Erin Doherty's magnetic presence is still the driving force behind Steven Knight's late-Victorian thriller A Thousand Blows, but series two benefits from a clearer sense of direction and tone.
While the first season was somewhat marred by heavy-handed exposition and an overemphasis on Doherty's character, Mary Carr, the sequel proves to be a more confident and polished production. The narrative is still propelled by the rivalry between East End boxer Henry "Sugar" Goodson (Stephen Graham) and Jamaican fighter Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby), but this time around, it's anchored by Doherty's portrayal of Mary.
The 33-year-old actress brings her trademark intensity to the role, imbuing Mary with a depth and nuance that makes her both fascinating and infuriating. Her character's wily wit and tough-as-boots attitude are still on full display, but they're now expertly balanced by more vulnerable moments, revealing a complex woman haunted by her troubled past.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Graham delivering a nuanced performance as the increasingly unhinged Sugar, while Kirby brings gravity to Hezekiah's struggles. The chemistry between the three leads is undeniable, and their conflicts drive the narrative forward with a propulsive energy that's hard to resist.
However, series two also suffers from an over-reliance on Doherty's star power, with the supporting characters sometimes taking a backseat to her performance. The action scenes are less polished and more depressing, which can feel like a misstep in an otherwise well-crafted drama.
Ultimately, A Thousand Blows season two is a mixed bag, with some episodes feeling like they're dragging their feet. Doherty's talent is still the main draw, but even she can't elevate a narrative that's heavy on themes of colonialism and racism without providing more context or clarity. Despite this, her performance remains a highlight, bringing a depth and emotional resonance to the series that makes it worth watching, if only to see what she'll do next.
The show's greatest strength lies in its ability to balance action, drama, and social commentary, but this season feels like a step back from the first outing. The result is a series that's still engaging, but also frustratingly muddled at times. With Doherty front and center, A Thousand Blows remains a compelling watch, even if it's not always clear what we're supposed to be watching for.
While the first season was somewhat marred by heavy-handed exposition and an overemphasis on Doherty's character, Mary Carr, the sequel proves to be a more confident and polished production. The narrative is still propelled by the rivalry between East End boxer Henry "Sugar" Goodson (Stephen Graham) and Jamaican fighter Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirby), but this time around, it's anchored by Doherty's portrayal of Mary.
The 33-year-old actress brings her trademark intensity to the role, imbuing Mary with a depth and nuance that makes her both fascinating and infuriating. Her character's wily wit and tough-as-boots attitude are still on full display, but they're now expertly balanced by more vulnerable moments, revealing a complex woman haunted by her troubled past.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Graham delivering a nuanced performance as the increasingly unhinged Sugar, while Kirby brings gravity to Hezekiah's struggles. The chemistry between the three leads is undeniable, and their conflicts drive the narrative forward with a propulsive energy that's hard to resist.
However, series two also suffers from an over-reliance on Doherty's star power, with the supporting characters sometimes taking a backseat to her performance. The action scenes are less polished and more depressing, which can feel like a misstep in an otherwise well-crafted drama.
Ultimately, A Thousand Blows season two is a mixed bag, with some episodes feeling like they're dragging their feet. Doherty's talent is still the main draw, but even she can't elevate a narrative that's heavy on themes of colonialism and racism without providing more context or clarity. Despite this, her performance remains a highlight, bringing a depth and emotional resonance to the series that makes it worth watching, if only to see what she'll do next.
The show's greatest strength lies in its ability to balance action, drama, and social commentary, but this season feels like a step back from the first outing. The result is a series that's still engaging, but also frustratingly muddled at times. With Doherty front and center, A Thousand Blows remains a compelling watch, even if it's not always clear what we're supposed to be watching for.
. But can't they balance her talent with some actual storytelling? It's like they're trying to make her the only reason this show exists, but that's just not fair to the rest of us who want some substance. The action scenes are still cool, don't get me wrong 
, but it feels like they're more of an afterthought than a fully fleshed out part of the narrative. And those themes of colonialism and racism? Yeah, they need more context, more nuance. Let's not just throw them in there willy-nilly 
. The colonialism and racism themes are so important, but they need more context and development, you know? It's like they're trying to check off boxes instead of actually exploring the issues.
? I get that it's a slow burn, but sometimes I just wanna see some action and excitement already 
. And yeah, Doherty is still the main draw, but even she can't carry this entire show by herself 
.
. Still worth watching if you're a fan of Erin Doherty or the genre, but don't expect everything to be perfect 
.
and honestly its like the show is still finding its footing 
her performance is so nuanced and complex i love how she balances the tough girl vibes with more vulnerable moments. but like, the supporting cast is also lowkey amazing esp stephen graham as sugar 
malachi kirby brings gravity to hezekiah's character too. the action scenes could be improved tho 
its like they're trying to tackle it but not really providing enough context or clarity. still, doherty's performance is what holds this show together 
cant wait for season 3!!! 
also the action scenes are kinda lackluster this season 
i mean, u get it when erin's performance is all over it 
overall tho its still a compelling watch cuz of doherty's talent 
, but they deserve more screen time too. And can we talk about how they handled themes of colonialism and racism for a second? It feels like they're throwing some issues at us without really exploring them in-depth 
so I guess that's something 
. Overall, it's a solid season, but not quite perfect 
.
, but sometimes I wish we could see more depth into the other characters' minds instead of just reacting to hers. It's like, what about Hezekiah and Sugar? They're so fascinating in their own right! 
Stephen Graham is literally the best as sugar goodson tho, he's got some serious acting chops 
what were they thinking? and can we please get more context on the colonialism and racism stuff they're trying to tackle? it feels so heavy handed and unpolished 
i'm already invested in what happens next with the show
. But, gotta say, series two feels like they're relying too much on Doherty's talent to carry the show. I mean, we get it, she's amazing, but what about the rest of the cast? They deserve some screen time too 
. But, gotta say, the show still needs to work on its pacing and consistency... some episodes feel like they're dragging on 
. I mean, this girl brings so much intensity to her role, it's like you can feel her pain and vulnerability on screen. And yeah, the supporting cast is fire 
. The narrative is still all over the place, but at least it's more confident now. I love how Mary's character is being used as a focal point, and Doherty just owns it 
. Erin Doherty's performance is always a highlight, and the way she balances action, drama, and social commentary is just so impressive. It may not be perfect, but it's definitely worth keeping an eye on 
but omg, the second season feels so uneven - some eps are fire and others feel like they're dragging on forever 
. On one hand, Erin Doherty is still absolutely captivating as Mary Carr 
. The supporting cast is also on point 
, and the action scenes could use some more polish 
- it's a super important topic that deserves more nuance.
️, and her performances are always compelling 
. The plot can also be a bit muddled at times 
and I'll keep watching to see what happens next