Warning: Minor spoilers for Black Doves.
One of the best aspects of Netflix's newest spy thriller, Black Doves, is the platonic relationship between its two main characters, Helen (Keira Knightley) and Sam (Ben Whishaw). The series centers around Helen, the wife of the UK's Defence Secretary and a veteran spy for an elusive organization known as the Black Doves, who sells secrets across the globe to the highest bidder. Set against the backdrop of Christmas in London, the series unfolds in the days after Helen's lover, Jason (Andrew Koji), is killed. Unsure if she's the next target, her old associate and friend, Sam, is brought into the fold to keep her safe and figure out whether Jason's death has anything to do with Helen.
Having met 10 years prior during Helen's first assignment for the Black Doves, it's clear from the beginning that she and Sam have a rapport with one another that neither likely has with other people. As time passes, Sam aids in Helen's training and the two develop a genuine friendship as highlighted by their forthright and happy conversations. They clearly trust one another and are able to be honest with each other about who they are beyond their work with the Black Doves.
In many ways, Sam is the only one who knows the real Helen, and Helen is the only one who knows the real Sam. Even after years of not seeing one another, once they're reunited, it's as if no time has passed. That being said, no one expected their first reunion after seven years to be so gory and explosive. However, such a scene clearly represents the firework-like nature of the joy and shock Helen felt when Sam came to her rescue in the nick of time.
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4.5 /5 Black Doves DramaThriller
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*Availability in US Release Date December 5, 2024 Cast Keira Knightley , Sarah Lancashire , Ben Whishaw , Andrew Koji , Andrew Buchan , Omari Douglas , Kathryn Hunter , Sam Troughton , Ella Lily Hyland Seasons 1
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The Bloodiest Moment in 'Black Doves' Is Also Joyous Close
Against the advice of her boss, Mrs. Reed (Sarah Lancashire), Helen begins looking into Jason's death almost immediately. The first place she explores is his apartment, where she encounters two triggermen, Williams (Ella Lily Hyland) and Kent (Eniko Fulop), who have been hired to find some sort of recording device believed to be stashed at Jason's place. After the landlord informs Williams and Kent, who are posing as police officers, that "Jason's girlfriend" is there, they promptly shoot her and set their sights on Helen. Prepared for a fight, Helen takes on the pair rather successfully, at least in the beginning. Seemingly on the verge of losing as Kent rushes toward her, Helen lets out what sounds like a battle cry just as Sam appears out of nowhere and shoots Kent in the head. Just like a firework, the explosive scene leaves Helen covered in blood and brains as Williams escapes through the window.
According to Black Doves' creator Joe Barton, the scene was intended to be fun while also shocking and gory. Arguably the bloodiest moment in the show, it's meant to lay the foundation for Helen and Sam's relationship. It's the first time audiences are introduced to the pair, and their joy in the midst of so much blood represents the dynamics of their friendship in the context of their unique jobs. Having last seen Sam after coming to his rescue seven years prior, Helen's joyous reaction while drenched in blood and gore says it all. She's certainly taken aback as Kent's brains splatter across her face, but the moment she realizes Sam is the one who saved her, she cheerfully screams his name with a gleaming smile.
Helen and Sam Would Do Anything For Each Other Close
Sam's return is emblematic of the lengths he would go to for Helen. Despite fleeing London seven years prior in an effort to protect himself and someone he loves, Sam returns to the city for Helen's sake. He might be back in the crosshairs of those he was running from, but none of that matters as long as Helen needs his help. Just as Sam would do anything for Helen, she would do the same for him. In fact, she's the reason he was able to make it out of London in the first place. Under fire and in dire need of help, Sam called a very pregnant Helen, who immediately came to his aid. Such an action kept her working for the Black Doves just as she was on the verge of getting out. Both scenes are two sides of the same coin, and those moments represent the depths of their friendship and showcase the sacrifices they're each willing to make for one another.
Given the nature of their work, Sam and Helen clearly share a special friendship neither of them has with anyone else. There's one final moment in the series in which Sam tries to talk Helen out of shooting someone. Helen might know how to handle herself in a fight and shoot a weapon, when necessary, but she's not a triggerman like Sam. Sam understands the emotional burden killing people can take on a person, and he doesn't want that for Helen. As a result, he steps in and ultimately makes the decision for her and removes that burden. Because he loves and cares for her, he's willing to take on that burden himself. Always willing to be there for one another, the first explosive and bloody scene in which viewers are initially introduced to the pair ultimately represents the joy and gore that surround their unique friendship.
All episodes of Black Doves are currently streaming on Netflix.