Above Suspicion

Laura LaPlante has written many excellent scripts for British television, notably Prime Suspect and one of my favorites, the 1992 version of "Framed." Here she gives us "Above Suspicion," starring Kelly Reilly and Ciaran Hinds. The story arcs are done in a series of episodes -- the first story, about a serial killer, guest-starred Jason Durr in a fantastic performance, and the second story concerned someone who was copying the Black Dahlia murders. It was so interesting to me that the British detectives had never heard of the Black Dahlia, which in America is a famous case.

These episodes are pretty graphic. Kelly Reilly, as a woman in a man's world has a lethargic way about her, giving the impression that she can't do her job. I think this is an acting choice. - quiet, obedient, but resourceful and smart. It's not a particularly well-written role. Reilly is gorgeous, with striking coloring and a beautiful figure, and very intense eyes that seem to bore into the various characters. The script seems to depend a lot on the camera work, with her in closeup. The role definitely could be stronger.

Ciaran Hinds plays the somewhat unpleasant boss. He does a good job, almost too good because I really don't care for him.

Good enough that I would watch another episode if one came out on Netflix.

I quite liked this show and I am a fan of British murder mysteries. However I am not a fan of the creepy older man in a superior position of power over a subordinate, younger female employee (very inappropriate). It is particularly creepy that he was friends with her father and may have known her as a child. Why on earth would an attractive young woman be attracted to an elderly gentleman in that way?! Yes I understand the father figure aspect, but why make it sexual?! Just another show where they pair younger female actors with much older male actors- just stop. If it wasn't for that I enjoyed this show the 3rd one deadly intent was the most boring, the other 3 were generally entertaining.

I actually like the cast of this series and I might have given it an 8 if it wasn't for the sickening and gratuitous violence against women. Men don't get murdered anymore or mutilated women is just too inviting. So sick of the lack of imagination and total reliance on sex and violence.

Travis doesn't have a clue about how to dress for a crime scene. Her main focus seems to be attracting admirers. Although her eye make-up is extensive in every scene, she apparently hasn't any idea how to comb her hair. These are all minor diversions that keep the viewer from getting involved in the plot. At the end of one episode, she sceams "I love you" to her superior officer, who's been dismissive of her - what the hell is there for her to love?

It's a miracle that this squad solves any of the crimes the writers have devised. They devised a squad that seems to be made up of about 30 people, but they have no idea how to solve crimes.

Another run-out for Ciaran Hinds, Kelly Reilly and the team, this time on the trail of the murderer of a promiscuous, drug taking young actress. As usual with La Plante, there are suspects a-plenty, sometimes there you fell just to flesh the story out and a major sub-plot with Hinds on the look-out for whoever's loose-lips cost him a coveted promotion. The convoluted plot, interspersed with a series of flash-backs, is brought, on thus occasion, I felt, to a less than riveting conclusion by the final scene, with the murderer in fact turning himself in by that point.

As for the acting, Hinds is good, perhaps helped by his more developed character, now less chauvinistic and shouty than before. Kelly Reilly as the ambitious, intuitive maverick in the pack still looks more befuddled than brainy in he part. There's some good acting in support, especially amongst the murdered girl's junkie so-called friends.

LaPlante no doubt felt at home portraying the acting world as scabrously as she does here and her dialogue for the most part rings true, but I felt an hour could have easily been lopped off the running-time and a few less unnecessary red-herrings dropped along the way which would have made the production correspondingly tighter and more compelling.