The Bastard Executioner
Season 1 Episode 1.3: “Effigy / Delw”
Directed by Paris Barclay
Written by Kurt Sutter, Charles Murray, Nichole Beattie
Created by Kurt Sutter
Starring Lee Jones, Stephen Moyer, Katey Sagal, Kurt Sutter, Sam Spruell, Darren Evans, Matthew Rhys, Timothy V. Murphy, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Elen Rhys, Danny Sapani
FX
Air Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2015, 10:00pm

Last week during The Bastard Executioner’s premiere, we were sucked into the bloody violent 14th century world of Wilkin Brattle (Lee Jones), former knight who wants nothing to do with war, giddily happy with his pregnant wife in his little life. We all knew (even if we didn’t see all the trailers), that that meant her imminent death. It was more graphic than I have ever seen, even as the hope for her survival was snatched away at the end (we think by The Dark Mute – Kurt Sutter – but are not sure) That’s not the last we will see of Petra (Elen Rhys), as she haunts Brattle during at his most desperate moments during moral battles. She is slaughtered, as is the entire village, and the grief is palpable. The reason? The lord of the land in consultation with his chamberlain, Miles Corbett (Stephen Moyer), raised the already hefty taxes, and Brattle joined his fellow villagers to send a rebellious message. Brattle already had crossed their paths in battle, after they left him for dead. They attack Ventris, who is killed via sword through the head (works every time), but it is not over. Also killed during this fight is the real executioner, whose family was sent ahead to the castle. Brattle poses as he (thanks to Annora marking him as such), and is almost exposed, but the abused wife and child claim him. Corbett knows who he really is, and they are bound by this secret.

The Strain
Season 2 Episode 8: “Intruders”
Directed by Kevin Dowling
Written by David Weddle, Bradley Thompson
Created by Chuck Hogan, Guillermo del Toro
Starring Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Mia Maestro, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, Natalie Brown, Ruta Gedmintas, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland, Lizzie Brocheré, Joaquín Cosio, Rupert Penry-Jones
FX
Air Date: Sunday August 30th, 2015, 10pm

Last week on The Strain, a new player is flexing his undead muscles in town – Quinlan (Rupert Penry-Jones). He’s only half-undead though. The other half is human, and he can walk in daylight. I’m unsure how that works, but there’s a lot I don’t know. Is he like Setrakian (David Bradley)? Palmer (Jonathan Hyde)? Is he the Master’s son by a human girl? Coco (Lizzie Brocheré) better watch out then. She and Palmer were about to… Quinlan’s backstory is revealed – he used to be a gladiator by choice. He is nicknamed “The Born,” and has vowed to destroy The Master (Jack Kesy – and who hasn’t?). Confronting The Master and Eichorst (Richard Sammel), with his partner Setrakian, he is innocuously thwarted by explosive-happy Fet (Kevin Durand). Nobody better be mad at my Vasiliy! He is already hurting because Nikki is back, and Dutch (Ruta Gedmintas) is confused. The choice is clear, Dutch! Fet is manly and sensitive and perfect!

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (SDRR)
Season 1 Episode 7: “Supercalifragilisticjuliefriggingandrews”
Created by Denis Leary
Directed by Michael Blieden
Written by Denis Leary
Starring Denis Leary, John Corbett, Elizabeth Gillies, John Ales, Robert Kelly, Elaine Hendrix, Josh Pais
FX
Air Date: Thursday, August 27th, 2015, 10:00pm

Last week on Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, we were treated to the best episode of the season thus far, with Gigi’s (Liz Gillies) mom Cat (Callie Thorne) showing up, and tattoos on everyone’s brains. We learned some new words (my fave is tit-motized), and saw Flash (John Corbett) and Gigi’s budding relationship tested. I have to admit. I was kinda hoping that Cat and Flash would get together, and that Gigi would be fine with it, but that’s not how it ended up. The tattooing was the committment symbol, and a lesson on fathers and daughters. Johnny (Denis Leary) got tattoos to prove his committment to both Ava (Elaine Hendrix) and Gigi. And it’s okay that she isn’t ready, because she’s the daughter.

The story of Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam) may be over on Sons of Anarchy, but another biker gang that existed in FX’s motorcycle drama is getting ready to be a series of its own. Following the success of the series and making his screenwriting debut with Southpaw, creator Kurt Sutter is prepping for a spinoff centered on the Mayans, a gang that played a vital role in the original series, which ended back in December of last year.

More on this story below.

The Strain
Season 2 Episode 7: “The Born”
Directed by Howard Deutch
Written by Chuck Hogan
Created by Chuck Hogan, Guillermo del Toro
Starring Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Mia Maestro, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, Natalie Brown, Ruta Gedmintas, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland, Lizzie Brocheré, Joaquín Cosio
FX
Air Date: Sunday August 23rd, 2015, 10pm

Last week on The Strain, there’s a showdown in a church between Mommy Goodweather (Natalie Brown) and her mini-minions, and Nora (Mia Maestro), Zach, and the cavalry. Eph (Corey Stoll) gets to Washington DC via fake ID, throws his former director off the train, sleeps with a really smart lady, and then gets shot (after his friend and said lady are killed), plus his vampire virus is stolen. He really had a bad trip, huh? Only drop of silver lining – he can trace it back to Palmer (Jonathan Hyde). Fitzwilliam decides to join the team, but doesn’t even last the episode, which is too bad. he would have made an awesome asset. Gus (Miguel Gomez) and Felix (Joaquín Cosio) bond via vampire slaying. The Master changes into a Bolivar (Jack Kesy) body. There’s a new elder in town.