I had thought that Banshee would have trouble improving after watching the Season Two finale, Bullets and Tears. Where could they possibly go from there that could give us more action, more emotion, more tugging of our hearts? Well, this episode is the answer to that question.
If you haven't yet seen this episode, here's a quick recap you can read on your way back from the moon, cause everyone down here already knows what happened. We will discuss the details afterwards.
Hood's visitor turns out to be FBI Special Agent Phillips, who takes Hood on a road trip to New York. Along the way both are taken by Brantley, who has a score to settle with Jason Hood. While Hood is having a (not very) friendly chat with Brantley, Brantley's men are sent to dispose of Special Agent Phillips, and without his men to protect him... Well, this is Hood we're talking about. After tossing Brantley out of the semi they are traveling in, Hood rescues Phillips, and makes his peace with him. Let me briefly digress here and point out that the vault combination numerology of 5-13-69 can be found here, in the Interstate 513 mile marker 69.
Meanwhile back in Banshee, Nola, who in the previous episode warns Chayton that he underestimated Proctor, doesn't heed her own words and attacks Burton at the Proctor house. Something in the Longshadow family genes makes them think they can come out ahead in dealings with the Proctor clan. We will discuss the fight further along, but needless to say, Nola lost.
At roughly the same time, Chayton's brother Tommy Littlestone and 4 Redbone gang members decide to hurt Proctor by shooting up the Savoy men's club, where Dep. Brock Lotus is getting sage advice from his favorite stripper Sapphire. Brock of course calls for backup, and with the help of Dep. Kelly and Dep. Raven, the Redbones are defeated.
Returning home, Hood goes to Siobhan Kelly's trailer, to find her listening to his 15 year old interrogation tape (which can be seen more at welcometobanshee.com), and she is visibly pissed at Hood and wants to know just who the hell he really is.
That's the quick surface details of this episode, BUT, the really interesting facet of this episode is the fundamental sharp turn that so many of the characters and indeed even the show itself made in aspects that we shall discuss further here.
Burton vs Nola. This fight was touted as one the best prior to the episode airing, widely discussed online, and not only lived up to its expectations, it exceeded them and still had shock factor to spare. Banshee insiders have stated that it took over 14 hours to film the 3 minute segment, and I have to say that it was time well spent. I watched this scene multiple times and even once in slow motion, and it was absolutely flawless in its choreography, facial expressions, and continuity. Hats off to Mathew Rauch, Odette Annable, and the entire team effort, for a great job. Being a smartass, I have to wonder if Nola's headstone with have a cherub shaped like a Rolls Royce hood ornament, perhaps Proctor will provide it for her.
This was NOT however, the most brutal fight we've seen on Banshee. Carrie vs Oleg was far more brutal, and from memory I'd have to say longer. Hood vs the Albino was equally as bloody of a battle. What makes this fight so unique in bloody Banshee is that for the first time ever, we had two characters fighting, and we were all rooting for both/each of them. Everyone watching this fight has a positive emotional connection to both Burton and Nola, they were fan favorites battling to the death. Sure Oleg, the Albino, even Rabbit had fans, but we all knew they were bad guys, and bad guys get killed off. Watching Nola fight Burton was more like watching two friends fight. This alone makes for a turning point in the series.
I'd have to wonder after that... How many more battles will our emotions have to contend with that feature fan favorites killing each other off. Banshee fans better stock up on the Liquor, or Ativan, or Kleenex to get ready for the rest of this roller coaster ride.
Furthermore, I'd have to question Burton's safety now. He has killed off two people that Hood was attached to, Jason and Nola (remember, he did sleep with Nola), and that can't be healthy in the long run. He has also now pissed off Chayton, another powerful adversary, although given how poorly the Kinaho tribe fares in Banshee battles, this isn't something we lose sleep over.
Hood's (not so) Secret. Opps, looks like the cat is out of the bag. FBI Special Agent Phillips dropping of evidence in Siohban's lap is possibly the worst outcome as far as Hood is concerned. The show takes another twisty turn with us wondering how Hood explains his way out of this. Just when we thought Siohban was domesticating him too. It's been said that a secret can't survive more than one person knowing it, this twist makes it more like six that know Hood's past.
The Beard Grows. Who would have figured that Matt Servitto growing a beard would result in the stick falling out of his ramrod straight ass and he'd turn into the character he has? Obviously the producers did, because he is becoming more of a mainstay with each passing episode. I absolutely loved the interplay between Sapphire and Brock. My only comment would be what did the make up department do to Emmy Argo, she is a much prettier girl that that stripper was. We look forward to seeing Brock grow even more in further episodes.
A Family Affair. Hats off to the trio of Ulrich Thomsen, Jennifer Griffin, and Alpha Trivette for a heartwarming family reunion scene. As much as it wasn't a long scene, it was exceedingly well acted. Watching them work reminded my of a harmonious symphony of well played facial expressions where few words are needed.
Chasing bad guys. Emily Lotus, played by Tanya Clarke, seems to be chasing after more bad guys that the Banshee Sheriffs Department. First she gives Burton an extra long touch while patching his wounds, then she gets down on her knees for Proctor (mind you, he was kneeling as well). It will be interesting to see who she catches first.
Okay, that's all I got for now. Great job to all the Banshee cast, crew, and production staff on this episode. Now let's see you top this one!
5-13-69 can also be found in the opening credits
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