If you watched it, you might agree.
Much like its predecessor Rebellion, maintaining a standard of 100% historical accuracy isn’t the raison d’être for RTÉ’s brand new show about the War of Independence, Resistance.
The audience is reintroduced to Jimmy Mahon (Brian Gleeson), who has now been promoted within the ranks of the IRA and given a secret identity. On the other side of things, Mahon’s brother Patrick (David Wilmot) is an officer for the Royal Irish Constabulary. You can see where that arc is going.
This time around, we’re introduced to Michael Collins (Gavin Drea), who is is now a central figure in political events in Ireland and we also learn that there may be a rat in his ranks.
Elsewhere, Ursula Sweeney is a code-breaker at Dublin Castle who turns to the IRA for help after we learn that the nuns have taken her baby away for adoption and given the child to rich American parents – a plotline that’s arguably the strongest one from the first episode.
Aside from this, we were treated to the ominous presence of the Black and Tans throughout the opening episode and some nefarious bankers playing a high stakes game of chance with Ireland’s future.
Here’s what viewers made of the opening episode.
The scene with the nun and Ursula touched a nerve.
The bloody nuns were always worse than the Black and Tans. #RESISTANCE
— Donal O’Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) January 6, 2019
Watching #Resistance on @RTEOne was expecting to get a bit "emotional" seeing scenes with the Black & Tans and stuck up British Officials characters…but that scene with the Nun…fucking rage has shot up… War of Independence should have been fought against the Church as well!
— Mokong (@MokongX3M) January 6, 2019
Michael Collins and the Old IRA won the War of Independence because the nasty nuns took a woman’s child away. Who knew the pivotal role the RCC played in the liberation of Ireland?#Resistance
— John Collins (@HangBlaa) January 6, 2019
Brutal Brits, rotten bankers, saintly rebels and nasty nuns. No cliche left unturned. #Resistance
— Frank Coughlan (@fmcomment) January 6, 2019
The portrayal of Michael Collins is clearly something that’s vital to the show and audiences alike.
While some people couldn’t shake Liam Neeson’s beloved take on ‘The Big Fellow’, others were on board.
This new lad playing Michael Collins is No Liam Neeson and that's NOT a insult that is Just a Fact of Life #RESISTANCE
— Buff Egan (@buff_egan) January 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheBrickovich/status/1082031856898445312
any programme that doesn’t depict Michael Collins entering every room balls first, fists swinging, is grossly historically inaccurate #resistance
— ✨puca beag 👻 (@grywrn1) January 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/george10805954/status/1082042063154266113
There was also praise for the creators for not shying away from the contribution of Irish women to the national cause.
https://twitter.com/lilmizzirish/status/1082039558194282496
The overall impression has been somewhat mixed, but there is also an early feeling that the show is better than Rebellion still has room to improve.
In case you missed it, the first episode of Resistance can be seen on the RTÉ Player here.
Not a bad aul start #resistance looking forward to next week now.
After #Rebellion @rte had a lot of ground to make up for our forgiveness! #resistancerte 👍🏼🇮🇪— Niall Ó Donnghaile 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@NiallSF) January 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/NI_ALLO/status/1082039572517871618
Bravo RTE, a few dodgy accents but overall another terrific effort. I think what I liked most was the portrayal of women – not as shrinking violets but as strong defiant personas. Can’t wait for next week! #Resistance
— Aisling (@ashjclery) January 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/Monto22/status/1082097617918664705
#Resistance on RTÉ was decent enough but why not just tell the story of the War of Independence without the subplots?
— Geoff Dunne (@gdunne1972) January 6, 2019
@rte once again a great opportunity to tell Irish History correctly is missed. Too many sidelines. Our fight for independence was a real event. #Resistance
— Mary Whelan (@setdance) January 6, 2019
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