The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself

This show is very gripping, a fun combination of many things we love but I don't blame it.

We encounter a world divided between witches and non-witches like in Harry Potter but the racism allegory is actually inside the witches world itself divided in two as well. The main characters are teens because who cares what adults witches are doing these days? Certainly not saving the world. They possess X-men mutants-like powers and use them most of the time but they also have guns to make it easier. They also use a lot of smoke for budgetary reason I fear. But the show includes some decent cgi and good special effects when needed.

What really surprised me is that this is based on a book. But I would say "inspired" as it took me a couple of episodes to realize I had actually read the book a few years back but didn't recognized the story at all. They changed the plot so much it makes senses they even changed the title.

This comes with some issues: a lot of plot holes, an obsession with changing locations for the sake of it, spells rules invented when needed and a big gap between characters abilities. It's silly how Jessica doesn't use her key power more often for example.

Also some elements are very rushed. The school part that I found very compelling could have been more developed, so are the villain motivations or just why the leaders of the Fairborne exist within the real world. Also the Blood witches are not that well defined. Basically a lot is not explained as we move to new countries and places constantly.

But thankfully the main trio is very likable and entertaining, the love elements are subtle and the fantasy part exciting so I'll forgive the few weaknesses and hope we get a bigger budget in season 2.

I only stumbled across this series by chance, sadly in IMDB's Cancelled Series List. Which is an utter travesty, as it one of the best, most original and bingeworthy shows I have seen in a long time. It has just about everything a horror/supernatural/fantasy fan would want, Witches, magic, gore, romance some lgbtqia+ characters and humour. It's a shame more people didn't catch this series, whether it was poor promotion or a bad time slot who knows, but I would thoroughly recommend it.

It a British made series (Always a plus) with very likable, and hatable characters. It is set in a world where magic exists, albeit in the shadows. A boy is born of a Blood and Fairborn witch couple (Nathan), and the two tribes who hate each other. His father is the most powerful Witch ever, and the fairborn want him dead, but there is a prophecy says the blood of the son will kill the father, so both sides are hunting the son, to forfil, or prevent the prophecy. All the witches have different powers, which come to fruition after a ritual on their 17th birthday, and involves the blood of a relative. Nathans 17th birthday is approaching and with out a relatives blood, he'll be in trouble. Throw in the fact that the Blood kings son falls for the leader of the fairborns councils daughter, in a classic capulets and the montagues scenerio.

Please go on and watch this, hopefully it will get picked up by another streaming service for a second series.

Honestly, it was one of the best English language shown I have seen in recent years that come out of netflix. This and Lockwood & co. Were creative, innovative, very well made and well acted and eventually CANCELED because netflix honestly do not have any idea what their audiences want! This show had an uniquie premise, dark & gritty atmosphere matching the somber themes, with beautiful music, and well paced plot development. Except for one scene in the last episode the whole thing was water tight so it completely evades me on what could be a plausible reason to cancel the show since there is a lot of potential for a season 2. As usual netflix raising prices but giving us nothing.

Couldn't stop watching this show. It's very interesting. At first when I saw the title I thought it will be not be that good. I thought I will not like it. But I ended up loving this show. Storytelling is good and done at a good pace. In many shows you can skip some useless scenes and they are boring to watch but this show doesn't have that. Every scene is meaningful and moves the plot forward. I never got bored of it. And when every episode ended I really wanted to watch the next episode right away. Also the show keeps getting better as it goes. If you like fantasy, magic and witches and stuff then this is a must watch. This is one the best shows on Netflix right now.

I noticed there is quite a lot of Netflix series that get very cringe-wokey so I always approach with caution. This isn't that, this turned out to be an awesome binge watch. I haven't read the books so after I finished the season I did have a little wiki read and I know they changed things around. Doesn't annoy me because I haven't read the trilogy. So from a perspective of someone who never heard of this series I loved it. Very brutal and the British vibe gives it that gritty edge that American productions always lack.. All that aside I did think the characters were well developed for a fantasy series of this type. Once I watched the first episode I couldn't stop. Can't wait for the second series!