This series begins with the IRA's shocking abduction of a mother, Jean McConville, in front of her children. Then it slows down a bit, and settles into the story of two sisters who facilitated a fair number of murders and bombings. The mystery of happened to Mrs. McConville--and why--looms over every episode, but there are many other compelling narratives.
It all looks and seems very authentic. Every episode has a disclaimer stating that Gerry Adams denies his involvement in IRA military actions, but the show defiantly suggests otherwise. Even if some of the details are wrong, the series does bring this ugly period to life in a way that feels real.
If I have one quibble, it is that the sisters are a little too appealing and charming, especially Dolores. No matter how much guilt they may express at any point, it has the effect of romanticizing their lives as terrorists/soldiers/whatever.
A person who plans and carries out a bombing designed to kill or maim hundreds of civilians has a screw loose, yet that scary, unhinged viciousness doesn't come through. Maybe it's impossible to depict it, but these two sisters, and their male IRA cohorts all seem a little too sane and likable. Whether it's seething hatred or callous obliviousness to the suffering of others, some additional exploration of the thinking of people who do this sort of thing would have been good.
The sisters' time in prison is also glossed over rather quickly. Some of the unpleasantness is shown, and they describe how bad it was, but it's all over rather fast.
Still, these are quibbles.
Much of this show is hard to watch. There is just so much sadness and futility and senseless death. And yet the reality was even worse, and this show does a good job of bringing the period back to life. It's definitely the best streaming series I've seen in a while.
