'The Bastard Executioner' Season Finale Recap: The 5 Most Satisfying Moments
Warning: This recap for the “Blood and Quiescence/Crau a Chwsg” episode of The Bastard Executioner contains spoilers.
Update: Kurt Sutter has announced the show’s cancellation.
There’s been no word on whether FX will move forward with a second season of The Bastard Executioner, but if it doesn’t, we, like Wilkin Brattle, have found peace. A series with so much carnage (even in this episode, as enemies banded together to defeat the Rosula and save Father Ruskin and Luca) ended with a love scene. Dare we call it heartwarming? Also, Milus and Isabel? YES.
Here are the 5 most satisfying moments.
1. Wilkin’s butt shot. It’s just not a Kurt Sutter show unless the leading man is baring his backside. The finale ended with Wilkin climbing into Love’s bed to make their shared vision of a baby a reality. “Tell me, dear man, who am I to lay with this night? Honored warrior, barley farmer, Maddox the punisher?” Love asked. “Which would you prefer?” Wilkin wondered. “Perhaps all three,” she answered. THAT would be the adventure Love’s after.
Oh, and said baby will carry on the bloodline of Jesus, since Wilkin’s mother, Annora, told Wilkin that she’s an ancestor. And if I followed that conversation correctly, the sacred text on her skin will be passed down from generation to generation as well, until people can understand its truth and it’s revealed to them.
2. Milus got a happy ending. Milus has been my favorite thing about this series since the pilot, and this episode made me feel no shame for that. Milus gave Frenchie his cloak to keep him warm while he took Jessamy to Pryceshire for treatment that may or may not involve anointed rods being driven into her freshly drilled head (a sad fate, but better than death, which she was facing for again threatening Love). Then Milus made a double entendre-filled pass at Isabel: “When was the last time you had an anointed rod in your fresh hole, maiden? [Insert her mock disgust.] Please, we’ve already thrown away law and status this night,” he said. “Then it depends, sir,” she replied. “How was the rod anointed: in size or firmness?”
In truth, I think Milus has feelings for Love that go beyond the fondness they expressed for each other in this episode, but knowing that she wants Wilkin, he’s set his sights on the next smartest, wittiest woman in Ventrishire — at least for one night. After all, he suggested Love fake a miscarriage to get out of her pregnancy problem, and he’s smart enough to know that Isabel has been covering for her. That loyalty and cleverness would be attractive to Milus. With Ventrishire secured (assuming the Ordainers keep their word about making sure it stays with Love), and Leon and Locke fighting for honor and loyalty as opposed to money, it’s like orphan Milus finally feels he’s found a home. There’s a softness to him now. It’s almost enough to make you forget all the torture and death he’s ordered.
3. Enemies united. It was a bit of a feel-good hour and a half, really. First Locke and Toran had a completely non-barbaric showdown. Toran thought Locke deserved an honest fight since he’d taken responsibility for the blood on his blade even though his commander had told him to spill it. Then when Locke got the upperhand, and Toran said it was fitting that Locke be the one to reunite him with his wife and son, Locke told him that Ventrishire wasn’t a place of mercy but it was a place of honor. Locke considers their debt paid — unless Toran tries to kill him again.
Next, Leon got to tell Wilkin that he wasn’t the one who killed Petra and that he wears her cross not as a trophy but as a reminder that God comes before crown. Wilkin believed him after he saw a vision of Petra seconding Leon’s claim.
Leon and Locke volunteered to help Wilkin rescue Father Ruskin and Luca — as did Wilkin’s friends, the Jewish scribe, the Dark Mute, and, after Love sent word, the Wolf and the Byth Encil. They all fought side-by-side against the Rosula. Wilkin’s friends and the scribe will go free now. The Wolf and the Byth Encil have proven themselves honorable enough for people to take those peace talks Love has suggested seriously. Milus wanted to know why the Wolf fought with them when it risked his valuable numbers. “We never fight for gain, sir,” the Wolf said. “We fight to keep what is already ours.”
4. The Dark Mute’s burns were explained. He caused explosions that knocked the Rosula off their horses to even the playing field — and also set himself aflame so he’d be a greater, fiery weapon for the outnumbered allies. He appeared to die for good. But it was worth it because…
5. Robinus was killed. While I really wanted to see Father Ruskin take him out, it was Luca who stabbed him from behind. That kind of kill is acceptable to Wilkin, apparently — better a warrior than a punisher. Wilkin seems confident that wounded, fleeing Cormac (Ed Sheeran) won’t survive the night, but you’ve got to leave one “bad guy” alive if there’s hope for a second season, right?
In the end, the moral seems to be that faith, when it’s between man and god directly, is good and tolerant; when you add a church between them, it’s corrupted by greed and destruction.
There are some other leftover burning questions. Aside from Cormac’s fate, there’s the issue of Ash being a serial killer that went unexplored. Ditto the fact that Wilkin still doesn’t know Annora and the Dark Mute orchestrated Petra’s death. And seriously, how long with Milus and Isabel be bed buddies?
