Another heater. This title goes so hard btw.

Rebecca's conflicts are actually interesting now. They did the impossible. Her trying to be a big mob boss was funny. I thought she did a pretty good job until Procter went all boss mode on her. She's obviously trying to emulate her uncle's style of running things and it's pretty cool to see. She's been doing that sorta stuff since the start of the season, but this is the first time she's actually had power in it and she seems to be improving. She's def gonna do some crazy shit to Kai's new chick btw it's gonna be fucking wild.

I'm glad they're still acknowledging Kai and Sugar's friendship. It often feels very overlooked, but I think it's more that the show tries to save it for the best moments. Before I get to the meat of the review there are a few more small things I want to talk about. I loved the reimagination flashbacks. I was wondering why they'd spend so much time replaying one of the first scenes in the show, but obviously that wasn't the case. I've already praised Antony Starr in nearly every one of my Banshee reviews, but he's so incredible in these reimaginations. He goes through the movements of the flashback, but it's almost like his character doesn't even believe it happened this way. Like he knows it's all a lie to make himself feel better, yet he still can't help but continue on through this false reality. It all ending with him looking at Shiv was a great decision. It shows that he knows they should've never been together, but even if they can't be together, he still wishes they met.

I also love what they're doing with George? Pete? Idk his name bro. I'm talking about the police officer who's been working at the Cadi for the longest. Anyways, his arc is so well executed. He's desperately trying to cling onto his "by the book" character, but every time something goes array, he goes right back to Hood's style of dealing with things. Just last episode he was lecturing Hood about not being okay with the abuse of power he's exercised, yet the second another cop dies he's right back to following Hood. I wonder what he's gonna do when he figures out Kai is fucking his wife.

I did actually manage to make it to the main plotline of the episode, wow. The plot to kill Chayton was fire. The FBI being so quick to go after him makes sense and it creates a really great tension for the episode. Hood has to kill him to be able to live with himself, Joe needs Hood to kill him so they can do the job without distractions, the FBI needs Hood out of their way, the Indian police chick Amaya or something wants to stop the assassination and arrest him instead, and I just want to see Chayton dead, no matter who kills him. And of course all of these factors cause Chayton to get away, making everyone fail in their efforts simultaneously. I don't mind Chayton getting away. Hood wants the most satisfying kill he can get, so he can feel like it makes up for Shiv's loss, so him getting over zealous makes perfect sense. Amaya not killing him is also very in-character for her. Really shows how much better the writing is now than it was back in s1-2.

Oh yeah I also want to cover Deva's plotline. It wasn't anything super substantiative, but it's obviously building to something. Her getting into the drug world isn't anything new, neither is her making poor relationship choices, but I think this time might be different. I just hope she doesn't die or something because I'd be fucking pissed.

Great episode, but it makes it rather obvious that this is just buildup for what is to come. I was tempted to stay up all night finishing the season, but I can't. I don't get seasons like this very often. It's nice to be able to enjoy it as thoroughly as I have been and I wouldn't want to experience it all too fast.