‘Bloodlands’ Recap: ‘Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Bloodlands’.

Something that is truly fascinating about the crime drama in this day and age, is how it has become a feel-good genre that champions the age-old fight between good and evil. A feat that these stories have accomplished by making the detective or investigator in these stories as pure as they come, so that they serve as the perfect agent to combat the evil villain that wants to harm the innocent. But while that does indeed make for some compelling and engrossing stories, at times it does pull the genre away from what made it so fascinating and unique in the first place. For the crime drama was founded upon the fact that the world operates in a grey area more often than not. Where good and evil are subjective to the moment, and it often featured heroes that were equally as flawed as the world they populate.

But while it seems as though the sanitizing of the crime drama is here to stay, there are some stories out there that are eager to bring the genre back to its roots and tell stories that immerse themselves in the grey areas of the world once again, and one such series that is making that a focus of its storytelling, is the AcornTV series, Bloodlands. For this particular tale plunges us into a fascinating world where good and evil are subjective terms for certain, in quite the unique manner. Because early on in the series premiere, it seems as though this story is going to be nothing more than the standard fare that’s out there right now. After all, we are quickly introduced to Detective Chief Inspector Tom Brannick, who we immediately learn is a good family man and a trusted officer of the law. But the instant that he’s called in to investigate the disappearance of a former Irish Republican Army member named Patrick Kennan, the story suddenly shifts its tone.

For not only does Kennan’s disappearance put the peace accords between the IRA and the British government on shaky ground, but whomever kidnapped Keenan is keen to resurrect old ghosts. Because they made sure to leave a clue revolving around an ancient case that is close to Brannick’s heart. For right before the peace accord was signed, several IRA members and Brannick’s wife, were believed to be kidnapped/assassinated by a mysterious police assassin, nicknamed ‘Goliath’. And of course, seeing the potential to finally have some closure in regard to his wife’s disappearance, motivates Brannick to pull out all of the stops to solve this case post haste and well, that leads to one brilliant hour of storytelling. 

One that absolutely operates in a grey area with minimal effort since it is stunning to learn that the police were involved in assassination attempts, and the fact that people are still working to cover it up, only adds to the uncomfortable nature of the story since you simply don’t know who to trust at this point, outside of Brannick and his partner that is. And speaking of Tom, he too helps to sell this muddled world since clearly, he is haunted by the fact that his wife was somehow involved in this heinous crime and that more or less makes him compromised in this tale. Since he struggles to keep his professional and personal life separate, to the point where we are left wondering what will become of him at the end of this story. Since the police were able to recover the body of his late wife after all and well, that powerful discovery sets the stage for what is going to be one messy saga, one that will undoubtedly see this quest for the truth, bring about more strife and that makes this quite the engrossing opening chapter when all is said and done.

For this series premiere really does do a phenomenal job of world-building. Since it really does put together a stunning mystery, one that is non-traditional for certain. For the crimes in this one aren't grounded in disdain for the world or society, but age-old prejudices and unsettled scores and that’s quite incredible for certain, as is the fact that this story offers up a lot of twists and turns as well. Since it is safe to say, that no one expected Pat Keegan to be recovered by the police, alive, but he was, leaving one to wonder why exactly Goliath wanted him to be found and well, this really is shaping up to be one special crime drama for certain. For it really does offer up that classic feel with some modern twists and it is definitely safe to say that we will all be counting down the minutes until next Monday’s tale… so we can learn more about this fascinating case and to see exactly how DCI Tom Brennick, will handle walking the fine line between revenge and duty. Until next time.

‘Episode 1’ of ‘Bloodlands’ is available to stream on AcornTV, right now.

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