Command of tone is important, and Black Doves doesn’t always quite possess it. Indeed, Netflix’s trio of descriptor tags — “witty, emotional, action” — speak rather well to the initially unstable construction of the show. Fortunately, that sense doesn’t persist, as a clever, chaotic narrative gains confidence, enhanced by artful performances.
Black Doves is a spy thriller set in London, where Helen Webb (Keira Knightley) appears to be the perfect wife to Secretary of State for Defence Wallace (Andrew Buchan). In fact, she is a “Black Dove:” an asset-in-place working for a private-sector spy organization with an unashamedly capitalist approach to intelligence-gathering. Indeed, Helen’s relationship with Wallace — which has led to two children — was the result of an operation assigned by her scheming boss Reed (Sarah Lancashire). The job has evolved into the longest of long games, as Wallace may now be in line to become prime minister, making Helen’s product potentially invaluable. Helen’s quiet domestic mission is shaken up when a trio of seemingly unconnected people are assasinated — one of them, her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji). Concerned that the murders may connect to Helen and possibly expose the organization, Reed tasks a hit man named Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep Helen alive and look into Jason’s murder. The investigation ends up ensnaring both Helen and Sam in a web of criminal conspiracies from which they may not survive.
The outward production elements — the music, the cinematography, the intense melodrama, even the high-profile stars — suggest fairly conventional thriller content. As the episodes unfold, though, it becomes clear those trappings are partially obscuring a wicked sense of humor. On reflection, the show clearly aims to match the magical energy of shows like The Diplomat and, perhaps more blatantly, Slow Horses, fusing urgent political crises, personal dilemmas, and hilarious banter. Black Doves doesn’t quite have that level of special sauce, but a unique vibe does emerge gradually as the ensemble grows. Knightley and Whishaw hit the ground running, of course. Their genuine, touching friendship in the context of a sociopathic working environment is the first hint of the show’s core identity: it’s about characters subordinating their softer sides to the heartless, money-grubbing shackles of a mercenary world. This theme comes more into focus with the increased involvement of Williams (Ella Lily Hyland) and Eleanor (Gabrielle Creevy), a pair of reckless hired guns swept into the chaos. Hyland and Creevy bring expert comedic timing to their high-chemistry partnership, further refining the humorous tone. Given the outlandish escalations, fiendishly clever dialogue, and a winning roster of characters, Black Doves has most of the ingredients. It may yet improve enough to truly rival those aforementioned contemporaries — and fortunately we’ll get a chance to find out, as the show has been renewed for a second season. If not, though, it’s still pretty damn good.
