Ep 1. The Fort

In the first episode of season 1 of "Into the Badlands," titled "The Fort," the viewers are transported into a dystopian world where the civilization as we know it is long gone. The series is set in a world where guns no longer exist, and the only way to settle disputes is through martial arts.

The show's protagonist is a skilled warrior named Sunny, played by Daniel Wu, who is a Clipper for a powerful baron named Quinn. Clippers are highly trained assassins who work for the Barons to maintain order and protect their territories. The action-packed first episode is all about Sunny relocating a runaway teenager, M.K., who possesses unique martial arts abilities that could make him a valuable asset to Quinn.

The episode begins with Sunny wandering through the Badlands, a lawless and hazardous area outside the barons' domains. He stumbles upon M.K., played by Aramis Knight, a teenage boy on the run from one of the many groups trying to claim his gifted abilities. M.K. is desperate for Sunny's help, and there's a quick and intense fight sequence where Sunny demonstrates his sword-fighting skills against their attackers.

Sunny decides to take M.K. back to Quinn's Fort, his home base, to keep him safe and, possibly, employ his abilities for Quinn's benefit. Despite being a Clipper for Quinn, Sunny is not loyal to him entirely and hopes to escape the Badlands soon, where he can be free since he sees Quinn's empire as primitive.

The Fort, which is one of the Barons' territories, is a highly fortified castle where Quinn and his subordinates operate from. It is where Sunny works and lives along with his lover, Veil, a doctor who works as Quinn's physician. Upon their arrival, Quinn informs Sunny that he will be responsible for keeping M.K. safe from those who want to capture the teenager. Sunny takes the job and makes several attempts to build a sense of camaraderie with M.K., hoping to gain his trust and figure out why he is so valuable.

As the episode progresses, we discover there is an ongoing feud between Quinn and an old acquaintance named Jacobee. The confrontation eventually leads to an intense rivalry; both men have the same ambitions and are fiercely competitive. Quinn is gravely injured after his fight with Jacobee's men, and Veil is the only one capable of attending to his critical wounds.

Meanwhile, Sunny has begun to unravel M.K.'s secret and learns that the boy has a dark past and is constantly on the run from others looking to use his invaluable abilities for their own gains.

The episode concludes with a massive cliffhanger, revealing that despite the fort's security, there is unexpected danger lurking within. The treacherous world of the Badlands is unpredictable, and it seems like things can get worse at any moment. This thrilling series is a perfect blend of action, drama, and mystique, and the first episode sets a promising tone for the rest of the season.