3.0 out of 5 star rating
Joe Barton could very well be a name that’s undervalued in the television industry, boasting three critically-acclaimed series – Giri/Haji, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, and The Lazarus Project. Unfortunately, each of these promising shows were cancelled prematurely.
It’s encouraging to notice that executives are becoming aware of this stark truth, proactively greenlighting another season of “Black Doves” without any episodes released yet, and there’s little doubt as to the reason.
In this holiday-themed espionage tale, the writer-director delivers another powerful performance, with Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, and Sarah Lancashire portraying undercover agents ensnared in a complex plot of deceit within a mysterious organization.
The starry trio are fantastic in these exciting and, arguably, trailblazing roles, but alas, the plot they are tasked with unravelling feels rather paint-by-numbers in comparison.
The narrative commences with an intriguing scene where three people mysteriously fall victim to a calculated assassination, possibly due to sensitive knowledge they’ve uncovered which remains unknown to us for now.
One of the victims is the secret lover of Black Doves agent Helen (Knightley), who is married to a senior figure in the British government and regularly feeds information on his activities to spymaster Reed (Lancashire).
Despite Helen thinking her affair was secretive, Reed knows full well about her activities and bluntly tells her that she’s at risk of being targeted by the wrong people. This knowledge prompts a rush for both of them to identify the perpetrators before they cause any harm.
Previously-exiled assassin Sam (Whishaw), who had trained Helen in the past, is enlisted for this mission, yet it becomes apparent that he harbors personal issues of his own.
Each character is captivating to watch on-screen. Keira Knightley’s intricate portrayal of the protagonist offers a unique twist to the recent depictions of spies, as she skillfully combines genuine warmth and vulnerability with relentless determination in her pursuit of retribution.
The relationship between Helen and Reed seems deeply rooted in past events, capable of abruptly changing direction at any instant. This results in their chilly exchanges being incredibly captivating as they both strive to assert dominance or hold onto it.
In another interpretation, one could compose an extensive piece about the importance of Sam, a central character who fearlessly embodies homosexuality amidst an action-filled mystery, demonstrating no hesitation in engaging in questionable activities like any other character.
It’s unfortunate indeed, as they seem to be delving into yet another ordinary enigma, this time involving flatline politicians and the hazy possibility of a global conflict.
Absolutely, I stay informed about current events and understand which nations the British government maintains friendly ties with, as well as those with whom the relations are somewhat strained or challenging, to put it gently.
If Barton wants the story of Black Doves to seem contemporary and newsworthy, adding a subplot about China could quickly accomplish that goal. However, it appears a bit simplistic or uninspired in its execution.
This year, I didn’t anticipate ITV1’s Red Eye becoming a frequent topic, but much like how Nightsleeper invoked its transportation-related crisis, Black Doves centers around a comparable conspiracy, and it also features one of its cast members, specifically Dan Li.
In this narrative, I find myself immersed in a thrilling tale. The storyline unfolds as the gruesome killing of a woman is unveiled, a tragic event that later reveals her to be the daughter of a high-ranking member within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Shifting scenes, the plot thickens with the suspected murder of a Chinese diplomat on British soil, an incident compounded by the disappearance of his daughter as well.
It’s evident that these plotlines seem designed to capitalize on audience concerns about global unrest in the real world, however, they don’t offer much originality or excitement as a basis for a compelling TV series.
Indeed, it’s truly fascinating to notice how quickly the vigor and drive seems to dissipate from Black Doves when we find ourselves back in Whitehall for an enigmatic, monotonous conversation between Helen’s unaware husband, Wallace (Andrew Buchan), and a man who almost always dons a black suit.
It seems as though we’re living in changing times, and instead of engaging with the worries of fictional political figures over a made-up foreign crisis, my mind tends to disengage.
The point isn’t that all political thrillers need to disappear, as a more down-to-earth and authentic perspective might hold merit. However, this series revolves around a fictional intelligence agency and the vibrant private lives of its agents (accompanied by assassins and gangsters for added excitement).
As a passionate cinephile, I ponder: Was it truly necessary to bind these captivating elements with a tale so devoid of creativity and, if I may be so bold, bordering on cliché, concerning an ambiguous menace to the delicate balance between Anglo-Chinese ties?
Could there have been literally anything more novel at the centre?
Luckily, there’s a lot happening on the sidelines, such as a heartfelt storyline for Sam, portrayed by Whishaw, involving an old boyfriend, played by Omari Douglas from It’s A Sin. Barton skilfully incorporates flashbacks seamlessly without affecting the speed of the narrative.
Delving into the enigmatic pasts of Helen and Sam – revealing how they got involved in such perilous professions and where their paths cross – is incredibly intriguing. Despite a somewhat lackluster setting, their captivating interaction and rich character development ensure that Black Doves remains an engaging series to watch.
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2024-11-28 12:34