Taboo

Finally I came to see this Gothic gem from the BBC and I am not disappointed - quite the contrary is the case.

In 'Taboo' the set up of the world and the creation of a very dark and at the same time tender atmosphere as well as the nicely arranged spectrum of taboo-motifs (like sexual transgression, the grotesque and strange, overwhelming violence etc.) kept me from being bothered by the fact that I didn't feel one jot more sympathy for its main character than for its antagonists. James K. Delaney is an intriguing mysterious character attracting us in a depraved way. But he is also an individual of extreme moral reprehensibility we eventually cannot go along with.

The series makes very good use of Gothic- and Dark Romanticism writers' style to build up the gloomy atmosphere of a depressed 1814 England still anguished by the loss of the great colony. It is no coincidence when Delaney claims at some point in the series:"The ravens told me". We find lots of Poe here either in theme or characters. Madness wanders through the world of 'Taboo' and at least at the dip of the hem this madness is always caused by the East India Company, the Crown or Delaney. Curiously all the characters except Delaney himself are appearing so vulnerably and fragile that their indulgence (to be helpless and lost in this made up society) arises a counter-part to the unforgiveness of the room they live in.

'Taboo' also declares the downfall of the classic adventure genre. There is no space for nostalgic explorers or discoverers in the plot lines, Delaney is a broken man as he returns from Africa, even if he is not willing to admit this. It's rather a farewell to the exotic, the story takes place after the alleged adventure and mainly stays at the well-known. Interestingly the series manages it to combine some accounts on slavery shifting the story to an international level (not many historic series/ movies do this, they mostly remain in the domestic frame).

Further the actors do a very nice job. Particularly Tom Hardy, Jonathan Price and the reoccurring Mark Gatiss play exceptionally good. However I have to say that there was no huge character development, which I wished to see. The characters are not uni-dimensional, but they do not alter in their facets. The series tries to offset this flaw with new secrets and confessions in every episode pretending these to be a change, whilst it is actually only about the introduction of new information. A very common writing technique, I think.

Overall I can highly recommend 'Taboo', especially for fans of Gothic, Grotesque and the 19th century England.

It's 1814 London. James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy) returns home from Africa to attend his father's funeral. Everybody is shocked since he was presumed long dead. As a son, he is the sole heir taking precedence over his half-sister Zilpha Geary. The main inheritance is a strategic stretch of land on the west coast of the New World. Sir Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce) is the Chairman of the all-powerful East India Company, rivaling the power of the Crown. Both are desperate to get that land as Britain negotiates the border with America as the war comes to an end. Actress Lorna Bow (Jessie Buckley) shows up claiming to have married James' father back in Ireland.

This is Tom Hardy at the height of his power. For a moment, he is both the hottest and the most compelling actor around. He could be both the Sexiest and win all the Oscars. He is still a man of intrigue right now. This show is his baby. It's his vision. His inability to get a second series, despite some good reviews, may point to something about his power as a producer. There is no doubt that Tom Hardy infuses James Delaney with his overpowering brooding. He is a man of deep damage and mysterious motives. The presentation of the East India Company is intriguing to say the least. This is high quality prestige television.

Taboo is about adventurer James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy), who most think is dead, returns home to inherit his father's shipping empire in 1814 London and also seek vengeance for his father's death. He encounters numerous enemies while he tries to build his company against the monopoly that is East India Company. Hardy is one of the best actors on the planet...period. Besides maybe Leonardo DiCaprio he's my favorite actor and one of the handful of actors where I'd watch the movie/show knowing nothing more than that they're in it. Taboo is another in a long line of great performances for Hardy. The show is thrilling from start to their are rumors that they plan on making another season. I hope that's true.

As my title has indicated, Tom Hardy's "Taboo" is a beautiful slow burn, as the story builds through each episode I was hooked on how Hardy's character would react to certain situations and was never left disappointed, without spoiling the story itself there are some wonderfully tense and sad moment's throughout. The cast were amazing throughout the whole show, the story so gripping, the sets were down right amazing and overall production couldn't have been better! I can't wait for a second season to see what will happen next.

I wish this show didn't just stop!l. Bring it back please! This was easily one of my favorite shows ever... not to mention the Tom Hardy eye candy. He is a great and versatile actor.

Finally, a different idea for a show. It exemplifies history with a mysterious twist. There's is no predictability and all of the actors play their roles splendidly. I couldn't wait until the next episode aired. This was before streaming. I ended up buying it so that I could rewatch it all together, without having to wait between episodes. I believe that it was written by Tom Hardy and his father. It was well written and just wish it would continue, so that is a satisfying ending... Or any ending.