Fightland is taking the week off before its Season 1 finale, which makes this the perfect time to look back at the seven episodes we’ve seen so far.
If you’ve fallen behind, now is a good time to catch up. And if you’ve been watching every week, a few episodes are definitely worth revisiting.
So, with seven episodes down and one to go, here’s how we rank Fightland Season 1 so far, counting down to the episode that came out on top.
7. Fightland Season 1 Episode 2: Brick by Brick
Fightland Season 1 Episode 2‘s “Brick by Brick” picks up right where the Fightland series premiere leaves off, with Jay walking in on Duke standing over a dead body.
Duke’s revenge plan is already going sideways, and this episode makes it clear that eight years of planning haven’t made him any more patient.
- Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Love, Loss, and the Fight to Reunite
- MobLand’s Season 2 Premiere Does a Soft Reset — Review
- Dark Matter Season 2 Episode 4 Finds Everyone at a Turning Point. Where Will They Go from Here?
There is plenty of action, and the episode does raise the stakes. Unfortunately, they also use that ridiculous mannequin as a dead body.
I know 50 Cent had enough budget to find something more realistic. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it, and this episode lands at the bottom of my list.
6. Fightland Season 1 Episode 3: No Innocents
A lot is going on. Too much.
Kim is stepping up, Zeek is making questionable moves, secrets are coming out, and apparently stealing drugs wasn’t enough because now there’s a bomb.
The casino bombing raises the stakes and pushes the war surrounding the Marshalls into dangerous territory.
It is a solid episode, but compared with what comes later, the best of Fightland is still ahead.
5. Fightland Season 1 Episode 1: The Only Round That Matters Is the Next One
The Fightland season premiere lands at No. 5 because it has the heavy lifting of setting up everything that follows.
In “The Only Round That Matters Is the Next One,” Duke returns to London after eight years in prison with revenge on his mind.
We meet the Marshalls, learn about his complicated history with Joy, and see the loss that sent his life in a completely different direction.
The premiere packs a lot into its runtime, but it gives Fightland a strong foundation. By the end, the relationships are complicated, and Duke’s plan is already creating problems.
It may not have the payoff of later episodes, but none of those moments work without the story this episode sets in motion.
4. Episode 4: Protect Yourself at All Times
Fightland Season 1 Episode 4 stands out because Fightland slows things down just enough to let us see another side of its men.
The episode emphasizes emotion more than violence. The guys start dropping some of the bravado and finally let their guards down.
That gives us a chance to get to know them beyond the boxing, crime, and revenge. We see more of what drives their choices and the emotions beneath all that toughness.
“Protect Yourself at All Times” proves Fightland does not need somebody getting punched, shot, or blown up every few minutes to keep things interesting.
3. Fightland Season 1 Episode 6: There Is a War Coming
Kingsley is back, and his presence immediately changes Fightland’s temperature.
After spending most of the season hearing what this man is capable of, we finally get to watch him move through this world and remind everybody why he has so much power.
Duke also gets closer to the revenge he’s been chasing since the premiere, while the people around Kingsley start making their own moves.
“There Is a War Coming” feels like the point where everything starts closing in, setting up the season’s final stretch.
2. Fightland Season 1 Episode 7: Without Me, There Is No You
Fightand Season 1 Episode 7 earns the No. 2 spot because we finally get the showdown between Duke and Kingsley that the season has been building toward.
The showdown itself is a little disappointing. After all that buildup, I expected more, but finally seeing it happen still gives the episode some weight.
- Fire Country Still Hasn’t Learned Its Lesson, and the Season 5 Promo Proves It
- The Story of Her Becomes the Story of Them: NCIS: Origins Season 3 Brings Gibbs Out of Retirement
- Less Bailey on The Rookie Is a Blessing — But DWTS’ Stacked Cast Tipping the Scales? That’s a Curse!
We also get more of the backstory between Duke and his father. It adds another emotional layer to Duke and helps us understand just how complicated that relationship became.
Most importantly, “Without Me, There Is No You” sets us up for what I think will be a fantastic finale. Nearly everyone has a reason to be fed up with Kingsley now.
1. Fightland Season 1 Episode 5: I Want This
Five episodes in, Fightland finally starts delivering the payoff that all that family drama, revenge, and tension had been building toward.
There is plenty to choose from here, from Aiden’s kidnapping and rescue to some strong emotional moments involving Duke, Gazzer, and Jay.
Then there is Joy.
After Cece tells her that finding her kidnapped son is none of her business, Joy gets fed up and slaps her so hard I felt it through the screen.
Honestly, the slap alone might have earned “I Want This” the top spot. Add Kingsley’s homecoming at the end, and there was no question which episode was No. 1 for me.
Over to you, TV Fanatics!
Have you been watching Fightland? How would you rank the first seven episodes, and which one takes your top spot?
If you haven’t, there’s still time to catch up. The first seven episodes are streaming now on STARZ.
Fightland returns Friday, September 25, with the season finale at 9/8c on STARZ.
-
Big Brother Spoilers: Head of Household Live Update as Latest Twist Takes Over the Game
Big Brother just crowned another Head of Household! Who’s in power this week, and find out why it might be shortlived!
-
Dark Matter Season 2 Episode 4 Finds Everyone at a Turning Point. Where Will They Go from Here?
Dark Matter Season 2 Episode 4 is an inflection point for most characters, as they open new chapters while hoping to recenter themselves.
-
The Traitors: New Blood Series Premiere Review: Finally, Some Civilian Chaos!
The Traitors: New Blood is finally here! The game has changed and it’s not just the lack of celebrities. Read our review.
-
Big Brother Live Update: Which Two Houseguests Got Evicted?
Big Brother just sent two houseguests to the jury house. Here’s what went down during Season 28’s sole double eviction.
-
Lioness: Laysla De Oliveira on Cruz’s Love Life, Her Evolving Bond With Joe, and Becoming a Super Spy
Laysla De Oliveira speaks with TV Fanatic about Lioness Season 3, including Cruz’s love life, her bond with Joe, and more!
-
Big Brother 28: The Double Eviction Needs a Yash Betrayal
The BB Bribe could lead to a possible betrayal on Big Brother Season 28’s double eviction. Should Yash be evicted? Read on to find out.
-
Fightland Season 1 Episode Rankings: Which One Lands the Biggest Punch So Far?
Which Fightland Season 1 episode landed the biggest punch? We rank the first seven episodes from worst to first.
-
MobLand’s Season 2 Premiere Does a Soft Reset
MobLand Season 2 Episode 1 moves the pieces around as the Harrigan family heads toward violence and decimation. Our review!
-
Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Love, Loss, and the Fight to Reunite
Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2 Episode 1 is a thrilling return to this high-stakes franchise. Read our review of the premiere.
The post Fightland Season 1 Episode Rankings: Which One Lands the Biggest Punch So Far? appeared first on TV Fanatic.
