The Itchy Onion

#Banshee é boa.

Mas #Warrior se continuar como o 1°episódio vai ser 10 vezes melhor.

Mais uma grande evolução do canal Cinemax.

The pilot episode of a great series, so it seems. The screenplay polished, the development minutious, the actors very well chosen, the acting spot-on, the fights amazingly choreographed and executed having the brilliant Bruce Lee Kung Fu style.

The production has quality all over it and is destined for a great future. The quality and smooth flow were evident since the first minutes.

San Francisco, 1880s. Large numbers of Chinese migrants are arriving in the US, largely to fill the labour needs of the burgeoning western states. This is resulting in hostility between white, largely Irish, workers and the Chinese migrants. One such migrant is Ah Sahm, a highly skilled fighter. His skill set quickly gets him a job with the largest Chinese criminal gang in San Franciso. However, he didn't come to America for a job - he's looking for a particular woman. His searching for her leads him down a dangerous path.

Good start to the series. Very original setting - the Chinese immigrant in America's experience in the late-1800s. Quite illuminating (and probably quite accurate) in that regard.

Very entertaining too, with many action scenes. These do seem a bit one-dimensional to start off with as much of the plot seems to just revolve around excuses for another fight scene. Things do settle down and find a focus in later episodes though.

This get-to-the-next-fight-scene mentality reminded me of another series, Banshee. It was thus not surprising to find that the creator of Warrior is Jonathan Tropper, co-creator of Banshee. Same production company too, Cinemax. There's even a nod to Banshee in Warrior as the name of the bar in Warrior is the Banshee.

The overall story is largely based on the writings of Bruce Lee, which isn't too surprising either.

Banshee started off quite one-dimensionally but quickly turned into something brilliant. Already there's signs that Warrior is more than just a one-note action series.

This idea was stolen from Bruce Lee 1971 he wrote a story similar but Hollywood Warnerbothers made a tv series with David caradeain Kung-fu it was released in 1972.

Darn brilliant pilot episode, the overall production value is excellent, the costumes, set design, hairstyle are all very fitting of the era. The fighting sequences are intense and well choreographed, shot with great camera angles that the viewer can feel almost every punch. The casting choices are spot-on, every actor felt suitable to the their role. The score is good as well, it's got the western guitar chords playing in the background which fits very well with scenes.

This episode did well introducing the characters: Our main protagonist is a cocky martial artist expert who came to America looking for his long lost sister, After unknowingly initiate himself a in gang group called Hop Wei. He, with the help of Ah Toy the head madam in Chinatown's brothel, finally came face to face with her. But much to his surprise when his find out that she doesn't need saving, she changed her name and is now a wife to a rival tong leader. There's also a kind dirty political game thrown in the story, A corrupt mayor and his conniving assistant. Also another storyline with a policer officer Bill and his squad assign to tack issues and the arising tension between the Chinese and the Irish in Chinatown.

Overall, an amazing pilot episode with interesting set-up for what's coming. The characters are introduced well, the story is refreshing. And the technical aspects are excellent, and so is the acting.