Unless you live in a cave, you have no doubt heard by now that Banshee, the Cinemax series we all know and love, has announced that the upcoming season four will be it's last. As saddened as I am by this news, I choose to focus on the positives. The series, originally planned for five seasons, has decided for creativity reasons to end after four. Truth be told, this show is so good that it deserves to end on a high note rather than being dragged out past where the story has a plot. I applaud the creators David Schickler and Jonathan Tropper for making what must have been a hard decision. Since they haven't led me wrong so far, I would have to say -- they know what's best for Banshee.
Looking back at Banshee, they accomplished something very rare. They took the absurd concept of a criminal, assuming the identity of a sheriff, so that he could pursue his true love, in a small town with the worlds highest crime rate, and not only made it believable, but spun the story so artfully that we all felt we were citizens of Banshee while we watched it.That's simply amazing!
But they did much more than just that. They created a team which was able to bring this concept to the screen in such a way that made Banshee rise head and shoulders above other series.
The writing by Schickler, Tropper, Adam Targum, and others was compelling throughout the series. Drama, romance, fantasy, and a bit of comedy all rolled into one package. Smooth transitions between episodes, without hanging any loose unanswered ends left untold.
Directors Greg Yaitanes, Loni Peristere, and Ole Madsen took those scripts and combined Yaitanes one olive less philosophy with the notion that bigger is always better in action scenes to the point of no return. I had some friends who had never seen the show over one night and made them watch an episode with me. They called me a few days later, complaining that now when they watch other shows, the action scenes look boring and unrealistic. That would be the highest compliment I could pay the directors and special effects crews they employed.
I could rave about the acting for days. Antony Starr as the guy that takes a beating and still manages to win. Ivana Milicevic as a women torn between so many different men in her life. Ulrich Thomsen as a gangster haunted by his religious past. Matty Rauch as a man so scary that Boogy Man's kids have them check under their beds at night for Burton before they can sleep. Hoon Lee doing a simply incredible role as Job. I could list the entire cast here as great actors without stretching because this show has brought out the best in everyone who was in it.
Even further than just making a show, Greg Yaitanes created a social media network of Fanshees. Live tweeting sessions of Banshee were done with a level of participation unheard of by any other television shows. Actors, producers, writers, and crew members actually talked WITH the fanshees, not just at them. And it didn't stop there -- the fans started talking with each other, making a community of sorts. I myself have made many friends from this, and hope that these friendships outlast the series.
In closing, I would like to thank the Banshee bunch for providing me with four seasons of great entertainment, excitement, and good fellowship. A toast to you Banshee -- BUDMO