Banshee

Every once in a while a show comes along that catches you completely off guard; you only want to check out the pilot because you've read a comment or two on IMDb comparing it to some other show you kinda like – and BOOM: you're blown away. That's what happened to me with 'Banshee'.

It's amazing this show hasn't found a bigger audience. It has its fans, sure, but as far as the amount of steady viewers is concerned, it's nowhere near playing in the big leagues – yet. When I started to watch the first episode, I expected a decent, but low budget 'neo-noir' crime show with some sexy women and a few good shoot-outs. What I got instead is high-octane pulp cinema that gets your heart pumpin' with adrenalin from the first second, and an opening chase/shoot-out that wouldn't have to hide behind any mega-budget action production Hollywood has churned out recently.

Needless to say, I was hooked. This show is raw, gritty, brutal and over-the-top; it's got everything most action films lack these days – and it's absolutely NOT PG-13. Granted, it's pulpy, trashy, sometimes even down-right ridiculous – but I loved every minute of it so far. The production values are among the best I've seen on TV and the cast is fantastic. Up until now, every episode felt like an injection of pure testosterone (and let's be honest: sometimes, that's just what the doctor ordered). My favorite guilty pleasure at the moment. 8 stars out 10.

Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/

This show has few culturally redeeming qualities: but it sure is fun to watch.

The plot is absurd, the violence and sex are excessive, and disbelief is completely suspended. But, I really enjoy it.

And, bear with me, there is some good acting. Sure, most of it is way way over the top. But there are some well done moments. Frankie Faison & Hoon Lee really shine. Even pretty boy Antony Starr gets some good lines.

I give a lot of credit to the show runners for putting - and keeping - this series together. If you like this, check out 'Warrior'.

Note: there are scenes that are a millimeter from soft-core porn. I'd caution against watching this on a fight, or near anyone for that matter :)

This is not a show based in reality. It's beyond silly. But that's OK. It knows what it is and just turns it all up to 11. The sex scenes are basically soft porn, and there seems to be at least one in every episode. Each episode is basically a setup for Hood getting into a fight where he gets his ass kicked but ultimately wins, and also has some girl drag him into bed for some graphic sexy time. But the characters are likeable and well acted, and the constant parade of bad guys getting their well deserved beating from our hero is undeniably satisfying. It's all very dopey, but extremely enjoyable.

Banshee has recently started its third season, yet if you search for online reviews of the show from the major entertainment sites, you'll find almost none. Which is a crying shame, because for any one who loves good action shows, Banshee is a must watch. There's a reason, despite being on a premium channel not many people watch, that Banshee has lasted this long. And that reason is sheer awesome badassery.

First off, being a premium show (and a Cinemax one at that), Banshee is chock full of gratuitous nudity and sex (which, not to sound dirty, is of pretty high quality). And there is typically at least one crazy violent scene per episode. So if neither of those are your cup of tea, maybe you should skip this show. But if you like or don't mind either of those things, you'll find amazing gun-battles, even more amazing hand-to-hand fight scenes, and some cool, gritty characters.

The plot is a tough pill to swallow early on in the first season--a hotshot thief just happens to get the opportunity to masquerade as a small town sheriff in Amish country--and you pretty much have to resign yourself to the fact that nearly every female character on the show will sleep with the protagonist at one point or another at the point of bordering on the absurd. But after the first few episodes and the benefit of suspension of disbelief, the show becomes incredibly addictive, and you end up really caring about these characters. Stand outs include the mysterious protagonist; Kai, the Amish crime boss; the criminally underused deputies who both aid and are suspicious of the protagonist; and Job, our hero's cross- dressing confidant.

What makes Banshee stand out are the little things--the subtle changes to the opening credits in each episode. The epilogue scenes of each episode. The incredibly well-choreographed hand- to-hand fight scenes. The foreshadowing of developments to come.

If you're a fan of shows like Justified, and True Blood, and Sons of Anarchy, then you'll love Banshee. Cinemax is well worth the subscription just to watch this show (plus you get other awesome shows like Strike Back and The Knick, but that's beyond the scope of this interview). Do yourself a favor and start watching this show immediately.

That's no exaggeration. This show is basically unknown to anyone. I have come across one single other person who has seen this show before (aside from the 25+ people who heard about it from me, with nearly every opinion being extremely positive.)

How is a show with this little popularity one of the best shows ever made? I love it so much. The story is amazing and never gets stagnant, constantly moving with major plot points in every episode. The fight scenes are intimate and brutal. The music is fantastic. The characters are awesome. The villains are beastly.

The entire show is filled with intensity and intrigue. I ate it all up. A top 5 all-time show for me.

Seasonal ratings: 10, 9, 9, 8.5.

(Seasons 1-3: 3 viewings, Season 4: 2 viewings, 12/13/2023)