Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Palm of the Iron Fox

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Daddy's home, and boy is he pissed!

On Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4, we had some major Shakespearean drama afoot, right out of King Lear. Ryder the dick met his end (YES!) at the hands of daddy Quinn, and I for one am very happy. 

Quinn Confronts Ryder - Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4

I'm not a fan AT ALL of the Quinn family, especially Ryder.

I do hate Quinn's terrible accent, but at least he's a compelling character.

Ryder was just a one-note jerk, and the actor was awful IMO. 

The world was better without you. You should have stayed dead.

Ryder [to Quinn]

Just like Willy Shakespeare said in King Lear, "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child! Away, away!"

The only thing sharper? Quinn's sword, evidently, as he gutted his thankless son.

I guess this means Quinn is back as the Baron. Will Lydia leave the totemist clan and rejoin Quinn? Maybe. 

And where does this leave Jade? She cast her lot with Ryder, so who knows what cray cray Quinn will do with her.

The Widow and Waldo Plan - Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4

The big story here was, of course, the conclave. It's a good thing Waldo was there to keep The Widow in check.

He gave her some sage advice about trying to make a deal with Baron Chau.

Chau turned out be a royal bitch, but hey, that's how they got to be barons, right?

Waldo [to The Widow]: You think that compromise is weakness. It's not: it's survival.

It really wasn't a great idea to betray The Widow, so we'll see how that shakes out.

I wouldn't bet against The Widow, either.

I did love the showdown between the two –  some major spike heel fu going on! 

The Widow: You will take my land over my dead body.
Ryder: Is that an invitation?
The Widow: No, it's a promise.

I was hoping for a big Widow vs. Barons smackdown, and it was sweet.

Seems the Barons (except Ryder, of course) all came up as cogs or clippers, so they have some gnarly fighting skills.

I wasn't surprised to see the other Barons escape Quinn's clipper force, but I was hoping to see The Widow take out at least one Baron. Not to be. 

Baron Chau Meets The Widow - Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4

The fight scenes are so immaculately staged, and so well photographed, it's pretty amazing for a TV show with limited time and budget to be able to pull that off.

But that's why we watch, right?

The Widow Waits - Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4

Now that Quinn is back, I wonder if the vote to banish The Widow is still valid. Probably, since she already declared war on the other Barons. 

I see a long, bloody conflict ahead, which should be fun.

The Veil story was brutal. I wanted more character development for her because I really like the actress Madeleine Mantock, and boy did we get it.

I didn't think she was desperate enough to try an escape, but her love for Sunny is so strong she's willing to risk her life and the life of baby Henry.

Edgar: You think Sunny is still alive?
Veil: I hope so. Henry needs his father.

And willing to kill. The fight with poor Edgar was shockingly violent. I know she was defending herself and her baby, but I never in a million years thought Veil was capable of such brutality.

I feel bad for Edgar. He seemed like a nice kid, and all he was doing was following orders.

It escalated way past what either person wanted, but props to Veil for being such a badass!

I can't wait to see how Veil will explain the broken key in the lock, as well as a dead Edgar.

Quinn loves Veil and Henry, but his brain is so damaged from the tumor, who knows what he will do?

MK Tries Again - Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4

Thankfully there wasn't much M.K. in this one. As I've said many times before, I'm just not feeling his plot line, and the actor's wooden performance leaves me cold.

This time he snuck into the room of mirrors and used that magic flower thingy to access his past, without the Master's help.

He finally saw his mother, and she forgave him for his terrible deeds. We pretty much knew he was responsible for his mother's death, so this was just a retread.

The scene added nothing to the show: out and out filler, which is a surprise. Most of the episodes are lean and mean.

Waldo Gives Advice - Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4

Quinn blew up the entire dynamic on a number of fronts, and given his deteriorating mental state, everything is up for grabs.

My guess is he will exert his will on the other Barons, but the possibility of a full-on revolt against him is definitely on the table.

Does this mean he will align with The Widow? Waldo has the ear of both, and he is a master strategist.

He might be able to get them to form an alliance against Chau and the other Barons, if only for their own survival. 

I missed not having Sunny and Bajie in this one. How about more Sunny/Bajie and MUCH less M.K.? 

That's my take: tell me yours. Did you think Veil could be that violent? Are you glad to see Ryder gone? And what's next for Quinn? Fire away in the comments section.

And, as always, you can watch Into the Badlands online, right here on TV Fanatic!

Palm of the Iron Fox Review

Editor Rating: 4.6 / 5.0
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Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 (4 Votes)
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Into the Badlands Season 2 Episode 4 Quotes

Edgar: You think Sunny is still alive?
Veil: I hope so. Henry needs his father.

Let's burn this world to the ground, and start anew!

Quinn