Black Doves Season 1 Finale: Key Character Death and Creator Reveals Sam’s Final Choice

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for the Black Doves season 1 finale!

Season 1 Finale Insights from Joe Barton

In a gripping conclusion to the first season of Black Doves, creator Joe Barton provides valuable insights into the pivotal character decisions and the intense emotional fallout stemming from a major character death. The finale sees Jason (Andrew Koji) tragically murdered by Trent (Angus Cooper), the son of notorious London crime lord Alex Clark (Tracy Ullman). This act is especially chilling as it seeks to eliminate any link to Trent’s unintentional killing of Ambassador Chen (Andy Cheung).

While Helen (Keira Knightley) is driven by revenge over Jason’s death, it is ultimately Sam (Ben Whishaw) who takes the drastic step of killing Trent. This decision introduces significant complications, particularly with the Clarks, who are known for their fierce retaliation.

The Motive Behind Sam’s Actions

During an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Barton elaborated on Sam’s motivations. He revealed that Sam’s choice to eliminate Trent was rooted in his desire to shield Helen from the moral burden of the act. Sam’s character has long adhered to a personal code that includes avoiding unnecessary violence against innocent people, complicating his feelings about Trent, whom he sees as flawed but ultimately a “gentle soul”who made a grave mistake.

He does it because he loves [Helen] and because he owes her and because he’s trying to protect her from the burden of killing that kid. He’s always lived his life by this code of not killing innocent people. Though you can argue that Trent isn’t innocent, that he’s done bad things, he’s still a gentle soul who’s made a terrible mistake.

The idea was that Sam makes a personal sacrifice for his friend because he loves her, and because, as you see in Episode 3, she sacrificed her own chance to get out in order to help him. He’s there to do anything for her, so he does it.

[Sam has] put himself in the firing line, so he knows that he’s just not able to be with the man that he loves because he’s dangerous. That’s emphasized by the fact that Hector (Luther Ford) turns up at Michael’s (Omari Douglas) house and gives him an ultimatum: ‘You can either come work for me and continue being in the criminal world, or you can leave — but you leave forever.’

Michael isn’t even an option, so it’s kind of over. Sam knows when he goes back to Michael’s flat that it’s impossible [to be with Michael], but he can’t say it, so they have a little dance.

The Implications of Sam’s Decision

Throughout Black Doves, Sam consistently displays a willingness to put himself in harm’s way for his loved ones. His decision to take on the responsibility for Trent’s death further underscores his commitment to Helen, emphasizing that he would rather shoulder the emotional burden himself than let it taint her conscience. However, by also eliminating Alex, Sam now faces imminent danger, as the crime world retaliates against him.

His forthcoming employment with Hector proves to be a precarious path, as he will be navigating the treacherous waters of the criminal milieu while likely also seeking retribution against the remnants of the Clark crime family. This narrative trajectory hints at a complicated and dangerous future for Sam, as glimpsed in his final encounter with Helen during a Christmas party, where he implies that their story is far from concluded.

Looking Ahead: Season 2 of Black Doves

A Selfless Action with High Stakes

Sam Young (Ben Whishaw) under an overpass and pointing a pistol at Hector in the rain in Black Doves — Custom image by Sean Morrison

With the implications of his actions, Sam is poised to become a primary target for the Clark crime organization in the anticipated second season. His choices could either ensnare Helen further into the criminal underbelly or lead him to face the fallout on his own. Black Doves effectively utilizes its personal narrative to set the stage for larger, more complex conflicts ahead, with Sam’s fate taking center stage in this evolving storyline.

For more details, visit Netflix Tudum.

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