The premiere of FX-Hulu's inaugural season of "Say Nothing," titled "The Cause," immerses viewers in the turbulent heart of Northern Ireland's fraught history, with a narrative that is both compelling and deeply emotional. This episode lays the groundwork for a tale enmeshed with loyalty, brutality, and the intricate array of feelings that characterized the Troubles—a conflict-ridden era spanning from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s.
The episode unfolds with a stark depiction of Belfast, a city cleaved along religious fault lines. The stark visual dichotomy between predominantly Catholic West Belfast and Protestant-dominated East Belfast is instantaneously palpable, accentuating the ingrained divisions that ignited the conflict. The camera lingeringly focuses on the Divis Flats, a housing complex nestled in West Belfast, where Jean McConville, a widowed mother of ten, resides amidst dread and uncertainty.
Jean's narrative intertwines with Dolours Price, a young woman hailing from a family deeply entrenched with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Dolours, portrayed with a mesmerizing amalgamation of defiance and fragility, is the granddaughter of Aunt Bridie, a woman whose eyes and hands were forfeited in a bombing—a living emblem of the sacrifices etched in the annals of the Cause.
The narrative takes a dramatic pivot when Dolours and her sister, Marian, participate in a peaceful march that descends into a maelstrom of chaos. In a deplorable act of collusion, the police corner the Catholic marchers beneath the Burntollet Bridge, precipitating a savage onslaught. Dolours shields her sister, absorbing the brunt of the violence, and it is in this harrowing juncture that her resolve solidifies. The realization that her adversaries are fueled by malice, not rationale, propels her towards the trajectory of armed struggle.
Dolours' metamorphosis from a university-aspiring art student to a steadfast IRA member is rendered with a nuanced fusion of personal and political imperatives. Her father, Albert Price, an energetic IRA member, and her mother, Chrissie, a member of Cumann na mBan, the IRA's Women's Council, embody the familial pressure to embrace the Cause. Yet, it is the violent confrontation at the march that etches her fate, epitomizing the profound intersection of the personal and political.
The episode introduces Gerry Adams, the youthful and ambitious leader of the IRA, alongside his trusted lieutenant, Brendan "the Dark" Hughes, painting a vivid picture of their intricate dynamics with Dolours and Marian. This intricate interplay adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative tapestry. Dolours, in particular, finds herself navigating the rigid patriarchal structures of the IRA, striving to assert her rightful place amidst the armed struggle. Her interactions with Gerry are fraught with tension, yet they also reveal her unwavering determination and the daunting challenges she faces as a woman in a movement overwhelmingly dominated by men.
"The Cause" transcends the grandiose narrative of the Troubles, delving into the intimate, poignant human stories that underpin this tumultuous history. The episode skillfully balances the broader political conflict with the deeply personal journeys of its characters, with Dolours' voiceover providing a poignant and often harrowing first-person perspective on the unfolding events.
Visually, the episode is stark and evocative, with the perpetual gray skies and rain-drenched streets of Belfast serving as a poignant reminder of the pervasive gloom that shrouds the city. The meticulously authentic costumes and set design transport viewers back to the 1970s, while the soundtrack, a seamless blend of traditional Irish music and era-appropriate sounds, adds an emotional richness to the storytelling.
In conclusion, "The Cause" serves as a compelling opening chapter to Season One of "Say Nothing." It sets the stage for a series poised to delve deeply into the multifaceted complexities of the Troubles, exploring the motivations, sacrifices, and repercussions faced by those who lived through this tumultuous period. This episode stands as a testament to the profound power of storytelling in illuminating history, offering a window into a troubled past that continues to resonate deeply within us today.
