Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3 Review: Andrew Garfield’s Faith is Challenged as More Suspects Surface

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3 is out now! The true-crime drama miniseries is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. The story is adapted into a screenplay for television by Dustin Lance Black and directed by David Mackenzie. This episode is directed by Courtney Hunt with a teleplay by Dustin Lance Black and a runtime of over an hour.

The cast is headlined by Andrew Garfield as Detective Jeb Pyre along with Sam Worthington as Ron Lafferty, Daisy Edgar-Jones as Brenda Lafferty, Denise Gough as Dianna Lafferty, Wyatt Russell as Dan Lafferty, Billy Howle as Allen Lafferty, Chloe Pirrie as Matilda Lafferty, Seth Numrich as Robin Lafferty, Adelaide Clemens as Rebecca Pyre, Rory Culkin as Samuel Lafferty, Sandra Seacat as Josie Pyre and Gil Birmingham as Detective Bill Taba.

– Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3 Review Contains No Spoilers –

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3: Surrender

The cliffhanger aftermath of episode two had kept fans on the edge of their seats wondering about Detective Taba. In Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3, we see that Detective Taba is hurt but, safe. Jeb is able to get back up in the hills to retrieve the members from the wooden house and, the first one to be caught in the wilderness is Jenny Lafferty, the daughter of Sam and Sara Lafferty. Soon enough, Sara is in police custody too as the men in the house keep shouting sermons for the police to get away from the land. Meanwhile, at home, Jeb’s mother is missing and, it is a worrisome situation.

The episode further down the line gives us flashbacks from the past as we get to know Brenda through the eyes of Sara Lafferty and, also the patriarchal system of the family. When the wooden cabin is opened and, cleared more suspects to come under Jeb’s radar. But, more importantly, more questions about faith trouble his mind and, the dominance of the concept of a sinner and saint emerge along with the ritual of blood atonement.

In Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3, we finally get more of Brenda, from Brenda. Of course, there are testimonies of the character and the person she was, but we are able to look at her more clearly and, understand her a little better. The relationship between Jeb and Taba seems to have cooled down to a friendly tone and, now they are more compatible partners than what we saw them be at the beginning of the season. Allen also moves towards being a more faithful husband for both the detectives and the audiences than we might have thought him to be.

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The parallels to the book of Joshep and the instances in the story keep holding a strong presence in the series, which is what is making it stand out more than just being another true-crime series. In this episode, we are briefed on Haun’s Mills Massacre and, how history affects the incidents of the present. We also hold witness to the cliche of curious, inquisitive people’s thoughts being on the shelf but, still how important it is to divulge into the deeper end to find the truth.

Andrew Garfield gives yet another conflicting and emotional look into his character. However, it is Rory Culkin who particularly shines out in the episode with his revengeful eyes and, edgy performance.

Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3: Final Thoughts

Although not a lot is covered in Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3, unlike the first two episodes, we do get more deep insights into the friends and foes of Brenda at the Lafferty family. The revelation of more characters has given more perspectives to the story as well as more whodunnit elements. The Lafferty family’s tyrannous ways and, the mania of religion also keep the audiences contemplating how crimes are often committed under the name of Thy Holy Father. Overall, episode three tests us and, our outlook as much as it tests its characters.

You can watch Under the Banner of Heaven Episode 3 now on Hulu.

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