The Artful Dodger: Season 1 Review – Skilful Execution

The Artful Dodger is a historical based comedy-crime drama set in the world of Charles Dicken’s Oliver Twist. I enjoyed watching this from start to finish. It is a fast-paced escapade with wit, charm and is character driven. Everyone looks like they’re having fun, it radiates off the screen. I also enjoyed the story for trying to address human & societal concerns: the desire to do the right thing or how the rules for the rich are different. This extends to how people treat each other; respect works both ways. I thought The Artful Dodger did well in examining these traits while pursuing its main story which was fun, funny and worth the trip.

The Artful Dodger arrived on Disney Plus via Star Internationally in November 2023, arriving in the UK in January 2024.

The Artful Dodger is about many things but our main protagonist is a thief. And in the gaming world, there are few bigger characters than Nathan Drake, who also made the big screen. Here’s what Jessica Orr thought about the film, Uncharted. 

Story – Quick, Enjoyable and Involving

The Artful Dodger straddles the line of being easy on the eye while having enough substance to take it seriously. There is a lot to take in here with plenty of characters given prominence. Jack Dawkins lives in Port Victory, Australia as a respected member of the community, known as one of the towns foremost doctors. He also likes a flutter at cards. When he gets stiffed and owes the local crime lord a hefty sum of money or lose his hand, he’s going to have to think of something drastic.

Jack, being a surgeon, studies new convicts’ eligibility for work. Enter Norbert Fagin. Jack Dawkins can’t believe his eyes. A serious blast from the past – one which has knowledge which could ruin his new life here. Fagin joins Jack at the hip as we learn he’s affectionally called “Dodger” – with Fagin’s guidance, he became an exceptional thief. A life that led him to jail, to escaping and become a Navy surgeon, to finally working in Port Victory.

Lady Belle Fox is from royalty with nothing to do that interests her. Her sister Fanny loves the rich side of life: lunches, dinners, meeting possible suitors. Belle is having none of that. What she is interested in is the human body. Then she gets an excuse to visit the hospital where Jack works. And the story evolves from here. As stated, the setup is quite involved but these main threads flow through the stories to reach organic conclusions. Jack and Belle’s relationship changes over time, where a main through point is naturally social order and education, to asking do people change by meeting other people?

Our hero initially has to deal with this lot. They’re very friendly.

Ideas on Society & Character Development

I enjoyed seeing the evolution of the characters: Belle, being rich, is looked down on by “the commoners”, especially since she has learned medicine from books. Jack and the staff believe experience is more important. When Belle teaches Jack how to do surgeries he’s never dreamed of, they become a team, overhauling the hospital from a cesspit into cleanliness and efficiency.

Jack himself is initially cocky and self-assured but upon meeting Lady Belle can’t quite put his finger on what vexes him about her. And he changes his attitude from thinking she shouldn’t be there to predictably liking her and learning from her. I appreciated they added background knowledge to the doctors’ preferred occupation. 

Fagin himself doesn’t change all that much and is usually around to move the plot along. There is always some angle he’s trying to work, something worth stealing. And by the end, he may be rewarded for his efforts. The rest of the show is set around these three main pillars where we see various walks of life who have their own idea on where they stand. Nobility, societal upbringing, being rich or poor are seen through a number of characters where we gets to be the one to judge if this is right and fair.
I overall really enjoyed watching this all the way through. It’s interesting, informative, funny and intriguing. It’s just good fun.

Fagin is brilliantly portrayed by David Thewlis. His character is great at finding out information.

Characters & Performances – All On Great Form

The reason it’s good fun is because everyone is having a great time. Jack Dawkins, Lady Belle Fox and Norbert Fagin were all standouts and had great dynamic with each other. Jack and Belle have a lovely relationship, while Jack and Fagin’s is complicated: Fagin is always around to pull Jack into more hijinks where he wants to be respected – but he also loves the danger.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Maia Mitchell and especially David Thewlis were great to watch. Fagin was always watchable – as a thief initially he was stubbornly one note, but he got better as it went on and David is always great. 

The secondary characters are also very good – Dr. Rainsford Sneed conveyed a slimy arrogance, thinking he is better than his peers. Damon Herriman as Lucien Gaines was another standout performer. As Captain of the town, he was extremely pious and focused on his job. Being soft spoken, he was captivating to watch as a dangerously righteous man who has unlimited authority.

Lucy-Rose Leonard as Lady Fanny Fox was great at portraying a doe eyed girl, wanting nothing but a suitor to have good standing. The characters problem is that there is nothing else shown about her, she was boring.

There was a large cast in this which have smaller but prominent roles. They all were great to watch. From Kim Gyngell as the always inebriated Prof, Sue Porter putting in an understated performance as the Lady AKA Head of the Fox family. To seeing the vigilante side of the town as Rotti and Red or Darius Cracksworth – to Peggy, Captain Gaines promiscuous wife. I thought everyone was enjoyable to watch and brought something to the ensemble.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster and David Thewlis are great together and form one of the central relationships of the story.

Lady Belle Fox & Dr. Jack Dawkins

While everyone is great and there are many moving parts within this story, the other main aspect is naturally, the love story. Jack and Belle, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Maia Mitchell respectively I thought were great together and drive this story forward. They do have a great chemistry. The dialogue is often witty. The way it is delivered is great, their expressions at being exasperated to then loving, the journey they go on is well earned by the end.

The relationship between Belle and Jack is one of the core facets of the story.

Cinematography & Sound – Well Presented & Solid Music

Music is twofold: there is almost always a big set piece musical number at the beginning of the episode. Artists chosen are from Australia where the show is set and was filmed. For example, the opening episode explodes to life with “Joker & The Thief” by Wolfmother. I found the choice to use contemporary real music a little jarring. I got used to it, but considering I enjoyed the musical score, I did wonder why it wasn’t used instead. However, their decision to appreciate their country is commendable.

I really enjoyed the main music – lots of string instruments, may have been the use of a quartet. It is simple but usually uplifting. There were various tracks, both quiet as well as stirring.

I really enjoyed the sets used, as said, this was filmed in Australia and it could be real locations, certainly did look authentic, realistic as if it could have been the 1850s. The clothing of the period I think was appropriate, albeit I did find it interesting that Jack looked great in his coat and hat. For a man with no money. The buildings looked impressive, the Fox’s estate being the star of the show. The other buildings are nice: taverns, barns, the hospital looked fine.

Port Victory Hospital features prominently in the show. Jack is a doctor after all.

Editing & Pacing: A Lot Going On But Manageable

Most scenes were quick, Camerawork was good. there were long takes when someone was tailing someone. Action was precise. There were times in most episodes where two events happened concurrently. I really enjoyed these; I understood what was going on, ie: while Captain Gaines interviews Dr. Dawkins in Episode 2, Fagin tracks down a person of interest. With the dialogue being good, I felt scenes always moved forward with a sense of purpose. It was enjoyable to watch.

I particularly enjoyed seeing The Artful Dodger cast performing surgery, the camerawork was good where it showed just enough to be interesting and visually arresting without being either boring or gratuitous. I overall found the eight episodes to be a good length.