The Stepfather

The cast elevates this story of trust and betrayal.

It's a two parter that centers around an ex-teacher who turns to driving a mini-cab so he can drive around town hoping for a sighting of his daughter who disappeared three years earlier.

The poor chap gets married but his step-daughter disapproves very publicly and soon she's also disappeared.

A couple of red herrings are tossed out for good measure and the whole thing comes across as one of those Ruth Rendell TV things.

The ending, however is a big let down and seems rushed and implausible.

Philip Glenister is the stand out and it's a treat to see him underplay the role of a man tried by the media as he tries to combine the search for his real daughter and his stepdaughter.

Taxi driver Dougie Molloy is haunted by the disappearance of his daughter, however he gets a new chance with Maggie, and moves in. History seems to repeat itself however when Dougie's new stepdaughter, Scarlett goes missing.

Two mysteries for the price of one.

Back to 2005, and not a six part crime drama in sight, so many one off specials and two parters, a much better format I've always thought.

This is a very good offering, a typical ITV mystery, gritty, intriguing and well paced.

The kids of today, well of 2005 to be more precise, they're irritating here, obnoxious, self obsessed, somewhat reckless. Scarlett, what a brat.

Philip Glenister is excellent as the central character, twenty years on, and he is still at the top of his game. Lindsey Coulson seemed to be in everything back then, she really did get plenty of big TV roles post EastEnders.

Robert Bathurst is wonderfully pompous.

8/10.

This is a very well produced 2 part series that draws you in right from the start and holds your interest till the end. Glennister is brilliant in the main role and the rest of the cast also do a fantastic job (tho Glennister's performance really carries the show). The younger cast members are worth noting, they all managed to make me want to slap their stupid faces - fine acting to evoke that kind of response in the viewer. :)

The plot is excellent and direction etc is tight - no wasted time or images and the camera work & soundtrack are top notch. The events are believable and frighteningly realistic and it all leads to a satisfying conclusion. This is British drama at it's finest - and I say this as a viewer who rarely likes dramas. This one has suspense and mystery but at heart it's definitely a drama. It also has some justifiable violence towards the end but nothing too grisly (if that's a concern). I should warn you tho, if you have teenage daughters it might make you want to lock them away for a few years till they have a few more brain cells.

I can't really say enough about how great this is. Just rent it and watch it. You wont regret it.