Into the Badlands Ep. 201 – Tiger Pushes Mountain
6 months have passed since the events of last season’s finale and Sunny and M.K. find themselves separated and struggling to regain what they’ve lost. Now a prisoner in the Bordeaux Mines, Sunny vows to make his way back into the Badlands to reunite his family at any cost. It’s a perilous fall from grace as the former Clipper, once on top of the world, now finds himself several meters below it.
It doesn’t take long for the feet to start flying. Bent but not broken, Sunny’s fighting spirit is on full display as he takes on some guards in the mine. The unsung stars of the show are fight choreographer Ku Huen-Chiu and action director Stephen Fung, and judging by the opening sequence this season won’t disappoint.
M.K. is on his own path, now a member of the sect that kidnapped him at the end of last season. Under the tutelage of his abbot, Eva he continues to train and master his powers. Still exhibiting some of the fire that got him into trouble last season M.K. soon realizes that he still has a lot to learn about himself and the world around him.
While Tiger Pushes Mountain does a great job of reestablishing characters and plot lines for longtime viewers it also makes it easy for new viewers to jump on board. New to the cast is Nick Frost and Bajie, Sunny’s comrade in the mines. Chained together, they’re more partners of circumstance than anything else. Sunny remains a man of few words leaving Bajie to give him and the audience the lay of the land.
There’s loads of intrigue in Tiger Pushes Mountain. What’s the deal with the sect training fellow special kids like M.K. and what’s up with the sect’s master? Ryder steps into his father’s shoes and becomes the new Baron. Despite his absence, Quinn casts a long shadow, one that Ryder finds extremely difficult to emerge from. None of this matters to his new wife, Jade who channels her inner Lady Macbeth – albeit a softer one, as the spoils of being a Baron’s wife begin to sink in. The power Ryder now wields is almost like a burden. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and it’s not long before the Widow and her henchgirl, Tilda challenge him.
The Widow and Tilda make an explosive return to action as they bring the fight to Ryder. Every great show needs a great villain or two and the Widow certainly fits that bill. Emily Beecham is a scene stealer and she appears to be having as much fun as the audience whenever she’s kicking ass on screen. The body count runs pretty high in Tiger Pushes Mountain and we can thank the Widow for that. Tilda’s no slouch in that department either and neither is her band of sword wielding lady warriors.
Into the Badlands makes a triumphant return with Tiger Pushes Mountain. There’s enough intrigue, blood, highflying martial arts and a shock ending to keep old fans happy and to bring new ones into the fold.
