Spoken within the opening scene the lines: “The children Sir Benjamin leaves behind are weak and divided. Now is the time for us Fenians to use that weakness and free Ireland from the English!” gives viewers a taste of the drama and chaos waiting to unfold in the new Netflix series, “House of Guinness.” The story is a fictional take on the real life Guinness family and serves to show how the brewery ran amid power, politics, and dysfunction. From the first episode, viewers are thrown into action: Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness is dead and there is trouble brewing. The Fenians, people who do not support England’s ruling Ireland, show no remorse towards his death and take to the streets of Dublin. As Sir Benjamin’s casket is carried through the city the tension continues to build. This opening scene is filled with quick camera cuts between the workers who supported Sir Benjamin and the Fenians who hated him, creating further unease for the viewer.
Just when the fight is about to break out, the camera pans up from the streets of Dublin to introduce the four main characters: Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Benjamin (Fionn O’Shea), Sir Benjamin’s four children. As they get ready for the funeral, the dynamic between them presents itself. Arthur, the oldest sibling, is presented as sarcastic and witty. He does not seem to be burdened by any responsibility and does not act like the oldest sibling.
Instead, his younger brother Edward seems to carry the family’s responsibility. More poised, and more mature he is focused on keeping the family brewery expanding. Anne, the only daughter, acts as the glue between the three brothers, a typical sister if you will. Finally, Benjamin is the black sheep among the family. He is never sober and has no stakes in the business.
As the siblings interact, it is clear that none of them are upset that their father is dead, instead they are eager to hear the reading of the will.
The scene changes back to reveal the protests as violence erupts. This scene is jarring for two reasons: its brutality and the song that erupts in the background, “Starburster” by Fontaines D.C. Contrary to having orchestral music play in the background, the creators chose to embed thumping beats and punchy lyrics into the scenes. The music amplifies the energy and tension characters feel in the moment, allowing the audience to be brought into the action as well. Modern music is continuous throughout the series, creating the perfect playlist to immerse the audience in.
However, the fight is short lived as the Fenians are outnumbered. The casket of Sir Benjamin is carried on and eventually reaches the funeral. After a short procession, in which no one seemed to be upset about the death, the will is read. Its contents shock each sibling, leaving none of them satisfied with the outcome. Both Arthur and Edward are given equal control to the brewery, bounding them for life. Meanwhile, Anne and Benjamin are written out of the business and cast aside.
The show follows the relationships between the siblings as they navigate their new roles. It also addresses the political atmosphere during that time. For example, England’s rule over Ireland and the divide between the Catholics and the Protestants. Catholics generally wanted Ireland to be independent, while Protestants supported England. In “House of Guinness” Sir Benjamin was a Protestant and proudly supported England. He used his wealth, power, and influence to speak against the Fenians while serving for Parliament. His death marked an opportunity for the Fenians to seize power and make their voices heard.
Released on Sept. 25, the show has held its place among the top ten. Created by British screenwriter Steven Knight, the man behind “Peaky Blinders,” it is important to emphasize that the series is not completely fact. Knight has stated that when writing the series he relied on oral history from the current Guinness family. Knight dramatized some parts of their story for plot reasons, hence it being a drama.
Netflix has not formally announced a season two, but speculation remains high. Knight has hinted , stating that he believes there is more secrets and history to the Guinness family.
