3.4 Real Life Is The Nightmare I know that Banshee is predominantly a pulp action show, but I really don’t think it gets enough credit for how well it can work in its quieter moments. This week’s episode almost entirely comprised those (while still finding room for an explosion, a fight and a car chase) but it didn’t feel lacking for it. In fact I’d be willing to argue that Real life Is The Nightmare deserves to stand with last week’s instalment as one of the best episodes this show has ever produced, if only for proving that real emotion underpins each one of these colourful characters, and that they can be just as compelling sitting and talking as they can be blowing stuff up. While I have questioned here and there why Gordon is still a part of the show, I’m actually quite enjoying his ongoing redemptive arc. Seeing him talk to Carrie in a way that wasn’t merely finger pointing and yelling was a nice change and reminded me that these are adult characters dealing with an impossible situation. And with his renewed focus on putting Proctor away, it seems he may yet have something important to do with how the rest of this season plays out. Toning down his conflicts with Carrie is absolutely a step in the right direction for an often difficult character. But as far as Hood’s farewell tour went, the best moment was one I was not expecting; his tender and surprising goodbye to Deva. As a character who often just seems like a clumsy stereotype of the out-of-control teenager, I tend to cringe whenever she comes on screen, but when she told Hood she wanted him to stay and didn’t hate him? Damned if I didn’t almost well up a bit. In among all the sex and violence, Banshee has always worn its heart on its sleeve and that is probably what I love the most about it. I care, and that makes every thrown punch and shootout so much more satisfying. Speaking of which, did anybody else audibly gasp when Hood took the shot at Proctor? I seriously thought for a moment that the show had removed its main villain, and the ugly and clumsy scuffle that followed really felt like it might end with the tormented gangster saying an abrupt goodbye. Luckily he’s around to wreak more havoc, and in retrospect the guy has too much plot still riding on him to leave now, but it’s testament to the writing that Banshee could legitimately make me believe they’d pull a move like that. I know that these reviews can seem like endless praise to Jonathan Tropper and co, but honestly I search for things to seriously criticise and I so rarely find them. Whether firing on all cylinders or simply giving us a succession of gentle, touching character moments, the writers are not putting a foot wrong at the moment. Even the conflict with Siobhan, which was mostly held off to be dealt with later, was deeply felt and excellently written tonight and I never once felt cheated by the fact that such a game changing event took a backseat. Appreciating that it drove Hood’s decision to leave (as if anyone seriously thought that would happen), it seems the real drama between them is yet to come, and that is just fine by me. Right now I am so giddy with excitement about what is yet to come, and that is pretty much the best praise I can give a series. Read Gabriel’s review of the previous episode, A Fixer Of Sorts, here. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
