DS Alisha Brooks discovers that vital evidence in the Sarah Kramer case has gone missing. Meanwhile, the team tries to find evidence against corrupt DCI Drummond, but as the net closes in on him, he becomes increasingly desperate - and desperate men take desperate measures...
Cast
Damien Molony - DS Jack Weston
Clare-Hope Ashitey - DC Charlie Steele
James Murray - DCI Daniel Drummond
Lenora Crichlow - DS Alisha Brooks
Perry Fitzpatrick - TDC Gary Roscoe
Neil Stuke - Mo Jones
Director - Fiona Walton
Producers - Paul Marquess (executive producer), Mary Hare (line producer), Kara Manley (series producer)
Wow, still processing the finale but initial thoughts are..
What a rollercoaster! SO MUCH is packed into this show, the writing is a masterclass in drama - and the finale epitomized everything that is unique, special and exceptional about Suspects.
As I mentioned in the episode 5 topic, I'm happy there was closure on both Martha's tragic story and on Drummond's. It's testament to the quality of the writing that the twists and turns kept on coming and were woven together in unexpected ways. How brilliant the way it all came together in the end.
The performances from all the actors were outstanding. Phenomenally good.
But... With Alisha becoming the new DI, and both Charlie and Gary promoted to Detective Sergeant and Detective Constable - where does that leave Jack?
In fact, despite the fact that he was exonerated from all the shenanigans dogdy Dan set him up for, and his more risky than usual behaviour in this series, it is only Jack's story that ended on a relative cliff hanger - what happens to Lucy? And how about that frustratingly confusing announcement at the end of the show along the lines of "Is that the last we'll see of Jack Weston?"
It really was such a rollercoaster. Totally gripped throughout. Why this show doesn't get more attention I don't know. It's always such exhilarating drama and I'm always so impressed by the incredible skills of the actors.
I had a tiny quibble about a plot point though. If Drummond's wife was suspicious about him having an affair 8 years ago why did she keep the clothes he was wearing but then do nothing about it. And where did Drummond think those clothes were? He's forensically aware clearly so he would have made sure the clothes he was wearing would have disappeared so as not to have anything to implicate him in the crime. I don't know what others thought or was it just me overthinking it? I'm glad he got his come-uppance though!
I'm not sure what to make of the future for Jack. Everything seemed to be resolved for Jack but why the weirdness about him being part of the team/is this the last we'll see of him
rollercoaster is right, Rosie! Exhilirating is a perfect word.. it's a visceral experience watching. It's felt in the body, for me at least. Every part of attention being held and almost, pushed beyond its limits, total immersion.
Re Jack - I truly hope we're not left dangling on this one and have a finite answer soon or at least a clue. As much as I love ambiguity, Jack's appearance in the show is not something I want to be unclear about - he's too special to me! Suspects would be very odd without him. It would still be a stunning show but a lot flatter without his volatile character, so engaging to watch. It would also be really hard not to have proper closure.
If he is not part of the future team () my theory is Jack will be back with his own show (a bit like Columbo but without the old raincoat, and cigars, (), his will be blue shirts and magical crime solving pen), and in which he solves crimes in his inimitable instinctive style and in we see what happens with Lucy.....
Well, that was a great piece of drama with some PHENOMINAL acting. I only had a couple quibbles about the policework and storyline, but otherwise this show has gone from strength the strength. I cheered when they got Drummond, I cheered when Alisha became the boss. (Being Human references to Annie always being the boss and the quote "I did it. It's nothing to shout about, but I did it." were thrown about )
Could there really BE a Suspects without Jack?! No Damien? Inconceivable!!! But I have to say I LOVE the new team. Clare brought her A game this series, Charlie was a badass; Lenora is a natural at the improv, Alisha will make a great DI; and Perry was awesome, Gary is just adorable. So IF - and that's a big qualifier - they did the unthinkable and continued the show without DaMo, I'd forgive Channel 5 only if it was due to Damien having some major Hollywood or premium cable role and I'd totally still watch it. Of course, if there is no S6, I'll shun Channel 5 forever!
__________________
papillon... pamplemousse... bibliothèque... un baiser A lilt in his voice. Every sentence like music... #kisskisskiss A terrible beauty is born. Love me some #Jacksass
Couldn't agree more whimsy! Phenominal is the word I used on Twitter, its the closest word I could find to describe its beyond excellence!
Totally agree about the new lineup too - Lenora and Perry very quickly and seamlessly became a solid part of the team, as actors and characters, and Clare as Charlie - well, she's always been utterly brilliant and her promotion was a total moment for me - about bloody time! When Alisha claimed Martha's old office I felt nothing but delight and how right it felt. Kudos to the creators for not only making the cast transition smooth but for creating a new team we already love and are invested in.
Suspects isn't about Jack for me but without Jack it won't be the same for me. And the only reason we're having the convo now due to that confusing continuity announcement which has left us all a bit bewildered so fingers crossed for news soon!
Series 6 has to be an inevitability after setting up the new team so well and let's not forget the final answer to our 10 questions with the creators .....
As I watched it (eventually) on My5, I didn't hear the continuity announcement. What I will say is that Damien's career is skyrocketing and at some stage he is going to be too busy to film Suspects. I hope he does find time to continue in the role, if possible. But wouldn't be at all surprised if he did leave.
I forgot to say I absolutely loved the show and was gripped throughout. I watched it this morning and about a third of the way through the last episode my husband got up, all dressed and wondering about his breakfast! So I stopped watching for a while and made his porridge and a cup of tea, then went back to the programme. Yes, I know I should have told him to make his own porridge but it is a case of it being easier to do it - and quicker in the long run.
Phenominal is right! That was a fantastic end to what has been an outstanding series! There were so many threads to be pulled together...and there were so many unexpected turn of events along the way! I honestly believe that concentrating on plot rather than scripted dialogue has helped to make this programme - and especially this series - one of the most exciting dramas on tv....it allows for so much to happen so quickly without carefully planned and scripted conversations slowing down the action and muddying the main plot points.
The acting has been outstanding....and the new cast members have been excellent (although I confesssss ()I did have a couple of severe Annie moments this week)
It really did seem right for Alisha to be made the new DI - and I was totally expecting it - and when she walked into 'Martha's' office was a strangely lovely moment. I was also expecting Gary and Charlie to both get their promotions..... This expectation had made me really nervous that - the original staus quo having been re-established - it meant this would be Jack's last series. So when Alisha said that Jack was staying I whooped with joy!! When the continuity announcer questioned whether we would see him again I immediately had to find my recording and listen to check if I'd imagined it!!!
I can't imagine that this would be the last series....it is the jewel of channel 5 and they have just established an excellent new team. But it seems unfathomable to me that Alisha would make the assertion that he was staying if there was no intention for Jack to appear in the next series. It would absolutely be too cruel to write him out between series! That obviously happened to Martha because Faye wanted to leave the series to film Cold Feet though. If the Suspects team have some exciting news coming soon.....and Damien is currently appearing on stage until mid December.......
I'm sure if (though i mean WHEN) there's a sixth series, the powers that be will wait til Damien's finished with No Man's Land before filming it. It's shot very quickly so i'm sure it could be managed but as has been said, Damien's star is on the rise. I'm predicting massive things career wise in the future for him.
I have loved this entire series, it's been head and shoulders above the previous ones in quality of storylines, cast and cohesiveness. I loved the new cast, Drummond included. For all that it's partly (mostly) improvised, for the first time since watching Suspects, it felt more natural, almost as good as a completely scripted show. The whole cast gelled extremely well together, everyone upped their game and can i say, LOVED Gary. He's a real asset and how he and Jack worked together was lovely. I could definitely see Jack mentoring him the same way he has mentored Charlie. If Jack is around still, I could see him in this role next series.
Regarding Drummond's clothes from 8 years ago; I could believe Chrissie telling him that they were badly stained, she couldn't get the stains out while washing them and binning them. They're husband and wife, he'd have no reason to disbelieve her, i would think. Yes he's forensically aware but why wouldn't he believe her if she told him something like that?
I did like how everything came together, how Alisha got Drummond's job. I hope there's a resolution about Lucy, i was disappointed that it wasn't in the show, that Jack didn't at least call Drummond on it and ask why.
Please let there be a sixth series, with the new cast additions but most importantly with Jack Weston as part of the team!!
This season was great. I'm glad to see Jack working with the team and hope he will continue to do so, but feel like he probably won't. He'll change his ways for a while but probably slip back. I have to say I'm glad Drummond was caught but I am sad to see James Murray go. He was truly excellent. I sill miss Defiance and it was good to see him again.
I didn't hear the continuity announcement. I'm sure that was just something to keep people interested until the next season. I was so relieved when Alisha said that Jack would be staying. Though at the same time it seemed obvious to me that he would be by that point since he was working with the team.
__________________
"I should have left a clue. Like, I don't know, locking him in a cellar and tying him to a fucking radiator!"
Fantastic series, loved it. Superb acting from all.
But I do have a couple of quibbles about the last couple of episodes. Firstly, keeping the clothes tucked away for eight years! Why? Shades of Bill and Monica! Secondly, the son seeing Alisha go into the house and phoning his dad (on a "secret" phone that was later switched off) - why on earth was that considered suspicious, unless the son knew a lot more than was in the plot and somehow I can't see Drummond sharing his past with his son. The third thing is the promotion of Alisha - I'm taking it for granted that she has taken and passed her Inspector's exam, but she should have been up before a panel with other applicants for the position and obviously wasn't. Also, Charlie hasn't been promoted to Sergeant, she has been told to take her sergeant's exam, which will enable her to become one at a later date. There is usually one exam for sergeant and one for inspector per year. Then the suicide - a hardened criminal who knows his life inside will probably not be too bad commits suicide after a short chat from Drummond. I actually felt the last two episodes were a bit rushed, could have had a third and tied things together better.
Lenora did say in an interview that she'd been brought in to replace Martha, so I was not surprised at her advancement. But could she and Jack work with each other? Alisha didn't actually sound thrilled when she said his reward was that he got to stay. Jack had done nothing that the police don't normally do in the course of their job, such as claim to a suspect they know more than they do etc. I did think that both Charlie and Gary thought Jack should have been congratulated too - after all, his intuitive leaps actually did more to solve the case than Lenora's foot slogging.
I don't actually think Jack is ready to be a DI, he's too much of a lone wolf for that and a bit abrasive with the public. I really hope he's in the next series it just wouldn't be the same without him. Apart from anything else, while we get excited at the thought of No Man's Land and Tiger Raid, for the majority of the public it's something on tv that catches their attention and right now that's Suspects. I think more have watched this season than ever before, lots of new viewers; it would be a shame if Damien was unable to take advantage of that in the next series - he's won loads of new fans.
Loving Gary, thrilled he looks set to being a regular, he and Charlie work well together and he fits really well into the team, seems to have empathy with Jack,