In classic Broadchurch style, suspicion was thrown in all directions with several shifty-looking suspects put in the frame this evening including Trish’s estranged husband Ian Winterman (Charlie Higson), mechanic Jim Atwood (Mark Bazeley) and dodgy cabbie Clive Lucas (Sebastian Armesto).
All three were equally as plausible with Ian refusing to give a DNA test over his objections to “how the police store bio data” but he seemed even more sketchy after he was hastily seen cleaning his very muddy shoes at the end of the instalment.
On top of that he insinuated at his wife’s promiscuity, suggesting a tone of bitterness at the breakdown of their relationship. Undoubtedly, more light will be shed there in following episodes.
Meanwhile, Clive’s supposedly broken taxi radio was miraculously as “clear as a bell” despite being out of service for several hours on the fateful night of the rape. He clearly seemed to be hiding something after he offered to give a DNA sample later on.
And just when we thought we had all the main individuals, there was a curve ball tossed into the fray as it turned out there was another potential suspect in the mix: garden centre owner Ed Burnett (Sir Lenny Henry).
To make matters even worse and more wonderfully complex, Ed was the father of police officer Kate Harford (Georgina Campbell). Could she be covering up for him if she finds out something she doesn’t like?
The second episode of this ITV crime drama really knocked it out of the park once again. Not only was the drama on point but the instalment felt close to real life in the way Trish’s case was handled by the authorities.
Alec Hardy (David Tennant) tells his partner Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman): “Sexual offences never get the same resources as murder.” So often we see homicide portrayed on our screens and that is why Broadchurch should be commended for focusing on sexual assault instead.
It’s realistic and an important thing to be depicted on screen in a prime drama, which it just isn’t as often as it could be.
Hesmondhalgh’s performance was fantastic once more, she says to newly-appointed Rape Crisis worker Beth Latimer (Jodie Whittaker): “I feel so ashamed. I wish he’d just killed me.” She is so raw and brings truth this part as Trish that many survivors of rape may feel.
Broadchurch has a different tone this time around but creator Chris Chibnall has made it work. It’s just as moody and evocative as before with that classic edge-of-the-seat whodunit line of tension running through it.
Other crime dramas should take note, this is how to do a detective series without relying on a grisly corpse.
Broadchurch airs on ITV on Mondays at 9pm.
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