Black Doves: A Little Black Dove
December 16, 2024 7:05 PM - Season 1, Episode 2 - Subscribe
After reaching a dead end in the search for Jason's killer, Helen has to fight for her own life; Sam receives a threat from his former employer.
this will get to "Black Doves" eventually, I promise.
Years ago I went to a talk by the writer Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River" and the terrific Kenzie/Gennaro books) where he talked about his then-latest book "The Given Day." He talked about how one of his two main characters was just supposed to be a minor player, almost an NPC, but kept "banging on the door" and forced his way into being a co-lead. From my POV, it didn't really work; it detracted from the main story and protagonist.
I keep thinking of that while watching "Black Doves." You think it's going to be Helen's show, at first (at least, I did), but Sam basically slips his foot in the door and then barges right in and takes over.
And I'm kinda torn. I like Sam's story better! But I wonder if I'd like Helen's story more if they'd spent some of the Sam-time on it. As is, the dynamic between her and Wallace is just too thin for it to really work. And because in the end it's almost surely going to come back to them, their confrontation or conclusion won't be as powerful as it could have been.
But hey, it's still fun! Walking a fine line between serious and camp and, well, crossing it a lot. But they're all such good actors, even the minor characters (I'm through E5; just you wait....) that it works.
posted by martin q blank at 6:41 AM on December 17, 2024 [2 favorites]
Years ago I went to a talk by the writer Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River" and the terrific Kenzie/Gennaro books) where he talked about his then-latest book "The Given Day." He talked about how one of his two main characters was just supposed to be a minor player, almost an NPC, but kept "banging on the door" and forced his way into being a co-lead. From my POV, it didn't really work; it detracted from the main story and protagonist.
I keep thinking of that while watching "Black Doves." You think it's going to be Helen's show, at first (at least, I did), but Sam basically slips his foot in the door and then barges right in and takes over.
And I'm kinda torn. I like Sam's story better! But I wonder if I'd like Helen's story more if they'd spent some of the Sam-time on it. As is, the dynamic between her and Wallace is just too thin for it to really work. And because in the end it's almost surely going to come back to them, their confrontation or conclusion won't be as powerful as it could have been.
But hey, it's still fun! Walking a fine line between serious and camp and, well, crossing it a lot. But they're all such good actors, even the minor characters (I'm through E5; just you wait....) that it works.
posted by martin q blank at 6:41 AM on December 17, 2024 [2 favorites]
I’m enjoying this a lot, the cast is holding up what could easily turn ludicrous incredibly well. The cast also includes Christmastime London, though, which is getting it a lot of extra points. From certain angles it really does have a lot more in common with the Heartwarming Ridiculous Christmas Movie than you might think.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 10:45 PM on December 17, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by Jon Mitchell at 10:45 PM on December 17, 2024 [2 favorites]
I binged this a few nights ago and now wish I’d put up a whole-season post, because I want to talk about the whole thing…
Watched it when I saw it was by Joe Barton, who did the amazing Giri/Haji. Wasn’t disappointed. Knightley and Wishaw are both excellent, and there’s a lot going on with the supporting characters too.
posted by rory at 12:23 AM on December 18, 2024 [1 favorite]
Watched it when I saw it was by Joe Barton, who did the amazing Giri/Haji. Wasn’t disappointed. Knightley and Wishaw are both excellent, and there’s a lot going on with the supporting characters too.
posted by rory at 12:23 AM on December 18, 2024 [1 favorite]
In episode 1 I rolled my eyes a bit at a skilled sniper leaving a bullet casing behind.
So the payoff that it was a deliberate trap was good, but still pretty silly.
Still, a nice view of Brentford Dock.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 5:59 AM on December 20, 2024
So the payoff that it was a deliberate trap was good, but still pretty silly.
Still, a nice view of Brentford Dock.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 5:59 AM on December 20, 2024
Rather enjoying the flashbacks, between finding out Daisy/Helen's stepsister/murder situation and "Hm, is it a good idea to go back to the scene of the crime or not, I can't remember" snark from Sam. I dislike her triangle hairdo back then, but that is what it is.
FIVE GLASSES OF WINE + COCAINE/KETAMINE?! You don't even know which? And you are driving, sir? Please pull over.
"I'm fine." "You're fucked!" "We're all fucked, darling!"
AND OBVIOUSLY THIS PLACE IS GONNA BLOW UP.
Threatening to torture a guy with kitchen implements!
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:01 PM on January 5
FIVE GLASSES OF WINE + COCAINE/KETAMINE?! You don't even know which? And you are driving, sir? Please pull over.
"I'm fine." "You're fucked!" "We're all fucked, darling!"
AND OBVIOUSLY THIS PLACE IS GONNA BLOW UP.
Threatening to torture a guy with kitchen implements!
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:01 PM on January 5
In episode 1 I rolled my eyes a bit at a skilled sniper leaving a bullet casing behind.
So the payoff that it was a deliberate trap was good, but still pretty silly.
The silly part was that a supposed professional assassin and his supposed professional spy cohort didn’t immediately see it as a trap before they walked into it. I mean, raise your hand if you didn’t think “it’s a trap” the moment Sam found the cartridge case?
That said, this is a fun little show so far.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:16 AM on March 3
So the payoff that it was a deliberate trap was good, but still pretty silly.
The silly part was that a supposed professional assassin and his supposed professional spy cohort didn’t immediately see it as a trap before they walked into it. I mean, raise your hand if you didn’t think “it’s a trap” the moment Sam found the cartridge case?
That said, this is a fun little show so far.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:16 AM on March 3
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
Vulture recap w spoilers
posted by bunderful at 8:00 PM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]