FX’s Spectacular True Crime Historical Drama Brilliantly Explores the Post-Troubles IRA

Don’t say anything
explores the Troubles in Northern Ireland with a particular focus on the Irish Republican Army and its impact on the community in Belfast. The series is based on a 2018 novel by Patrick Radden Keefe, which offers an in-depth look at the 30-year period in which the conflict in Northern Ireland peaked and the unresolved consequences that continued to torment those involved and innocent bystanders. in the years that followed. It’s challenging, complex and full of emotion, but it’s also an incredibly human story.

The Troubles defined Northern Ireland between the 1960s and 1990s, with the IRA and the British locked in a bloody and brutal conflict. But decades later, it is difficult to understand the impact of these struggles. Through the eyes of Dolours Price, a key member of the IRA, and Helen McConnville, daughter of one of the 17 Disappeared, Don’t say anything reveals the lasting effects of the conflict and the actions of the IRA specifically.

Say Nothing delivers a powerful narrative with compelling performances

The strength of Don’t say anything lies as much in the story being told as it does in the incredible actors who bring it to life. Lola Petticrew stars as the ambitious and rambunctious Dolours, a young woman who wasn’t content to sit on the sidelines when trouble was brewing. Having seen her family stand up for what they believed in and fight for a free Ireland, Dolours decided to join the IRA. With her confidence and aptitude for strategy, she quickly rose through the ranks.

Petticrew brings this young girl to life as she faces off against powerful or more respected people, demonstrating incredible confidence, bravery and intelligence. As the story’s central character, Petticrew is vital and his performance never falters. She is accompanied by a fantastic supporting cast who deliver excellent performances. However, the show’s writing and storytelling deserve credit, considering how effective the series is at retelling not just a true story, but one that is incredibly emotionally charged.

The series moves between the 2000s, after the ceasefire and dismantlement of the IRA, and the more active periods of the Troubles. Maxine Peake plays an older version of Dolours, recounting her exploits and her relationships with other members of the IRA, most notably Gerry Adams, who became a high-ranking politician in Northern Ireland. Don’t say anything is also careful to note that Gerry Adams has always denied any allegations of involvement with the IRA, or the proposed crimes, although Dolours’ account suggests otherwise.

Sensitive topics are explored in a meaningful way

Don’t say anything is more than a simple drama, as it seeks to reveal some of the internal struggles experienced by those closest to the problems. Dolours’ central role is poignant because of her position within the IRA and the direct harm she caused to others through her actions, but the show also reveals how this young woman was essentially brainwashed into acting without ever stopping to understand why.

With that in mind, Don’t say anything is trying to expand on the way these people were driven to violence, but instead of moving the cause forward, it became self-destructive. In the midst of violence and war, the soldiers of an unregulated and unofficial army began to turn against themselves and give up due to the lack of any foundation. In the wake of its destruction, very few individuals were able to take advantage of the ill-gotten gains and build a meaningful life for themselves beyond their fight for freedom.

While the cause may have been benevolent, or at least a cause that could be respected, the means to achieve that end served almost no one. Many of those disillusioned found themselves empty-handed, betrayed and lost, having given much of their lives to an organization that took them for granted. Don’t say anything does a fantastic job of exploring these challenging subjects with a mix of humor, pathos, and respect for the victims of these tragic events.

Don’t say anything is now available to stream on Hulu. The miniseries consists of nine episodes.