This is a historical drama about the central figure of Irish politics in the 80s. Charles J. Haughey is almost as much a creation of the myth he wove, as the the Scrap Saturday sketches and Vincent Browne re-enactments that followed.
Episode 1 begins as CJH / The Boss take control of the largest political party and thus the government. The actors (who are drawn from the cast of Love Hate) are extremely well cast and the make up is outstanding. Gillens hair and nose are strangely uncanny and his voice was spot on.
The scary thing about the story is that it isn't exaggerated, which is perhaps why in life, CJH lent himself to comedy writers so easily.
Unfortunately - if you don't know about (1) the arms trial (2) George Colley (3) the 1977 political manifesto of Fianna Fail (4) the republican agenda of the time, the viewer will be lost.
Three hours is barely enough time for the basics and there is no time to educate those who know nothing about recent Irish history. Indeed, often key figures (Sheila Dev for example) are referenced with a headline only.
I kept hearing the Jim Reeve's song 'He'll have to Go' until 'Rise and Follow Charlie' was played and I remembered how that song rang in the air for a full summer of my childhood.
I can't wait for the two episodes to follow. Its a disappointment that it can't be a 10 part series but given the limited market for this, the rumored budget of 4 m was plenty.
A triumph of Irish drama.
