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"War" is the first season of an HBO and Sky Television series that features a very specific and unique hook. It is conceived as a sort of anthology: each season tackles a different area of law, yet the same two law firms remain, facing off against each other in different contexts. It has a vibe reminiscent of other HBO hits—such as "Industry," "Succession," or "Divorce"—though with a lighter tone, closer to that of conventional television. While this might sometimes be interpreted negatively, I mean it as a compliment to how enjoyable and easy to watch the series is.
The first season kicks off with a complex and tense divorce proceeding between Morgan Henderson (Dominic West) and Carla Duval (Sienna Miller). Carla has been an A-list actress for decades and was already a star when she married Morgan. During their marriage, he built a social media empire: an app focused on "positivity" called Zephyr. The role Carla played in the creation of Zephyr is one of many issues that surface when the couple decides to separate, as are Morgan’s numerous infidelities. The series begins with one of these affairs: he sleeps with Flora (Rose Williams)—a former co-star of Carla’s—in a one-night encounter that ends up having serious consequences.
Morgan retains the services of Catharts, a powerful and well-established firm led by the serious and experienced St. John Smallwood (Pip Torrens) and Beatrice Ubosi (Nina Sosanya). Carla, meanwhile, has placed her trust in Nicholas Taylor (James McArdle) and Serena Byrne (Phoebe Fox)—a married couple who are building both their law practice and their life together (Serena is heavily pregnant). Dozens of lawyers work on the case for both sides; among them, Johnny (Archie Reneaux) stands out. The story begins with him working as a waiter, reluctantly enduring awkward dinners with his girlfriend’s university friends—all of whom have gone on to achieve great success. Suddenly, he finds himself caught between the two law firms, keeping secrets from both sides, as well as from his beloved Bella (Honor Byrne, daughter of Tilda Swinton).
The series uses Johnny to drive the plot in various ways—some more effectively than others. It was created by George Kay, best known for the Netflix heist series *Lupin* and his work on the writing team for the excellent first season of *Killing Eve*. The DNA of those shows is evident here, for better or worse. The series is captivating and entertaining, though it requires the viewer to accept certain leaps in logic and be somewhat forgiving regarding the characters—without scrutinizing their intelligence too closely. Johnny’s behavior is suspicious at every turn; yet, these legal professionals seem to completely overlook his questionable background, as well as the fact that he drifts in and out of meetings with barely any explanation.
Despite some absurd and implausible plot points, the series manages to remain, to a certain extent, grounded. At its core is the relationship between Morgan and Carla: a couple in whom traces of a past love still linger. Both approach the situation with respect and a notable degree of maturity. Even when tactics turn nasty, there are no grand dramatic outbursts or hysterics during encounters between West and Miller—played masterfully by both actors.
As titans of their respective fields, they seem to harbor a sense of regret over the distance that has grown between them. They are naturally competitive individuals, each seeking the best outcome for their future and their legacy; yet, it is clear that they have no desire to completely destroy one another—even as their lawyers push them ever closer to the brink. The rest of the cast features a selection of well-known and charismatic television actors. Fox—who has delivered exceptional work in series such as *The Great* and *Task*—stands out once again, portraying an intelligent, assertive, and powerful woman who also happens to be pregnant. The numerous scenes focusing on the unique relationship—both professional and personal—between Nicholas and Serena are the best parts of *WAR*. The ensemble is solid, with figures like Patrick Fabian (*Better Call Saul*), Nick Mohammed (*Ted Lasso*), and the legendary Celia Imrie bringing the supporting characters to life.
The narrative of *WAR*, with its soap-opera style, includes moments that drew laughter for the wrong reasons; even so, the series is entertaining enough to warrant some patience regarding these typical early-stage issues. I am intrigued by the prospect of watching this established group of characters confront new challenges and expectations, and I am curious to see what price they will pay following the events of this season.
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