Originally published July 11, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
Bloodline
“We’re not bad people but we did a bad thing”
I just want to get this out there: I am in love with this show. Bloodline a new Netflix original series centered around a family who run a vacation resort in the Florida Keys, is purely exceptional television and why more people aren’t talking about it is a crime shame. Now, it has its fans, for sure, stemming from both critics and audiences alike but this show deserves to be championed and cherished as the truly wonderful drama that it most certainly is.
The story starts when eldest son and brother Danny (Ben Mendelsohn) comes home to the family run business and basically shakes things up in a big way. Danny is the dark sheep of the family, a disappointment in his fathers eyes and an unwanted reminded of a dark childhood for his brothers and sisters. As the story progresses and we get to live with these wonderfully drawn out characters we get to peer into this dark past and see exactly why everyone is so pissed off with Danny. Bloodline is steeped in mystery, unveiled subtly in hazy flash backs and foggy dream sequences, the writers giving us a little more of the puzzle with each passing episode but only to then take the puzzle away and tell you that those pieces you were playing with belong to a much different and far more dangerous game altogether.
The writing is brilliant on this show, as is the directing, cinematography, music etc but the really champions of this venture are the superbly assembled cast, all delivering detailed, nuanced and realistic performances that are unapologetic but never to a fault. These aren’t the most likable bunch, just like Danny’s younger brother and leader of the family, John (Kyle Chandler), says in the most memorable line of the season, “We’re not bad people but we did a bad thing”. These guys aren’t perfect and they will do whatever it takes to keep their morally grey history well and truly in the past. The stand out performance of the show however, in a star making turn, is Ben Mendelsohn. He is immaculate as Danny Rayburn and takes a hold of every scene he is in by the balls, only ever surrendering it when he strolls off down the beach with a wry smile and cigarette hanging from his mouth. It would be a travesty if this man isn’t recognised for his beautiful work come awards season.
Bloodline may not be attracting the attention of House of Cards, Orange is the New Black or Daredevil but it is every bit as good if not better than its fellow Netflix shows. With a second season on the way and a cliffhanger that both excites and intrigues already in the books, Bloodline is already cemented in place for shows to look forward to in 2016. This is a great one folks, hopefully it can continue along this fascinating road it has started upon and maybe pull in a few more eyes along the way.
