[Whisperzzzzzzz]

I just finished bingeing the first season of this show (season 2 begins this week) and I was damn surprised. I did not expect it to be such an enjoyable show. It's a bit Twin Peaks-ish — small town with lots of disturbing things going on beneath the surface — but it turns the dial to 11. I'm definitely looking forward to the next season.

Unfortunately, there are two things that I think detract from the show: the abundance of gore, which, unsettingly, I don't mind as much as the pointless sex scenes. But yeah, the gore and the sex scenes are the only two things I can think of now that hurt the show.

Anyone else watch this?

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 07 January 2014 - 08:56 PM

[Abyss]

Watched the premiere, wasn't impressed enough to keep going. Did it get better?

[champ]

I thought it was one of them shows that got better with each episode.

The cage fighting ep - 3 or 4 in - was when I knew I was hooked, if by that point you aren't sure then I would say it isn't for you!

[Binder of Demons]

Abyss, on 07 January 2014 - 09:19 PM, said:

Watched the premiere, wasn't impressed enough to keep going. Did it get better?

It did get better, but the premiere should have given you a pretty good idea of what the show is like overall. There are some particularly graphic fight scenes in some of the other episodes as well which were very memorable (in a, "I wish i could unsee that cos of its gruesomeness kind of way"). I am referring to the cage fighting ep and the Albino eps specifically.

But they did a good job of introducing some storylines that allow themselves scope to go in numerous directions, and more importantly, the showrunners havent really fucked around with the formula they established in the first few eps, so it has been fairly consistent. It's basically a good pulpy action show which I'm actually looking forward to seeing return.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Glad to know that some other people agree with me! I really feel like they've established a lot of threads, and I always enjoy shows which one could knit into a full sweater, if you get my drift

[Tarthenal Theloman Toblakai]

I think gore and sex scenes have been popularised by Game of Thrones TV series and Spartacus (moreso Spartacus). They will probably die off when the shock factor does and then people will be all about the subtle stuff again and thus history repeats itself!

[Binder of Demons]

Possibly TTT, but it's equally likely that it will stick around. I personally am not bothered by either the violence or the sex scenes in Banshee as, for the most part, they do seem to be in keeping with the story. Also, they try to dole it out occasionally so it has more impact. People were much more bothered by the use of the brothel scenes in Game of Thrones having so much nudity, when the main (stated) purpose of those scenes was exposition.

The Cinemax series, Strike Back, is probably the most overt offender of what you're talking about TTT. Each episode is pretty standard action fare, which loads of other TV series have managed to do on primetime. However, they will casually throw in a sex scene with some random guest star and the American soldier, as if they're checking a list (the British soldier is married so he doesn't get any "other action" when on duty). I do find it kind of annoying in Strike Back when I bother to watch it.

As I said before, I don't mind including either violence or sex as long as it feel like an organic part of the storytelling and not some producer or executive checking things off a list.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Binder of Demons, on 08 January 2014 - 02:43 PM, said:

Possibly TTT, but it's equally likely that it will stick around. I personally am not bothered by either the violence or the sex scenes in Banshee as, for the most part, they do seem to be in keeping with the story. Also, they try to dole it out occasionally so it has more impact. People were much more bothered by the use of the brothel scenes in Game of Thrones having so much nudity, when the main (stated) purpose of those scenes was exposition.

The Cinemax series, Strike Back, is probably the most overt offender of what you're talking about TTT. Each episode is pretty standard action fare, which loads of other TV series have managed to do on primetime. However, they will casually throw in a sex scene with some random guest star and the American soldier, as if they're checking a list (the British soldier is married so he doesn't get any "other action" when on duty). I do find it kind of annoying in Strike Back when I bother to watch it.

As I said before, I don't mind including either violence or sex as long as it feel like an organic part of the storytelling and not some producer or executive checking things off a list.

The sex scenes in the earlier episodes of Banshee felt mostly thrown in, but the ones in the latter half made a bit more sense.

[champ]

sex and gore = goooooooodddddddd but champ is a happy neanderthal!

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Downloading it as I type...

[Bulwyf]

Watched all of season 1 on demand after lurking and reading this post, had finished season 1 just in time for season 2 premiere. Good show.

Guess I'm a little desensatized, as I didn't think it was overly violent. (except for maybe 2 scenes in the casino episode).

Thanks for the recomendation!

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Nice!

And we've got s02e02 tomorrow night

[Cause]

Great Show!

The violence is a huge aspect of the show, the sex does often seem pointless. But who does not like boobies.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Briar King, on 15 February 2014 - 07:15 PM, said:

Damn my post didn't go through about last week. That was a boring ass ep...

Last night epi better but there were two parts that were just fucking ridiculously STUPID!!!

I enjoyed S1 but S2 is getting shittier IMO.

I really liked last week's episode (minus the boring dreamy lovey sequences). The fight scenes made up for it imo. Haven't seen this week's yet.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

I thought the fight scene in the hospital was one of the best yet. A+.

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 12 March 2014 - 06:41 AM

[champ]

Briar King, on 12 March 2014 - 03:49 AM, said:

I'm still confused with Hoods reaction to Kai though cause Kai really ensured Hoods safety as Hood unknowingly while keeping Hoods hands clean. He should've breathed a sigh of relief.

Spoiler up to latest episode...

Spoiler

Kai killed the real Hoods son who Lucas was trying to help out, go figure!

This post has been edited by champ: 12 March 2014 - 01:59 PM

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

The finale of Season 2 was probably the best episode yet. By interspersing flashbacks with modern times, it really created a tense atmosphere and gave me a sense that it was moving towards a big climax (which, of course, it was).

Also, the soundtrack for this show is criminally underrated (as is the show itself). It's magnificently haunting.

This song was featured in the finale when

Spoiler

Carrie and Hood were driving back from NYC to Banshee

and it just fits so fucking well.

I love this show.

EDIT: Also, there are these short (~2 minute) webisodes called "Banshee Origins" that detail the lives of characters before they came to Banshee. I'm just about to watch them now, but they supposedly add some nice backstory. They can be streamed here: Season 1 Origins and Season 2 Origins.

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 16 March 2014 - 05:11 PM

[Stalker]

Good to great finale. Plus some fantastic setup for next season with all the different forces arrayed against Hood (including the Fed who spotted him in NYC, I bet).


Speaking of the Feds / police, how do you expect to get away with a shoutout in a hospital? Cameras everywhere, middle of NYC so police response is immediate, and the tech genius to disable the cameras is unconscious. I don't buy it / no way they get away with it. Further, the shoutout in the church is another spot where I had to suspend disbelief. Also, Hood buys a bunch of rifles from Fat ? and then assaults the church using pistols. Really? Then 7ish guys with assault rifles can't kill two people? I know, that's the same in every action scene ever and I know it's to show parallels to the earlier job and the relationship between Hood and Anna, but they should be dead because that was too much.

[Stormcat]

I just did a marathon season one. Hood gets his ass kicked a lot. I'm not sure a human body could take that much damage and bounce right back. Pretty good action though. I am looking forward to season two.

[Stalker]

Hah, yeah. Basically no part where he isn't bruised or taped up somewhere. Not realistic, but definitely entertaining.