The Black Donnellys: My Review

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 01:08:23 AM EST
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NBC is pouring a lot of advertising dollars into its new series, The Black Donnellys. If you missed the pilot, you can watch it for free at the NBC link or even download it for free from iTunes. It's by the writers of Crash.

It's about four Irish brothers in New York City whose loyalty to each other knows no bounds, particularly when it comes to the Mob. There's lots of violence.

Some compare it to the Sopranos. I don't think it has the depth. The characters are much younger -- so young, I had trouble taking them seriously. But, in the end, I did, although I kept thinking Boston would be the more appropriate setting. However, that may be because of The Departed.

More....

Tommy was the grounded one, but just when I expected him to turn out to be a goody-two shoes, he proved to be completely capable of violence to protect his brothers. The youngest, Sean, is quite the hottie, though we'll see what he looks like after his hospital stay occasioned by a particularly brutal beating. It's pretty much a male show, with a teaser for women involving the unrequited love between Tommy and Jenny. I liked that part.

Yet, it was compelling, with really good music. And good tv, if somewhat dark and depressing. Will I watch it? Not in the timeslot of Monday at 9pm (MT) since I'm already committed to ABC's What About Brian. But, I will download the episodes onto my iPod...it will be great to watch while I'm on the elliptical machine at the gym. The 45 minutes with limited or no commercials will fly by.

But, the Sopranos' it isn't. Very little can compare to Tony, Carmella and the gang. On the other hand, it's a lot better than Law & Order and CSI and all the other pro-prosecution shows that have dominated the airwaves the past ten years.

The second episode airs tonight. Give it a shot. Let us know what you think.

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The Black Donnellys: My Review | 9 comments (9 topical)

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so, um......................... (none / 0) (#1)
by cpinva on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 06:18:15 AM EST

you're into "pro crime" shows? but what about the children! :)

It's "gritty realism" (none / 0) (#2)
by jondee on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:08:51 AM EST

except for the fact that I personally havnt seen too many street dudes that look like they should be in a boy band. They tend to be a little more shop worn than that.

Also, not to be p.c, but the black = bad metaphor outlived its usefulness a while back.

Black=Bad (none / 0) (#3)
by squeaky on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:21:59 AM EST

I have not seen this but in the context of Irishness I think Black means black haired as opposed to red haired. I don't think it connotes bad.

There are a few explainations (none / 0) (#5)
by Maggie Mae on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:36:49 AM EST

of where it originated. It could be the dark hair, dark eyes definition or it could come from Cromwell's time. Wikipedia has more.


OOPS!!! Sorry (none / 0) (#6)
by Maggie Mae on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:37:48 AM EST

I didn't see your link until after I posted. My bad.


Black Irish (none / 0) (#7)
by wlgriffi on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 12:56:52 PM EST

Denotes Irish from the wrong side of the tracks and thus what is now classified,I guess,as a 'Person of interest".

I watched the show but found it a little difficult to follow because it uses the "stream" approach which jumps back and forth with the story line.

My mother always claimed that we were Pig S--- Irish and that that was the majority in this country.


Really? (none / 0) (#8)
by squeaky on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 01:35:28 PM EST

I am not Irish but a friend of mine who refers to herself as Black Irish doesn't think of herself as coming from the wrong side of the tracks at all. Quite the opposite in fact.


: Black Irish..... (none / 0) (#9)
by kdog on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 03:55:14 PM EST

refers to Irish people with some Spanish ancestry. Way back in the day the English sunk the Spanish Armada off the coast of Ireland during some war. The Spanish sailors who were shipwrecked stayed in Ireland and their offspring with Irish women had darker features....and there you have the "Black Irish".
At least that's what my grandma taught me.

Good point (none / 0) (#4)
by jondee on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:27:21 AM EST

my literary muse.