While undeniably still a household name, it’s hard not to feel like Alicia Silverstone is no longer the prolific star she once was. Despite efforts to showcase her range in several indie productions, includingthe deeply frighteningThe Lodgeand insanely ambitiousPerpetrator, it seems like people still can’t shake theCluelessandBatman & Robinumbrellas from over her.
Which is why I was pleased with howIrish Bloodturned out. Marking her first leading TV role sinceAmerican Woman’s cancellation, Silverstone stars as Fiona Sharpe, a woman who, after she and her mom are abandoned at a young age by her apparently abusive father, becomes one of the most successful divorce attorneys in Los Angeles.
One day, 30 years later, Fiona is sent a mysterious letter by her father, Declan, from Ireland. Upon arriving, she learns Declan died and kept her and her mom a secret from his family. As she adjusts to her newly discovered extended family, Fiona also learns there may have been foul play behind her father’s death.
Developed bySaving Hope’s John Krizanc andMurdoch Mysteries' Christina Ray, the show is just as charming as it is flawed. It offers enough matter-of-fact twists on the family drama formula, and has what is initially a compelling mystery as its core, but where these elements work apart, the show becomes messy as it brings them all together.
I Almost Wish There Wasn’t A Mystery Driving The Show Forward
The concept of reconnecting with a parent is familiar, though when it involves a sense of abandonment, it’s all the more powerful. There’s an opportunity to discover how both parties have changed over the years, and a chance to confront how the trauma of said abandonment impacted the offspring.
WithIrish Blood, Krizanc and Ray start on the right foot regarding Fiona and her mom’s heartbreak regarding Declan’s departure. We see that the former has turned that heartbreak into a strength in her career, as well as developed a subconscious fear of commitment, while the latter has enjoyed her independence, but also avoidance of their past.
As the show progresses, and Fiona grows closer with her new extended family,Irish Bloodgets a bit saccharine, but that’s not always a bad thing. Her embrace of her Irish roots, combined with the show’s depiction of some of the country’s culture, makes for cozy viewing.
But even as the stakes rise, and there are a surprising few deaths,Irish Blood’s plot can’t help but feel messy the more it unfolds.
However, where the show’s narrative begins to find structure is in its central mystery. Initially solved in the pilot, Fiona discovers Declan’s hidden briefcase containing a toy she wanted as a kid, and things begin to escalate when someone breaks into her hotel room and attempts to find the briefcase.
But even as the stakes rise, and there are a surprising few deaths,Irish Blood’s plot gets a bit messy the more it unfolds. Every new twist acts as more of a way to milk the plot a little longer and keep Fiona in Ireland rather than feel like a natural progression, and it creates confusion more than surprise.
This is exacerbated by the show’s six-episode runtime. Trying to squeeze in its dysfunctional family drama with Declan’s mystery and even some rom-com elements never quite lands. The show’s ending, in particular, seems intended for either a season 2 setup or as though the writers didn’t know how to end it all.
Irish Blood’s Humor Is Sharp, But Its Drama Needed Refining
Grief is difficult to confront, and for many, humor is the best tool to either ease the process, or cover it up altogether. Krizanc and Ray largely nail the show’s matter-of-fact sense of humor, with many a laugh coming from Fiona and Isidora’s spiky first interactions, as well as the charming buddy pairing between Fiona and Garda Dougherty.
But when it comes to the show’s more direct attempts at meaningful drama, it’s more of a mixed bag. There are a lot of great moments of growth for Fiona as she learns more about her father and his family, and I particularly loved the novel way in which she communicates with her manifestation of his spirit.
At the same time, I never found myself so moved by the drama. Heartfelt apologies and embraces simply feel warm rather than bittersweet, and the writers' attempts to balance humor and mystery alongside them never quite work.
Silverstone Is The Witty Private Detective I Didn’t Know I Needed
Though the Golden Globe nominee has showcased a solid range across her previous work, Silverstone’s performance as Fiona might be my favorite from her. Even as the execution of some of the scenes doesn’t quite land, Silverstone nails the emotional beats of her character as much as she does her punchier comedic retorts.
And she’s not the onlyIrish Bloodcast member who keeps the proceedings feeling lively.The Midnight Club’s Ruth Coddis an absolute delight as the energetic Irish Garda that Fiona teams with for her investigation, while Dearbhla Molloy never misses a step as Fiona’s witty grandmother, Isidora.
All in all,Irish Bloodis by no means a perfect replacement for those looking for a goodBroadchurchorMare of Easttownfollow-up. But, with a game cast, some solid direction and a few novel twists on its genres, it’s still a fun enough time that’s worth a weekend binge.
The first two episodes ofIrish Bloodare now streaming on Acorn TV, followed by new episodes every Monday.
