The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episodes 1-3 Review: Jack Dawkins – Doctor or Dodger?

Everyone knows the story of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, but the beauty of this series is that it builds upon the original source material without falling into familiar territory too much. Using familiar characters such as Jack Dawkins, aka The Artful Dodger, and Fagin, The Artful Dodger works to create a world all its own where Dawkins somehow manages to get a handle on his life.

After all, the young man is now a successful surgeon — though in the 1800s, that isn’t saying much considering how little is known about anatomy, germs, sanitation, and above all, surgery beyond amputations. We are dropped head first into Dawkins’ new world as a doctor in Australia — much different from the streets of London he grew up on.

Considering the character that Dickens created, we expect to see Dawkins as a hardened, untrusting, closed-off young adult. Instead, what we are presented with is a mischievous, kind-hearted, and somewhat soft doctor who rubs the other doctors and officials around him the wrong way — for no particular reason other than he’s skilled.

After all, the skills of a pickpocket come in quite handy when you are a surgeon. Your hands need to be quick and limber.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster and David Thewlis Are a Well-Oiled Machine

One of the strongest things about this series, especially in the first three episodes, is the dynamic between Brodie-Sangster and Thewlis. When they are first reunited during The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 1, “The Yankee Dodge,” the familiarity between them is immediately evident.

This is a testament to the skills of Brodie-Sangster and Thewlis. The two have a chemistry that gives us that extra layer of history to their characters. We are able to believe in Dawkins’ mistrust of Fagin because of how Brodie-Sangster gets more shifty around Thewlis, no matter what scheme they are in.

Even by the time they are working together to avoid Gaines’ wrath on The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 3, “Dead Men’s Secrets,” there is still an air of “I know you and value your skills, but I still don’t trust you,” that just comes naturally to the two actors.

It’s not even just from Brodie-Sangster, either. Thewlis has this natural way of believing in Dawkins’ value to Fagin’s mission, goals, and general way of being. Whenever they are in a scene together, Thewlis turns on the light charm and charisma that comes from a man who doesn’t quite understand why the other doesn’t like him anymore.

There is a father/son dynamic between the two that can only come from two actors who truly know what their characters are feeling. It’s this skill that carries their joint storylines far stronger than the dialogue ever could.

Belle Might Be a Beauty, But She Has Bite Too

On a show about a male character who comes across as larger than life and quick-witted to boot, it’s hard to find a female character who can stand out in the crowd. Enter Belle, the governor’s daughter, who is extremely educated and wants nothing more than to be allowed the privilege of practicing medicine.

Her initial introduction has us believing her story will be one centered on society’s expectations of a woman — courting, balls, etc. However, it becomes evident very quickly that she will be just one of the guys if she has anything to say about it. 

And to be honest, Belle isn’t one to shy away from speaking her mind.

The best thing about this character is that she is by far more compelling than the titular role or even Fagin. Anyone watching wants to see her tear down stereotypes and societal norms in order to be the doctor she’s destined to be.

The way she knows exactly how to point out her male counterparts’ mistakes or how she can look at an ill patient and know exactly how to treat them just from reading books is nothing short of miraculous. And the way Maia Mitchell carries her adds that bit of oomph she needs to be larger than anyone else.

After all, by the end of The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 2, “Blessings of St. Coccyx,” she has managed to get a position as Dawkins’ assistant and has advised him to try a new method of surgery where they don’t amputate, but instead attempt to treat.

She might accidentally come across some of her stronger medical practice ideas, but that doesn’t diminish the fortitude it takes for her to make heads or tails of the information given to her. Not only that, she has enough confidence and charm to convince Dawkins that her ideas are worth a shot.

The Thrill of the Chase

One of the other compelling aspects of The Artful Dodger is the attention given to Dawkins’ innate urges toward criminal behavior. While he doesn’t automatically come up with devious illegal activities to get himself out of debt, it doesn’t take much persuading from Fagin to get him there.

It’s an artful (pun intended) way of showing that no matter how removed we might be from our past, there is always the chance it’ll come back to us. Sure, Dawkins is a somewhat respectable member of society now — he served in the Navy and he has an outstanding record as a surgeon — but he is still prone to scrapes and general mischief. So going back to his illicit ways isn’t that far of a stretch.

It’s an element that the writers are sure to keep close enough to the foreground that we never forget it. He can be working alongside Belle to discover new ways of medical treatment, and yet our minds are still questioning just how far removed he is from his pickpocket days.

While there is an element of romance and intrigue surrounding his illegal activities, we can’t help but notice how this is most likely going to spectacularly blow up in his face. After all, Fagin has no interest in walking the world of the straight and narrow, and despite not trusting him, Dawkins still allows the man to have some sort of hold on him.

It’ll be interesting to see just how far Dawkins will go to toe the line between being a civil, well-meaning doctor and the criminal he was raised to be on the streets of London. 

Stray Thoughts:

• Who exactly is the woman in the red boots, and what does she want with the money?
• What is Fagin’s actual end goal with Dawkins?
• I really hope by the end of all this, Belle is allowed her own position at the hospital. She is ahead of her time and well worth the title of doctor.
• As far as villains go, Gaines and Darius have to be the most dull ones I have ever encountered. I don’t feel any sort of urgency or fear about them.
• If I have to make one significant complaint, it’s that the story of Dawkins and Fagin’s money thievery is moving at a snail’s pace, which brings everything else down a bit too.

 

What did you think of this episode of The Artful Dodger? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Artful Dodger is streaming on Hulu.

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