Striking Out: A Solid Hit

My wife and I binged the two seasons of Striking Out, originally (in 2017-2018) on Irish TV, now on Acorn via Amazon Prime.  The show only ran two seasons, and there's apparently no prospect for a third season, which is a shame, because the two seasons were quite good, and the second season ended on an unexpected turn of events.

The set-up of the show is something we've seen before: a happily married or about to be happily married woman comes home to find her man happily going at it in bed with another woman.   In the case of Striking Out, Tara and Eric, the about-to-be-married happy couple, both are attorneys, who work in Eric father's firm, and just for good measure, Tara's father is an attorney, too.  Lots of possibilities there, and the narrative is especially enjoyable to see because it all takes place in Dublin, a sight for sore eyes in these our current COVID-beset times.

But the stories are good, too, and come in two kinds.  One is episodic, as Tara struggles to establish her own practice, and takes this unusual case and that.  The other narrative is continuing, and delves into what's going on in Eric's father's firm.  It's under investigation, by some kind of independent prosecutor who is both brilliant and drinks too much, and whom Tara comes to sometimes work with, which adds further provocative permutations to the story.

The acting is excellent.  Amy Huberman plays an appealing Tara, wounded, powerful, loving, and funny.  The supporting cast features Moe Dunford (Vikings), Neil Morrissey (Line of Duty), and Maria Doyle Kennedy and Nick Dunning from The Tudors, so how can you go wrong?  The only thing wrong about Striking Out is that there's no third season, so here's a final plea for one in case anyone who can make that happen is reading this.