Saint Hoods

Saint Hoods is a gripping reality television series from the Discovery Channel that aired in 2013. The show introduces viewers to the inscrutable and unique culture of crime syndicates in Boston, narrating the city's history through its notorious streets. In Saint Hoods, the darker underbelly of the city of Boston is given a spotlight as the Discovery Channel turns its focus on the city's historically infamous neighborhood crime crews that have dominated the Boston streets for years and carved out a unique narrative of the city.

Presented in a reality television format, Saint Hoods pulls back the curtain to offer an in-depth, unfiltered view of these neighborhood crews—cliques that are part- friends club, part- street gang, blending elements of community support, protectionism, and criminal activity. With a strong focus on three of Boston's most powerful crews—the Southie, Roslindale, and Dorchester crews—the show explores the everyday lives and activities of their members.

With hundreds of years of Boston's history intertwined in these crews, their influence on their neighborhoods and the city at large is nothing short of vast. In Saint Hoods, through interviews and firsthand access, viewers are immersed into the operations of these crews, showcasing a rarely seen, gritty side of Boston that lies behind its postcard-perfect facade.

Covering their activities from loansharking and gambling to protection and defense, the show highlights the complex balance the crews maintain in their roles as both protectors and predators in their community. The individual crew members reflect a mixture of characters, each bringing a unique perspective and personal story that offers comprehensive insight into the life of a neighborhood crew member and the motivations driving their actions.

The show also emphasizes the ongoing rivalries and competition amongst these three crews. Each is constantly looking for opportunities to expand their control to other neighborhoods, creating a tense and uncertain climate that culminates in dramatic confrontations and power struggles. The rivalries range from territorial disputes to battles for supremacy in the world of illegal gambling and other illicit activities, with every incident further escalating the tension between the crews.

Saint Hoods’ careful portrayal of these neighborhood crews adds a nuanced layer to the portrayal of life in the city of Boston. The show provides a stark contrast to other reality television productions, marrying investigational journalism with the popular reality show format, treating its subjects with a level of seriousness usually reserved for true crime programming. A blend of dramatic confrontations, personal narratives, and historical context, Saint Hoods serves as an exposé of a side of Boston most residents, and certainly most tourists, never see.

Reality television often gets criticized for its sensationalism and lack of authenticity, but Saint Hoods stands out in this aspect. Instead of creating artificial scenarios or going for cheap shocks, the show focuses on real events and genuine people, eliciting authenticity and rawness that sets it apart. Moreover, the series doesn't shy away from showing the potentially negative impacts of these crews’ activities on their neighborhoods, creating a well-rounded, sober view on a phenomenon usually romanticized or vilified in popular media.

Moreover, Saint Hoods provides an intimate account of not just the neighborhood crews and their complexities but also the communities they inhabit. The audience is given a glimpse into the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of Boston neighborhoods, providing broader context to the storylines and crew dynamics featured in the series. In this sense, the show also serves as a social commentary on the life and people of Boston, adding another dimension to its narrative.

However, Saint Hoods doesn't glorify the actions of these crime syndicates. It acknowledges the repercussions of such activities, breaking the glamorized notion prevalent about gang-based culture in mainstream television. The gritty reality of the illegal practices of these crews is shown in stark contrast to the seemingly tranquil streets of Boston, further deepening the show's impact.

In conclusion, Saint Hoods is a deeply compelling reality television series that offers an original and intricate group portrait of Boston's neighborhood crews. Through its combination of human stories, historical context, and the realities of neighborhood life in one of America's oldest cities, this Discovery Channel series paints an engaging and eye-opening picture of Boston as it has never been seen before. Whether you're a lover of reality television, a history enthusiast, or just a curious viewer, Saint Hoods offers a unique viewing experience that will leave you with a profound understanding of a lesser-known aspect of Boston’s social fabric.