The Unforeseen Sacking of Copper, the Anti-Cop

Everyone’s favorite underdog Detective Kevin Corcoran also known as Corky will save the people of the Five Points for the last time tonight September 23, 2013 during the series finale. The show Corky which begun just August 2012 had a run of two seasons where it aired to much acclaim. However, with its late schedule and unfortunate competing with BBC fellow breakthrough hit Orphan Black the show will not see a concluding season three.
                                     

The show sets in the 1864 amongst the American Civil War era a fresh-scripted exemplary first for BBC. The story takes places amongst the backdrop of an tense, corrupt, political driven and racial divided nation whose populous. The show is set amongst the backdrop of an unsettling, corrupt, political driven and racial divided nation whose citizen cry out for a hero.

In the developing NYC, three communities (Irish immigrants, free African Americans, and old uptown Society) vie for power and place during cusps of a new America. The people cry out for an anti-hero incorruptibly from the greed or politics of the time, which they find, for better or worse, in Corky. Copper is the prototype for a new type of police force who will solve crimes based on science (aghast) derived from the brilliance of African American physician Dr. Martin Freeman.

Copper constantly fights to maintain balance between dealing with the expectations of uptown Manhattan socialites like Robert Morehouse and the gritty Five Points townsfolk like his partner Detective Francis Maguire. We the audience empathizes with Corky who must walk a chaotic tight walk between world while trying to find clues about his wife who has become lost amongst the filth of New York City.

Fighting against the ambitious characters such as Police Captain Sullivan who cares little for the citizens of the Five Point and far more about his reputation with the Uptown socialites who are affected by Corky’s investigations. Corky during his time unveiled a world of child prostitution, drugs, liquor running, kidnapping and of course murder. The show dealt with numerous adult themes, which immersed its fandom into the grit of the 19th century.

The show’s cancellation was not a huge surprise to many fans who noted the departure of former child prostitute and somewhat ward, Annie, that the show had lost a major arc of the story. The controversial relationship between Annie and Corky became the spark of much debate amongst the fandom. Annie, the former victim of prostitution save by Copper had a childlike possessive/crush on Corky whom many viewers deemed as disturbing. (Even though to be honest, Corky never even slightly humored her at ALL).

With the killing off of the General & the downward spiral of Maguire becoming a murder (Phinbar the cop, the abortionist, her sister and now as for hire murderer) saw the loss of two instrumental characters. Two characters foils to Corky,  whose actions helped him maintain an ethical judgment, which allowed him to remain sane. Fans often noted the raw grittiness of the show and its mirroring of issues we face now in modern times.

The second to last episode of this season ended with the assassination of President Lincoln, a pivotal figure often cited as the problem or solution for the issues we encounter in the show. All the characters are left astounded and baffled for what exactly the death of this figurehead means for their lives.

Does this spell the end of justice? The victory of evil? The uncertainty of future prosperity and freedom? A return to the fear and violence of the past?


In tomorrows post will be write a through review of the last episode and our feelings about the show as a whole. As always, be sure to subscribe to The Fandomverse. Be sure to leave us your comments, questions and theories.
If you’re going to miss Copper, feel free to share your favorite memories down below.