Broadchurch is the latest series to arrive from BBC America. The story centers around the death of a young boy, Danny Latimer and subsequent police investigation in a small ocean side town called Broadchurch. The series opens quickly laying out very little back story as it introduces us to the Latimer family, relevant townspeople and a new chief investigator (Alec Hardy) - an outsider who has taken the job over a resident officer (Ellie Miller) the woman passed over for the position.
Tonight marks the third episode in its eight episode run. In that brief two hours Broadchurch has already exceeded everything I had hoped The Killing would be and wasn't. Like Orphan Black before it, Broadchurch seizes hold of its narrative and through sharp, deliberate dialogue establishes several secrets and mysteries surrounding the murder. The creators use everything at their disposal to build suspense and mood for the show. Stellar examples include a deft use of stop motion action, muted color palettes and long camera angles that make the town of Broadchurch a character within the show.
David Tenant (of Dr. Who fame) leads the wonderful cast of actors who rapidly embody this story with effective acting and a realistic emotional gut punch. Tenant balances the role of outsider with an aloof, mercurial sarcasm that serves as a great counterpoint to Olivia Coleman's (The Iron Lady and Hot Fuzz) portrayal of Ellie Miller. I don't know Coleman's work well but find her character bold with a strong defensiveness of small town living that is mix of anger and pride. The casting is key, because the actors all look and feel as though they were born, raised and now raise their children in this sleepy seaside village where everyone is familiar and at times related.
What draws you into this show immediately isn't the mystery of how this young boy died but the utter horror his family, in particular his parents, go through when they realize he is missing and ultimately that he has been murdered. Jodi Whittaker and Andrew Buchan take on Danny's parents. Their smart acting choices and honest dialogue will make any parent cry with empathy for that moment of your worst nightmare being fully realized. As strong as Whittaker's discovery is that her son may be dead, Buchan's heartbreaking monologue over his son's body is simply devastating. I was struck by the end of the first episode how quickly I invested in a set of characters I barely knew anything about, it is a great credit to this cast for making you care. Broadchurch drew me in and captivated me in less than an hour, a feat The Killing couldn't manage in 13 full episodes.
Broadchurch follows in Orphan Black's footsteps crafting a show with great storytelling, quality acting and well plotted pacing. Broadchurch is a methodical thriller, teasing out key points of information just as you begin to form an opinion. With only eight episodes for the season I have great confidence that this mystery will unfold with a minimum of red herrings and circular plots to fill time. Unlike the much talked about Under the Dome, each episode has offered interesting answers that open up a host of new questions. Where Under the Dome seems to be marking time for a second season dangling minor points of interest in between random killings Broadchurch is building suspense through character reveals, compounding secrets and conversations that feed the viewer clues to Danny Latimer's murder. It is a feast for the eye and ear that is not to be missed.
Broadchurch is the best thing on television this summer and for minimal investment you will be treated to a mystery that promises to be solved at the end of the eighth episode. Really, is there a better way to spend a Wednesday evening than in the town of Broadchurch?
Extraordinary series. I can't imagine who did it and I almost don't care because the show is doing such a good job of storytelling.
ReplyDeleteAfter last night's episode, I could not agree more. Thanks for commenting.
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