S01.E01: The Cause

[AnimeMania]

Dolours Price comes from an IRA family. Her father's been to prison for planting bombs and her mother hides guns in the garden. When the city of Belfast erupts into violence, Dolours swears she's not going to get involved.

Premiere Date: November 14, 2024      FX on Hulu  

[Danny Franks]

The opening scene was powerful. I didn't think they'd start the show with Jean McConville, but I'm glad they did. The sheer terror of masked men turning up and dragging you away at gunpoint, your kids left behind. Even without context, it tells you about the darkness to come.

Then the tone shifts to a completely different, earlier version of the Troubles - the idealism of the Catholic civil rights struggle, in the face of horrendous bigotry, and two teen girls who wanted a better future.

I thought this episode showed the cycles of violence and hatred really well, and demonstrated what is probably inevitable when people are denied their human rights.

I suppose the central question of this series (and of the book) is "was any of what the IRA did justified?" Coming from a Catholic family (with a socialist father who hated Thatcher's government for too many reasons to count), I know what I was told about it, and I think the answer will always depend on what side of the divide you fall on.

The casting of Gerry Adams was spot on, and I really like Anthony Boyle so it's nice to see him getting a prominent role in a Northern Irish drama. From what I've read, the casting of Dolours and Marian is good too - Dolours more glamorous and charismatic, Marian more of a wallflower and follower.

[Mr. R0b0t]

I've just finished ep 3 and this show is fantastic!  I hope people start catching it cause I'm ready to discuss it with some folks.