The original post: /r/television by /u/ShieldWarden on 2024-07-16 16:55:50.
Wanted to give it a shot because I kept getting served some interesting shorts on YouTube. But after two episodes, I don’t think it’s for me.
The whole premise is fine, ex-con assumes the identity of a sheriff. The reasoning, though? Because he can’t get over his ex-girlfriend. What? Has already tried multiple times to force himself on her, trying to break up her marriage or get her to cheat.
He has zero people skills, a huge temper, and does nothing to try and pass as a sheriff. Even goes back to trying to commit crimes on the side. I get it, he’s an ex-con who just got out, but it’d make sense if he wasn’t on the run already from some kind of Russian mobster. But we’re supposed to root for this guy as the main character?
This is my biggest problem just after two episodes. It’d be an okay show if the main character wasn’t such a dick. It’s trying very hard to force the story around this guy. I can already tell by it having 5 seasons that it becomes a “now this is the kind of cop we need to clean up this town” kind of story. Ew rules, am I right?
It says a lot when the guy I agree with the most (the senior sheriff calling out our main character), is the one being propped up as a minor antagonist.
And then there’s the sex scenes. Boy, oh boy, they don’t stop. Two episodes and there was already like 5 sex scenes. It’s a little much and unnecessary.
Not to mention the hyper-sexualization of the daughter. I don’t care if the actress is a legal age, in the story she’s 16. It’s gross.
The whole story has a very stereotypical “men are only allowed to punch stuff and bottle their emotions, unless it’s anger or lust” vibe, and it’s just bad writing. The logical mental gymnastics you have to go through for any of it to make sense is just too much.
tl;dr - Show has subpar writing, extremely unlikeable MC. Frequent and unnecessary sex scenes, questionable sexualization of a minor. Extreme suspension of disbelief that is a bit unbearable.
All in all, if you want a crime/procedural show with a charming MC that works outside the law to get stuff done, go watch the Mentalist.
EDIT: It’s funny to me that even with the explanation of why I didn’t enjoy Banshee, the thing everyone gets hung up on is that I recommended a different show.
I didn’t go in expecting the Mentalist. I went in expecting a good show, and was sorely disappointed