Mark 8:36 (9 Jul. 2006)

Tommy Caffee is a rising star in Rhode Island politics and the prince of his home ward - a working-class Irish district known as "The Hill." The murder of local gangster Patty Mullin opens ... See full summary »

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writers:

Blake Masters (creator), Blake Masters

Stars:

Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Isaacs	...	Michael Caffee
Jason Clarke	...	Tommy Caffee
Annabeth Gish	...	Eileen Caffee
Ethan Embry	...	Declan Giggs
Stivi Paskoski	...	Pete McGonagle
Kevin Chapman	...	Freddie Cork
Fiona C. Erickson	...	Mary Rose Caffee
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Rose Caffee
Tom Kemp	...	Marty Trio
Karl Bury	...	Alex
Kerry O'Malley	...	Mary-Kate
Billy Smith	...	Kevin 'Moe' Reilly
Al Sapienza	...	Mayor Frank Panzerella
Bates Wilder	...	Jimmy Martinson
Denece Ryland	...	Representative Silk

Storyline

Tommy Caffee is a rising star in Rhode Island politics and the prince of his home ward - a working-class Irish district known as "The Hill." The murder of local gangster Patty Mullin opens the door to the return of Tommy's brother, Michael, whom Patty had sworn to kill. As Michael begins to reclaim his lost criminal enterprises, Irish mob boss Freddie Cork threatens to whack Michael unless Tommy throws state contracts Freddie's way. Meanwhile, Michael gets into a beef with Moe Riley, one of Freddie Cork's underlings, who is currently in control of Michael's old turf. Eileen Caffee, Tommy's wife, has secrets of her own: she meets Carl, an old boyfriend, at a local motel, where they smoke dope and have sex. In the end, Michael achieves a tenuous treaty with Freddie.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 July 2006 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandalay Television, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

54 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Michael Caffee: [after returning home after seven years] You're pissed at me.
Tommy Caffee: How can I be pissed? You're the prodigal son. You know, if Ma could, she'd kill every fatted calf in New England.
Michael Caffee: Ooh, you're wicked pissed.

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Soundtracks

"En Diablo en El Ojo"
by Tindersticks

User Reviews

Wow!

I first read about this show perhaps a year and a half ago and decided to keep an eye on when it would air. My husband and I are big fans of Jason Isaacs and figured we would like it because of him, but found it's a great show overall. I am really impressed with everything - the writing, acting, pace of the show. I have a few quibbles here and there but nothing major, which is why I give it a 10 (that rating goes for the whole series, not just this episode, even though there are some episodes I felt were stronger than others). We're especially impressed with the writing - which is often lacking in TV in general and sometimes it seems like shows like this have a strong premise and then don't deliver. This one delivers in spades. There is so much going on in this first episode I had to watch it 4-5 times to pick up everything (had a little trouble with those accents at first) and each time I noticed different, small things. I also can't say enough about the cast

• I am always impressed with Isaacs, who I would watch reciting the

phone book - but also with Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish, and pretty much everyone else. I haven't seen some of these actors before but I will be watching for them in other shows and movies. This is the best part I have seen Annabeth Gish play - I've always liked her but this is a part that really lets her show her talent. And the young girl who plays Mary Rose, the eldest daughter - I think she will go far. She's a beautiful girl and very talented.

Give this show a chance on DVD if you didn't catch it on cable. It's very complex and I found it helpful to watch the episodes more than once, because sometimes things are said and done that are subtle and if you are a senior citizen like me you may miss a few things. Yes, there is violence and bad words but this is the world these people live in. Like Deadwood and The Sopranos, it fits those worlds. It's well worth your time. And if you've only seen Jason Isaacs playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, be prepared to be totally surprised. He is really an amazing, underrated actor who should be getting a lot more recognition. It's been a real treat to see him every week in my living room instead of having to sit through a so-so movie to see him. Thank goodness for DVDs. :-) I just hope Showtime makes more of this show. In my opinion, it beats the heck out of the later years of the Sopranos. Hope you give it a shot and enjoy it as much as we did!