Close Menu
  • 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
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
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

Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

07/03/2025
Anthony Ramos in Ironheart Episodes 4-6

REVIEW: ‘Ironheart’ Episodes 4-6

07/01/2025
The Bear Season 4 But Why Tho 3
7.0

REVIEW: ‘The Bear’ Season 4 Tries to Bounce Back

06/30/2025
Squid Game Season 3
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 Delivers An Emotion-Filled Finale

06/27/2025
Taecyeon in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 5-6
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 5-6

06/26/2025
Cho Yi-hyun in Head Over Heels Episodes 1-2
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Head Over Heels’ Episodes 1-2

06/24/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Black Clover Season 5 featured News

Black Clover New Season Gets First Look Teaser from Crunchyroll

By Sarah Musnicky07/05/2025

Black Clover is back for a brand new season, and Crunchyroll has revealed the first footage and key art out of Anime Expo.

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 4 DC Comics

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 4

By William Tucker07/02/2025

Absolute Green Lantern Issue 4 starts to connect the past and present, finally revealing how Jo inhereited the power of the Green Lantern.

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