‘Warrior’ Heightens the Intrigue and Action for Superior Season 3

Alci Rengifo

In another example of a good show that has somehow outmaneuvered the constant cancelation habits of streamers, “Warrior” is back. Not only has it returned for a third season, but it’s become a stronger show where the action and drama sustain a strong consistency. Its original selling point when it premiered on Cinemax in 2019 was that the narrative was based on “writings by Bruce Lee.” While it maintains its obvious nods at the legendary action star, “Warrior” is wildly entertaining on its own. Pumped with much testosterone, it never forgets to put thought into the plotlines. In many ways, this is one of the most relevant entertainments on TV. It’s about the immigrant roots of America and the violent, communal clashes that have formed many of our great cities.

It’s still 19th century San Francisco. Season 2 ended with violence erupting between Chinese and Irish working class communities. Mayor Walter Buckley (Langley Kirkwood) imposes harsh new laws against Chinese businesses and common citizens. This has created a situation of near starvation overseen by cruel Sgt. Bill O’Hara (Kieran Bew). It fuels a volatile situation involving other interests. Hothead Young Jun (Jason Tobin) now leads the Hop Wei and is eager to resume a battle for territory with the Long Zii. Meanwhile, Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) has become a local legend, inspiring a giant mural (that looks very much like Bruce Lee) in his honor, displaying him in a fighting stance. Tensions between him and Young Jun are also on the rise. The latter mistrusts him after the stunning reveal that rival leader of the Long Zii, Mai Ling (Dianne Doan) is actually the lost sister Ah Sahm crossed the Pacific to find in America. 

“Warrior” is billed in the ads as a martial arts escape. The action is brilliantly staged, but at heart it truly is a drama about the underbelly of American history. In the tradition of shows like “Deadwood,” its characters are made violent and criminal by the social conditions imposed on their communities. The cops are as bad as the gangsters, as plainly seen when Buckley brings in an enforcer from New York, Captain Atwood (Neels Clasen), another racist thug who raids Chinese businesses. The Secret Service also arrives in town, with two agents whose dialogue makes for good comic relief (“the reason you haven’t heard about us is because…we’re secret”). This storyline has grave consequences for the Hop Wei, since their mission is to track down the counterfeit money operation overseen by Young Jun. Class is also explored with rich layers this season through Mai Ling, who enters the world of white socialites and seems to quite like the environment, despite the subtle racism of this crowd. A distrust of white society is challenged when she can suddenly tap into its perks.

Other Faustian pacts take place throughout that don’t feel like gimmicks. Richard Lee (Tom Weston-Jones) gets approached by the Secret Service to be an informer, which means the Irish will also get pulled into the wider, government machinations. The season also continues its convincing evocation of a bygone era, sometimes captured through a storyline like Hong (Chen Tang) falling for a handsome male cabaret performer. There are also racist political campaigns and captains of industry expanding the railroad, common material in Westerns which are effectively connected to the wider story. A ruthless capitalist like Strickland (Adam Rayner) is not beyond sending thugs to attack the vineyard of Nellie (Miranda Raison) and Ah Toy (Olivia Cheng) in a ruthless form of violent gentrification. Soon enough the Irish realize they don’t need to form armed gangs as much anymore, because the authorities are quite complicit in attacking the Chinese, who will always be foreigners to the white ruling class.

While balancing all these subplots, “Warrior” still does justice to its title with the breathless action scenes. Bar brawls, street riots and one-to-one fights all feature bone-crunching grit. Ah Sahm is the big attraction with scenes that throw in good humor. Early on he’s surrounded by adversaries while eating a meal, slurping a final noodle while taking stock of the terrain, then proceeding to take everyone down with his rapid-fire fists. The Irish do plenty of boxing, with taunts at each other over “being beaten by a chink.” Action and social commentary come together in “Warrior” in ways other shows fail to tap into. It has style and brains, with excellent acting making it come alive. Andrew Koji remains a born action star but Dianne Doan is the standout, bringing inner conflict and outer slyness to her character.  Originally a Cinemax production, HBO Max jumped in to save “Warrior” and that’s a good thing. This show packs brains and brawn.

“Warrior” season three begins streaming June 29 on HBO Max.