Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Charlie at the cabinet table. RTÉ Player

So, was episode two of Charlie actually any good?

Review: Aidan Gillen is excellent again but other characters come into their own in the second instalment.

AFTER THE FRANTIC pace of episode one, the decision to focus on just one year and not three in episode two of ‘Charlie’ proved a wise one last night, even if it was the action-packed 1982.

Aidan Gillen was once again masterful as Haughey, growing into the role even more as the RTÉ drama rattled through the extraordinary GUBU events of that year.

Right from the beginning, we see more of Haughey obsessed by securing power. The opening scene notes the unsuccessful and still-controversial attempt by Brian Lenihan to persuade President Patrick Hillery to allow Haughey to form a government without an election.

Once an election is held, Haughey is able to return to power with the help of independents, notably Tony Gregory (played by Laurence Kinlan) who frequently clashes with the Fianna Fáil man throughout the programme.

Both come from working class backgrounds and both apparently want to help their constituents. Haughey seeks common ground with Gregory by saying ‘the culchies’ keep undermining his plans for regenerating Dublin.

But while the Taoiseach speaks of grand visions for the capital with a financial centre to create ‘trickle down’ wealth, Gregory just wants houses with “a jacks inside”.

gregory Laurence Kinlan plays Tony Gregory RTÉ Player RTÉ Player

Gregory is a man who Haughey must do business with, but the man who he wants to do business with – in an attempt to undermine his nemesis Thatcher  - is French president Francois Mitterand whom he regards as a kindred spirit. 

The pair bring their mistresses – Lucy Kohu is again excellent as Terry Keane – on a trip to Haughey’s island, Inisvickillane.

Here we witness a GUBU-esque scene in itself as Mitterand encourages Haughey to indulge in the controversial French practice of eating a whole, cooked ortolan – a tiny Finch-like songbird – in the traditional way by concealing his head beneath a white napkin.

bird RTÉ Player RTÉ Player

It’s a bizarre scene interrupted by the emerging craziness back in Dublin where it has transpired that a man wanted for two notorious murders is in the home of the Attorney General.

In case none of the Malcolm McArthur controversy rings a bell, Haughey offers a helpful explanation of the significance of the events to a tearful Keane in the car on the way back to Dublin.

Character-wise, we thankfully see less of the bumbling Brian Lenihan although he is unfortunately still portrayed as some sort of imbecile. In one scene, he goes looking for a sandwich as Haughey courts Mitterand – and his mistress.

Tom Vaughan Lawlor’s PJ Mara is a peripheral figure this time around as he is appointed to the Seanad, but we do thankfully get the immortal ‘uno Duce, uno voce’ line as Haughey sees off another heave, although disappointingly there is no sign of his infamous goose-step.

The real star of this episode is Gavin O’Connor’s Seán Doherty who really comes into his own as Haughey’s fiercely loyal justice minister.

doherty Gavin O'Connor plays Seán Doherty RTÉ Player RTÉ Player

His unstinting loyalty to ‘The Boss’ feeds into a complete paranoia about Haughey’s opponents that drives the decision to tap the phones of political enemies and journalists. It would ultimately lead to Doherty’s – and eventually Haughey’s – downfall.

An honourable mention too to Gus McDonagh’s portrayal of “the most cunning of them all” — one Bertie Ahern. McDonagh manages to capture the rabbit in headlights look of Haughey’s chief whip as Dermot Morgan once did so brilliantly.

Ahern is frequently seen as being the bearer of bad news as he delivers word of yet another no confidence motion in the Taoiseach.

Episode two is a far more settled affair than the frenetic pace of episode one and the characters seem more comfortable in their roles. The Batman-esque music is still grating but there was enough last night to make us look forward to the third and final episode of this landmark drama.

Read: Mary O’Rourke was ‘a bit troubled’ by Charlie’s depiction of Brian Lenihan

Last week: 724,000 of you tuned in to watch Charlie on RTÉ One last night

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
54 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernie Linnane McBride
    Favourite Bernie Linnane McBride
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:28 AM

    For someone who hadn’t lived through the 1980s in Ireland this would have been difficult to believe. But it was real.
    We actually elected these people!
    We get the politicians we deserve….

    318
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Ciarraioch
    Favourite An Ciarraioch
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:06 AM

    I agree Bernie .
    Having lived through the GUBU years , I thought that the depiction and characterisations were excellent altogether.
    It showing the ability of Haughey to truly manipulate through a problem himself in a singular fashion, was another fascinating insight that I had forgotten.
    I can understand however, that it’s probably difficult for someone who didn’t live it to truly understand and appreciate the corruption level then too.

    It just mirror images what’s been happening to this day too .
    Enda Kenny is no different, in trying to hold to the reins of power , by any means today , as Haughey did then !

    I will look foreword to watching the entire again , after next Sunday’s conclusion.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Slater
    Favourite Kevin Slater
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:07 AM

    No we don’t actually. Politicians of all hues are the same. It’s a game and you play it or get out. None of them is interested in ‘the people’. There is therefore only the illusion of choice.
    It has nothing to do with anything as high-minded or fantastical as democracy

    65
    See 12 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Carey
    Favourite Paul Carey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:16 AM

    Kerryman. Has anything really changed since then with the goings on we are witnessing with Sinn Fein in Dáil Éireann and outside?

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Lane
    Favourite Dermot Lane
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:23 AM

    I lived through the GUBU years as well, in fact I don’t think they ever ended. We are a GUBU nation, with another in a long line of GUBU governments in place right now

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason
    Favourite Jason
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:42 AM

    Paul, SF good. Everyone else bad. See?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Ciarraioch
    Favourite An Ciarraioch
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:15 AM

    Paul Carey – It’s a matter of historical fact that Sinn Fein , as abstentionists then , were not parties to events inside Dáil Éireann.
    So what’s your point please ?

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Carey
    Favourite Paul Carey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:28 AM

    Kerryman. I am talking about now. Sinn Fein’s lack of respect for the democratic and justice institutions of this country is akin to the Haughey era of 1982.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murphey
    Favourite David Murphey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:48 AM

    I’m no fan of Enda Kenny but to suggest he is “no different” from Haughey is a stretch. Haughey was corrupt and a major tax evader, among other things. Kenny may be incompetent but that’s about the worst thing you can say about him.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Ciarraioch
    Favourite An Ciarraioch
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:07 PM

    Paul Carey – God bless but you
    Enda-Ites, have such a huge fixation with SF .
    The subject article here is The Haughey Series.
    Personally, I’m enjoying it .
    It’s pretty well accurate in its content. The acting and characterisations are pretty good .

    I haven’t seen any SF personalities involved to date , other then in Episode 1 , when Bobby Sands was elected in Fermanagh / South Tyrone, as an MP. ?

    It’s extraordinary though that the corruption depicted, is almost a mirror image of what’s gone in this generation, with the present and previous Government, in terms of attempted cover ups !

    Aren’t we lucky, that there is a vigilant Opposition in Dáil Éireann presently ?

    I think that there have been about Six Senior Ministers replaced to date – or is it more then that ?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Carey
    Favourite Paul Carey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:35 PM

    Kerryman. I suppose blind followers will just follow. Cannot question their leader just like Mary Lou and yourself. God help us.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Lane
    Favourite Dermot Lane
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:53 PM

    Ah there you are An Ciarraoch! I thought you and Werejammin had retired from the journal, I was watching out for your comments on the terrorist attack in Paris, but I didn’t see any comments. Strange that.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Carey
    Favourite Paul Carey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 1:04 PM

    I noticed that also Dermot, a complete lack of Shinners in the past week. Gerry et al must all be on holidays also; heard no condemnation from them either. I am genuinely baffled by this.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Ciarraioch
    Favourite An Ciarraioch
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 1:58 PM

    Dermot – You obviously haven’t read them so .
    I abhor all violence and murder – always !
    A position that I have held since I was in my teenage years of over forty years .
    I also support fully, freedom of opinion and freedom of speech – something that we were denied in this Country , by virtue of Section 31 , up to nearly 20 years ago , by successive repressive Governments !

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Ciarraioch
    Favourite An Ciarraioch
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 2:00 PM

    Paul Carey – I’m a leader or follower of nothing and I can assure you that I have 20/20 vision – unlike you Enda-Ites !

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ROS123
    Favourite ROS123
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:47 AM

    If it wasn’t so tragic, it might be amusing. I lived through it, 90% of my friends emigrated, I was part of a new small family, the struggle was hard. I was one of the lucky ones, I had a steady job in private industry, money was poor but regular. It was a hand to mouth existence, saved only by both sets of parent who were in a position to help. Last night made my blood boil, seeing that the #FFAIL ba*****s were only in it for themselves, cowards and licka***s with maybe one or two exceptions. The thing is, it hasn’t changed, look what they have done to the country since, bankrupted us due to their vanity, greed and looking after their own.

    The thing is, the alternatives are equally frightening, where do we go from here……

    113
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:58 AM

    It stands to reason that while many of todays politicians simply stepped into the shoes of other family members, it also appears that that their politics hasn’t changed eirher.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick McEneaney
    Favourite Patrick McEneaney
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:18 AM

    After watch the show last night I couldn’t but feel this country would be in alot better position today if our present leadership stood up to our “friends” in Europe in the same way as Haughey stood up to Thatcher over the malvinas islands. Whatever else you say about Haughey he had balls of steel which is alot more than can be said for the all talk no action spineless wimp we have for Taoiseach today.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dylan Neary
    Favourite Dylan Neary
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:52 AM

    He d balls of steel alright Mr mceneaney but so have most dictators

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Dunne
    Favourite James Dunne
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:41 AM

    Haughey was a kept man, utterly beholden to the banks and others to maintain him in a lifestyle he felt he deserved. His legacy has been nothing but corrosive on Irish politics and “standing up” to Thatcher over the Falklands was nothing more than an excuse to wrap himself in the green flag and pretend to himself and the public that he was a great statesman when really all he was was a thug with delusions of grandeur, albeit a very smart thug.

    44
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scipio
    Favourite Scipio
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:07 PM

    ‘Malvinas islands’. Get a grip man and don’t be blinded by fascist Aregentinan propaganda. The islands are British and rightly so. At least unlike Argentina the ancestors of the settlers did not massacre the locals to gain control of them. Argentina is a product of genocide and over 90% of the population are of European stock.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick McEneaney
    Favourite Patrick McEneaney
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:28 PM

    Most dictators will look after their own country

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick McEneaney
    Favourite Patrick McEneaney
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:32 PM

    Good man scipio. You probably be of the think to that the brits should have the right to occupy six counties of our country because they brough in their settlers from Scotland.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scipio
    Favourite Scipio
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:39 PM

    Forget about the ‘Brits’ and focus for one moment. How do you think Argentina came into being? Do you think it was empty before all of those Spanish and Italians arrived there?
    The Falklands on the other hand were empty before they were settled. And the people who reside there wish to remain affiliated to the UK. You’re letting your hatred of ‘the Brits’ blind you to the facts.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Rex
    Favourite Charles Rex
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:33 AM

    Missed it. Teen Wolf was on – a much better way to remember the 80′s!

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leadog
    Favourite Leadog
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:53 AM

    Saddam with a hurley. He had WMD after all.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mansfield
    Favourite Chris Mansfield
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:48 AM

    For most of the characters, I knew who they were, but there was one guy, who kept cropping up – the guy who overheard the conversation between Haughey and Mara in the jacks – that I didn’t know.

    Can anyone enlighten me?

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Carey
    Favourite Paul Carey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:47 AM

    Also the business man called John. Who is he?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chewey Bacca
    Favourite Chewey Bacca
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:55 AM

    Thats TD #7 – Fictional as far as the show goes but probably represents a junior minister of that time

    17
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Doyle
    Favourite Larry Doyle
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:39 PM

    Joe Walsh TD from cork who later became Minister for Agriculture and passed away last year I beleve.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Doyle
    Favourite Larry Doyle
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:40 PM

    John Gallagher failed builder/banker/crook.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute foxyfonz
    Favourite foxyfonz
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:48 AM

    Aidan Gillen is brutal, can’t hold an accent for more than 2 sentences in everything he’s in. How people think he’s great is beyond me.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Slater
    Favourite Kevin Slater
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:12 AM

    Absolutely correct. Amateurish and embarrassing crap. It’s like, look mom I’m acting!
    Why are Irish actors afraid of their own accents? Do they think they will be thought common?

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Healy
    Favourite John Healy
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:29 AM

    Actors are sometimes required to “do” accents – it’s part of the job. Gillen does a great impersonation of Haughey, accent and all. If anyone wanted to avoid sounding common it was Haughey himself.

    101
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute foxyfonz
    Favourite foxyfonz
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:41 AM

    The whole idea is to keep the same accent throughout. The many accents he has in Game of thrones is unreal, different one every couple of episodes.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Arthur Deeny
    Favourite Arthur Deeny
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:37 AM

    Sorry?!? Did you marry this programme. I can’t believe I saw the same show as you. The dialogue last night was just as wooden and the acting as amateurish as in the first episode. The only difference this time was that the plot was even more tedious than the first episode. Charlie was the black prince of Irish politics but you would never guess why from this dull history lesson. Yawn!

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Behan
    Favourite Ciarán Behan
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:06 AM

    Much better I thought than last week

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Flanagan
    Favourite Ronan Flanagan
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:41 AM

    Does an excellent job of exposing Irish politics for what it is, really shocking stuff

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran O'Reilly
    Favourite Ciaran O'Reilly
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:33 AM

    Is this going to be a article on here every Monday? Has to be something better to write about.. What about the picture going around of people in a village in Africa burned to death, 2000 people supposedly. How about writing a article on that.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Minogue
    Favourite Paul Minogue
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:48 AM

    You want to write it?

    People can write what they are interested in, or feel they have knowledge about. Maybe this author doesn’t know much about the incident in Africa, or doesn’t have the aptitude to write about something that serious. This is a free service to you.

    Your comment makes it look like you don’t understand how the Internet or journalism work.

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Jenkinson
    Favourite Cathal Jenkinson
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:49 AM

    Ah give up yer aul sins!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:02 AM

    I remember Haughy arriving in our town once after the council had been out sweeping the streets. One of the few times I ever saw the council sweeping our street.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jack frost
    Favourite jack frost
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:13 AM

    Cowboy rogue politicians….

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Carry
    Favourite Daniel Carry
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 9:34 AM

    A lot better than the first one alright though still with its flaws.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neo1
    Favourite neo1
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 10:25 AM

    When I was a kid on holidays in dingle I clearly remember the anti extradition protest surrounding Charlie as he was firing a shotgun to start the dingle regatta we were nearly crushed me and my brother funny now fecking scary back then

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Grey
    Favourite George Grey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:11 AM

    I found the whole programme a bit unbelievable. Not just the sword fight. Haughey sounds at times as if he took elecution lessons from W.C.Fields and the scenes tagged together in a rush didn’t make for great viewing. The dinner scene with Mitterand was also a bit puzzling. As I remember it, Mitterand had this illegal dish just before he died with a group of close friends. I never heard of him sharing it with Charlie….but why put it in anyway? The whole series seems so far like a set of fractured scenes all tagged together. “House of Cards” this is not, the whole thing seems clumsy to me. Spent most of my time wishing that most of the cast would just take their suits offf and get back to the sets of Love/Hate.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Grey
    Favourite George Grey
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:15 AM

    And then there was the scene where the shopkeeper walks out to his house and tells him she is going to England and needs money. Which he duly hands over. Bizarre! Though I might walk to Castlebar this weekend and knock on Enda’s door…..

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Samhain.
    Favourite Samhain.
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:42 AM

    Can’t believe so many people actually believe that tripe ……it’s a TV show,loosely based on events of the time, with pantomime villains and super heroes. As an historical record it’s as true as a John Wayne western.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dingle Photographer
    Favourite Dingle Photographer
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 3:05 PM

    Rubbish comment
    I bet you do not know the’ Dingle town’ connection to a certain event portrayed last night .. I do

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Doherty
    Favourite Kieran Doherty
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 11:45 AM

    Not going to watch this but remeber what Joyce said
    Ireland is the old sow that eats her farrow

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marko Burns
    Favourite Marko Burns
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:42 PM

    Very different style to the first episode- more accessible and the dialogue wasn’t straight out of wikipedia as much.

    They should actually do another 3 episodes and really fictionalise where it might have led. Dictatorship, FF Stasi Police, concentration camps for journo’s and socialists. 1984- Irish styley…

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Skinner
    Favourite Leslie Skinner
    Report
    Jan 12th 2015, 12:34 PM

    Had enough of him in real life to be bothered watching a re’run,gangster end of.

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds