From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman

Episode 6

Episode 6 of From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman is the best of the season thus far.

This really was the week the show delivered on its promise, at least to my mind. This episode is a good blend of subterfuge, world-building, politics, action, heart, and a bit of melancholy to boot. Not bad for a half hour of television!

The Church of Sphene provides a few opportunities for the series to do solid world-building. We learn about neighboring nations, the fact that there are multiple faiths, different viewpoints on magic/miracles, and the cautious approach local powers have to take when dealing with other major factions. In this way, it also gives a nice excuse for Beryl to be involved directly, as it gives them plausible deniability in case things go belly up. This is a bit ridiculous on its face, sending a single warrior to face potentially an entire bodyguard cadre surrounding the bishop in question, but then some of his former students and current soldiers just so happen to be passing by and armed for battle - again, another nice touch.

The finale to the episode is a big, exciting sequence. Who doesn't love a grueling, magically empowered sword duel in a church where warriors push themselves to the limit? Where the line between profane and sacred is blurred in the blood is shed for distant ideals? It's the stuff all good stories are made of (see other classics in the literary canon like Cowboy Bebop and Kamen Rider Kuuga). Miwi's sister, being one of the risen zombies/revenants, is another good twist, as it recontextualizes everything from the last episode. Twilight was lying, but in a twisted way, telling the truth as well - Miwi's sister could be brought back, but not in any way she would want or recognize. Add to that all of the above being well-rendered and fluidly animated, whether it was an action set-piece or dramatic moment - this one was a big hit with me.

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From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Videos on Saturdays.