Tonights Banshee ponders an unexpected questionwhat might have been, if the real Lucas Hood had never died?

In the aftermath of Siobhans death, its all Hood can do to avoid succumbing to an all-encompassing grief.

Its not a parlor game for him, this idyllic reimagining; its a lifeline.

A lingering wistfulness permeates an otherwise quiet town in this alternate timeline.

Carries life isnt upendedher family remains intact.

And Deputy Siobhan is just another friendly face.

Yes, we were all someone yesterday is exactly right.

I much prefer this to Brocks equally canny assessment that everything Hood touches turns to blood.

But tomorrow is another day.

Ad content continues below

In reality, Hood is numb with grief and burdened by regret.

This is driven home by his visit to Siobhans trailer.

Her last meal, mostly unfinished, was nothing specialbut its enough to push Hood over the edge.

Brock seems to think vengeance is the last thing on the sheriffs mind, but the opposite is true.

Theres work still be done; avenging Siobhans death is low-hanging fruit, the obvious path for upstanding men.

Brock is certainly up for catching Chayton, but thats not good enough for Hood.

He knows Hood is a lost soul whos had his heart broken one too many times.

Luckily, Job isnt scared by the darkness lurking beneath Hoods naked grief.

As for Chayton, killing him in his sleep isnt good enough for Hood.

Nor, I suspect, would it be cathartic enough for viewers.

One does not simply dispatch a big bad like Chayton Littlestone in his sleep.

No, you make him bleed first, and make him suffer.

What you dont do, though, is let him escape into the woods.

But thats exactly what happens.

Some closing thoughts:

All is still not well between Gordon and Deva.

Hes trying to find common ground with his troubled daughter.

Theyve done nothing wrong, though Carries lies make them feel otherwise.

Just because Carrie has changed (at least in their eyes), doesnt make them into different people.

But Gordons message doesnt sink in, and Deva has a knack for finding trouble.

Kai Proctor finds solace in Emily Lotuss arms, as we knew he would.

But there are bigger ramifications to this budding romance.

Rebecca does not handle rejection well, and her uncle seems to have turned against his niece.

Long story short, Rebecca is getting too big for her britches.

In other words, shes been usurped in both the bedroom and the boardroom.

Who doesnt like Kurt Bunker, especially after last weeks Tribal?

Its one thing to masquerade as the sheriff, but its quite another to cross the Feds.

Ferillos threat to have Hoods badge cant possibly be an idle one.

Sooner or later, the wrong people will finally learn the truth about Hood.

A nitpick of an otherwise great episode: Clearly Banshee is not the safest town in America.

I suppose bearing witness to such violence month in and month out is old hat to lifelong Banshee residents.

But as we all know, its never a good idea to let your guard down in Banshee.

Huzzah!Bansheewas renewed for season 4!

This has been a stellar season so far, and last weeks Tribal was a true standout.

Rating:

4.5 out of 5