Set in Victorian London's underworld, the Hulu drama "A Thousand Blows" stitches several intriguing stories together. While the result is less than perfect, it still offers a considerable amount of entertainment. The show's creator, Steven Knight, seems less proficient as a storyteller and more enthusiastic about diving headfirst into the era, presenting facts, and then struggling to seamlessly interconnect them.
However, even at its worst, the show fuel interest in Victorian London's criminal gangs, emerging boxing scene and concert hall performers. Well -acted and highly produced, the show encourages viewers to delve deeper into the historical backdrop.
The series, starring Malachi Kirby as Hezekiah Moscow, who dreams of becoming a lion tamer, and Erin Doherty as Mary Carr, the leader of a female crime gang, introduces elements of a budding boxing scene, organized crime, and international scandals. With an ambitious plan to heist a visiting Chinese trade delegation, the characters navigate their intricate world that is teetering on the brink of modernity.
Despite playing fast and loose with historical facts and timelines, it's easy to see why Knight was attracted to these colorful figures and this dingy, borderline modern society. The series directors, including production designer Tom Burton and costume designer Maja Meschede, have created a gritty depiction of Victorian London.
Throughout the series, many characters feed viewers' curiosity as they compress years of biographical material into a narrow slot. Elements of colonial trauma, dreams of lion taming, and a Dickensian backstory with workhouse tragedies are some of the backstories explored in depth.
Despite reminders to other period dramas such as "Peaky Blinders" and "Ripper Street", "A Thousand Blows" starts sharply, dangerously and unique only to become more conventional. The show's high-quality performances, particularly from Kirby and Doherty, are a saving grace. Despite its flaws, the series shows potential and its world opens up intriguing gateways for viewers.
