. It was Locke. Toran stalks off and Norris begs Wilkin for … something. Mercy? To be put out of his misery? Wilkin buries a dagger in his gut, then looks at his stunned men. “And so we have vengeance,” he says bitterly.

In their cavern, Annora gazes at the mysterious tattooed hide, while the Dark Mute selects a weapon from a cabinet that also holds a knight templar’s armor. Onward, Christian soldier?

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THE BASTARD EXECUTIONER — Pictured: Kurt Sutter as The Dark Mute. CR: James Minchin/FX

Back in Ventrishire, Love finds a tormented Wilkin amid the bags of grain and wonders why he isn’t in the chapel, as is usually the case when he’s troubled. “I fear God might not recognize me as of late,” he says mournfully. “My heart feels so unfamiliar, as if it beats inside another man. But my hands, they hold no warmth, no truth I can recall.” He begins to weep and blames his melancholy on being tired. That’s a total chick thing, Wilkin. No chick will fall for it.

Love takes his hand. “If this other man is half as true and good as the one I know,” she says to him softly, “I know God sees the grace within him.” He tells her she is beautiful and kind and his only truth of late. “Do you see me?” he pleads. Yes, and she saw something more. “I saw the birth of a boy when I touched your wound that night,” she says. “I sensed you saw it as well.”

He lies that he only felt the pain of his wounds, stalking away from his Love.

So what say you, TBX fans? What will come of Jessamy’s plan? Of Love and the Wolf’s newly sealed alliance? Or the impending showdown between Cormac, Robinus and the Dark Mute? Does killing come much too easily to Wilkin these days, or is each offing justified? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

New episodes of The Bastard Executioner air Tuesday nights at 10/9CT on FX.

 

3 Comments

  1. That song is AMAZING and performed by ED SHEERAN but written FOR the show by its writer (I believe) and from what I understand it was just written as an intro so it isn’t a full song (because I was looking for it also!). Another musical song u may LOVE is ” MICHAELS SONG” of Dominion (there is the cello player on youtube performing a few minutes of it and IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL).. Google the song name and add Dominion then find on youtube the one that shows the cello player (a well-known orchestra company)..BACK to EXECUTIONERs song; I DO hope SHEERAN can make a full song of it! I am floored when I read people downing the theme song! Can you believe it!!!..wow.

  2. About the theme song, I agree, gorgeous! I’d love a full length version, but there’s none I can find.

    Matthew Rhys’ appearance gave me a start: has “The Americans” been cancelled? Apparently not, but that’s how I find out about cancellations these days, like when Alana De La Garza showed up on “Scorpion”, spelling doom for “Forever”. I guess Rhys is just a member in good standing of the FX acting pool.

    • And short-form TV allows actors of his range to do multiple delicious projects, so win and win.

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About Lori Acken 1195 Articles
Lori just hasn't been the same since "thirtysomething" and "Northern Exposure" went off the air.