Theater People – The episode opens with Dolours Price (Lola Petticrew) and Marian Price (Hazel Doupe) in Armagh women’s prison. In the present, older Dolours Price (Maxine Peake) tells Mackers with the Belfast Project that she did not have a menstrual cycle for four years because of her poor health. She had to convince herself that food was bad.

1981 – At a prison board meeting, a board member (John Sheahan) tells Marian and Dolours that they could qualify for early release if it is determined they will not fully recover in prison. He asks about their goals after prison. Dolours would advocate non-violence and Marian would dedicate her time to caring for Albert Price (Stuart Graham). The board member warns that they could easily get pulled back into the IRA. A female board member (Hayley-Marie Axe) reminds them of Albert’s IRA connection. Dolours claims he retired and expresses her desire to be a mother.

After serving eight years, Dolours and Marian are released. Albert is waiting when they emerge from the prison. Over breakfast, he claims to be an active IRA member. Dolours supports retirement, not Marian. At Lyric Theatre, Dolours meets an actor, Stephen Rea (Damien Molony). She has drinks with the actors after the play. She tells Stephen that she saw him perform in London on the night before she set off the bombs. They kiss. She later arrives home to find older Gerry Adams (Michael Colgan) waiting for her. He offers his condolences for Chrissie Price’s death. He claims to have been cellmates with Brendan Hughes (Anthony Boyle) until he was released due to lack of evidence. He informs her of his run for parliament. She sarcastically asks if he plans to campaign on the London bombings. He asks her to help with his campaign and assures her that he can win. She declines but offers to hand out flyers. After Gerry leaves to speak with Albert, Eamon (Conor O’Donnell) asks if she would be interested in smuggling Semtex. Later, Dolours tells Marian that she refused to help Gerry smuggle Semtex.

At the theater, Stephen tells Dolours that Lyra (India Mullen) is going to play her in an impending play. He asks if she would mind helping her prepare. She says sure. Later, Lyra says the play is about a female IRA insurgent who lures a soldier. Ryan (Ian Kenny) blurts out that the insurgent is her. She denies taking part in the kidnapping of a soldier. He says they replicated her hairstyle. Lyra assures her that she doesn’t think the IRA is bad people. Ryan describes them as “bad bomb-makers.” Disagreeing, Dolours explains how the IRA was governed by an intense code of ethics. Lyra asks if she feels remorse for killing someone. Dolours imagines Joe Lynskey (Adam Best) staring at her from across the room. She apologizes to Lyra for not being able to help her and asks for another whiskey. Ryan says she is drunk. She denies the allegation and threatens to slap him before going outside. Stephen asks if Lyra upset her. She admits to doing things and asks if they all hate her. He says they are intrigued with her. She asks if he hates her. He professes to like her a lot.

Maze Prison in Northern Ireland – Brendan listens to Gerry’s interview with Irish TV. The newscaster introduces Gerry as a Parliament candidate and supporter of British soldiers being murdered. Gerry claims to support the people’s right to defend themselves, not the killing of British soldiers. The inmates cheer him. He denies any affiliation with the IRA. Francis (Art Parkinson) and the other inmates are disappointed.

In the present, a makeup artist (Shannon Watson) does Dolours’ makeup. Dolours orders Danny (Daithi O’ Haragain) to get dressed for Stephen’s show. Older Marian Price (Helen Behan) expresses her dislike of parties and people who applaud themselves. Dolours says The Old Bailey is not far from there. Danny asks what is there. Marian says it is the seat of the corrupt British legal system. Dolours admits to blowing it up. Marian asks if she is drinking. Dolours retrieves a bottle of vodka from a bag in the bathroom. Continuing to be plagued by Joe, Dolours asks Marian if they shouldn’t have done some things. Marian claims to have put it out of her mind and has confidence in her sense of judgment. She says their mother would be ashamed of how Dolours sneaks around and drinks alcohol.

Older Helen McConville (Laura Donnelly) takes her children to church. She sees the IRA insurgent, Coleman (Marty Maguire) involved in Jean McConville’s disappearance singing in the choir. After church, she expresses her disapproval of Coleman in a leadership role. The Father (Lalor Roddy) says Coleman has a fine voice. She asks if he ever spoke of Jean. He urges her to forgive and forget.

Older Brendan Hughes (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) pays Gerry a surprise visit. Gerry tells him if he was honest about his IRA affiliation, he would go back to jail. Brendan says some of the men are skeptical. He questions if Gerry is too soft. Gerry claims everything he does is to win the war. Brendan accuses him of building his house on the backs of the men in prison. Gerry urges him to have faith because he is doing it for him and pats him on the shoulder. At an AA meeting, Dolours says her regrets were done while she was sober. She attributes her drinking to the occupation of Ireland. She admits her part in Joe’s death and feels back for his family who has no idea what happened to him. The AA leader (Brona C. Titley) warns Dolours to be careful what she divulges during meetings.

Seamus McKendry (Keith McErlean) and Helen ask Coleman what he knows about Jean’s disappearance. Helen places Jean’s photo on the table. Coleman urges her to put it away but she refuses. She shows him Jean’s Blackpool postcard. He says it was not his decision and had no say in the matter before walking away. Helen watches Gerry’s interview on TV. She questions who ordered Jean’s abduction. Seamus suggests it was Gerry’s order.

 

Say Nothing Review

The IRA insurgency is put on the back burner to make screen time for Dolours’ life after prison. It is more like her pity party. She is supposedly full of regrets like her part in Joe’s murder.

It reverts back to Jean’s disappearance but nothing comes of it. The series should have ended after episode six. The episode is a slog to get through and it deserves a 4 out of 10.

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