# The Bastard Executioner **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443 "2015-09-16T04:12:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/1 "2015-09-16T04:12:01Z")
New series on FX, from Kurt Sutter (_The Shield, Sons of Anarchy_). Set in Wales in the 1300’s, it (so far) looks pretty decent, although I’m having a bit of trouble with the overly-thick accents. It looks to be taking the “Braveheart” route in its depiction of combat; not for the weak of stomach. It also appears to be adding a bit of a supernatural element as well (note: that’s supernatural as in visions of angels and ghosts, not _Supernatural_ with Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki running about on black horses and waving swords about). I’m guessing someone wanted to try to cash in on the interest/following _Game of Thrones_ has garnered, and is trying a period piece of their own. Anyone else watching? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/2 "2015-09-16T11:19:36Z")
So is he an Executioner who’s a literal bastard, or an Executioner who’s simply an SOB, or is he a guy who kills illegitimate children, or what? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/3 "2015-09-16T12:05:21Z")
My teenage daughter is a HUGE Ed Sheeran fan, who has a small part in the show. She was trying to learn more about the show, got a sense for how violent it will be based on reviews and Sutter’s history with Sons, and took a big step backwards. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/4 "2015-09-16T14:13:28Z")
I caught the premiere last night, and after the first hour I was actually pretty bored with it. Just seemed like there was violence for the sake of violence. Not enough plot to keep my interest. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/5 "2015-09-16T15:40:21Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > So is he an Executioner who’s a literal bastard, or an Executioner who’s simply an SOB, or is he a guy who kills illegitimate children, or what? There’re [two summaries for it on imdb.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4218618/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl) Both are relatively straightforward and reasonably accurate in spite of their brevity. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/6 "2015-09-16T16:09:45Z")
The pilot was pretty boring. You could basically predict the entire plot within the first five minutes. Pregnant wife might’ve well had “I’m going to die” sign on her Still, a lot of TV pilots have the same problem, so I’ll give it another few episodes. Also, if I ever lead a band of bandits to steal from an evil baron, knowing that if one of us is ever recognized he’ll kill us all, I might not bring along the one black guy in all of Medieval Wales. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_the_turtle/32/2926_2.png) [@Fear\_the\_Turtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_the_Turtle)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/7 "2015-09-16T16:35:01Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I caught the premiere last night, and after the first hour I was actually pretty bored with it. Just seemed like there was violence for the sake of violence. Not enough plot to keep my interest. Felt the same way, but then the 2nd hour pulled it all together and gave the direction the show was going to go in. Enough to keep me tuned in for a few more weeks to see how it progresses. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/8 "2015-09-16T16:49:05Z")
Personally, I think I’ll pass and wait a few weeks for [The Last Kingdom](http://www.bbcamerica.com/the-last-kingdom/). I’m curious to see how they do Uhtred with respect to his utter disdain for Christianity. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/9 "2015-09-16T16:56:48Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > There’re [two summaries for it on imdb.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4218618/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl) Both are relatively straightforward and reasonably accurate in spite of their brevity. Neither of them seem to answer my question, though. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/10 "2015-09-16T17:01:08Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > So is he an Executioner who’s a literal bastard, or an Executioner who’s simply an SOB, or is he a guy who kills illegitimate children, or what? Made me smile. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/11 "2015-09-16T17:43:55Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > So is he an Executioner who’s a literal bastard, or an Executioner who’s simply an SOB, or is he a guy who kills illegitimate children, or what? I’m pretty sure he’s a vampire that kills only lesbians. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/12 "2015-09-18T14:36:09Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Personally, I think I’ll pass and wait a few weeks for [The Last Kingdom](http://www.bbcamerica.com/the-last-kingdom/). I’m curious to see how they do Uhtred with respect to his utter disdain for Christianity. I can’t wait for this! I’m hoping not to be disappointed- one of my favorite book series. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/13 "2015-09-18T14:41:31Z")
I do have to nominate “the guy who wipes the Baron’s ass” for Worst Job in England. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/14 "2015-09-18T18:39:35Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > I do have to nominate “the guy who wipes the Baron’s ass” for Worst Job in England. He’s in Wales isn’t he? They forced that down your throat despite not a single Welsh accent. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/15 "2015-09-19T18:12:20Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > I do have to nominate “the guy who wipes the Baron’s ass” for Worst Job in England. That wasn’t even his worst job. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/16 "2015-09-19T18:20:31Z")
I just watched the first three minutes and it had slicing of bodies, spurting of blood, all before you saw anyones face. There was a battlefield with a nude woman standing. It was apparently a dream sequence. I’m not going to keep on with it. Let’s see how it works in DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/17 "2015-09-19T18:25:20Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > That wasn’t even his worst job. It is, however, his _shittiest_ job. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/18 "2015-09-19T18:46:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It is, however, his _shittiest_ job. That depends on how you look at it i guess. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/19 "2015-09-19T19:18:09Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > That depends on how you look at it i guess. Maybe we could stop looking at it for a bit? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443/20 "2015-09-20T02:24:57Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > He’s in Wales isn’t he? > > They forced that down your throat despite not a single Welsh accent. 😕 There were tons of Welsh accents. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bastard-executioner/731443.md?page=2)