Banshee: Season 1
  • Network: Cinemax
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 11, 2013
  • Season #: 1
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 81
  3. Negative: 4 out of 81

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  1. fatehrawkey
    Jun 10, 2013
    9
    i think its a good action drama TV series with superb actors...but its pace of the TV series is a bit sloppy

    but on the whole BANSHEE is a gem...watch it guys...
  2. aiguy
    Mar 31, 2013
    10
    I just watched all the season 1 shows this weekend with my wife during the Comcast Watchathon where they made all Cinemax series available for free. I have to say we were glued to all ten episodes and I had to pry her away for Easter dinner. Very intense they try hard to shock you and make you feel for the characters. The characters are not sympathetic. They are hard antiheroes but you do care about them and feel their pain. The moral dilemmas created are complex. You start to hate a character and then he turns around and does something to save people even though it's in his best interests. There are tons of plot twists for those who like the unexpected. The violence and sexuality are not for the faint hearted though. Can't wait for the next season!… Expand
  3. Lochglen
    Mar 31, 2013
    8
    Very gritty program that is not held back from the usual constraints of mainstream tv, And the the main actor is a New Zealander not Australian.
    Love this show.
  4. JDECW2012
    Mar 29, 2013
    8
    Banshee is a great show to a point, some of the characters need a lot of work for season 2, the main character is great and is acted well. If the last two episodes of the first season which were the best of the season tense and ending very interesting if it continues down that road should be good.
  5. SalTascioni
    Mar 29, 2013
    9
    My opinion about the first season is that is the best new series after Game of Thrones. This series could also improve, with more money and more attention to details.
  6. BlackRiver
    Mar 20, 2013
    9
    The show is a bit excessive on the violence but otherwise good fun and interesting to watch. There is some great character development in places in the show and Antony Starr is fantastic as the ex-con turned sheriff.
  7. Soulshock
    Mar 17, 2013
    8
    I have to give the show another review. The show got much, much better than the earlier episodes were promising. The plan in the early episodes was to every episode have outsiders bring danger into the town (and the rave episode with the kids was pathetic). However, ever since then the show has gotten much better. I have thoroughly enjoyed the main character, as well as his interactions with everyone else. The focus on rabbit was a great move, there are many interesting characters in the show, no need to bring outsiders in every episode, this shouldn't be law and order. If Anna's kids are out of the picture I'm very glad, what a bore no Deva please!!! I really like Kai's relationship with his niece, she is a definitely an interesting young character, looking forward to see more of that in season 2. Great season finale.… Expand
  8. jimmyj
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    Who believes it. A way-over-the-top TV show, cheaply done, poorly acted, that's great fun to watch! Let's not even mention the writing... So much to try and keep track of, but who cares? Interesting characters, more and more of them, rule the day. Keep up the insanity! I like this show!
  9. rocketpackpanda
    Mar 11, 2013
    8
    Cinemax and HBO have another winner on there hands. Full of twists and turns Banshee manages to engage the viewer through a mix of grim spectacle and outright badassery. Every episode is layered with style that oozes with dramatic meat to keep the audience magnetized to the screen and just when you're properly engaged. Some get's their arm broken or their brains splattered across the walls or streets. This all said one must remember that this is the cinemax arm of HBO, so while the acting is pretty good all around, it is by no means on the level of something like The Wire or Six Feet Under. But with certain tweaks, it could very well be. In fact it puts its sister show, Strikeback, to shame by saying, an action show can have good acting and damn good dialogue. The only other issue with the show, is when they try to do big bad chase sequences. The choreography and direction of them is great, but they don't have the budget to pull them off effectively. It becomes dissengaging when you wind up concentrating on its fakery rather than execution. Otherwise, a solid show, that will have you racing with excitment.… Expand
  10. lisa1
    Mar 9, 2013
    10
    banshee is excellent,keeps you on the edge of your seat,this show has humour,sex,and excellent story lines a must see,every episode gets better,there are evil amish,and the cop hood is so sexy
  11. tbux
    Mar 1, 2013
    10
    This show is easily the best shock in three years. The episode that just premiered gives the famous Game of Thrones episode, "The Battle of Black Water," a run for its money. Ulrich Thomsen portrays Kai Proctor in what is some of the best acting I have seen in recent memory. I have never seen so many amazing plot twists before and look forward to watching the rest of this season and season 2. I suggest anyone that likes bloody action scenes to watch every episode immediately.… Collapse
  12. Nathonas
    Feb 24, 2013
    8
    (Spoilers below) I have to say when I first heard of this show I thought it was going to be typical mindless junk, but I was pleasantly surprised. The characters are interesting and relatively complex, the action is great, plenty of laughs and almost every episode has "edge of your seat" moments. The only reason I would not give this show 9 or 10/10 is because of how ridiculous the plot is. Pretty much every episode has absolutely ridiculous things happening first, the way Hood becomes Sheriff; then the ability of the dragqueen character to do whatever he wants with his laptop, including opening blast doors in a museum; Hood's asinine interpretation of laws, like punching criminals in front of other cops and letting prisoners go; Hood deciding to and succeeding in beating up a biker gang by himself, etc. If you can get over how ridiculous the story is a lot of the time you will definietely enjoy yourself.… Expand
  13. aquzto
    Feb 20, 2013
    10
    it's great and stunning, kind of new story bad side has a good side, angel side has a evil side, especially there's lot love making scene LOL, like real sadistic scene too
  14. Slam
    Feb 14, 2013
    8
    This is a really good not great show. The pilot hooked me right outta the gate. Ep 2 with the Rave was just OK. Ep 3 with the MMA fighter was great. For a show like this to work, you have to care about the characters and this show has that. As the season gets farther along, Hood gets less likeable, and Proctor the villian) gets more sympathetic, which is a nice twist. Hoods daughter, Sugar, Deputy Barney Fife, and the Tranny hacker are all fun characters. Proctor is pretty generic. Hood's ex-girlfriend isn't very likeable. The sex nudity is often gratuitious It's Cinemax, we get it I REALLY like this show.… Expand
  15. Vicious1
    Jan 28, 2013
    9
    Very entertaining series may not be the most realistic both hell neither is Breaking Bad or SONS but they are great shows. Strap in for every 48 minute episode because your are going to be taken for a ride.
  16. PrashantRai
    Jan 27, 2013
    10
    Well,I am quite impressed by this show..I watched episode 3,clearly the plot is going to unfold,..This show is quite intriguing despite its minor flaws in early episodes,..Visually its amazing.Its intended to be an adrenaline pumper with noir like style,and it is..I am going to hold onto it..
  17. attackturnip
    Jan 26, 2013
    7
    It's good. Just not great. But it's enjoyable to watch and if you're willing to search through the litany of television cliches, it brings a couple new ideas to the table.
  18. ethadarave
    Jan 26, 2013
    10
    EPISODE 3!!!!!! ................................................................................................................................................................... enough said.............................................
  19. PanchoTaffy
    Jan 22, 2013
    8
    Good first episode and now just watching the second. Decent mix of story, violence and a bit of porno chucked in for good measure. Hope the series continues to be as good as the first episode.
  20. TheKiddy
    Jan 19, 2013
    3
    I am on episode 2 and am having real trouble caring about any of these people. (Well, I care about the 14 year old girl who just got hit on by one of the adult bad guys. We are one step away from pedophilia.) Perhaps it's the wooden dialogue. Perhaps it's the lead who has mastered an American accent but doesn't walk like an American (moves more like a small time British film gangster, although Australian). Perhaps it is because he is supposed to at least try to act like a sheriff but acts like a violent crook and never shaves, especially in uniform. And he seems like more of a sociopath than the bad guys. And needs a shower. Who would want to sleep with this guy (and there are a lot of women falling into sex with him..)

    There is something wrong here in the sensibility at work. Something faintly perverse.    … Expand
  21. lalo86
    Jan 17, 2013
    10
    I saw the first episode and was really good I think this show will awsome,and people will love it,its one of the show that will set my dvr. So if someone have not watch the first episode do so you will love it.
  22. stormD23
    Jan 14, 2013
    7
    Banshee has a lot of potential to be a great series. If you can look past the unrealistic premise you might find that the show has likable characters, strong acting and writing, and an interesting story to tell.
  23. Bo33y
    Jan 14, 2013
    3
    The dialogue is, Have you got a judge in your pocket or are you happy to see me. The main actor has only one expression throughout the entire episode a weak plastic forced smile. All the action scenes are jerky and being film from somebody on a trampoline. Watch the opening and wonder WTF why the truck fell over? I re-winded 10 times, and it was as pointless as this entire series. The gunslinger in the opening is such a bad poser that in his stance it really is no wonder, why every shot he fires has missed. On the plus side there is a brief glimpse of **** but the town is Banshee a centre for the Amish community. In truth I watched 15 minutes before fast-forwarding hoping maybe this dreadful opener would improve, it really didn't at all. Maybe you might last the course honestly I doubt it very much so. Awful… Expand
  24. MarcDoyle
    Jan 13, 2013
    8
    Cinemax has learned exactly how to scratch a certain itch that I have for a gritty cable series. Starting with Strike Back, then Hunted, and now Banshee - they're going for a very specific slice of the TV-watching audience, and apparently I'm squarely part of that group. Banshee brings us the small-town appeal that I appreciate, but with 4 or 5 totally preposterous plot contrivances that just shout, "bear with us, this will get crazy along the way. Let's go" I was ambivalent about the lead actor's ability to carry the show, but by the end of the premiere, I'm fully on board. His former love is perfect casting, and the Asian tech is a nice addition to the group. "Sugar," the former boxing champ will make for a nice confidant to the new "sheriff", and the two villains - Proctor and the Rabbit - should keep things nicely nicely anarchic. So no, it's not your same old boring cop, lawyer, or hospital procedural. Kudos to Max for going for it.… Expand
  25. theahsanhaseeb
    Jan 13, 2013
    8
    Banshee can become a great series in coming days if dealt with properly, it has the charm, it has believable characters, and above all the premise has so much potential. All it needs is great writing and its wonderful execution. As most of the reviewers say that this show is not for sissies which is totally true. The right amount of violence, direction, acting and writing can make it brilliant. Let's see how it works out in future.… Expand
  26. armen1136
    Jan 12, 2013
    8
    i read reviews before i gave the show a look and despite all the negative feedback i still enjoyed the show and looked past the issues that others had with it. definitely worth it to watch.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 11, 2013
    60
    While it's emphatically not a great show, it is an overheated yet intriguing one, driven more by visuals than words--and if you don't mind that its gory action and soap-opera plots aren't yet matched by dialogue and performance, it's worth a look.
    Read full review
  2. The Huffington Post (formerly AOL TV)
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Jan 11, 2013
    70
    It does what it sets out to do reasonably well without breaking my brain in the process.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 11, 2013
    50
    Banshee has has elements of "Justified," "Big Love," Ball's "True Blood" and, of course, the film "Witness." What it doesn't have, at least in the first two episodes, is anything new to say, about small towns, power, corruption, fear, crime or love.
    Read full review
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