It's been a while since I've done one of these. Last time I did, I think it was for Enlightened, which I've been covering--along with Girls--on a (usually) weekly basis. Once in a while a show comes along that really intrigues me. Right now, it's Banshee. Let's break it down:
Show: Banshee
Airs: Friday nights at 10pm on Cinemax
Starring: Antony Starr, Ivana Milicevic, Hoon Lee, Ulrich Thomsen, et al.
The
creators:
Banshee
comes to us from authors David Schickler (“Kissing in Manhattan,”
“Sweet and Vicious”) and Johnathan Tropper (“One Last Thing
Before I Go,” “This is Where I Leave You”) and executive
producer Alan Ball, who’s created two little shows known as Six
Feet Under and True Blood.
I know what you're thinking: "Wait,
Cinemax does original programming? Don’t they just show...you
know...those kids of movies?" To
which I say: grow up. It’s 2013. Cinemax has actually been making
original programming for years now, including Strike Back and
Hunted.
The
ambiguous morals:
Everyone
on this show is out to get someone else, so it’s hard to say who,
exactly, are the “good guys.”
The
story revolves around Banshee sheriff Lucas Hood—well, it’s not really
Lucas Hood, but the man who assumed Hood’s identity when the real
Hood died rather gruesomely. This man (Antony Starr) is an ex-con and thief who made
enemies of some very bad people, including the Russian mob. Hood is
the main character, sure, but is he the hero? The anti-hero? It’s
hard to say, but I think that’s what makes him so interesting. In
the guise of sheriff, he assumes the role of the “good guy” but
does things in an...unconventional way. (See, for example, his
“arrest” of a celebrity athlete.) Starr also brings a raw passion to the role that is both sexy and menacing.
 |
| See what I mean? RAWR |
Characters
who at first seem obviously good turn out to be not so much.
Anastasia (Ivana Milicevic), Hood’s lost love and literal partner in crime, now lives in Banshee
as Carrie Hopewell. She’s also married to the DA and has two lovely
children with him.
 |
| Whatcha doing with those guns, Mrs.Hopewell? |
It all seems so very idyllic, until we find out
her connections to the mob, specifically to Hood’s nemesis, Mr.
Rabbit.
And
then there’s Job (Hoon Lee). Who is he? Well, he’s the next reason to watch.
MOTHAFUCKIN JOB:
Ever
wish someone would create a non-stereotypical GLBT character? Your wish
is granted! Job is a ruthless hacker/forger who used to work with
Hood and Ana back in the day. He’s also a gorgeous drag queen.
This
aspect of his character is played matter of fact. It’s just part of
who Job is. He likes wearing stilettos, dresses, Diane Von
Furstenberg head scarves, and lipstick because that’s who he is.
There’s no big hooplah about him being himself, probably because
he’d kill anyone who’d say otherwise.
 |
| That's him blowing up ALL the gay stereotypes. Or mobsters. |
The
setting:
I
know this seems like an odd reason, but Banshee, PA is a small town in the middle
of Amish country. It’s a setting that hasn’t been used that much
recently (or, I should say, used well). It adds an interesting
layer to the overall premise, especially since the main “villain”
(again, ambiguous) Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen) is an exiled member of the Amish
community.
 |
| That's Proctor and his dad...They don't get along. |
It’s
damn violent. And sexy, too:
This
show has some of the best/worst cringe-worthy fighting I’ve seen in
a long time. It’s nice to see a show that just goes for it. Banshee
also doesn’t shy away from the sex. I’d say the sex scenes are
more realistic and less soap opera. I mean, aside from everyone being
gorgeous, they know how to get it on!
So, to sum up watch Banshee if you're a fan of:
Caper movies, film noir, unconventional characters and settings, drag queens, brooding protagonists, spaghetti Westerns, graphic sex and violence, twisty, turny, well-written television.
Disclaimer: all photos are copyright their respective owners, I don't get paid for any of this. Although wouldn't that be awesome?!
LIKED
ReplyDelete