Acorn TV’s 'Bloodlands' Season 2 is Compelling, But Lacks Focus

Season 2 of Bloodlands, directed by Jon East (Killing Eve) and written by Chris Brandon (Endeavour) returns viewers to the continued downward spiral of bad cop DCI Tom Brannick (James Nesbitt). Despite James Nesbitt’s extraordinary performance, the series lacks the single strong impetus of the first season, which was all about the search for Goliath. Season 2 seems less about the hunt for Goliath or the Troubles and more of an exercise in seeing how much more Tom can get away with.

Season 1 introduced Tom as a man not over the Troubles, which reared its head when Goliath, hitman, terrorist/serial killer, and probably a member of the Belfast police, became active once more after going dormant post-Good Friday, dispelling rumors of his death. Tom’s missing/presumed dead wife, Emma, who served with a unit investigating paramilitary organizations, was presumed to be a Goliath victim from his original spate of killings. However, Tom turned out to have another agenda, deliberately misleading his colleagues, laying false trails, and killing anyone who gets in the way.

After he tried to frame his boss, DCS Jackie Twomey (Lorcan Cranitch), the show revealed its wild twist: Tom is Goliath. Jackie, a corrupt veteran of the Troubles, was almost certainly following orders from higher up to move on and not stir up the past. But Tom’s sidekick, DI Niamh McGovern (Charlene McKenna), also suspects her bosses aren't on the up and up and silently observes, biding her time.