Under the Banner of Heaven

Incessant dreary rockmusic odysseys (especially at the end of each episode in confusing and insecure montages, with the last episode taking the crown) scar an otherwise very solid and intruiging show about pretty mind blowing religious fanaticism. The last chapter is a hydrogen bomb exploding with tropes, rushed story wrap up, characters teleporting, implausibly timed exposition flashbacks, red herrings and viewer manipulation through micro cliffhangers from illogical editing choices. Oh my god!

Solidly acted , but it doesn't end up shining like it probably could have. It feels redundant at times, going over the same information yet somehow still feeling confusing and rushed in the last episode. I can't say it's not worth watching but it was not what I had hoped for.

One of my favourite performances by Garfield. He looks JUST the part of a missionary with his baby-faced lankiness. Non-assuming, non-threatening bible-belter. Great casting. (No surprise he's typecasted in similar roles.) But what most grips me is where Garfield's super-duper-God-zealous character has to really reflect on his beliefs. No matter what the outcome of his reflections are, I think it is very healthy to go onto that journey.

The actual murder mystery here was kind of jumbled and disjointed. But it was still interesting enough. But the underlying examination of Mormon history was very interesting. And Garfield's attempts to reconcile what he was learning with his beliefs (contrasted with how the Laffertys dealt with learning that history) was incredibly well done. I just wish the writing and structure had been handled a little better and this could have been something really special.

Saw 4 episodes and forgot all about the show. Some month later I thought I had found a new show to watch and started watching it again, having a dejavu feeling. Its one of these shows that seems ok, but one waits for some substance that never arrives.

I can definitely say that Under the Banner of Heaven is a solid show. Andrew Garfield's performance as the lead is remarkable, his Emmy campaign will likely gain huge momentum. It's always great to see Daisy Edgar Jones on TV shows and movies. I like religion and crime stories and we watched very exciting things as of the first 2 episodes. I'm looking forward to the next episodes. My rating may up or down later...

It starts off very promising the first three episodes before it nosedives into a long, drawn-out, boring and directionless mess. I also don’t think o like Garfield as an actor.