These two episodes, which step away from the central season arc of the locomotive disaster and the secrets of Susan Hart, see a slowing of pace after a high-octane four weeks. While in some ways, a change of focus is a little disappointing, in others it is welcome relief, and allows some previously-unsung characters to shine.
by Hayley Charlesworth These two episodes, which step away from the central season arc of the locomotive disaster and the secrets of Susan Hart, see a slowing of pace after a high-octane four weeks. While in some ways, a change of focus is a little disappointing, in others it is welcome relief, and allows some previously-unsung characters to shine. In Heavy Boots, Inspector Reid remains comatose following the shooting, and it is down to Drake, Captain Jackson and the Superintendent to solve the mystery of the week. But the star of the show here is PC Bobby Grace. Ripper Street always has one episode in which a more minor character takes focus. Last year it was Damien Molony’s Albert Flight, but here it is the young PC who ultimately solves the case, and almost becomes a victim himself. While the case is a fairly by-the-numbers bit of villainy born out of working class struggle, this character development, revealing Grace to be perhaps the most moral man on the force, is entirely welcome. There is also the gruesome manner of death in this episode, and the fate that almost befalls Grace. It is an uncomfortable and barbaric watch, but one would not expect anything less from Ripper Street. With Reid regaining consciousness at the end of Heavy Boots, The Incontrovertible Truth marks his return to police-work, now requiring use of a cane and visibly ailing. This episode is a mixed bag, too much time is spent on the slightly more light-hearted story of Sgt. Artherton’s gout, and not enough on the far more intriguing plotline of a mentally ill aristocratic woman, willfully confessing to a murder by her husband and going to hang for it. Despite this, the episode covers some important ground, most notable of which being Whitechapel’s first use of fingerprinting, set up by Captain Jackson and PC Grace. But the episode also covers the treatment of women criminals in Victorian London, the class divide between rich and poor, and a very powerful scene in which Reid details his recovery and what has changed about him. Even so, the most important parts of The Incontrovertible Truth come in the conclusion. It is already clear to the audience that Fred’s doubts about Susan have entered his own mind just by the very consideration of fingerprinting, and it’s sure to be Jackson’s discovery of the truth that propels this excellent third season towards its concluding two episodes. Comments are closed.
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TV Editor: Graham Osborne
TVReviews on the best TV has to offer, as well as retrospective looks at the shows of yesteryear we miss so much. Email: [email protected]
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