Sleepin_Dragon

The police think that Graham Dowling is their man. A search of his flat shows a worrying obsession with Jack Vance; however, he proves to be a difficult man to track down. Another young woman goes missing in exactly the same manner.

I love the macabre direction this one heads into. There are no limits to the sheer imagination of Val McDermid; she has the ability to take us to some very dark places. This one really does move at a pace and delivers a couple of shocks along the way. Once again we're given a wonderfully dark ending.

Just when you think the show has lost its ability to shock and disturb, this episode takes you one step further on Wire in the Blood's journey of shocking violence.

If I had one minor gripe, it's that I felt they may have let the cat out of the bag a little too soon, removing some or the mystery.

I just love Robson Green's performance throughout, but the scenes where he goes off on a tangent and starts rambling to himself are wonderful; he's great.

I know it's a different show, but I am seeing DI Robbie Ross. Michie has the same swagger and chip, but here we get to see just how good he is; excellent from him; he steals it.

8/10.

The bodies of two young women are dragged out of a stretch of water; however, Carol Jordan's focus is taken up by celebrity TV presenters Jack and Amanda Vance, who are being stalked. Tony is brought in to assist with the bodies.

When you compare this one with the series opener, it's almost tame. The story is just as murky, but visually, they definitely toned it down a little, thankfully.

It's a very good first half; there's enough intrigue to make us wonder if the two strands are linked: the missing girl and the Vances. I like that the previous episode isn't washed away; there are overhangs, such as Tony meeting Angelica.

I'm always blown away by these stories that use facial reconstruction as a tool; it's such a fascinating method.

It's interesting to see that Kevin was kicked off the team and fined; too often, details like his dalliances are overlooked. You can understand Don's annoyance. Good to finally see that Kevin can be an effective Detective

It's an exceptional cast: John Michie, Doon MacKichan, and Kenny Doughty.

8/10.

Dr. Francis denies any knowledge of linking Sylvia up with Mr. And Mrs. Hine, suggesting that they carried out the transaction themselves; he merely acted as the go-between. He says that any money paid to him from Mrs. Hine was for treatments received. Mrs. Dickson queries the breakdown of Sylvia's medical bill.

It ends well. It's been an emotionally hard-hitting and emotive storyline; the thought of a baby being uprooted and taken away from its mother is bleak. I'd suggest it's a good, solid conclusion, there's nothing particularly groundbreaking, or shocking, but well acted and interesting.

I paused it prior to the verdict; surely they were going to have to find Dr. Francis guilty. The man's story seemed like a total tissue of lies.

Dare I say, it felt a little unfinished. There were a couple of witnesses we should have heard from, namely Mr. Hine and Francis's secretary; both seemed to have really valid and relevant evidence, I would have thought. What happened to the baby in the end?

A good performance from Norman Rodway; I did enjoy his clashes with Mrs. Dickson.

Just missing a little polish.

7/10.