by Cookie N Screen
If there is one word to sum up this week’s Broadchurch, it would be “erhowerwerwoeurweur!” The show has been getting a lot of flak for being a more developed version of a soap opera. It didn’t help ITV’s trailer for Emmerdale show up half way through this episode of the beach based drama to help remind us that it is teetering closer to the farm than not. Because, whilst the first season of the drama did well in creating some unique dramatic tension, the second season seems to be adamant at creating enough “punch the wall out of frustrating” ends that I’m surprised it didn’t end with Eastender’s patented “dun dun dun dunununununun.”
If there is one word to sum up this week’s Broadchurch, it would be “erhowerwerwoeurweur!” The show has been getting a lot of flak for being a more developed version of a soap opera. It didn’t help ITV’s trailer for Emmerdale show up half way through this episode of the beach based drama to help remind us that it is teetering closer to the farm than not. Because, whilst the first season of the drama did well in creating some unique dramatic tension, the second season seems to be adamant at creating enough “punch the wall out of frustrating” ends that I’m surprised it didn’t end with Eastender’s patented “dun dun dun dunununununun.”
Ok, so let’s go back to this episode where it was more filler than killer (and we don’t even know who that is anymore). Everyone is on the hunt for Claire after a vital bit of evidence, the locket, was found around her neck in a photo. Though protesting her innocence in the Sandbrook case (remember, we have that one too), her guilt laps on the banks of Broadchurch that her husband will then throw her into. The case of Joe Miller, however, is coming to an end as all evidence has been given and the Jury are coming to a verdict.
Broadchurch is a case of lazy writing. In fact, it is the definition of a filler episode. It is completely lacklustre in its story because it has a quota to fill. So the show has stretched out completely naff plot devices over an hour period that does nothing to coax the drama along. Instead, it relishes on suspense and pointless drivel. In fact, if you were to ask the audience what happened in today’s episode that really stood out to them, they’d shrug their shoulders and go “something about a necklace?” And wait agonisingly for the next episode. The tension is unnecessary and it feels as though the actors know it. Well, they need a break from time to time.
Broadchurch is a case of lazy writing. In fact, it is the definition of a filler episode. It is completely lacklustre in its story because it has a quota to fill. So the show has stretched out completely naff plot devices over an hour period that does nothing to coax the drama along. Instead, it relishes on suspense and pointless drivel. In fact, if you were to ask the audience what happened in today’s episode that really stood out to them, they’d shrug their shoulders and go “something about a necklace?” And wait agonisingly for the next episode. The tension is unnecessary and it feels as though the actors know it. Well, they need a break from time to time.
Of course, this all begs the questions: Has Broadchurch lost its vitality now? Is it beyond saving? Has it hit the sophomore slump? The answer is no. Whilst the aforementioned problems still stand, Broadchurch is enticing (which may be a problem in itself). The acting is still stunning and we are all still in the icy grip of the mystery. There is also a rather sweet relationship plot that was surprising but felt inevitable after the first kiss. We really hope this develops but with such a short amount of time left (there's one episode left), it's doubtful. It may have just been thrown in there for character closure or audience titillation.
If there was a defining line about today’s episode and sum up the entirety of season two it would be this: Broadchurch, because Coronation Street is not classy enough. When really, it should be; Broadchurch, compelling drama excels.
And that is the biggest shame here.
If there was a defining line about today’s episode and sum up the entirety of season two it would be this: Broadchurch, because Coronation Street is not classy enough. When really, it should be; Broadchurch, compelling drama excels.
And that is the biggest shame here.
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