"Brotherhood" (2006) TV series 2006-2008

Creator:

Blake Masters

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

The city has two sons. Only one can rule The Hill.

Plot:

Set in an Irish neighbourhood in Providence, the series reflects around two brothers on opposite sides of the law: one a gangster (Jason Isaacs) and the other a politician (Jason Clarke).

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | Irish | Politician | Violence | Profanity

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jason Isaacs	...	Michael Caffee (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Jason Clarke	...	Tommy Caffee (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Annabeth Gish	...	Eileen Caffee (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kevin Chapman	...	Freddie Cork / ... (29 episodes, 2006-2008)
Fiona C. Erickson	...	Mary Rose Caffee (26 episodes, 2006-2008)
Brian Scannell	...	Silent John (25 episodes, 2006-2008)
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Rose Caffee (22 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kerry O'Malley	...	Mary Kate Martinson / ... (22 episodes, 2006-2008)
Madison Garland	...	Lila Caffee / ... (21 episodes, 2006-2008)
Billy Smith	...	Kevin 'Moe' Reilly / ... (20 episodes, 2006-2008)
Ethan Embry	...	Declan Giggs / ... (19 episodes, 2006-2008)
Brian F. O'Byrne	...	Colin (18 episodes, 2007-2008)
Tina Benko	...	Kath Parry / ... (18 episodes, 2006-2008)
Kailey Gilbert	...	Noni Caffee (16 episodes, 2006-2008)
Matt Servitto	...	Representative Donatello (15 episodes, 2006-2008)
Frank Ridley	...	Terry Mulligan (15 episodes, 2006-2008)
John Fiore	...	Nozzoli / ... (14 episodes, 2006-2008)
Georgia Lyman	...	Cassie Giggs (13 episodes, 2006-2008)
Karl Bury	...	Alex Byrne / ... (13 episodes, 2006-2007)

Also Known As:

Down City (USA) (working title)
The Hill (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (some episodes) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | USA:TV-MA | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Barrington, Rhode Island, USA

Company:

Gangtackle Productions

Trivia:

The series was inspired by real-life Irish American brothers from the Irish neighborhood of South Boston: James "Whitey" Bulger, Jr., a gangster who has been on the F.B.I.'s Most Wanted List for 10 years as a fugitive from justice, and Senator William Bulger (known as "Billy"), a powerful state politician who was President of the Massachusetts Senate and later president of the University of Massachusetts higher educational system.

A strong drama series with fascinating social commentary

The setup of "Brotherhood" seems rather simple, but it works. The series is about two powerful and intelligent brothers, a gangster (Michael) and a politician (Tommy), who are always scheming to advance their respective agendas. Sometimes they work together, but more often they have serious personality clashes. In a nutshell, the series deals with the effects that their power games have on a lower-middle-class community in Providence, Rhode Island.

Part of me has a hard time believing the series' depiction of Providence as such a violent, chaotic town, but I suppose some suspension of disbelief is required for nearly all TV shows. But, for the most part, I find Brotherhood extremely realistic, especially in its depiction of the darker aspects of life - e.g. violence, domestic troubles, political backstabbing, and substance abuse.

A major theme of the series is that Providence is changing with the times. Michael in particular seems unable to accept that his old Irish neighborhood is becoming increasingly dominated by minorities, and that the family-owned businesses he loved as a kid are closing down and being replaced by corporations like Starbucks. I quite enjoyed the episodes which focused on this theme; the series, at times, is a pretty harsh condemnation of the corporatization of society and its effects on ordinary, working people in Michael's area.

Of course, the series isn't always so weighty, and it has other forms of appeal (namely sex, violence, and profanity, all of which feature in great abundance). If you're turned off by crassness and relentlessly vulgar people, "Brotherhood" probably isn't for you, though it does have some sensitive moments.

As much as I liked it, the first season did have a few weak points. Some of the political story-lines were repetitive, and occasionally I was put off by the dark tone. However, even during the weaker mid-season episodes, the actors consistently gave strong performances and held my attention. Jason Isaacs, who plays Michael, is incredibly charismatic, and manages to come across as both repugnant and sympathetic (a neat trick, huh?) The rest of the cast is great, too, but somehow Isaacs stands out.

The season ended on a pretty good cliffhanger, though I was left wanting a little more. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if season two gives me what I want. For now, though, I'm confident in asserting that "Brotherhood" is one of the best new TV shows in years, and I've been recommending it like crazy to my friends. It's addictive for all the right reasons.