Striking Out

Striking Out is an arresting legal drama series that originally aired on RTE ONE from 2017 to 2018. Set against the bustling and ambitious backdrop of Dublin, the series portrays the turbulent professional and personal life of Dublin-based solicitor, Tara Rafferty, played by the brilliant Amy Huberman. The story starts with Tara discovering her fiancé, who is also a legal colleague, has been unfaithyful, which sets her on a path of self-discovery and independence.

"Striking Out" revolves around Tara as she fights to rebuild her life following the infidelity that dismantles her world. She chooses to leave her high-profile legal firm, which was run by her former fiancé and senior counsel, and embarks on an independent journey, setting up her own practice in a makeshift office at the back of a café. The series highlights the power dynamics and struggles within the legal profession in Ireland, often revealing the darker, grittier side of the law world. The drama also explores various socio-economic aspects of contemporary Irish society, touching on themes such as gender equality, power dynamics, and corporate corruption.

Striking Out stands out for its unique and nuanced portrayal of its characters and story, going beyond the predictable narrative standards of most legal dramas. The vigour and fortitude Tara displays in her journey towards self-determination forms the backbone of the series. She is not just a solicitor but a woman dealing with heartbreak, challenging societal norms, and evolving personally and professionally. Indeed, Amy Huberman’s portrayal of Tara is commendable and carries the series, establishing a character that is both universally relatable and uniquely Irish.

Complementing Tara's character is an array of diverse and complex characters. This includes Eric Dunbar, her ex-fiancé played by Rory Keenan, who grapples with his actions unsettling his personal and professional life. Furthermore, there are characters like Ray Lamont (Emmet Byrne), the café owner providing Tara a makeshift office and becoming her first client, and Meg Riley (Fiona O'Shaughnessy), a tech guru and street artist who assists Tara in her cases.

The storylines in "Striking Out" are not confined to the courtroom; they encompass an intricate web of relationships, rivalries, and intrigue that permeate the world of law and beyond. The show efficiently combines the numerous threads of narrative, intertwining the personal with the professional, building tension and layering intrigue with each episode. The cases Tara and her team take on range from family law, constitutional cases to corporate litigation, offering viewers a rich and intricate view of the legal world.

Furthermore, the series does not rely merely on heavy-handed legal speak to tell its story. Rather, it treats law and legal proceedings as an essential backdrop to character and plot development. Viewers are led through a labyrinth of legal predicaments, personal entanglements and ethical questions, resulting in a series that is captivatingly realistic and rich in dramatic tension.

Visually, "Striking Out" presents Dublin in a fresh new light, away from the stereotypical, often one-dimensional, portrayals of the city. From its quaint café settings to its modern high-rise corporate law firms, it showcases Dublin as a progressive city that is both steeped in rich tradition and steadily moving with the times. The city becomes a living, breathing character itself within the series.

"Striking Out" also benefits from a stellar production team that includes series creators James Phelan and Vince Gilligan, director Lisa James Larsson and producer Yvonne Donohoe. Their collective expertise and insightful storytelling elevate the series to an international-quality drama that showcases Irish talent. The infusion of an attractive cast, interspersed with some seasoned Irish and international actors, only adds to the allure of the show.

In essence, "Striking Out" is a compelling drama series offering a non-traditional take on the legal genre, combining it with elements of romance, tension, and character study. It delves deep into the heart of Tara Rafferty’s fight for personal and professional redemption and, in the process, paints an intimate portrait of modern Ireland from a unique perspective. The two seasons of the show weave a tapestry of emotion, intrigue, and resilience that leaves its audience deeply engaged and eagerly anticipating more.