TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episode Six

This week on the ever-eventful rollercoaster that is the second series of Broadchurch, Ellie and Alec get closer to solving the Sandbrook case and it's looking increasingly like Claire has something to hide (d'uh). Lee is still lurking around, doing his lurking thing and then sort-of-but-not-really violently threatening Claire, but she finds it sexy, so that's all right. Tom takes his turn in the witness box, seemingly pointing the finger at Mark, but then again, maybe not (honestly, this case has had more suspects in it than the average Miss Marple). 

As the courses of the intertwining narratives progressed, it's been a constant shift between which one was the more compelling. This week, as the trial faced its biggest challenge of nearly being dismissed, that became the more interesting of the two, particularly given the emotional revelations at the heart of Mark and Tom's testimonies. The court scenes have veered wildly from one extreme to another and I'm still surprised that so many people are getting away with openly lying under oath, but hey, let's not let due process get in the way of a good drama. It's still very silly, but we are edging closer to finding the verdict.

In fact, there's been a recurring theme of people just taking complete liberties with their situation and using it to advance either case. This week found the defence's assistant barrister sleeping with the journalist who was covering the case. Um. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly sure there's a little thing called ethics which would prevent that sort of thing from happening, let alone using it to influence the course of the trial. I'm all for silliness in Broadchurch (I've stuck with it for this long), but it's the odd moment like this that complete remove you from the ongoing storyline. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but when implausibility is practically hammering at the fourth wall, it's a little tough to ignore.

If we're talking outright daftness though, it's most definitely the Sandbrook case's turn to wear the silly hat for the week. That Claire was somehow involved in the Sandbrook deaths has been really apparent for a while now so the twists and turns didn't come with a shock so much as a shrug. Eve Myles' temper tantrum was creatively mad, letting us know that Claire isn't as calm and collected as she might make out and as Ellie so brilliantly pointed out, she isn't exactly one for self-control. I'm still not entirely sure what part Lee has to play in it all, other than unwitting scapegoat, but the scene of them looking at a house with an easily accessible family next door was suitably sinister.

Olivia Colman continues to be not only the best thing in the series, but quite possibly also since sliced bread. Whether it's putting down the idiots she has to deal with (usually Hardy) with a withering one liner or finally confronting her son, Colman's character feels the most dimensional out of the entire Broadchurch rogues' gallery. Her scene opposite Tom in which she took charge and, for want of a better term, gave him a bollocking was one of the best things the second series has done so far. It's Ellie's emotional journey that's keeping me going more than anything else in this show.

- Becky

You can read Jen's review of the previous episode here.

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TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episodes Three & Four

When the first series of Broadchurch had reached the halfway point, the nation was on tenterhooks wanting to know who had killed Danny Latimer. Now, everyone seems to be wondering how long it's going to be before everyone in that courtroom gets disbarred and/or starts dancing a fandango on the grave of this particular fictional legal system. As much as I still love the show and all the weird and wonderful goings-on, it's gone a bit mad. It's not quite full cobblers just yet, but compared to the glorious restraint shown in the first series, it feels like Broadchurch has taken a running jump of the picturesque Cliff of Sanity, falling headlong into the Sea of Melodrama below.

The two strands of the Broadchurch and Sandbrook cases aren't so much weaving together as crashing into each other at opportune intervals. Lee Ashworth lurks in every scene he's let near like a handsome, dangerous lurking thing (James D'Arcy gives good lurk), the residents of Broadchurch itself seem to have forgotten that a young boy died and are revelling with a grotesque glee at the proceedings whilst Miller and Hardy try to connect the dots. The trouble is, all of the dots are screaming 'Lee Ashworth is innocent! Look check out this creepy guy over here!" Only they're not.

Before I descend into a complete frenzy of bewilderment and slightly open-mouthed awe, I do have to point out a lot of the positives going on in Broadchurch right now. Well, a few of the positives. Ok, fine, one major positive; all of the roles for older women currently occupying this production. Obviously, Olivia Colman is wonderful and amazing and we still love her. Then's there's Charlotte Rampling who is utter class, Meera Syal bringing fierceness and an excellent wig to the proceedings and Marianne Jean-Baptiste as the conscience-stricken defence barrister. They are all absolutely fantastic and are really excelling within the slightly bonkers proceedings.

Not only that, but we also get the return of lurking Pauline Quirke in the fourth episode (more lurking) who points the finger at Creepy Nige for the disposal of Danny's body. Yes, Creepy Nige is back to earning his nickname, pulling all sorts of facial expressions at his estranged mother when she first tries to make peace with him before trying to frame him in another ridiculous shock moment. It's at these more emotional, sombre moments of high melodrama that Broadchurch is striving for a balance that it's not always able to keep. 

There are those jaw-dropping moments that are fuelled by pure pettiness on behalf of the witness (seriously, how have none of them been done for perjury?) and then there are others where Chris Chibnall is trying to hark back to the restraint of the first series. It doesn't always quite land. The scene of David Tennant gallantly carrying the body of the Sandbrook murder victim back to shore through the pouring rain was far too overwrought to be taken seriously. Tennant is a good enough actor to just let the storytelling land the emotional moments. He doesn't need sodden flashbacks to make him look good.

And yet, we're still hooked. It's still absolutely compelling television, it's just compelling television of an entirely different kind to the first series. This one seems to be hinging more on how many times can we shock the audience with another cliffhanger before they call foul as opposed to crafting the meticulous crime drama we all fell in love with. And I'm sort of OK with that. Granted, if we do get that courtroom-based fandango, I may eat my words, but hell, I'm all for Meera Syal dancing on her bench with wig in hand.

- Becky

You can read Jen's review of Episode Two here.

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TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episode One

The first series of Broadchurch came as a bit of a shock to everyone really. Built around the central mystery of the murder of Danny Latimer, the series took into account every aspect of the investigation from the police work involved, the reaction of the local and national press, to the emotional torment it placed on everyone affected. It explored some keenly observed themes, particularly in relation to journalistic and police ethics, as well as providing the kind of emotionally involving event television that had just about everyone who watched it debating who might have killed Danny Latimer. 

When the second series was announced, it heralded many jokes about Broadchurch turning into a coastal Midsomer, a town in which murders took place with such alarming regularity that no one would want to visit, let alone move there. Wisely, series creator Chris Chibnall keeps that close, emotional focus on the ramifications of Danny's murder as the audience checks in for Joe Miller's trial. 

Given how central he was to the community through his wife and detective on the Latimer case, Ellie, Joe's actions in pleading 'not guilty' to Danny's murder instantly throws the direction of the series towards a full trial. Meanwhile, in the background, Alec is haunted by the Sandbrook case, oft-mentioned but never explored fully in the first series, as the main suspect in that case returns to haunt his wife, whom Alec has under his unofficial protection.

When we were first introduced to Broadchurch, the town and its inhabitants were revealed to us through a fantastic tracking shot that followed Mark Latimer through his morning routine. It had a nice, flowing style that not only demonstrated the residents' closeness, but also the town itself; quiet, idyllic and rarely interrupted. The contrast to the opening episode of this series is stark. The audience is given glimpses of the characters' new dynamics following the outcome of the investigation as the action cuts between several of the main players in their respective and, importantly, distant locations. 

As ever, the performances are excellent, showcased perfectly in the court scene at the heart of the episode in which Joe delivered his unexpected plea. As the family torn apart by the murder of their son and the subsequent focus on them, both Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan provide a solid emotional core, every new development etched in pain across their faces. Newcomers Eve Myles and Charlotte Rampling also make a strong first impression respectively, adding a gravitas to the two plots which will no doubt become the focus of the series.

However, it is once again down to the fabulous Olivia Colman who steals every scene she's let near as the downtrodden and rightfully angry Ellie. Brimming with a quiet fury throughout the episode, Colman proves just how valuable she is to Broadchurch as a series, inspiring sympathy for a character who could quite easily have faded alongside the taciturn Hardy. Her chemistry with David Tennant has improved even further since their first outing together, antagonising and relying on each other in equal measure. Their scene in the bathroom allowed a grim levity to an otherwise mournful episode, further impacted by Ellie's inclusion into the world of Claire. 

Moving forward into the series, the two main plot strands promise plenty more intrigue and there are several suggestions along the way that factors from both the Sandbrook and Broadchurch cases echo and parallel each other. Mark has struck up a close, secretive relationship with Tom Miller, much like Joe's with Danny, that sets alarm bells ringing. Lee Ashworth, the main suspect in the previous case, was acquitted after his case fell apart, something which threatens Joe's trial and Ellie's post-murder investigation situation parallels Claire's, exiled and alone. And I'm still not convinced that Arthur Darvill's reverend isn't involved in there somewhere along the way. He's just a bit too shifty.

There is a slight concern that Broadchurch has traded in its usually realistic focus for something a bit more dramatic and thriller-lite, particularly given the return of the Sandbrook case's main suspect and its inherent threat to newcomer Claire. However, Broadchurch earned itself a lot of good faith in its excellent first series and it's a strong start to its second.

Jen and I will be alternating episodes once again and so I shall leave you in her capable hands for next week's instalment.

- Becky

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TV REVIEW: The Honourable Woman - Episode One

Opening with a breathy voiceover from an accurately English-accented Maggie Gyllenhaal as businesswoman Nessa Stein, the first episode of The Honourable Woman begins twenty-nine years ago with a shocking and unexpectedly graphic moment and doesn't really let up from there. Fast forward to the present, we find Nessa receiving a life peerage, something which causes political turmoil due to her positioning as an Israeli engaged in philanthropic work in the Middle East.

The opening credit sequence feels like a perfect way to begin talking about this episode. It's full of enigmatic images at one stage before moving on to something considerably less subtle at others. It ends on a chess piece, long held as a symbol of political machinations from House of Cards to X-Men. So far, that's about as overt a symbol as you'll get for the rest of the narrative as the ramifications of Nessa's peerage manifest themselves in unexpected ways.

Like any good BBC political drama, cards are kept very close to the chest and Maggie Gyllenhaal with her inscrutable expression forms the cold centre of the unfolding mystery. She's imperious yet vulnerable, wracked with anxiety yet capable of delivering the kind of speech we all hope we'd be able to give in such a situation. It's a masterful performance that draws you in without offering too many answers just yet, dripfeeding us instead.

That goes for the narrative too which is set in motion by the apparent suicide of the communications CEO just awarded a multi-million pound contract with Nessa's company. That involves MI6 in the form of a bedraggled Stephen Rea, about to be retired and working on the suicide as his final case.

He's one of several players who are introduced here, most of whom are connected to Nessa or her family in some way. The ever-excellent Andrew Buchan plays her brother, Ephra, also shows the trauma of losing their father in such a sudden and brutal way as well as having his own secrets, possibly to do with Eve Best's MI6 agent. Though the episode doesn't focus too much on him or his family situation just yet, Buchan's nuanced performance promises much moving forward.

Throughout the episode, there's a sense of uneasiness as a result of the graphic deaths at the beginning that only grows as the episode progresses. Camera angles watch the characters from afar, as if dropping in on secretive aspects of their lives whilst other characters watch them from a distance. By the time we get to the climactic scenes at the Royal College of Music, that mysterious atmosphere is just as disquieting as the strobe lighting that begins to go off. The closing scenes leave us with even more questions, just as it should be in such a labyrnthine drama.

It's a promising start to a series that has been highly anticipated thanks to Gyllenhaal's presence and she doesn't disappoint. Whether it will reach the giddy heights set by State of Play remains to be seen, but it certainly has an atmosphere that has left me very intrigued.

- Becky

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TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episode Seven

The penultimate episode of Broadchurch is a whirlwind of revelations, accusations and emotion as we edge ever closer to finding out who killed Danny Latimer.

This week finds the suspect finger pointing back at Susan Wright (Pauline Quirke) as she is brought in for questioning following the return of Danny's skateboard to Tom (Adam Wilson). Miller (Olivia Colman) is forced to take on the leadership of the case after Hardy (David Tennant) is sidelined due to ill health. It doesn't take him long to be back on his feet and on the case again, leading to some wonderful to-and-froing between the best couple of detectives since Lewis and Hathaway left our screens. Elsewhere in Broadchurch, Echo editor Maggie (Carolyn Pickles) is doing her level best to dig up the dirt on Susan with the aid of puppy-dog Ollie (Jonathan Bailey). Reverend Paul Coates (Arthur Darvill) reveals some hidden truths about the relationship between Danny and Tom whilst Dodgy Nige (Joe Sims) discovers a secret about his past and finds himself in the spotlight.

Another packed episode of twists and turns, Broadchurch is one of the very few television shows I actually don't mind having breaks in because you always need a minute to catch your breath. We are now just one episode away from finding out who killed Danny Latimer all those weeks ago and I for one am still no closer to knowing who actually did it. For once, this isn't actually infuriating as Chris Chibnall has ensured there have been enough twists and revelations to keep even the easily distracted occupied. It helps that he has such an excellent cast to portray this town of characters with secrets to hide. The chemistry between the ensemble cast, especially in this episode, also gives the evocation of a real community, each affected in their own way by the brutal goings-on. Of course, one of them has to be the killer.

Each week has seen a couple of characters enter the frame for Danny's murder, with the majority of them being discounted through other secrets or a lack of evidence. And this week it is the turn of our favourite enigmas, Lurking Susan and Dodgy Nige who, it is revealed this week, are actually related. This is a much better twist than some drugs-related gangster ideas I'd got floating around in my brain. Fingers are firmly pointed at Dodgy Nige right now what with Lurking Susan absolutely sure that it was him dropping off the body and the revelation that he used to take Danny hunting for animals. 

I'm still not entirely sure it was him though as it seems a bit too neat just before the final episode. After all, there's still the mystery of Danny's mobile and Tom's laptop to be solved and the montage of all of the men involved in the case at the end of the episode tend to suggest that there is something tying them all together that hasn't been quite worked out yet. Mark's still got a couple of hours unaccounted for when he wasn't with Becca, Paul doesn't have an alibi for that night either and there has been lots of pointed comments to Ellie about not seeing something in your own home. Could it be that Joe Miller knows more than he's letting on?

I won't be writing again on the series now, unless I feel absolutely compelled to dissect the episode on my own blog, but it has been an excellent addition to the Monday evening schedule. I wasn't initially convinced because, as a veteran of many a crime show, it did seem as if it was another murder-by-numbers just in a beautiful location and with all-round excellent performances. As it progressed, I've found that I just haven't been able to decide who did it; the moment I think I know, a curveball is thrown and I'm left to re-assess before having another bash at it. I'm still thinking the Reverend has got something to do with it; Darvill has been given a lot of screen-time and the character is so determined to be helpful, there's just not something quite right there.

We shall find out next week and Jen will be here with her thoughts on Broadchurch's big finale. Let's hope it ends with a bang not a whimper.

- Becky

You can read Jen's review of Episode Six here.

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TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episode Five

Things take a turn towards tragedy once again in this week's Broadchurch as the country's press and obsession with prying affects the people of the town.

After the revelation last week that Broadchurch resident Jack Marshall (David Bradley) had a conviction for sex with a minor, it soon hits the press. The Daily Herald decides to spice up the story as much as possible despite the suddenly earnest attitude of Karen (Vicky McClure) and Ollie (Jonathan Bailey) and Jack finds himself increasingly victimised by the town's people. Elsewhere, Mark (Andrew Buchan) and Beth (Jodie Whittaker) continue to deal with the aftermath of his affair with Becca Fisher (Simone McAullay) whilst Hardy (David Tennant) and Miller (Olivia Colman) lead the townspeople in a reconstruction of Danny's last movements in the hope that it might jog memories and bring forth new evidence.

As ever with police procedurals, the series has been lacking in any outright antagonist as we continue to try and work out who might be the murderer. With her lurking ways and aggressive threat to Dodgy Nige (Joe Sims), Pauline Quirke's Susan was the closest we got to a boo-hiss type character but there hadn't been anyone present who was black enough to truly dislike. So this week, Chris Chibnall gives us the national tabloid press en masse, sacrificing newsagent Jack on the altar of selling more papers. 

Again, like other aspects of this programme, the strength of this narrative development lay in the reality of the situation, particularly with the outcome of suicide after a press witch hunt. It was also infuriating to watch as the entire community leapt to conclusions about Jack's past, assuming he was a paedophile into corrupting little boys based on nothing more than a previous conviction. Once the truth was revealed, Jack's story became all the more heartbreaking and the scene between David Bradley and Andrew Buchan was excellent, with the former pointing to the tragic parallels between the two men. 

The situation also showed just how far-reaching the ripples of Danny's death have become, spreading out from the Latimers into the community itself, paradoxically dividing it but also bringing people together. In particular, Reverend Paul Coates (Arthur Darvill - Assorted Buffery favourite and general good egg) is starting to properly ingratiate himself into the community as Beth's confidante and Becca's financial advisor. Are the writers preparing us for a fall perhaps? After all, any outcome of this case has to be a shock, both to the audience and to the community itself.

Whilst the quality of the episode was, as always, excellent, with great performances once again across the board, there were a couple of moments that jarred for me as a couple of characters seemed to go against their previous established motivations. Take Karen for instance; previously she was a ruthless reporter, going AWOL from her post and manipulating the Latimers into speaking to the press in the first place. Suddenly in this episode, she developed a conscience, wishing only to print the truth about Jack Marshall, rather than the over-exaggerated version the paper ends up printing. Whilst this absolved the character of blame, it felt odd for her to react so strongly to the edits, having been so sensationalist herself earlier in the series.

That's a small niggle though because I'm firmly of the view that Broadchurch is going from strength to strength with each episode. For the first time in this series, the audience hasn't been directed to a 'suspect of the week' and it was all the better for it, allowing the human drama and consequences of such a horrific act play out, rather than pointing the finger at a red herring. Broadchurch started with a couple of cliched episodes and whilst I think it will descend into a Poirot-style revelation of the murderer, for now it has been a good time to get to know the people of Broadchurch.

- Becky

You can read Becky's review of Episode Four here.

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TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episode Four

The fourth episode of Broadchurch sees more of the town's residents added to its ever-growing suspect list. After last episode saw Mark Latimer (Andrew Buchan) move down the priority suspect list following the revelation of his predictable affair with Becca Fisher (Simone McAullay), this week finds DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman) discovering more potential suspects as more evidence emerges. All whilst still taking the time for a nice spot of dinner which, as Jen observed, was a nice bit of comic relief. We're also given more of a glimpse into lurking Pauline Quirke, or Susan Wright/Elaine Jones as she's known in Broadchurch as well as a not entirely unexpected development with newsagent Jack Marshall (David Bradley).

Broadchurch is a very curious mix of both generic and good, the success of which is something I can't quite put my finger on. As Jen and I have observed over the past few episodes, a lot of the material is quite generic; we've had the suspect close to the family who turned out to be a red herring. He also happened to be involved in an affair that wasn't exactly a surprise. Then there are the various shady characters around the town who all have 'potential suspect' badges all hunted down by the detective with a murky past and unknown medical condition. And yet I'm still hooked.

To the show's credit, the fantastic ensemble cast sell the small town paranoia well, offering up a convincing dynamic between the outcasts and the tight-knit community. And whilst many characters may be wearing these suspect badges, as I shall now call them, I have yet to actually call which one of them may be the murderer. In more traditional murder mysteries, there would be another body by now to help guide both us and the detectives to whodunit. At this stage, I'm thinking Arthur Darvill's nervy reverend is something to do with it. Until this episode it had been Pauline Quirke, but she just got a bit too obvious.

In fact, Quirke's scenes this week were the only bad note in an otherwise excellent instalment. Her confrontation with the other plumber, creepy Nige (Joe Sims) was badly written, something you'd find in an awful episode of Eastenders instead of a tightly scripted ITV drama. Likewise, her threat to the newspaper editor was almost laughable. It's Pauline Quirke. Unfortunately, despite her acting ability, she is just not threatening. Bringing the character out of the shadows has unfortunately reduced her impact; before, she was a sinister presence and now, she seems to be becoming a cartoon villain. Or at least the next Phil Mitchell.

Alongside Susan Wright's upgrade to priority suspect, this episode also saw more things come to light about newsagent Jack. Bradley's performance was perfectly pitched, balancing the grumpy town elder with the vulnerable old man he became later in the episode as his past came back to haunt him. With the increased press presence in Broadchurch, something tells me that Jack will suddenly be thrust into the prime suspect spot, despite his assurances to the Latimers that he wasn't the killer.

As we're now halfway through the series, I think it's fair to say that revelations will start coming thick and fast though if Broadchurch continues to successfully shield its hand, it will be a while before we can predict Danny's killer.

- Becky

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TV REVIEW: Broadchurch - Episode One

There's a certain kind of drama that ITV lead the field in, a specialism of earnest, British character actors emoting in picturesque locations amid assorted scandals of sex, death and any other emotional minefield you can think of. Now in case you think I'm being disparaging, I'm really not. I've always enjoyed these dramas in all their slightly absurd glory, whether they're tackling weird mother/daughter relationships, cyber-crime or David Tennant as an evil husband (yes, that was an odd one). Broadchurch is very much in the same vein, right down to the beautiful seaside town, suspicious locals and Tennant himself.

Broadchurch follows the events after the death of an eleven year old boy, Danny Latimer, and its effects and a small community of people. His parents, played by Andrew Buchan and Jodie Whittaker, are naturally devastated by his sudden death and handle much of the episode's emotional lifting, Buchan's speech to his dead son particularly affecting. Investigating the suspicious death are DS Ellie Miller (the ever-wonderful Olivia  Colman) and DI Alec Hardy (the afore-mentioned David Tennant), a man with his own mysterious past. Amongst the locals who may know something about Danny's death are Arthur Darvill's Reverend Paul Coates, Pauline Quirke's Susan Wright and David Bradley as Jack Marshall. 

The first episode was naturally one of establishing everything about Broadchurch, a seaside town in Dorset; it's very much an everyone-knows-everyone town, as made clear by Mark Latimer's walkthrough of the town in the early morning, catching snippets of conversations with people who will no doubt be suspects in a couple of episodes' time. There are also several tensions already coming in to play, between the local press and the police, Hardy's own past that he appears to be running away from and the sudden onset of shifty glances and deleting of unseen files. So far, so standard ITV drama and if it continues down this path, we could be in for something a little cliched and ever-so-slightly predictable.

Storyline aside, Broadchurch's real strength is the impressive cast list that has been assembled. From ITV stalwarts like Buchan and Whittaker to the star power of Colman and Tennant, it may be going through the motions, but those motions are so well-acted that you'll soon forget to care. The extensive cast also means I am quite happy to continue watching to see the others stretch their legs. 

In particular, Arthur Darvill's reverend has clearly got something to hide and it's a good chance for him to prove that his time as Rory wasn't just an excellent flash in the pan (you all know my feelings for Rory). Likewise, it's the first time I've seen Pauline Quirke in anything for absolutely ages, and that was probably an old re-run of Birds of a Feather. She's doing a fine line in sinister lurking here and I'm already dying to know why.

With this ensemble, many of whom I haven't mentioned yet, I'm hoping for a rich tapestry of characters, all of whom probably have a skeleton just waiting to come crashing out of the closet. I've already got my main suspects ready to go, but, this being an ITV drama after all, I'm fully expecting a few twists and turns before we find out who really is behind Danny's death.

Tune in next week to find out what Jen thinks of Broadchurch's second episode.

- Becky

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