Television Series Review: Brotherhood

In an Irish neighborhood in Providence politician Tommy Caffee must fight against his reputation being tarnished by his gangster brother Michael, and the overt favoritism shown to Michael by his mother Rose. Over time the line drawn between which brother is on the right side of the law fade as Tommy moves up in the political world and Michael faces obstacles as he rises in the crime world.

The series Brotherhood was inspired by two real-life Irish American brothers from South Boston. The writing is good and the character development is well done over the years of the series. The show is well cast, with excellent performances by Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish, Fionnula Flanagan, Kevin Chapman, Brian F. O’Byrne, and Tina Benko. Standout performances include Isaacs and Clarke as the Caffee brothers, who are compelling to watch, and Ethan Embry as Declan Giggs, a cop who is torn by his duties as an officer of the law and his loyalty to the Irish neighborhood. Brian O’Byrne comes into the series later and in the end was my favorite character of the series. O’Byrne is outstanding as the Caffee brother’s Irish cousin Colin, whose only goal in life is to feel a part of the Caffee family. The rest of the supporting cast is very good here.

Showtime’s series Brotherhood is well written and cast, it is a good watch and well worth renting the series.

2006. Created by Blake Masters. Starring Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish, Fionnula Flanagan, Kevin Chapman, Brian F. O’Byrne, Tina Benko, Kerry O’Malley, Len Cariou, Helen Carey, Billy Smith, Brian Scannell, and John Fiore.

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