Banshee - Season Three Preview & Greg Yaitanes Interview

Going by the teaser trailers we have been getting so far, it looks like the character’s various sins are going to be laid bare and tested. The difference between who is going to be able to wipe their slate clean, and whose past transgressions can never be forgiven is something I expect to be explored. From the two episodes I have already seen, I would also say that secrets are also going to be a theme. Covert pacts are carried out, bargains and plans are made, and this being the small town of Banshee, quite a few hidden things also come to light...often with lethal consequences.

As Greg Yaitanes promised back in February, the last twenty minutes of season two made clear some of the different avenues the show would be pursuing this year. With Yawners having been gunned down there’s an opening for a new deputy at the Cadi. Rebecca has proved herself to Kai by taking out Alex, but what is going to come next in their twisted power play games? Upsetting the Kinaho tribe might not have been a wise choice though, as we saw Chayton decide to make his way back home. Then there was Deva, who surprised Lucas by revealing that she knew he was her father, giving him even more reason to stay in Banshee.

After the bloodbath finale killed off so many characters there are a number of new and returning ones to introduce this year. I asked Greg how they will be affecting the dynamics of the town and what to expect at the start of the season, “We drop in full throttle and see justice served Banshee style,” he teased. “Chayton's return to Banshee will put the Kinaho Reservation into the foreground of the story. We'll get a sense of the culture and dynamic of the reservation. One of the many things I love about Banshee is the unexpected. You'll be surprised where everyone is a month after the events of the finale.”

As for how the Hopewell’s are coping after no longer having the threat of Rabbit hanging over their heads, they are still working out the finer details of their relationships with each other. Deva’s teenage curiosity is naturally going to lead her to Hood looking for answers, whether he will be able to provide them depends on the role he is going to take in her life. “The Gordon/Carrie/Lucas dynamic is quite powerful emotionally,” is Greg’s way of summing the situation up fairly succinctly.

Knowing Yaitanes’ love of hiding away Easter Eggs in his episodes, I asked for a heads up on which ones we should be on the lookout for this season. “Fans of House and/or Twin Peaks should watch episode 3 closely...” is the only clue I have been provided with. What does that bring to mind? If anyone has any early ideas on what this could mean, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

He also promises something unique in the latter half of the season. “I directed episode seven which has a 20 minute sequence unlike anything done on TV before. It is a game changer for the way I work and where TV is going.” If this were most other shows I would dismiss this as the usual hyperbolic spiel, but as it’s Banshee I am just eager to get my hands on the episode and see what they have achieved.

My regular episode previews will be posted closer to transmission, so I won’t be giving out any of my usual teasers until then. But I don’t think anyone is going to be spoiled when I say that there are a few brutal fights on the way, it is something the show excels at after all. Greg revealed that the women will be giving better than they get on the action front. “All of them have big fight sequences this season,” he explains “and Siobhan's could be one of my favourites. One word: machete.” After seeing the damage she inflicted on her husband with just a baton and a bible, I can’t wait to see what she’s up to here!

I know that every Fanshee has a different favourite character, so in order to cover as many as possible I asked Greg for a sentence or two to describe each of them this season.

Hood - At a crossroad. Settling into his role as sheriff.
Sugar - Getting back into the game in a big way this season.
Job - We'll learn a lot about his history with Lucas this year.
Carrie - She is fighting off - and at times losing - the battle of becoming Ana again.
Gordon - Trying to define himself and his role as father to Deva and as Mayor of Banshee.
Deva - She is finding out that being a criminal might be in the blood.
Kai - He has the most complex emotional path this season.

Rebecca - She is coming into her own and learning the business.
Burton - (takes off glasses) The best fight of the series involves him.
Siobhan - She’s the heart of the show.
Brock - Brock is a major player this season. I’m happy to see us writing to Matt Servitto's talents.
Chayton - Epic. He is a force and returns to Banshee bigger and meaner.
Nola - The best fight of the series involves her.

Finally I asked what the plans are looking ahead for the show. “In the event of a season 4 pickup-by Cinemax, we know what we want the story to be!” is the confident reply. In our last interview Greg indicated that he and Jonathan Tropper felt that it was a five season show. If the rest of this season continues the same way the first two episodes do then I am sure it will be renewed before too long.

Banshee will return on Cinemax for its ten episode third season on Friday January 9 at 10.00 p.m. ET/PT. Look out for my preview of the first episode early in the New Year.

About the Author - Sandi

Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Atlantis, and other BBC shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Sons of Anarchy, Hannibal, Game of Thrones and Elementary.

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