Steven Knight’s new series, A Thousand Blows, set in late-Victorian East London, revolves around bare-knuckle boxing as a backdrop for examining various societal violence. The narrative highlights the abuse against children, exploitation of the impoverished, gender violence, and colonial oppression in a rapidly industrializing city. Although boxing attracts some viewers, the show offers much more, promising robust storytelling and rich character dynamics. The series concludes hinting at potential character development in future seasons, with actor Stephen Graham’s portrayal of Henry Sugar Goodson standing out as a key highlight in a gritty setting.
the experience is one of energetic abundance rather than chaos.
the conclusion leaves us set fair for a second series, so those tantalisingly peripheral people may yet get a chance to move centre-stage.
It is about all kinds of violence that perpetrated against children by those supposed to protect them.
Stephen Graham, beefed up and terrifying as Henry Sugar Goodson, the owner of the local pub.
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