Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘The Dead Lands,’ Episode 7 – “Broken Promises”

REVIEW: ‘The Dead Lands,’ Episode 7 – “Broken Promises”

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez03/03/20203 Mins ReadUpdated:04/20/2023
The Dead Lands Episode 7 — But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Dead Lands Episode 7 — But Why Tho

The Dead Lands, Shudder’s joint production with New Zealand’s TVNZ has been at the top of my television shows to watch in 2020 list since it debuted. An action-adventure show steeped in fantasy pulled from Maori mythology, the series has explored family dynamics, honor, guilt, and what it means to be a warrior. It’s also topped itself with each episode. Last episode we got an emotional look at Waka’s (Te Kohe Tuhaka) childhood trauma as he confronted his father, the man who broke the world. But that isn’t it, a wedge between him and Mehe (Darneen Christian) has begun to form as she begins to be called to the magic coming from his shaman father Te Kaipõ. Now, The Dead Lands Episode 7, “Broken Promises,” Waka embarks on a new journey, alone, and paying for proving his worth as the only man who could take on the dead and live.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The Dead Lands Episode 7 features more action sequences than any other episode, it also puts Waka front and center again. While Mehe moves closer to Te Kaipõ as her distrust of Waka grows after discovering he is, technically, one of the dead. The main story this episode is concerned with Waka rebuking his father and proceeding on a quest to help fix the world while also holding resentment towards needing to complete it.

In Greek epic fashion, Waka confronts a number of obstacles including, a member of The Dead who has all her faculties, a giant, and the best warrior from his father’s tribe. In these scenes, the fighting is both interesting and brutal. From heads being ripped off to a woman taking a bite out of Waka, each situation forces Waka to uses different skills and find something deeper in him to continue the journey. Additionally, there is a humorous balance as he is continually trying to be swayed from completing his quest. For a penultimate episode, it sets the stage in terms of where Mehe and Waka are in their journey and gives viewers a peek at potential endings for the next and final episode of the season.

If I were to compare The Dead Lands to an existing series, it would the History Channel’s Vikings. A story of family, history, and steeped in mythology, this series packs the same punches while pushing further into mythology by bringing magic into the world. That said, the budget differences between The Dead Lands and other series is recognizable, specifically where CG effects are concerned. This problem isn’t usually noticeable given the heavy practical effects, but in one particular decapitation, it’s too noticeable that it broke my immersion in the episode.

That said, The Dead Lands Episode 7 is a solid penultimate episode. It sets the stage for the finale while deepening the mythic storytelling taking place. I can’t wait to see how this all ends.

The Dead Lands is streaming now exclusively on Shudder.

The Dead Lands, Episode 7 - Broken Promises
  • 9/10
    Rating - 9/10
9/10

TL;DR

That said, “Broken Promises” is a solid penultimate episode. It sets the stage for the finale while deepening the mythic storytelling taking place. I can’t wait to see how this all ends.

  • Grab a Shudder Subscription with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Batman: Overdrive’ From DC Comics
Next Article PAX EAST 2020: ‘StarCrossed’ – Co-op Magical Girl Fun
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Helluva Boss Season 2 But Why Tho
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 2 Is A Deeper Dive Into Love And Power

09/11/2025
Helluva Boss Season 1 Episode 7 But Why Tho
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 1 Is Full Of Violence, Chaos, And Heart

09/11/2025
Sandra Yi Sencindiver stars as Yutani in Alien Earth Episode 6
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 6 — “The Fly”

09/10/2025
Task promotional key art featuring Mark Ruffalo from HBO
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Task’ Episode 1 — “Crossings”

09/08/2025
Aneesha Malik in Invasion Season 3 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Invasion’ Season 3 Episode 3 — “Infinitas”

09/07/2025
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3 — “Another Rick Up My Sleeve”

09/06/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here