As I mentioned in other reviews of individual episodes, I am using time shifting to watch an entire series in sequence, so even though the episode being reviewed is not timely to the small screen, it is timely to me. I don't know what comes next. I don't even know if the series survives.
That said, I believe Banshee is rapidly becoming one of my favorite shows of all time and I have been watching TV for a very long time.
Here is a secret. It is not merely words, characters and actors which creates "connection" between viewer and show, it is also trust (sometimes lack of it) in the writing team. Most viewers, given a choice, would rather watch a show penned by writers they trust, writers who have not let them down or made them feel belittled in a prior episode. Not an easy trick, but the first season of Banshee pretty much sets the bar for building trust.
I don't personally know the writing team here. But I do know they are pleasantly insane, comfortable doing everything from a love scene to a UFC spectacle, and they don't cheat or take the easy way out (ie, they have so far avoided cliffhangers that do nothing but try to hook the viewer like a mackerel) This episode is actually a clinic for writers from other shows who can't seem to dig themselves out of the plot holes THEY THEMSELVES CREATED by anything other than a "to be continued." It is self-contained episode, contains extreme ranges of emotion and passion, has great action scenes, advances the plot, and is just plain fun to watch.
Ivana Milicevic is one of the most photogenic actresses of all time. Bravo to the casting director.
