Under the Banner of Heaven’slatest episode, “Church and State” is properly titled. The fourth episode of the limited series explores questions some of these characters have harbored for far too long. It begs the question of how separated the church and governing laws of the state have truly become. The larger questions looming over “Church and State” are painfully relevant, making it a properly timed episode worth exploring.
From quoting John Taylor’s address from whichUnder the Banner of Heaven’stitle is drawn to its analysis of where the real line is drawn, “Church and State” is one of the series' most evaluative episodes yet. Asthe investigation into the Lafferty murdersand family grows increasingly complicated, “Church and State” focuses on the mysteries that spur from the case, and the questions it raises from not only detectives but the community, the church, and its moral bearings.
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In “Church and State,” Allen (Billy Howle) tells Detective Pyre (Andrew Garfield) and Detective Taba (Gil Birmingham) that he did what the church taught and put his “questions on the shelf.” Pyre is forced to confront Allen’s sentiment soon after when Orton Ballard arrives at the station to defend the Lafferty brothers andask that they be handed into his care. Ballard tries to threaten Pyre by reminding him of his own religious affiliations and how they’ve wavered because of the case. Ballard reasons that Pyre has begun asking questions that may not be able to be answered by man. Allen’s reminiscent words and the tense scene between Ballard and Pyre tie “Church and State” together, and partially drive Pyre’s decision at the end of the episode to admit the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) may have a hand in the case.
One of the major takeaways fromUnder the Banner of Heaven’sfourth episode is the shift in Pyre’s decision-making. After previously choosing to push back the baptism of his daughters, questioning church leaders about certain ideas and practices, and now naming a denomination of the church for having a potential hand in these crimes, Pyre is evolving. These decisions will allowUnder the Banner of Heavento enter a new tone. Pyre has finally seemed to grasp the vileness some resort to under the guise of protecting members ofthe church and its reputation. Pyre can now use that to his advantage to uncover what some want to remain hidden in the small Utah town.
One of the most gripping scenesof “Church and State” is a scene between Dan and his wife Matilda (Chloe Pirrie). As Dan drives, he tells Matilda to fetch a newly acquired antique out of the glove box and to open the booklet to the bookmarked page. Matilda recognizes the floral bookmark as a fragment of her wedding bouquet and reads the markedPeace Makerpassage that advocates for polygamy. Matilda shoots down the idea, angering Dan. Dan is pulled over for speeding, cutting their argument short.Given the crime at hand, the quickness in which Dan’s emotions change is nauseating. The whereabouts of Matilda are still unknown and this scene, when paired with the growing tension between Ron (Sam Worthington) and Dianna (Denise Gough) because of these beliefs, only raises more questions for its viewers.
During this argument and encounter with the cops, Dan becomes convinced that the officers have only pulled him over because they want to hurthis campaign for sheriff. He then leads them on a chase that results in his arrest. While in jail, Dan meets with his brothers, and the seeds for Ron to join the initiative are planted. Dan goes as far as to name Ron as the true leader of the family, acknowledging their father only left him in charge out of spite. In their exchange, Worthington’s English accent slips out a few times, momentarily disrupting the scene, butUnder the Banner of Heavenfalls back into rhythm quickly.
Russell’s focal performance in “Church and State” alone, should put him in the race fora Primetime Emmy nomination. His performance up until this point should interest viewers in what he will bring to the screen once he comes face to face with Detectives Pyre and Taba. With Pyre’s own evolving disposition, particularly with the church, how Dan will try and twist his way into Pyre’s beliefs will be a tense, memorable scene for the series. Both Russell and Garfield have been wonderful in theirUnder the Banner of Heavenroles up until this point. Essentially, Russell makes “Church and State” his episode, and doesn’t disappoint.
The first four episodes ofUnder the Banner Of Heavenare now streaming on Hulu.
