Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5
This show really makes my nerves bad. Seriously.
Every time Duke seems to have a handle on his revenge plan, he does something that makes me want to yell at the screen.
And Fightland Season 1 Episode 3’s “No Innocents” gives me plenty to yell about.
Duke is getting reckless. Kim is stepping up her game. Zeek is making shady moves. Cece has one heck of a secret. Oh, and there’s a bomb.
Because apparently stealing drugs wasn’t enough.
Duke Is Doing the Absolute Most
At first, there was a method to Duke’s madness. He knows where Kingsley’s real weakness is. Money.
Duke even says taking out one of Kingsley’s children wouldn’t bother him enough. If Duke really wants to hurt him, he has to hit his cash flow.
That explains the stolen drugs. It was risky, but it made sense.
However, now Duke has graduated to bombs. Sir, what are you doing?
Duke pulls Jay into the mess again. This time, he needs someone who can get him a bomb.
Jay clearly wants no part of this foolishness. But once again, anything for the bestie.
Duke and Lazaro eventually get the bomb inside the casino. Then Duke’s conscience kicks in. He realizes one of the guards could die.
So what does Duke do? He goes back. Of course he does.
Then he winds up trapped inside with the guard and the bomb he helped plant.
Duke is always doing the most. That moment also explains why it’s hard to give up on him.
Duke wants revenge. He wants Kingsley to pay, but he isn’t heartless.
He can plant the bomb, but he can’t knowingly leave an innocent man there to die.
That conscience may be the best thing about Duke. But it may also be the exact thing that ruins his entire plan.
Zeek Wants Respect He Hasn’t Earned
We need to talk about Zeek. I don’t trust him. He’s sneaky. He’s slick, and he’s a hothead.
And he wants everybody to treat him like a serious businessman.
The problem? Zeek keeps proving that he’s a liability. His motives with Duke are also looking more questionable by the episode.
Zeek made it seem like bringing Duke back into the Marshall fold was about loyalty. I’m not buying it anymore, though. It looks more like Zeek wants Duke back in the ring.
And why wouldn’t he? Duke can make money, and the Marshalls are all about the money.
That puts all of Zeek’s maneuvering in a different light.
Kingsley’s Disappearance Comes Into Play
Then there’s Kingsley’s disappearance. That is the kind of family information you keep close.
Zeek doesn’t. Of course he doesn’t! He tells Duke he doesn’t know where his father is.
Duke is actively trying to smoke Kingsley out, and Zeek just handed him valuable information.
Zeek wants everyone to see him as a grown man. But maybe he should stop behaving like a big child.
He’s also convinced the Russians are behind the casino bombing. Now Nikolai is in his sights.
That brings us to another little problem.
Sleeping With the Frenemy
Cece is sleeping with Nikolai. Yes, because why not complicate things more? The reveal is crazy because of everything happening around them.
The Albanians already suspect the Russians are behind the stolen drugs. They also think they are connected to the death of Sergei’s son.
Now Zeek believes the Russians bombed the casino. Meanwhile, his sister is secretly sleeping with one of them.
Messy. Very messy. And I love it!
We already know Cece pays attention — no need for another discussion about that. What matters now is the position she has put herself in. Her family is looking at Nikolai as an enemy.
That secret cannot stay buried forever. When it comes out, I want a front-row seat.
Kim Is Stepping Up Her Game
The phony ring girl is getting serious. We now know Simeon was Kim’s confidential informant.
His body being found changes everything. The operation is getting too dangerous, and she needs to get out.
Kim refuses. She’s as determined to bring the Marshalls down as Duke. They’re a bad bunch, so I get it!
But is Duke the way to do it? Can she flip him? Welp, if she keeps flirting with him in that cute little ring girl outfit, she just might.
She wants him close enough to use him. But I still have a question. Is all of that attraction fake? I’m not convinced.
Now, can we talk about Simeon’s phone? It’s practically another character at this point. Duke and Lazaro keep using it to gather information.
They text Simeon’s contact and watch what comes back. Little by little, that phone keeps telling them who is connected to whom.
Simeon is gone, but his phone is still working overtime.
Everybody Wants Something From Duke
Meanwhile, Duke says he doesn’t have any fight left in him, but nobody seems interested in hearing that.
His father has suggested he get back in the ring. Zeek has promised his nefarious connections that he will get Duke back in the ring.
And now, enter veteran Clarke Peters as Eric Colman — a welcome surprise in this series. Colman also wants Duke back in the ring. For now, I’m reserving judgment on him.
He seems sincere, but that means almost nothing on Fightland. You can think somebody is a good guy. Then five minutes later, they’re shooting somebody. I’ve learned my lesson.
Still, Colman gives Duke something to think about.
Duke may believe his fighting days are over, but his life says otherwise. He’s fighting Kingsley, his past, and his own conscience. The only difference is that he just isn’t wearing gloves.
Duke and Joy Finally Give Us What We Wanted
Then there’s Duke and Joy. Finally! It only took three episodes for them to get back together!
Joy shows up at the gym. She starts working the heavy bag. Duke watches. And that look on his face? Whew! Did it get hot in here?
The scene is basically foreplay before anybody touches anybody. Then the gloves come off, and the clothes do too!
I love this scene. Duke and Joy have so much history that not a word is spoken. The chemistry does the work, and they have plenty.
I understand now why Kingsley attacked Duke. I don’t like it, but I do understand.
Of course, this being Fightland, even Duke and Joy can’t stay uncomplicated.
I’m still watching that Aiden situation. I am not saying Aiden is Duke’s son. But I am saying the show keeps giving me reasons to wonder.
Joy’s face while Duke and Aiden interacted at the birthday party did not help. She looked happy and terrified at the same time. Very interesting.
Somebody Is Going to Get Burned
“No Innocents” takes Duke’s revenge plan into dangerous territory.
At this point, I’m not sure whether Kingsley or Duke is the bigger threat to Duke. That’s what keeps Fightland interesting.
Duke has every reason to want revenge, but there’s a difference between having a plan and letting that plan consume you.
Every risky move makes it harder to believe he can walk away from this unscathed. The title “No Innocents” feels fitting because nobody here is keeping their hands clean.
Everybody has an agenda, a secret, or something they’re willing to risk to get what they want.
Duke may think he’s controlling this war, but I’m not convinced anymore. Something is going to give. And when it does, somebody is getting burned.
Over to you, Fightland Fanatics.
Do you think Duke’s plan is about to catch up to him? What’s your working theory on whether or not he and Joy share a kid? Let’s unpack the full episode below!
You can stream new episodes of Fightland Fridays on Starz.
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Fightland Episode 3 has Duke playing a dangerous game, and one wrong move could cost him everything all over again.
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Fightland Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Duke’s revenge goes off the rails as Jay gets dragged in and CeCe proves she’s the real power player.
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One boxer scores the biggest win of his life, then loses everything before the night is over.
