Prime Suspect 2

Absolutely loved the first 'Prime Suspect' series. It was to me some of the best television to grace my television set, and a classic example as to why the 'Prime Suspect' shows in general adapt Lynda La Plante's work the best (far more consistent than 'Trial and Retribution' and leagues ahead of 'Above Suspicion', the latter of which did little for me).

'Prime Suspect II' is a triumph. It is every bit as brilliant as the first 'Prime Suspect' series, and while there will always be the debate as to whether it's better or inferior from personal opinion it's equal, though 'Prime Suspect II' feels a little more settled characterisation-wise and in the complexity.

It is stylishly and cleverly filmed, with slick editing and atmospheric lighting, and there is a consistently wonderful atmosphere throughout. It is very hard to forget the music score too. The scripting, like its predecessor, is some of the best there is of any mystery/detective drama, being superbly constructed and intelligent. The story is complex and easy to follow, utterly gripping from start to finish and with an incredible intensity and real emotional impact.

Standout scenes are with the distraught mother, which will break the heart of even those without children, and the deathbed confession, have to completely agree that the latter is some of the most gripping television of its kind produced. The portrayal of racism features strongly and is quite harrowing but is never laid on too thick.

Tennison is every bit as interesting as in the first series, and gets even more development. The depiction of the police force is just as ahead of its time in Tennison's treatment from the other officers. The confrontations and procedural aspects have a lot of tension.

Helen Mirren gives a typically magnificent performance in the lead, but the acting is great across the board as to be expected. Colin Salmon and John Benfield are more than up to Mirren's level.

All in all, a triumph. 10/10 Bethany Cox

People are compulsive liars, so finding grain of truth inside a lie is detective work.

I was flipping through channels and came across this second installment of the Prime Suspect mini-series which star Helen Mirren. However I'm not really a fan of the series, but was very impressed with the performance of Colin Salmon, who plays Sgt. Robert Oswalde. Salmon since then has worked on films such as the Bond films, Resident Evil, and the mini-series Dinotopia, however didn't ever have such a big part as he does in Prime Suspect 2. Salmon is very good in this role and his performance alone is a reason to watch it. Pretty decent mini-series.

SCORE: 7 out of 10 (good)

The always calm, clear thinking, and very busy Brit Detective Jane Tennison (Mirren) is back in "Primary Suspect 2" solving a pornography laced murder case while mired in police brutality allegations and suspicions of inappropriate conduct involving an affair with a fellow cop. This edition of "PS" is more emotionally charged than the first and rumbles with racial undercurrents. However, like the first in the series, it ends abruptly with unresolved issues and plenty of room for a follow up installment. Okay stuff for sofa spuds into realistic police/crime drama tv fare out of the UK. (C+)

DCI Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) demonstrates interrogation techniques with DS Robert Oswalde (Colin Salmon). She has a fling with him and breaks up. A skeleton is found buried in the yard of a home in a black community. Racial tension is high and the case uncovers dark secrets. D Supt Michael Kernan (John Benfield) recruits Oswalde to be the token black investigator on the case.

The chain-smoking is gone and so is the blatant sexism. There is racial politics instead. This is more in line with a police procedural and I like this case better than the first series. Colin Salmon is a terrific actor and has great acting chops to match Mirren. The whodunit aspect is good. Overall, it's a solid TV cop movie.