When a soldier fails to turn up to his motherʼs funeral, the team launch a missing persons investigation. Martha and Jack are called to a rooftop protest to talk an emotional Ken Baxter (Rupert Proctor, ʻCriminal Justiceʼ, ʻComplicitʼ) out of doing something drastic.
Ken is worried about his son Pete, an army Lance Corporal who has been missing for a week. Ken buried his wife two days ago and is convinced that Pete would not have missed the funeral unless something was very wrong.
Charlie learns from the army that Pete is suffering from PTSD following a harrowing incident on his last tour of duty. Fears for the soldierʼs safety increase when the police receive an anonymous message claiming that “the missing soldier is dead”. Has Pete taken his own life?
Jack talks to Caitlin Neames (Polly Eachus) and Eddie Mulville (James Harkness), two of Peteʼs army pals who were out with him on the night before he disappeared. They confirm that Pete was in an odd mood that night, but they do not know where he went afterwards or where he is now. Or so they say…
Charlie tracks down Sophie West (Cassie Bradley), the third pal out with Pete that night and a former girlfriend of his. She is just about to question her when Sophie becomes the target of a deliberate hit-and-run…
Channel 5
Cast
Damien Molony - DS Jack Weston
Clare-Hope Ashitey - DC Charlie Steele
Fay Ripley - DI Martha Bellamy
Christian Brassington - News Reader
Cassie Bradley - Sophie West
Benjamin Davies - Pete Baxter
Polly Eachus - Caitlin Neames
James Harkness - Eddie Mulville
Tom Padley - Ricky West
Rupert Procter - Ken Baxter
Director - John Hardwick
Writers - Kathrine Smith (Story), Darren Fairhurst (Co-creator), Steve Hughes (Co-creator), Paul Marquess (Co-creator)
Producers - Mary Hare (line producer), Kara Manley (series producer), Paul Marquess (executive producer)
So gripping! There are always so many twists and turns in Suspects, it never turns out to be the person you think at the start. Pete's letter was really emotional.
Did anyone else think there wasn't as much Jack this episode or was it just me being greedy and wanting more ?
Another cleverly woven storyline, utterly absorbing, powerful and, as you say Rosie, the hallmark twists and turns that Suspects is known for. This episode was also very moving, heartstopping and heartbreaking.
We saw the Jack we know and love, his instinctive approach, his firey interview techniques and passion to catch the bad guy. But we also saw a caring side to Jack and that moment at the end with the letter has me in tears.
This series, it feels like Suspects has established itself and carved its own unique place in crime drama. Nothing but positive comments on Twitter.
I'm pleased to see that I'm obviously in a minority here as last nights ep seems to have been really well recieved....but I must admit that I was a little disappointed. The storyline was predictably unpredictable, and I enjoyed the usual twists and turns and feeling like I didn't really know what was going on. And the acting was as superb as ever (particularly thought Rupert Procter was good as Ken Baxter). But, for me, it showed that it was one of the earlier filmed episodes. The production felt a bit messy - I know that it helps to create that 'raw, gritty' impression....but I definitely think it was tidied up a bit for the later eps, which made the series more watchable but still retained a 'filmed on the go' feel. I couldn't help feeling that the later filmed eps also benefitted from the fact that the 'team' had spent more time working together - they just didn't seem as....gelled (if that makes sense). I confess that I had wondered if it would show that these were episodes which were filmed for s1, so maybe I'm just looking for signs - but I think it's unfortnate that, having got to s4, it does feel like it's taken 2 steps backwards. S2 was so good!!
The series is attracting a lot of attention - most of it really good - which is excellent....but I'm frustrated by the fact that, as a programme, it has progressed beyond what we're being shown now. And seeing this comment in a review from the Telegraph - "One of Suspects’ virtues is its ability to pull us into the action, make it appear to happen before our eyes. But the episode focused on four squaddies who had “just come back from a tour in Helmand – like, three weeks ago”. Given that the last British soldiers left Afghanistan in 2014 (the series was shot in summer 2015), this was so out of date it was painful." - really made me want to scream....because it wasn't shot in summer 2015, and if it had been shown when it was supposed to have been, then this would be totally unjustified!!
I am looking forward to the rest of the series....but, sadly, am impatiently looking forward even further to see what was filmed this autumn....
Oh - and I'm still giving it 4 stars - I still enjoyed it!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts fifi and to the 6 voters in this topic! Do come and share your reactions too.
I saw that as well fifi, a major publication should really try to get its facts right.. especially as it is using an incorrect fact to criticise. Not only that, but it was a very touching storyline and tragic too.. it was brave to tackle a difficult subject and possily touched many.
The episode recieved and excellent review from the Independent, posted here (ICYMI)
Really enjoyed the episode. Very emotional at the end... yikes! I especially love when Jack is doing the interrogations. Excited to watch the weekly episodes!
I enjoy watching Suspects in general, and I understand the premise that they are going for with the realism and documentary style and all that, but I still feel like it could benefit from a bit more personal information about the characters. I feel like some little things thrown in here and there during conversation would help with character development and help the audience to connect with the characters more. In real life people talk about their personal lives at work; they could throw some of that in without making it a central theme in the episodes and I think it would add to the show as a whole... that's just my 2 cents.
But, like I said, I still really enjoy watching the show. I just wish I could connect more with the main characters.
Fifi- I didn't realize that these episodes were filmed for S1 (I'm new to this world lol). But now that you say that, looking back it did seem different from the episodes in S3. I probably wouldn't have thought about that unless I read your post though.
As always, this ep was very case focussed and self contained, with no extraneous character stuff, as is the Suspects USP. (Which I love). But there were lots of niggets within the team dynamics, sarky and snarky..which made for hunour and in some cases a subtle workplace tension.. all, in my opinion, adding something even more compelling to the whole.
Some examples (in no particular order or category)
Martha [to Jack]: "that would be handy for you, you've only got a microwave and a kettle"
Jack: "just been for a quick pint" | Martha: "i bet you have"
Jack [about Martha] "I hate it when she just ignores me like that"
Jack [to Charlie] "can you put that on the board?" | Charlie" Yeh sure" (then, when Jack is our of ear shot) "or you could do it.."
Charlie: "Jack, get the boss please?" | Jack: "Me boss, or her boss?"
Jack: "not exactly how I envisioned my Friday night"
I have a feeling this is actually one of episodes that was meant to be shown in 2014 as part of the first series. As the production date at the end was 2014. Also if I remember correctly the last episode of season 1 had a next episode bit which was about a missing man, which we never saw. They cut season one short and only showed half. Could these 4 be the last of those and then the new ones just filmed will be next year ?!?
If I can add my favourite bit to Domino's list, it was when Jack went to sit on Martha's desk and she pulled a face and poked him til he moved, like when a teenager puts their feet up on a table. Like you say, the little touches about the group dynamic that make it all the more interesting.
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