And when Baije saves the day when he cuts off this legend’s hand by casually tossing a sword at it, I was pretty much done. Which makes it seem like Nathaniel is holding back from really giving Sunny a whoopin’ and is instead participating in a training sequence of some sort.
But I would definitely feel like they were real people and not video game bots programmed to give exposition if we were shown more about who they are instead of being told about it in condensed monologues.Īfter laying low with Baije, Sunny and Moon go at it for a while – not like that – in a graceful sword battle that’s lethargic when compared to the other fight sequences that we’ve witnessed so far this season, including the big brawl on the bridge during the opening teaser. In last week’s review I said that I finally care about what happens to them – and I do. It’s funny how I know what motivates these characters because they explicitly tell me in formulaic, wistful info dumps, but I still don’t feel fully connected with them.
Although I find Nathaniel Moon to be a promising character that should be explored further, I don’t look at him and think: “Wow, there’s a brutal killing machine who has to cut off his emotions just to survive.” I think: “Hey, that’s a pretty nice guy who’s pretending to be a killer.” True, there’s a certain level of peace and tranquility he’s supposed to have since he’s a warrior, but this comes across as big-hearted in Sherman Augustus’ performance and it’s slightly distracting. It’s meant to make Sunny doubt himself and his quest, but the delivery is too insincere. “It’s the greatest gift you’ll give her.” To which Sunny gulps big time. “If you care for her, don’t go back,” the suprisingly good-natured assassin warns our hero. Moon’s own family was murdered by the nomads he worked with because he thought he could have the exact same thing. It’s meant to introduce a mysterious and formidable character, a gentle killer who represents Sunny’s greatest fear about being a Clipper: that he will never have a normal life with Veil and his child. The focus of the episode is supposed to be on Sunny and Baije meeting a legendary Clipper known as Nathaniel Moon, not the Widow and Waldo’s cloak and dagger fun. But it’s all good I watched your first season, so I know there will be lulls. But in the third episode? Really? Now you’re just padding things out, Into the Badlands. If, say, this had been closer towards the finale and built around whatever climax takes place then, I would cut it some slack for trying to create tension.
I’m not a fan of storytelling like that, especially when it’s used this early on in a season. It builds up an event that doesn’t get a payoff within the same hour.
That is precisely why “Red Sun, Silver Moon” is a tease.
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