The apocalyptic and dreadful world of the TV seriesInto the Badlandsis a thrilling foray into a future where civilization has collapsed.Into the Badlandsis set somewhere in the American Midwest, also known as the Badlands, in an apocalyptic feudal society established in post-apocalyptic America.Into the Badlands' setting was divided into seven distinct territoriesthat control a major resource and are ruled by Barons.Each territory inInto the Badlandsfollows a strict hierarchical system, where the cutthroat Barons control the land and maintain order through highly trained warriors known as clippers.
Into the Badlandsfollows the warrior Sunny (Daniel Wu), the head Clipper, also known as regent, to one of Badlands' incredibly powerful Barons, and M.K. (Aramis Knight), a mysterious teen withsupernatural powers inInto the Badlandsas they risk death while traveling through the dangerous feudal land and seek enlightenment. Fighting over power and control is inevitable inInto the Badlands,and the show is filled with conflicts within and between the seven territories and their Barons.The presence of seven territories led by the Barons is essential to the show’s loreand understanding of its sci-fi post-apocalyptic drama.
7Butterfly Territory
Baron Of Oil: The Widow
The Butterfly Territory isa valuable region where the production of crude oil thrives. Associated with the Blue-Winged Butterfly, the Butterfly Territory is ruled by the Baron of Oil Minerva, better known as The Widow, played by Emily Beecham. The Butterfly Territory was surrounded by the Armadillo Territory, Narwhal Territory, Pickaxe Territory, Peacock Territory, and Grasshopper Territory before a significant expansion following the war and the Butterfly Territory took over several territories.
The Widow is the longest-lasting Baron inInto the Badlands,and at one point becomes the sole Baron in the Badlands.
The Widow succeeded the previous Baron of Oil and her husbandby assassinating him after she learned that he abused her then-personal attendant Tilda (Ally Ioannides).The newest Baron of the Badlands, The Widow is a skilled martial artistwho was forced into becoming a “cog”, a slave that serves the Baron as a child and later becomes a revolutionary wrecking havoc on the feudal structure of the Badlands.
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The Widow is the longest-lasting Baron inInto the Badlands,and at one point becomes the sole Baron in the Badlands. Unlike the other territories and Barons, The Widow is not protected by a Regent or Clippers and employs her own female force, known as the Butterflies. The Butterflies are often seen using straight swords and butterfly-shaped shurikens as their main weapons. In addition to the Butterflies, men known as Bowlers also protect The Widow and are armed with crossbows.The Widow stands out from other Barons with her heroic traitsand her compassion for the people in her territory.
6Grasshopper Territory
Baron Of Agriculture: Rojas
The Grasshopper Territory is one of the most important regions in the Badlands as its main resource is the production of agriculture.The agriculture in the Grasshopper Territory supplies a majority of the fruits and vegetables seenin thepost-apocalyptic world ofInto the Badlands.The Grasshopper Territory shared its borders with the Butterfly Territory, Peacock Territory, Fox Territory, and Pickaxe Territory. After the war, the Grasshopper Territory was absorbed by the Fox and Butterfly Territories.
The Fox Territory took over a majority of the region and the Butterfly Territory took over the remainder. The Grasshopper Territory was led by the Baron of Agriculture, Rojas (Ivo Canelas) before it was dissolved. Rojas was the only Baron in the Badlands to ally with The Widow in The Conclave.
Into the Badlandshas an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rojas only appeared in one episode ofInto the Badlandsand was seemingly killed off-screen as the Grasshopper Territory was dissolved. InInto the Badlandsseason 3, only two Barons remained as the landscape of the Badlands changed following the war. While it is possible that Rojas went into hiding or escaped, he was likely killed by the then Baron of Cogs, Juliet Chau.
5Pickaxe Territory
Baron Of Mining: Jacobee
The easternmost region of the Badlands, the Pickaxe Territory isthe main source of mining operations in the Badlands. The Pickaxe Territory shares its borders with the Butterfly Territory, Armadillo Territory, and Narwhal Territory. Unlike the other territories, the Pickaxe Territory is not associated with any animal. The Pickaxe Territory’s Clippers are known as Tartans and use pickaxes in battle.
As the Baron, Jacobee was in control of the Pickaxe Territory along with its gold and mining. Jacobee and his Regent Zypher (Ellen Hollman) were killed in a confrontation with Quinn (Marton Csokas) and M.K. in the first season.The Pickaxe Territory undergoes a tumultuous journey with its Baronsas the territory’s leadership changes thrice before being dissolved and absorbed by the Butterfly Territory after the war.
After the death of the Baron of Mining, Jacobee (Edi Gathegi), the Pickaxe Territory is absorbed into the Armadillo Territory and Ryder (Oliver Stark) serves as Baron until his death, after which his wifeJade, played by Sarah Bolger, takes over as Baron. Jade served as the Baron of Pickaxe until she was exiled from the Badlands by The Widow and Quinn.
4Peacock Territory
Baron Of Textiles: Hassan
The Peacock Territory is in the Western region of the Badlands, surrounded by the Fox Territory, Butterfly Territory, Narwhal Territory, and Grasshopper Territory. The Peacock Territory boasts a large population of sheep,makingits main resource textilesproduced from the wool harvested from the sheep. Situated between the Fox Territory and the Butterfly Territory, the Peacock Territory was divided in half following the war, with the right side being absorbed by the Butterfly Territory and the left side being absorbed by the Fox Territory.
The Peacock Territory was controlled by the Baron of Textiles, Hassan (Alan Wai) until he was murdered by the Widow before the war. BaronHassan was killed after the Peacock Territory was ambushed by The Widow’s Butterflies. Hassan’s attempt to flee from the ambush was interrupted by The Widow, who subsequently killed him despite his pleas and pledge to support The Widow.
Baron Of Weapons: Broadmore
The Badland’s Narwhal Territory shares borders with the Butterfly Territory, Armadillo Territory, and the Peacock Territory. The Narwhal Territory’s main resource is the manufacture of weapons. Led by the Baron of Weapons, Broadmore (Jonathan Ryan), the Narwhal Territory was absorbed into the Butterfly Territory after the Baron was killed by Quinn in a show of allegiance to The Widow.
Baron Broadmare was killed before the war began, leaving the Narwhal Territory without a leaderbefore being absorbed into the Butterfly Territory. In the alliance between The Widow and Quinn, The Widow was tasked with killing Baron Hassan while Quinn was tasked with killing Baron Broadmore.
However, Quinn took his mission a step forward and decided to end the Baron of Weapons' entire bloodline, and killed Baron Broadmore along with his three wives and four children to appease The Widow and maintain the alliance. However, the cruel and unnecessary murders angered the Widow instead. The brutal killing of Baron Broadmore and his entire family highlighted theantagonist Quinn’s villainywith his brutally ruthless and callous nature.
2Armadillo Territory
Baron Of Opium: Quinn
The Armadillo Territory is the southernmost district of the seven regions of the Badlands, sharing borders with the Butterfly Territory, Pickaxe Territory, and Grasshopper Territory. After Baron Jacobee’s death, the Armadillo Territory expanded and took control over the Pickaxe Territory.The Armaddilo Territory’s primary resource is opium production, and under the rule of the relentless and unyielding Baron of Opium Quinn, the territory was considered the most powerful Barony in the Badlands. Despite its power, the Armadillo Territory was absorbed into the Butterfly Territory due to the war.
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Into the Badlandsspends a considerable amount of screentime exploring the Armadillo Territory as themysterious lead character Sunnyserved as the Baron of Armadillo Territory Quinn’s loyal right-hand man. Through the course of the show,the Armadillo Territory goes through numerous changes in territory size and Barons.AfterBaron Quinn’s apparent deathby the end of season 1, his son Ryder served as the Baron of Opium, until Quinn returned and murdered his own son.
Jade took control of the Armadillo Territory until she was exiled from the Badlands by The Widow and Quinn. Following the Armadillo Territory being absorbed by the Butterfly Territory, Lydia (Orla Brady) served as The Widow’s viceroy until her death, after which The Widow took control over the region and began her rule. Armed with the largest Clipper force in the Badlands, the longsword clad Clippers solidified the territories status as a feared and powerful territory.
1Fox Territory
Baron Of Cogs: Juliet Chau
Fox Territory is the westernmost region in the Badlands and shared its borders with the Grasshopper Territory and Peacock Territory, before expanding and taking over a majority of the Grasshopper Territory and half of the Peacock Territory. The Fox Territory and the Butterfly Territory expanded and absorbed the other territories after the war, leaving them as the two final Baronies in the Badlands.
The Fox Territory was the first of the territories to be established and set the norm for the lifestyle of the Badlands.
The Fox Territory is one of the most valuable territories in the Badlandsas the region’s main resource is cogs, the enslaved laborers and workers of the post-apocalyptic feudal society. The Fox Territory was the first of the territories to be established and set the norm for the lifestyle of the Badlands. Each Baron of Cogs is a descendant of the original Baron Horatio Chau.
For the majority ofInto the Badlands,Juliet Chau (Eleanor Matsuura) serves as the Baron of the Fox Territory. By season 3, Chau and The Widow are the only remaining Barons in the Badlands, untilChau is killed by The Widow. Her brother, Gaius (Lewis Tan) allies with The Widow to take down Juliet and takes over as the Baron of Cogs after her death.
Into the Badlands
Cast
Into the Badlands follows Sunny (Daniel Wu) and M.K. (Aramis Knight), who traverse a post-apocalyptic world set 500 years in the future. Premiering in 2015, Into the Badlands was created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and aired on AMC until 2019 when its third season came to a close.
