Spar

Spar is a short and effective pilot episode for a TV series based around boxing. Written by Anthony Vander and Kate Napoli, and directed by Vander, in the space of its 25-minute runtime we follow a series of either struggling or fully dysfunctional individuals; for each of these individuals, their passion – or obsession – they find day after day in the ring, and as different as they may be, their kindred connection is this love of fitness, training and sparring. Nicola Roffe plays our protagonist: a strong but traumatised woman who has to demonstrate her skills and devotion to boxing when she joins our new crew...

Let’s run down some of the coinciding plot elements at play. Placed rather at the forefront of the show is a psychological element: our protagonist’s vague flashbacks to the domestic abuse she suffered. It’s then suggested that her monstrous ex-boyfriend is not only still messaging her – of course causing great distress – but actively stalking her too. This is an unavoidably intense aspect of the show, and right now I can’t say I know where it’s heading or what its long-term purpose in a serialised format would be. Having said that, one does find the idea of intrusive, uncontrollable flashbacks impactful. Perhaps it’s within the ring that she may find control over this trauma and serenity over her physical being. This particular aspect is most interesting.

In terms of the primary side-characters, we have three men training together, under the guidance of the coach, and quite frankly making our protagonist’s life more difficult than it need be. I’m referring specifically to one character who immediately views our protagonist as an object. It takes no time at all for him to come on to her, and he shows no signs of tempering his ego by the end of the episode. One predicts that through the series we will see a different, more sympathetic or vulnerable side to this character, but right now he’s a one-trick-pony (being a borderline misogynist).

We have another character whose minimal plotline might be one of the most engaging, well-acted and well-written in the episode. This is a man who neglects aspects of his personal life – namely his partner and the visitation of a new living space they hope to get – and, as a consequence of prioritising boxing over these practical issues, he completely alienates his girlfriend. This is grounded, dramatically rich territory to explore; boxing presented as an escape from reality, as an active addiction. It’s a phenomenal concept explored with a steady hand.

The last character not mentioned is a personage whose emotional struggles affect his performance in the ring. On a narrative level, this is a well-considered figure whose demons reflect that of our protagonist in terms of how he must overcome them physically. This is where we get an exciting, flawlessly edited training montage which showcases some of the technical – as well as narrative – flourishes of the piece. The cinematography is strong and very psychologically oriented; the use of music is apt; but it’s the cutting which completely fits with the tone of the story. The episode culminates with a final sparring session between our protagonist and this parallel persona, and it’s absolutely riveting to watch. Spar is a conclusively engaging and well-structured pilot, providing audiences with a gritty, unique examination of the boxing world.