The People in The Dirt
Episode 9 of Say Nothing begins with Dolours confessing during the Belfast Project recording that she wasn’t the one to take Jean from her house; she and Marian only drove Jean to her execution. Meanwhile, news of recent bombings emerges, in which Marian had assisted the bombers. She is later arrested. While in prison, Dolours tells Marian about the Belfast Project and confesses it was the freest she had ever felt.
Elsewhere, Brendan works as a construction worker when he collapses and passes away. At his funeral, a large procession takes place, with Gerry in attendance, which agitates Dolours. She becomes impatient to reveal the truth about Adams and gives an interview to The Irish News, claiming that Adams had orchestrated operations, including Jean’s disappearance. Dolours tells the reporter that Jean was a British informant who identified IRA operatives while sitting behind a white cloth. However, Jean’s red shoes betrayed her, leading to her capture. Before leaving, the reporter questions if suspicion over the red shoes alone was enough to identify Jean and asks Dolours whether she would term it a war crime. Dolours responds that she would.
News of Dolours’ interview breaks, implicating Gerry in war crimes. Meanwhile, Dolours grapples with guilt over her past and confides in Marian, wondering if they could have acted differently. Later, while drinking alone at night, Dolours hallucinates Pat giving her another mission. The next morning, her son finds her dead. Gerry receives a note revealing that Dolours died of an overdose. Soon after, Gerry receives a notice for arrest and reports for investigation.
During the investigation, detectives play pieces of the Belfast Project recordings, but Gerry denies being an IRA member and is ultimately released due to insufficient evidence.
At Dolours’ funeral, Marian says her final goodbyes and speaks to the interviewer, asking if she is in danger. He reveals that Dolours made him switch off the tape. It is revealed that the men tasked with killing Jean had refused, leaving Pat, Dolours, and Marian to complete the job. Pat and Dolours couldn’t pull the trigger, so Marian did.
The episode concludes with Dolours saying, “You can call me a difficult woman, but I couldn’t live with the silence.” The show explains that the police ombudsman found no evidence of Jean being an informant. Gerry and Marian continue to deny involvement in Jean’s case, with Gerry further denying any association with the IRA.
The Episode Review
To say that Say Nothing is an exhilarating experience would be an understatement. It handles the final two episodes with sensitivity as the truth behind Jean’s disappearance unravels. There are many memorable moments in this episode, especially with Brendan and Dolours sharing their feelings of disillusionment and disappointment with how the struggle they sacrificed their lives for turned out.
However, the most poignant scene is when an innocent Jean recites her children’s names before her death, a harrowing moment that forever changes the lives of her entire family.
Staying true to its theme of “people in the dirt,” the show uses Brendan’s memory to highlight how “those who launched the boat” are the ones left behind. It serves as a poignant commentary on Gerry’s crimes that remain unpunished. As one of the heads of the IRA operations, Gerry benefited while others sacrificed their lives, only to pave the way for his career and future prospects.
By the end of the show, while Gerry adheres to his “say nothing” policy like a true IRA official, despite his repeated denials, its to serve only his own interests. While, others chose to speak everything, revealing the truth about a harrowing period in Irish history.
Previous Episode |
|
Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes! |
|
-
Episode Rating
(4.5)