Black Doves Season 1 Ending: Major Character’s Death & Sam’s Ultimate Decision Explained By Creator

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for the Black Doves season 1 finale!Black Doves creator Joe Barton discusses season 1 ending with a major character death while explaining Sam’s ultimate decision in the final episode. Black Doves season 1 ended by revealing Jason (Andrew Koji) was killed by the son of London crime lord Alex Clark (Tracy Ullman), Trent (Angus Cooper), who was trying to take away any connection to his accidental murder of Ambassador Chen (Andy Cheung). Although Helen (Keira Knightley) is the one out for revenge for her lover’s death, it’s Sam (Ben Whishaw) who winds up killing the culprit instead, something the Clarks won’t take lightly.

Speaking with Netflix’s Tudum about Black Doves‘ final episode, Barton explained how Sam’s decision to kill Trent came from protecting Helen, not wanting her killing the young man to weigh on her conscience. The showrunner also explained how this has put his relationship with Michael (Omari Douglas) at risk now as well, especially with Hector (Luther Ford) telling him about the place waiting for him in the criminal underworld. Check out Barton’s full explanation of Sam’s decision below:

He does it because he loves [Helen] and because he owes her and because he’s trying to protect her from the burden of killing that kid. He’s always lived his life by this code of not killing innocent people. Though you can argue that Trent isn’t innocent, that he’s done bad things, he’s still a gentle soul who’s made a terrible mistake.

The idea was that Sam makes a personal sacrifice for his friend because he loves her, and because, as you see in Episode 3, she sacrificed her own chance to get out in order to help him. He’s there to do anything for her, so he does it.

[Sam has] put himself in the firing line, so he knows that he’s just not able to be with the man that he loves because he’s dangerous. That’s emphasized by the fact that Hector (Luther Ford) turns up at Michael’s (Omari Douglas) house and gives him an ultimatum: ‘You can either come work for me and continue being in the criminal world, or you can leave — but you leave forever.’

Michael isn’t even an option, so it’s kind of over. Sam knows when he goes back to Michael’s flat that it’s impossible [to be with Michael], but he can’t say it, so they have a little dance.

What Barton’s Explanation Says About Sam’s Choice In Black Doves

It Was Inevitable He Would Make Such A Massive Decision

Out of all the characters in Black Doves, Sam is always the one willing to sacrifice his own safety for the people he cares about. In this instance, his bond with Helen makes it impossible for him to allow Trent’s death to eat away at her, deciding he’ll be the one responsible for it instead of her. Since he also kills Alex at the same time, it means the rest of the crime group the Clarks led are likely going to be after him, meaning he can’t stay in London.

His new job with Hector is unlikely to be any safer than going on the run alone, since he’ll be protecting his boss while likely hunting what remains of the crime family. This is hinted at in his final scene with Helen at a Christmas party, where he implies their story is far from over. Since Black Doves season 2 has already been confirmed, with Barton currently working on the story, the consequences of Sam’s decision are going to follow him to his new position, with plenty of dangers now in store when the series continues.

Our Take On Sam’s Decision To Kill Trent & Alex In Black Doves

It Was A Selfless Action That Season 2 Can Explore The Consequences Of

With Sam likely becoming the top enemy of the Clark’s crime organization, he’ll likely be dealing with much bigger dangers than ever before when season 2 comes out. This could wrap Helen back up in a world of crime, or it could be something he’ll have to deal with on his own. Either way, Black Doves uses its small story as a jumping-off point for a larger one, which will likely see the young man front-and-center after his fateful decision.

Source: Netflix Tudum