If you missed out on Banshee, like I almost did, then you missed out on what is quite possibly the best new show on cable. Unbeknownst to me, it premiered in January of this year on Cinemax. The very first episode had me hooked. It had it all. Action, mystery, violence, sex, and most importantly, characters I want to watch.
My husband and I are always searching for new shows we can watch together, especially ones we can watch after the kids go to bed. I found Banshee on our On Demand feature and thought it would be something we could watch to pass the time until Sons of Anarchy returns in September. It only took one episode and we were hooked.
The Premise is Brilliant
An ex-con gets out of prison and the first thing he does is search for the woman he loves, who is also his former partner. Through less than legal channels, he finds her living under an assumed name in the town of Banshee. Through an unfortunate turn of events, he assumes the identity of the new sheriff in the corrupt Amish town, bringing all his demons with him. He discovers a family he didn't know he had. The man he stole millions worth in diamonds from hasn't forgotten him. And he still has a penchant for criminal activity.
My Take
The ex-con (we never learn his real name) ends up in a small bar where some serious shit goes down and he witnesses the death of the sheriff. Turns out, this was a new sheriff (that no one had yet met) who had been brought in by the Mayor to clean up the corrupt town. One of the most corrupt towns an ex-con could have possibly ended up in. Perfect! The ex-con becomes Sheriff Lucas Hood and the insanity begins.
Did I mention the town is corrupt because of a shunned Amish mob boss? As much as Antony Starr is perfect playing the ex-con pretending to be a sheriff, Ulrich Thomsen is perfect as Kai Proctor, the shunned Amish boss that runs the town of Banshee. Neither of these characters are traditional "good guys", but you find yourself rooting for Hood and wishing pain on Proctor. Thomsen has a way of maintaining a perfectly calm demeanor that makes you hate his character even more. It's beautiful. And Matthew Rauch, who plays his accountant-like body guard, is the perfect compliment.
I love the women on this show as well. We learn a lot about Carrie Hopewell. She is Lucas Hood's former girlfriend and partner. Played by Ivana Milicevic, Carrie is a well written and extremely well acted character. She has a criminal past that she has been hiding from her family that, by all appearances, she did flawlessly until Lucas found her. As he stirs up old feelings, he stirs up a past that she had hidden so well she had nearly forgotten about it herself. A character I want to learn more about is Deputy Siobhan Kelly. She seems like there is a lot more to her than just a stereotype of a woman that joined the police force. Trieste Kelly Dunn plays her with, what I think, is just the right amount of strength and vulnerability. There are moments when we see Siobhan want to say or do so much more than she does. I feel that there is hidden story about her we may see in future episodes. Now for who my husband thinks is the sexiest woman on the show, if not on television right now, Lili Simmons, who plays Rebecca. Poor Rebecca. She seems to be following in the same footsteps as her Uncle Kai. She has been shunned by the Amish for her wild ways and her generous Uncle Kai has now taken her under his wing. As long as she quits sleeping with the sheriff.
Banshee is one if those shows that has a little bit for everybody. It has mafia ties, motorcycle gangs, corruption, violence, sex, prejudice, mystery, kidnapping, family issues, adultery, murder, rednecks, justice, lies, and the best cross dressing Asian I have ever seen. Seriously. Hoon Lee's character, Job, is not to missed. Or messed with.
I cannot wait for season two to begin. There are so many unanswered questions. Where is Rabbit (Ben Cross)? Will Gordon forgive Carrie for all her lies? Why did Lucas steal that painting? What does Jason need with his dad? What does the combination in the opening credits open? Will Rebecca be able to return to the Amish? Who hasn't had sex with Lucas? How come no one ever gets pregnant? Will the Moody boys get their revenge? Will Deva find out who her dad is? What is wrong with Max's lung? What will the fall out be from the YouTube video? Can I be on the show?
Ugh! I can't wait! Film faster, cast of Banshee! Film faster!
The Verdict
I love this show and it is so versatile that I think that there is truly something for everyone. It is not for children, though, so beware! I give Banshee 5/5 Amish Bonnets. Keep it up!
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