The Black Donnellys: A Stone of the Heart

(S01E02) Murder, sex, and gratuitous violence - the things I love most about television - and this episode had them all.

That being said, does anyone else think it was a mistake not to stick this series on a Showtime or at the very least FX? If this were the case, maybe the producers wouldn't have to do things like air special web episodes of the show so that material deemed too "edgy" doesn't get stuck on the cutting room floor.

I also find it difficult to believe these Black Donnellys are capable of committing such atrocities against humanity all without dropping a single F or C-bomb. A show of this subject matter deserves a healthy dose of profanity, the occasional errant boob, and maybe even a shot of the actual fibula and tibia being shattered by a sledge hammer. Why are the producers denying me these pleasures?

Not to say that Haggis and Moresco haven't done a fairly decent job working with what they have at NBC, but I'm always going to feel that there's a level of intensity missing from the show that would really put it over the top. I'm also completely desensitized to graphic and violent material so I'm guessing my views aren't exactly parallel with the general TV viewing population.

So ignoring my worthless request for more brutality and salaciousness I found the episode pretty entertaining and even laughed a few times.

A Stone of the Heart was a reference to a line from W.B. Yeats who once said, "Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart." It seems the wealth of sacrifices Tommy has made for his jackass brother, Jimmy, have finally taken a toll on him, and he's grown tired of cleaning up Jimmy's messes.

Which reminds me, Tommy, Kevin, and Sean could probably pass for brothers in real life being that they have similar body types. What happened to Jimmy? He's stumpy, un-athletic looking, and pretty much different in appearance from his brothers.

Casting miscue? Probably not since Thomas Guiry plays the part pretty convincingly, particularly while beating in the guys head with the pay phone. I just always find myself wondering if Jimmy has the same daddy as the rest of the boys.

Now, I know from watching Dateline and people I've killed personally, that you can't commit crimes and/or murder and not leave some telltale signs behind. The Donnellys have collectively stolen a delivery truck, kidnapped someone, killed six or seven people, and disposed of a body in a gruesome manner - all over the course of about two days.

I really get the feeling they're doing this stuff way too easily, particularly Tommy. He's supposed to be the "good child" who was only recently on the road to becoming a better human being. One second he's in art school pursuing a degree. The next he's sledge hammering a cadaver into a barrel. He's had such a metamorphosis in such a short period of time that it's nearly unbelievable, but it can also be blamed on the fierce loyalty he has for his brothers which is a nice out for the writers.

Almost forgot, my wish to see an errant boob was actually granted this episode. Much to my chagrin (and much to my wife's delight) the boobs belonged to Tommy Donnelly. That'll teach me.

This week, I'm a bit more intrigued by the show than I was the previous week. The relationship between Tommy and Jenny could become a nice diversion from the usual chaos of the show. Joey "Ice Creams" light banter with the interrogators could also bring the show some much needed levity. I can't say I was a fan of him magically writing himself into the anecdotes as it didn't really seem to fit into the darkness of this specific episode. However, I can appreciate the attempt to lighten things up a bit.

Finally, here's a tip for any would be shoplifters. Apparently, foil or aluminum mesh does hinder the abilities of inventory tracking devices in retail stores. My predictions on things that will happen since this episode aired:

1. Tin foil prices will soar on increased demand.
2. Episodes of attempted and successful shoplifting will raise tenfold.
3. It becomes the new fad to walk around with blue ink splotches decorating your clothing.

Actually, none of these things will happen since roughly 15 people including myself are watching this show. With my luck, it will probably get cancelled just as I really start liking it. Here's to hoping that doesn't turn out to be the case.