I love this show. An Irish Mob/Political drama in the same sorta vein as
Soprano's, where the criminal aspects are more a vehicle for the deeper
storylines rather then the main focus itself. The creator of this series
(a New England born bloke named Blake Masters) has acknowledged the Brothers Bulger
as his main inspiration, them being, of course, the notorious Whitey Bulger,
currently lamming it as America's 2nd most wanted, and his 100% law abididing
(& long suffering, id imagine) brother, William M. (Billy) Bulger, prominent
politician and University of Massachusetts president.

Anyway. I digest.

Specifically, Brotherhood has a focus on the dynamic between the two brothers,
that being Michael Caffee, the ruthless Irish mobster, and his younger brother
Tommy, a young, popular and ambitious up-and-coming politician. Set in Providence,
Rhode Island, Tommy is the well liked House of Reps. member for a small
neighbourhood known as "The Hill". Tommy genuinely cares about his ward and its
constituents but is haunted by his brothers deeds and reputation, which sometimes
force him into positions of damage control. While he has made it clear that he values
his ward and career (and other family members) above Michael, sometimes steps he
takes to protect himself end up also protecting Michael. Since Tommy is not above
bending the rules to get his political way, he feels some things are nescesary.
The political realm can be reminscent of the criminal: some of Tommy's political
meetings have all the gravitas of a Soprano's sitdown.

Now Michael is every bit as ambitious in his chosen career, but also posesses a ruthless
and almost sadistic streak - socipathic like. Mike is a career criminal, well known
in a place where the future gangsters, policemen, lawyers, politicians and tradepeople
all grew up and played together. After a long period on the lam, he quietly slips back
to the Hill, picking up where he left off, sliding back into the Irish rackets, kicking
up to Freddie Cork (almost like an Irish Tony Soprano, this guy) the Boss of a small
crew of Irish thugs, operating from the Hill in the orbit of the local LCN crime family.

Shot on location, with spot on accents, the feel of this series is part of what rates it
well for me. In the same way that "The Sopranos" perfectly captured New Jersey suburbia,
its old shopping districts as well as the new malls and salons, "Brotherhood" portrays
the close-knit, old neighbourhood feeling one would expect in pre-gentrification
ethnic enclaves, as well as the other side of family industries and community businesses.
Perhaps the most impressive is its capture of the pomp and regality of political life,
with the Rhode Island State House playing a massive role in the shows atmosphere.

THe acting is all solid, and some of the cast absolutely inspired in my opinion.
English actor Jason Isaacs, a veteran stage actor better known for his bad guy roles,
such as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies and the villian in Mel Gibsons
"The Patriot", does a great job as the sociopathic Michael. Jason Clarke plays Tommy,
and in my own opinion is amazing and the stand out in his role. In fact, this
performance really impressed me, seeing as until recently this little-known Australian
actor worked mostly Australian television roles (stuff like Home And Away and Stingers)
He really blew me away in this, and i would say it his performance in this series had a
bearing on his making the cast in 2009's Public Enemies.
Annabeth Gish (Tommy;s wife Eileen) and Kevin Chapman (Mob Boss Freddie Cork) are other
standouts.Cameos such as Mark Margolis (Antonio Nappa in Oz), John Fiore (Gigi Cestone
in the Soprano's, also playing a mobster here) and Kevin Conway (known for his grizzled
Irish father roles)

The cast apparantly took dialect and accent coaching seriously, even listening to
vocal tracks on music players and ipods to get it down.

While this is a great show, and comes very close, it still does not topple The Sopranos .
The thing about the Soprano's was that it dealt with an ethnic identity, as well as all
the topical subjects and modern life malaise that is life in the 21st century. I always
thought that a big part of the Sopranos was its predominantly Italian American cast:
many of these guys didnt seem to be acting so much as being the role. While Brotherhood
is a gem, it is not interpretive of the Irish-American experience, perhaps in part to
an ensemble cast of various nationalities. It does though, come closer than
"The Black Donnely's" did, and that show had plenty of potential, even with some weak
episodes.

What really sucks? Despite consistently drawing praise for its actors and depth of
writing and plotlines, Brotherhood remained widely unknown and unwatched. Which sucks,
because its now been cancelled after three great seasons.

Highly reccomended.

This show was highly rated here in the US. You can check the reviews by looking it up on

www.imdb.com

True!

Why didnt people watch it? Im havent been so cut about a series cancellation since they stopped showing Hermans Head reruns on free-to-air television.,

There's no obvious rhyme or reason to why TV shows get cancelled here.

I watched the first 2 series of this show. It was great. We have never recieved any more series. I did not know it had been cut though. Sad news.....

Somebody said the show is coming back. It was a cool show about the Irish Mob. For some reason the Americani just wanna watch a show about the Italians then any other culture.

Soprano's - Was pretty much about the Decavalcante family of Northern New Jersey.

Brotherhood- Was kind of about The Winter Hill Gang of Massachusetts.

Somebody said its coming back? Now thats some good news - i need to find out what happens between Nazolli and Michael.

I should mention too that having never actually been to New Jersey or Rhode Island, when i say it "perfectly captures" these places, i am speaking on my own impressions of such places. Nothing for nothing.

i saw all the episodes they only had 3 seasons i got them all through netflix! i was sad it was over!

how do u guys think this show was compared to the sopranos?
is it better,worse or just as good?

Well i would give the Sopranos 100% top marks but Brotherhood would be about 90%. A very good show indeed!

That's right!!

Thank you

Well the missing 3rd series has arrived on our screens but there are only 8 episodes in it

A major shame cos this is a tremendous show. Gets better with every episode!