Erin Doherty's presence is often enough to make A Thousand Blows, Steven Knight's late-Victorian thriller, feel like a triumph, even when its premise and plot are somewhat marred. But in the show's second season, Doherty's magnetic turn as Mary Carr, a tough-as-boots pickpocketing queen with an undeniable presence, elevates the programme to new heights.
The problem with A Thousand Blows' first outing was that it seemed to struggle with its own weight. While Erin Doherty shone in her breakout role as Princess Anne in The Crown, she brought a certain je ne sais quoi to Mary's character that made it hard to separate fact from fiction. But with the second season, series creator Steven Knight has managed to craft a more cohesive narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
This time around, the show tackles darker themes and grapples with issues like colonialism, racism, tradition, and class, all set against the gritty backdrop of London's East End. Mary and her mischievous colleagues form an unholy trinity of female empowerment, poverty, and risk – but even their exploits feel increasingly bleak as the series progresses.
Erin Doherty is still at the heart of it all, her character forming a central axis around which the story revolves. She's got a way of selling the idea that she is Mary Carr, and it's both captivating and unsettling to watch. But while Doherty shines, the supporting cast struggles to keep up.
Stephen Graham, as Sugar, feels particularly lost in the shuffle. His character's downward spiral from boxer to down-and-out is heartbreaking – but it also makes him feel like a cipher, someone whose motivations are impossible to discern. And Hezekiah Moscow, played by Malachi Kirby, fares no better, his journey from boxing prodigy to disillusioned has-been feeling more like a narrative detour than a compelling arc.
Despite the show's many missteps, Erin Doherty is still the anchor that holds A Thousand Blows together. She brings a depth and nuance to Mary's character that makes her feel like a fully fleshed-out person – but even she can't elevate this muddled second outing to new heights.
The real question is whether audiences will forgive the show's shortcomings in light of Doherty's undeniable talent. Can A Thousand Blows become more than just Erin Doherty's vehicle, or will it forever be haunted by its own self-doubt?
The problem with A Thousand Blows' first outing was that it seemed to struggle with its own weight. While Erin Doherty shone in her breakout role as Princess Anne in The Crown, she brought a certain je ne sais quoi to Mary's character that made it hard to separate fact from fiction. But with the second season, series creator Steven Knight has managed to craft a more cohesive narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
This time around, the show tackles darker themes and grapples with issues like colonialism, racism, tradition, and class, all set against the gritty backdrop of London's East End. Mary and her mischievous colleagues form an unholy trinity of female empowerment, poverty, and risk – but even their exploits feel increasingly bleak as the series progresses.
Erin Doherty is still at the heart of it all, her character forming a central axis around which the story revolves. She's got a way of selling the idea that she is Mary Carr, and it's both captivating and unsettling to watch. But while Doherty shines, the supporting cast struggles to keep up.
Stephen Graham, as Sugar, feels particularly lost in the shuffle. His character's downward spiral from boxer to down-and-out is heartbreaking – but it also makes him feel like a cipher, someone whose motivations are impossible to discern. And Hezekiah Moscow, played by Malachi Kirby, fares no better, his journey from boxing prodigy to disillusioned has-been feeling more like a narrative detour than a compelling arc.
Despite the show's many missteps, Erin Doherty is still the anchor that holds A Thousand Blows together. She brings a depth and nuance to Mary's character that makes her feel like a fully fleshed-out person – but even she can't elevate this muddled second outing to new heights.
The real question is whether audiences will forgive the show's shortcomings in light of Doherty's undeniable talent. Can A Thousand Blows become more than just Erin Doherty's vehicle, or will it forever be haunted by its own self-doubt?
The second season's narrative is like a perfectly crafted lockpick - intricate and frustrating at the same time. While Erin Doherty shines brighter than ever as Mary Carr, the supporting cast feels like they're stuck in the shadows. 
Stephen Graham and Hezekiah Moscow need to bring more depth to their characters if A Thousand Blows wants to elevate beyond being a one-woman show 
. Still, Doherty's performance keeps you hooked, even if the rest of the show doesn't quite live up to her level 
.
! The stats are clear: her performance has a 93% approval rating on IMDB, and the show's viewership has increased by 35% compared to season one 
. Meanwhile, the show's Rotten Tomatoes score is at 72%, which is still solid, but not as high as I'd like 
. On a more interesting note, have you seen the correlation between A Thousand Blows' plot twists and audience engagement? 
! Erin Doherty is absolutely killing it as Mary Carr, she's got that whole "pickpocketing queen" thing down pat 
. But, for real though, the show's getting a bit too heavy-handed with all these dark themes and social commentary. I mean, colonialism, racism, class... it's like they're trying to tackle everything at once 
. And don't even get me started on the supporting cast, some of them just feel like cardboard cutouts 
. But, Doherty's presence is still what keeps you hooked, she's got that magic 
. Can they really elevate this show beyond just being Erin's personal project? We'll see 
. Stephen Graham's character is basically a prop with no real agency, and Hezekiah Moscow's storyline feels like a non-sequitur.
. Mary Carr sounds like a classic stereotype, and I wish the show would subvert that expectation instead of relying on it. Plus, if Erin Doherty is carrying the show single-handedly, what happens when she's not around? Does the show just fizzle out? 
that they're not doing enough to flesh out the rest of the cast. Stephen Graham's character was such a strong potential thread, but he gets lost in the shuffle. It's like the writers thought Erin Doherty was gonna carry the whole show by herself and that everyone else was just filler 
. Can we please just have more of Erin Doherty in our lives? 
. sugar's character feels like a waste of stephen graham's talent and hezekiah moscow's storyline is just a confusing mess 
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. Can they find their own superhero cape, or will they be stuck in the shadows? Only time (and more episodes) will tell 
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. The problem is, the rest of the cast just can't keep up, if you ask me 
. Stephen Graham as Sugar feels really lost in the shuffle, and Hezekiah Moscow's character arc just kinda falls flat 
.
. She's got this way of selling the idea that she's not just a tough pickpocket, but also someone with depth and vulnerability 
. And let's be real, it's hard to deny that she's the anchor that holds this show together 
! She's got this incredible talent that makes you feel invested in her character, even when the rest of the show isn't quite there yet 
. Can it become more than just her vehicle, though? That's the real question 
, but the rest of the cast needs to step up their game. 
. I mean, what's up with Stephen Graham's Sugar? He's got some amazing acting chops, but his character feels so... lost? 
And don't even get me started on the plot – it's like they're trying to cram too many themes into one show 
.
anyway, back to A thousand blows... i feel like erin doherty's character would be way cooler if she had some cool gadgets or skills like a female jackie chan 
It's like she's carrying the whole thing on her shoulders... and honestly, I'm not mad at her for shining so bright 
the plot's all over the place and some of the supporting characters feel like cardboard cutouts 
. But sometimes it feels like these topics get lost in the shuffle 
'cause Erin Doherty is definitely worth watching!