(155'481 votes)Adventurer James Keziah Delaney returns to London during the War of 1812 to rebuild his late father's shipping empire. However, both the government and his biggest competitor want his inheritance at any cost--even murder.
Steven Knight is a true knight who never fails to delight us. The Blinders and Spencer are still fresh in your mind. However, another gem you missed from the creator- as nobody talks about Taboo. But I am not sure whether you will be able to keep Taboo out of your brains. This historical-period drama series was originally released on 7th January, 2017. Tom Hardy’s very own Hardy Son and Baker along with Scott Free London produced this BBC One drama of eight episodes. Kristoffer Nyholm and Anders Engström have an equal share of direction(four episodes each). Tom Hardy draws one of his bleakest characters as James Delaney. Chernobyl fame Jessie Buckley, spectacular Oona Chaplin and all-rounder Mark Gatiss showed their truest art. Taboo did not get an immediate reputation amongst the viewers and critics. It took time like Lawrence’s fiction. 91% of Google users liked it. Viewers gave it an 8.4/10 in IMDb while Rotten Tomatoes showed their love of 76%.
Plot
This period drama starts with a lone rider heading towards a particular place to hide something priceless and ends with the same person sailing to the New World. No, I’m not telling you a story full of adventures. Nevertheless Taboo is war. James Delaney who is addressed as a negro in the high society of London, fights his own fate after his unexpected return from Africa; bleeds to save the land named Nootka Sound which was bought by his father in the exchange of gunpowder. The East India Company, the Crown and the Americans- every party gets involved to possess this land of Indian tribes. James has a step-sister Zilpha. Their relationship unfolds into a darker truth. Incest. Zilpha is already married and her husband, Thorne, plans to kill Delaney. Not only his plan but also the Company and the Americans’ ploy to murder him meets the same result. James Delaney is undead. The entry of Lorna Bow as the mistress of Delaney’s dead father complicates the plot. Nay. She won’t go against Delaney because she eventually falls for him. Delaney buys a ship to run his trade by the name Delaney Nootka Trading Company. To accomplish his mission, he befriends Atticus a former sailor, presently a gang leader and Helga, the madam of a brothel. There comes catastrophe. Delaney’s ship is burnt down. Then Helga believes that her daughter Winter was murdered by Delaney, hence went to the Company and committed to be the witness to Delaney’s gunpowder plot. For treason, Delaney is going to be hanged. However, everything has already been planned. The epic escape of James Delaney and his loved ones is something intriguing to watch.
Why is it a Must-Watch?
The 1814 London is brilliantly showcased. Where you can witness the hypocrites and corrupt people are the policy makers. But there is someone who can challenge lawmakers and executives. The ghost- the rebel Delany is an absolute resistance to imperialism. Maybe not a hero- an antihero. Hardy’s Alfie Solomon or Eddie Brock cannot pitch the same length as James Delany does. He walks through the mud. His disposition is Indian which creates a gothic sense. Taboo is “not discussing incest and exorcism”. Taboo is “unfolding the political secrets” on the face of history. The dark and gritty characters find a fine balance amongst each other. The creators’ vision meets a Byronic hero.
The colour combination remains outstanding throughout the series. Each body found by the shore- the mud- the rustic view are vividly presented by the best of cinematography. The costume of the early nineteenth century brings the sense of historical accuracy. Moreover, Max Ritchter’s background score is unmatchable. The work of Celeste matches the darkness of Knight and Hardys’ creation.
Taboo is often criticized for the portrayal of the East India Company. Historical inaccuracies regarding the Company are challenged. How do you care? Read it as a work of art. And don’t slow your pace after finding it slow. Wee bit of melodrama is always healthy.
