When Adolescence took over Netflix , one of the best aspects was that it felt incredibly fresh. The kind of storyline you may expect from a drama: a family reeling after a shocking revelation, but the exploration of toxic masculinity, misogyny, and use of one-takes for every episode made it unique and pulled you into the story via its visceral nature. Perhaps the only issue with Adolescence is that it has only four parts. However, if you are still craving a British drama that will bring a new perspective to a previously well-trodden genre, look no further than Code of Silence .
This six-part series, produced by ITV, follows a partially deaf woman, Alison, played by Eastenders and Doctor Who actor, Rose Ayling-Ellis , who is deaf in real life, becomes a lip-reader and then an informant for the police during an investigation into a gang's planned bank heist. We normally know what to expect from a crime drama of this nature, especially with the plethora of shows that follow characters who sink into despair as they investigate elaborate crimes. However, Code of Silence stands apart from other pieces within this genre Not only are Alison's daily obstacles and experiences as a partially deaf woman grounded and fascinating, but the larger themes of the show are especially timely.
'Code of Silence' Subverts the Typical Crime Drama By Grounding Alison's Struggles
Typically, in other detective pieces such as Luther , the protagonist's subplot would revolve around either a romantic relationship or a descent into depression or other dark traits as they get closer to the world of crime. Instead, Code of Silence focuses on the frustration felt not only by disabled people in the workplace, but also the difficulties working-class people can have in just trying to get by. Though she comes under threat later on, when Alison's mother and roommate, Julie ( Fifi Garfield ), focuses on her dealing with the possibility of losing her house or not being able to get a job due to her Access to Work forms being ridiculously delayed. These issues are relatable to far more people than the idea of evil taking over one's soul as they spend more time in it, and instead Make us sympathetic to the characters of Alison and Julie by showing them in situations that some of us may have found ourselves in. or many may have known someone who has gone through similar and how hard it was. Furthermore, these are issues many people face, but not enough focus is given to them on just how hard these kinds of lives can be, so seeing them portrayed in Code of Silence makes the show feel especially significant.
While Alison does have a subplot that involves the trope of an ex-lover in Eithan ( Rolf Choutan ), this is flipped in terms of how, rather than the protagonist being the one trying to win back the one that got away, Alison is the one telling Eithan she doesn't want to date him anymore. This gives her far more agency. As a character, she explores the deeper issues within her psyche effectively, pushing her to go to more extreme lengths to find satisfaction or, as she tells Eithan in one episode, when he is trying to win her back at a cinema, to give herself "what she needs."
'Code of Silence' Blends Strength and Vulnerability in Alison's Deafness
The portrayal and inclusion of deaf people in TV and film, though present, has arguably been incredibly limited in terms of leading roles, apart from the successful year of 2021 , and this means that the way Code of Silence The handling of the character's disability should be scrutinized as well as celebrated. In terms of how it is handled, the ITV-produced drama does not present Alison's deafness as a weakness. However, the lack of power she holds in dynamics and the fact she is always underestimated does come from how her deafness is perceived by others.
It is only because of her skills as a lip-reader that the investigation gains any information to use. However, the team of detectives implores her to be less involved in the case, such as DS Ashleigh ( Charlotte Ritchie ), who, although she comes from a place of care, doesn't realize Alison's competence When Alison is near the criminals as she goes undercover, her confidence skyrockets, and we see her being more confrontational to learn what information she can, but only because she knows how they don't perceive her as a threat, because she is deaf, especially Braden. Joe Absolom ), who openly mocks her about her condition.
'The Code of Silence' Explores the Morals of Crime and Capitalism
In an era when wealth inequality has never been so massive , Code of Silence uses this to explore not only why someone may turn to crime, but why Alison, and we, may become sympathetic to someone who does. During her role as an informant, Alison becomes increasingly in contact with Liam ( Kieron Moore ), the hacker for the group and the youngest. As their relationship develops, we see that this is not a stereotypical criminal, but someone desperate for a life where they no longer have to worry about the burdens of economics. When this is coupled with the financial struggles Alison goes through, and is contrasted with the target of the heist, a mega-rich business person with a spoiled child, the audience is invited to ask whether a criminal is a bad person , or if we could all break the law in the pursuit of a better life, especially if we believe we weren't truly hurting anyone in doing so.
It may only be two episodes longer than Adolescence , but Code of Silence You should definitely be the next show you binge on BritBox. There is so much to appreciate in the acting of Ayling-Ellis and the portrayal of her disability. The new experience you get from the way the story embraces BSL and subtitles is also noteworthy. I don't know if she is the next Sherlock Holmes or Luther. Idris Elba ), but Code of Silence Alison's case is certainly one you'll be thoroughly entertained and intrigued by.
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