With apologies to HBO … it’s not TV. It’s The Daily Wire.
The conservative outlet’s bid to join the streaming revolution started with indie films like “Run Hide Fight,” “Shut In” and “Terror on the Prairie.”
Now, company co-founder Jeremy Boreing attempts a “Game of Thrones”-style saga but from a deeply Christian perspective.
“The Pendragon Cycle” books lack the name recognition that author George R.R. Martin gave HBO. No matter. The company’s first major TV series is an unabashed win on several fronts. That’s according to the first two of seven episodes provided to the press.
Stephen R. Lawhead’s Arthurian novels inspired this sprawling tale that sometimes succumbs to its broader ambitions.
The saga kicks into high gear with a gladiator sequence that feels fresh and deadly. The beautiful Charis (Rose Reid, a co-producer and co-writer on the series) and fellow Atlanteans must square off against rampaging bulls.
The scene immediately says “The Pendragon Cycle” will look and sound like most TV offerings. Even better? Charis’ athletic pluck defines her character without any girlboss beatdowns of men twice her size.
She’s one of several key characters we meet in the first hour, a span that fleshes out two communities forced to squabble over the same land. That’s after a unique bundle makes its way across choppy waters, a sequence hinting at the saga’s spiritual roots.
Christianity isn’t front and center at first. Instead, the episode concludes the bull battle before jumping ahead a full 20 years.
Get used to that time manipulation.
The young, brash Taliesin (James Arden) entertains his fellow countrymen with songs, but he’s quickly smitten with Charis. She doesn’t feel the same way, at least at first, but a common threat exists in the shadowy form of Morgain (Emree Franklin), who feels betrayed by both characters.
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Episode one is brutal and arresting, but the narrative can feel choppy and confusing. Is it too much world building, a lack of smaller moments to tie key themes together or a combination of the two?
Either way, the second episode settles the story down considerably, even though it still feels like we missed something between installments. Now, Charis and Taliesin attempt to unite their warring worlds while the latter brings his newfound love of Christ to their romance.
Boreing proved he could make the most of a semi-amateur cast with “Lady Ballers.” Here, he coaxes solid turns from everyone involved, while making his TV saga feel epic in scope.
Arden’s youthful face works against him at times, but he quickly grows into the role and its Christian spirit. Reid’s poise and presence suggest mainstream Hollywood may come calling.
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Shot in Hungary and Italy, “The Pendragon Cycle” rarely betrays its modest roots. Composer Kyle McCuiston delivers a sumptuous sound bed that gives even drone shots some heft. The visuals are all solid, and whatever CGI trickery helped paper over budgetary gaps is hardly noticeable.
This isn’t as bloody as some sword-and-sandals offerings, but a few battle scenes are dutifully PG:13 rated at the very least. And Reid’s lovely frame isn’t hidden from our “male gaze,” nor several male characters who clearly hit the gym – hard – before arriving on set.
Faith-based productions often smooth out life’s rough edges, leaving something unsatisfying in their place. Not here. “The Pendragon Cycle” teems with grit, despair and death.
Episode 2 ends on a dramatic note, suggesting the saga could take a few more wild turns. No matter what the next five episodes reveal, The Daily Wire’s intentions are clear.
This David has a mighty slingshot against Hollywood in hand.
[Editor’s Note: This critic is a contributor to The Daily Wire]
Well that’s a relief. I really enjoyed these books; glad the series is living up to them.