5 Ways The Bastard Executioner Is More Like Game of Thrones Than Sons of Anarchy
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While Kurt Sutter maintains that his new series, The Bastard Executioner, is similar to Sons of Anarchy, it's hard not to notice how it compares to another epic series: Game of Thrones. It's not just the swordplay — though that is definitely part of it — there are a lot of things in the two-hour series premiere that feel like callbacks to HBO's series. Without giving away too much about the first episode, here are five ways that the show is more than vaguely reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
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The Time Period
Right off the bat, we know that The Bastard Executioner is set in Wales, at the dawn of the 14th century. Technically, Game of Thrones isn't set in a particular era: it's a total work of fiction that is set in its own universe. However, according to Quora, Game of Thrones is similar to the 15th century: "the science and technology in the series is comparable to the late medieval period in Europe." I know the 14th and 15th centuries are different, but let's not nitpick.
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An Element of Fantasy
Star Lee Jones says that the two shows are "very different" because Game of Thrones incorporates fantasy, while The Bastard Executioner "is very based in reality." That's all fine and good, but the series opens with a dream sequence that shows a dragon coming out of someone's chest. Of course, it's just a dream, but still. There is a dragon coming out of someone's chest. There's also a town mystic, played by Katey Sagal. You're going to tell me there's no magic on this show? Psh.
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The Brutal Fight Sequences
Heaven knows Game of Thrones is chock-full of bloody scenes, and though FX isn't HBO (meaning it can't go too far with the gore), The Bastard Executioner has its fair share of over-the-top battles. Don't think you can handle disemboweled villagers? What about gingerly slit throats? You may need to close your eyes a couple of times while watching the premiere — especially during the final shot.
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An Evil Nemesis in Power
While most of the characters on Game of Thrones have shades of both good and bad, some are just downright evil. Remember Joffrey? There's nothing good about that guy. His counterpart on The Bastard Executioner is Milus Corbett, played by Stephen Moyer. He's an English chamberlain who becomes fast enemies with Wilton, and like Joffrey, his wickedness is quite entertaining.
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Family Drama
Game of Thrones is all about family. The families are usually far apart or incestuous or murderous, but whatever it is, something is always going on with the Lannisters and the Starks. The heart of The Bastard Executioner lies in the same vein: Wilkin Brattle does everything for his family, and you see just how far he's willing to go on the premiere.