When you’re in the midst of anything difficult you feel like it is going to last forever, until one day all is well again – or at least, a lot better – and you’ve reached the light at the end of the tunnel without even looking up to blink as it loomed in the distance.
The world just felt too dark for you to realise it was there – hope was there – all along, and you were travelling towards it when you felt like you were standing still.
As well as the light, there’s a lightness too – a relief that the journey through the darkness, although a familiar path, has come to an end.
The tunnel is still there, and it’s within reach, but continuing to move forward means it reduces in size until it is out of sight. There, but not reachable. The black dog lurks but it’s not within biting distance.
It’s time to venture out and enjoy the crispness of the winter air. Even the lingering fog in the mornings and the early sunset is better than four walls. There’s no colour and life there. It is all outside and elsewhere. Or, as I’ve discovered, on Netflix in the form of Black Doves.
For once, able to fully concentrate, I’ve been immersed in Black Doves for the last few days. It felt sensible not to watch it all at once, but to look forward to it and enjoy it over the course of the week.
But I ignored that, and, having been drawn into a world of espionage and politics, of which I know very little, I found myself watching the last three episodes in one sitting as the pace of the series intensified.
New to the spy thriller genre and its intricate layers, I occasionally found the complex narrative challenging to follow, especially with the numerous interconnected storylines and a wide cast of characters.
The constant twists and overlapping motives perhaps demanded a level of close attention that I did not have, making it easy to miss key details.
At such times, I found myself watching nothing short of an acting masterclass, with the exceptional talents of Keira Knightley, Sarah Lancashire and Ben Whishaw.
I was captivated by the character of Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), who secretly works for a covert organisation known as the Black Doves. As the wife of the UK’s Secretary of Defence, I was keen to see how she managed to lead a double life while keeping her true identity hidden. Crucially I was keen to know whether she would be alive by the end of the series.
The phrase “richly woven tapestry” might be overused, but it perfectly captures the blend of suspense, intrigue, and drama intertwined with the deeply personal stories of the characters.
Set against a festive backdrop of a snowy London at Christmastime, it was easy to forget the bloodshed, chaos and utter carnage at times, but that’s what I loved about it.
It wasn’t simply a gritty, no-nonsense thriller – it had its softer side too, helped by the presence of Helen Webb’s young children, and the clips of celebration and festive cheer.
There’s nothing better than a little escapism. And as the days roll towards Christmas, watching Netflix curled up on the sofa next to flashing Christmas tree lights, felt like the perfect tonic.
