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26 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :-
The "darkest" series on television, 8 June 2007
Author: pymptype from Southeastern Metropolis, United States

Brotherhood is one of my new (and third) favorite television series. My other two favorites are Sopranos and The Wire. This series is similar in its genre to "Sopranos" and "The Wire" but it is MUCH DARKER. I highly recommend it to anybody who enjoys dark (in a violent, not funny, kind of way) films. In fact its one of the darkest depictions of the human condition I've ever seen on any screen. What separates this show from other gangster series (such as the Sopranos) is that it is almost impossible to find a character to like; unless of course you like bad guys (Michael is my favorite character). Rule #1 of Brotherhood is that there are NO GOOD GUYS; that is to say this series depicts the evil side of nearly every character in the series, including the women and children, hardly ever showing anyone in a positive light. The mothers are bad, the daughters are bad, the politicians are bad, and the gangsters are bad (but not much worse than the politicians by contrast; which I believe is one of the major themes of the show.) In Sopranos some of the gangsters are at least a slight bit likable but not in Brotherhood.

For those of you who don't already know, the story is based on the true life of James J. "Whitey" Bulger, the second longest running guy who is currently of the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted List. You can read about on Wikipedia (WARNING: reading about Whitey might spoil some of the upcoming events in the series as many of them are similar to events in his real life.) A lot of the details are changed like the time frame (Bulger reigned during the 80s) and the location (Bulger was in Boston, Michael is in Rhode Island). And yes, Whitey Bulger did has a brother who was into politics, going from President of the State Senate in Massachusetts to the President of UMASS, where he was working until his brother was added to FBI's Top Ten.

Overall the writing, acting (especially Michael), and directing are fantastic. I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in this genre, or in the Irish Mafia. I would not recommend it to children or sensitive adults simply because it's such a dark series, it is so well made it can even be depressing at times.

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27 out of 37 people found the following comment useful :-
An exceptional series that will surpass "The Sopranos", 23 October 2006
10/10
Author: don_logan from United States

After watching the series when it aired its Pilot episode i was completely taken by how different it is to other shows on prime time which lack as good of writing as Brotherhood.The acting is superb in the series most of all Jason Issacs who really was one reason I decided to tune in to the Pilot.However the show isn't just about the mob but how its main character Tommy Caffee runs The Hill a little town in Providence Rhode Island.Jason Clarke is incredible in the series who i see getting more work because if his great performance in the series.With Nip/Tuck going down the tubes as well as The Sopranos this show will receive the credit it deserves with its exceptional writing,gritty style and authentic dialogue it will only be a matter of time until Brotherhoo becomes the next best show on Television

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32 out of 47 people found the following comment useful :-
Showtime is the "new" HBO, 16 August 2006
10/10
Author: james_likes_jazz from United States

This is now my absolute favorite series on television. I don't watch much television so, for me, this is a big compliment to the writers and creators of this show. This show has all the right ingredients; great actors, writing, and plot lines. This is a great combination that is sure to please even the most demanding viewers. Highly Recommended.

I was a big fan of "The Soprano's", but last season kind of turned me off. I still mourn the loss of "Six Feet Under", perhaps the best series I have ever seen.

With "Weeds" and a few promising series coming up (i.e. "Dexter"), I do believe Showtime is the "new" HBO. Bravo Showtime!

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18 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-
Truly interesting, 5 January 2007
9/10
Author: peds12 from Brazil

I do believe this is the best series I've ever watched. As far as its authenticities go concerning accents and mannerisms, I can not attest to this. I can say however that the casting job was wonderful. The way this show is written allows the series to make a statement about how politics and organized crime (even at a small level) are very similar. Michael Caffee shows up in town after several years away to find his family where he left them. His Brother tommy is a politician and though they have chosen completely different lives, they seem to have the kind of bond that is missing in America today. Right off the back we find in the series how connected the whole town is based on their roots and having grown up together. All the gangsters, politicians, and everyone else seem to be quite intertwined in the general plots in the first series, but the most impressive character to me is Michael Caffee. I don't think I've ever seen a better casting job, and the strength in his face when he looks at the camera is truly exactly what you see in a street guys face. But as I said they are all perfectly cast. I cant imagine how the show could be better except I think there could be a bit more about what michaels doing sometimes because some gaps need to be filled. On the other hand I cant say that the more political episodes weren't good as they lay the ground for much of the general plot lines in the series and would if this were real life affect their lives more than Michaels entanglements. In a way this kind of sums up the two brothers personalities where michael being more in charge of his own life stays in the shadows, while Tommy's public life forces him to be more slippery and therefore is harder to control. In summation It is the best gangster show I've seen and only hope that unlike the sopranos it doesn't drift off the main focus. The only way this could happen i think is if they loose the balance of showing all the characters which happened very much in the sopranos.

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17 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-
A series done well, 2 October 2006
8/10
Author: kate98 from United States

I got this series on DVD and didn't care for it very much the first time I watched it. I saw it a second time with my family and it grew on me. None of the characters are particularly likable or decent people, but I think that might have been the intention of the writers. The actors do a great job of showing the dishonesty, violence, and petty misery of the characters. The only character who sometimes comes across as remotely likable is Tommy.

Jason Isaacs and Jason Clarke are excellent as the brothers, though I wonder why American actors weren't cast in the roles. Having said that, if not for Jason Isaacs I wouldn't have watched this series at all. I've seen several of his movies and have never been disappointed. Fionnula Flanagan is excellent as the controlling mother. She's so realistic that I almost forget she is acting. The scenes with Rose and her sons are among the best in the series because the three actors seem to work so well together. Kevin Chapman also gives a great performance as Freddi Cork. Both Chapman and Isaacs have done an outstanding job of portraying characters you love to hate.

I have lived in New England all my life and was curious to hear the accents in this series. While I've certainly heard worse, most (not all) of the regular actors didn't fully capture the accent. Close, but not quite. Still the accents didn't detract from the series. Paddy's mother in the first episode sounded truly authentic. I do not generally like shows about politics and organized crime, but in this case I will probably watch season two.

If you haven't seen Brotherhood yet, give it a try.

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11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
A strong drama series with fascinating social commentary, 19 May 2007
9/10
Author: dr_foreman from Staten Island, NY

The setup of "Brotherhood" seems rather simple, but it works. The series is about two powerful and intelligent brothers, a gangster (Michael) and a politician (Tommy), who are always scheming to advance their respective agendas. Sometimes they work together, but more often they have serious personality clashes. In a nutshell, the series deals with the effects that their power games have on a lower-middle-class community in Providence, Rhode Island.

Part of me has a hard time believing the series' depiction of Providence as such a violent, chaotic town, but I suppose some suspension of disbelief is required for nearly all TV shows. But, for the most part, I find Brotherhood extremely realistic, especially in its depiction of the darker aspects of life - e.g. violence, domestic troubles, political backstabbing, and substance abuse.

A major theme of the series is that Providence is changing with the times. Michael in particular seems unable to accept that his old Irish neighborhood is becoming increasingly dominated by minorities, and that the family-owned businesses he loved as a kid are closing down and being replaced by corporations like Starbucks. I quite enjoyed the episodes which focused on this theme; the series, at times, is a pretty harsh condemnation of the corporatization of society and its effects on ordinary, working people in Michael's area.

Of course, the series isn't always so weighty, and it has other forms of appeal (namely sex, violence, and profanity, all of which feature in great abundance). If you're turned off by crassness and relentlessly vulgar people, "Brotherhood" probably isn't for you, though it does have some sensitive moments.

As much as I liked it, the first season did have a few weak points. Some of the political story-lines were repetitive, and occasionally I was put off by the dark tone. However, even during the weaker mid-season episodes, the actors consistently gave strong performances and held my attention. Jason Isaacs, who plays Michael, is incredibly charismatic, and manages to come across as both repugnant and sympathetic (a neat trick, huh?) The rest of the cast is great, too, but somehow Isaacs stands out.

The season ended on a pretty good cliffhanger, though I was left wanting a little more. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if season two gives me what I want. For now, though, I'm confident in asserting that "Brotherhood" is one of the best new TV shows in years, and I've been recommending it like crazy to my friends. It's addictive for all the right reasons.

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13 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :-
This is serious t.v., 8 December 2006
10/10
Author: birkirAS from Iceland

One of my favorites. A huge fan of The Sopranos as well, both shows have similarities, serious matters, crime, ethics, family etc. But Brotherhood is heavier, there are hardly any scenes written to make you laugh. But that don't makes this series sad. This is a fine show, great script, story with hooks and great acting. Don't miss out on this! After each episode I start thinking about the next, I contemplate what I would do if was in one of the characters situation. The day after me and my friends are talking about the same thing. This show demands a response from it's viewer and I'm a living proof.

I hope it runs for many more years.

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11 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Much better than the Sopranos, 3 February 2007
10/10
Author: jenton75-1 from United States

I was a fan of the Sopranos when it first came out but grew disenchanted with it during last season...The Brotherhood is a first rate show with a fresh cast and decent writing..I like the complexity of the politics involved with the crime...very underrated show...I heard Showtime renewed it already..I have read The Westies by TJ English and am currently reading Paddy Whacked...good reads on Irish American immigrants and their roots, as well as organized crime...The Brotherhood show a different style mob (Irish) then the usual Italian stuff we always get....If you are a fan of Organized Crime dramas or mob stuff you will like this show...pretty violent as well...I enjoy a show where they are not afraid to be politically correct with everything. Keep it up Showtime.

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
In-comparable to any other show., 2 January 2009
10/10
Author: oxinate from United Kingdom

I've seen bits and bobs of great shows. Ultimately this show stands out as probably the best mixture of characters in a TV show. The directing is spot on and never near over the top. Hardly any scenes feature the modern 'shaky camera.' The acting is very realistic and in my opinion cringe worthy... for the situations these characters handle compared to real life situation's are remarkable. None of this over-dramatic family arguments of daughters not listening to mothers etc etc. Like real life, arguments end and never last in/out of the family, situations are dealt with so this show will not stretch most stories like most shows do. It's the only TV show that makes my day end well after I've watched it. Believe me don't let this refreshing show slip by.

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Brotherhood Soars!!!, 20 November 2007
8/10
Author: thejerzeymick from New Jersey

Guns. Knives. Bullets. Drug use. Sex. Graphic Violence. Profanity.

This is what you get in "Brotherhood", Showtime's original series focusing on Irish and Italian organized crime and politics in Providence, RI. The acting is incredible, all the way down to the minor cast members. Fine directors as well, including Nick Gomez - who has made several films (including "New Jersey Drive" and the excellent "Laws of Gravity") and directed episodes of HBO's "Oz" and "The Sopranos" as well.

I think what makes the show work is it's heart the creators put into it. Being from an Irish father and an Italian mother from Jersey City, I see a lot of authenticity in what's left of these two ethnic groups in America's ghettos portrayed. Perfect examples of this would be: Freddie Cork (Kevin Chapman), an Irish-American crime boss who is sober and committed to his wife and children; Declan Giggs, (played brilliantly by Ethan Embry) as a cop who just can't seem to decide which side of the law he's truly on; Alphonse Nazzoli (John Fiore), a hotheaded Italian mob capo who should have had a role on "The Sopranos".

No, it may not totally surpass "The Sopranos", but "Brotherhood" is nonetheless great for what it is, and has all of the gangster violence bloodhounds scream for. Highly recommended.

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