Netflix series Black Doves has received rave reviews since it landed on the streaming service earlier this month, but viewers couldn’t resist mocking one particular scene.
The six-part spy thriller series stars Keira Knightley as Helen Webb, the wife of the Secretary of State for Defence, who learns that her secret identity as a Black Dove is in danger after her lover is killed by London‘s underworld.
The scene in question sees Knightley’s character puffing on a vape as she reminisces about her late lover, as a flashback plays out.
Sharing the clip on X, formerly known as Twitter, someone wrote: ‘They’re saying it’s the most mournful vape hit ever to be shown on Netflix,’ and others were quick to comment.
‘They want vaping to look as cool as cigarettes did in the 90s,’ one person claimed.
Another replied and said: ‘Vapes just won’t give the vibe that cigarettes has.’
A third person suggested: ‘They would’ve been more successful making a dramatic scene if they made her frantically find a lost vape instead (sic).’
And a fourth X user commented: ‘We’re living in a timeline where “tragic vape hits” might be an Emmy category. I love it here and hate it here simultaneously.’
Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw star in the six-part Netflix thriller series Black Doves
Viewers have been mocking a scene which sees Knightley’s character Helen Webb puffing on a vape
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to mock the vaping scene starring Knightley
Someone joked that a ‘vape’ category could become a thing at the Emmy Awards
Labelling it ‘cringe’, someone else pointed out that smells do ‘evoke memory’ so the scene makes sense
Someone else pondered: ‘Could this actually be the best anti-vaping ad ever made?’
And another person mocked: ‘Can’t believe they captured so much sadness in just a vape hit. Netflix has reached a new level of emotional storytelling.’
A different viewer joked: ‘Netflix’s award for “Best Grieving Vape Hit” goes to Keira Knightley.’
However, someone else pointed out: ‘Well, smells do evoke memory so it would work. Still cringe.’
And a different X user posted: ‘Another show with a really interesting premise completely ruined by bad dialogue and acting.’
It comes after viewers debated whether or not the show – which also stars Sarah Lancashire and Andrew Koji – can be labeled a ‘Christmas series.’
Despite featuring spies, murders and assassins, some have dubbed it as such and claimed that the festive soundtrack and setting gave them the ‘Christmas feels.’
Set in London in December, ahead of the big day, the thriller follows Helen as an agent passing on secrets she’s managed to uncover from her politician husband (Andrew Buchan) to the Black Doves organisation.
Knightley plays Helen Webb, the wife of the Secretary of State for Defence, who is mourning her lover
Despite the fighting and killing in the series, some viewers have declared it a ‘Christmas series’
Helen has been giving the firm – headed up by the enigmatic Reed (Lancashire) – political information for 10 years, but her position is compromised after the mother-of-two’s secret lover Jason (Koji) is assassinated.
However, all the fighting and killing in the series isn’t enough to stop fans from branding it a festive offering, thanks to the Christmas tunes played in the background and the timing of the drama.
One person wrote on X, ‘Black Doves is a Christmas movie, a six-hour Christmas movie,’ while another said: ‘Black Doves gave me all the Christmas feels I need this year!’
A third wrote: ‘Black Doves is a Christmas streaming series in the same way Die Hard is a Christmas movie.’
A fourth added: ‘Did not expect Black Doves to be the perfect Christmas viewing. Ben Whishaw walks away with the best-written character on the small screen this year. So much fun.’
