The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episodes 4-6 Review: Dodger’s Troubles Persist

As the story progresses into The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episodes 4-6, Dawkins and Fagin continue to be in conflict over his past and his present careers. This is an argument that comes up multiple times, but never too often that it has yet become tired or boring.

Their dynamic continues to be important to the development of Dawkins’ character overall, but it is pushed to the side in favor of a more complicated yet intriguing bond between the doctor and Belle.

It’s their bond that really keeps us coming back for more once the novelty of Fagin’s presence wears off.

Belle Puts Dawkins in His Place

The great thing about Belle is her refusal to bow down to what society and her family expect of her. While her sister and father scoff at the idea of her being so bold in her manner of being, Belle’s mother seems to secretly enjoy the feathers her daughter ruffles.

So much so that when Belle shows a vague romantic interest in Jack Dawkins, her mother smiles and puts aside any argument she might have about the man’s character. It’s a fun dynamic to see play out as she is the one person Belle never has to find herself in an argument with.

Despite no one wanting her anywhere near the position of doctor, Belle persists and, in turn, puts even Dawkins in his place over the matter. In fact, during The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 4, “The Stitch Up,” when Dawkins gets angry at her for boasting about his accomplishments, she throws it back in his face that at least he has them.

She also reminds him quite plainly that without her reading and knowledge assistance, his surgery on Rotty’s carotid artery would have been a disaster, and the woman would’ve died. While the politics of it all is quite a bit more messy than Dawkins simply getting the recognition he is due, Belle also deserves to be recognized for all that she sacrifices in the name of Dawkins.

The young woman is a breed all her own that, if given the opportunity, could be head surgeon just as easily as any of the lesser competent men. It seems as though by the time The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 6, “Bully in the Alley,” rolls around, even Dawkins can’t deny her abilities.

The Trouble with Gaines and Sneed

As if Dawkins’ squabbles with Belle weren’t enough, he also has to deal with pushback from Captain Gaines and Dr. Sneed. Both of these men feel as though Dawkins’ criminal past fully negates the positive strides he’s made for the medical community in their small village.

During The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 4, “The Stitch Up,” both of these men find out just how embarrassing it can be to get on Dawkins’ bad side. None more than Gaines, whose wife is revealed as being unfaithful as well as being fingered as the thief who stole the soldier’s pay.

Meanwhile, Dawkins is stressing about Sneed’s threats because, unlike Gaines, he can’t be easily swayed away from his goal of getting rid of Dawkins once and for all. To make matters worse, Sneed has a confidence that doesn’t match his actual skill set — which allows him to be bested by Belle of all people.

When Sneed proposes the two men duel it out during The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 5, “The Duel,” even Belle knows it’s a fool’s errand. After 4 episodes of having to endure the pompous, self-righteous behavior of Dr. Sneed, it is satisfying to see him injured during the duel and ultimately put out of commission as a surgeon. Which further complicates his career asperations.

While Gaines’ marital embarrassment is very short-lived, Dawkins proves again that his wit cannot be outmaneuvered by this indignant man of the law. Despite all his efforts to hang Red during “Bully in the Alley,” Gaines is going to soon find out that the woman is safe and sound and very much alive.

The Strong Point of the Series

Previously in our review of The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episodes 1-3, “Jack Dawkins — Doctor or Dodger,” it was discussed how the dynamic between Fagin and Dawkins is compelling and a great focal point narratively speaking. However, as we dive further into the series, that focal point shifts more toward Jack and Belle, which is a fantastic place to be.

For the 1850s and for having no educational training, Belle is getting to live the dream of so many fierce, independent females. Not only does she get to keep her status in society as the Governor’s daughter, but she is also given the privilege of assisting with complex medical procedures. 

Belle is a character that could easily be written off as a know-it-all, and yet Maia Mitchell plays her with the perfect balance of charm and intelligence that everyone wants to know more about her.

Even when she is verbally sparring with Dawkins, you can see in his eyes that he cares for her and finds her intriguing. As stated above, she doesn’t back down from what she feels is right.

To the point that during The Artful Dodger Season 1 Episode 6, “Bully in the Alley,” Dawkins has so upset her that he has to almost beg and grovel to get her to agree to do Red’s cesarean section. There is something within her intelligence that makes viewers ache for more.

Therefore, the newer, stronger focus on her development, especially in correlation to Dawkins’ fall back into criminal behavior, makes this show that much more captivating and dynamic.

 

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

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