Whitechapel II Episode 1 Review

This was an excellent production and a great start to the three-part series. Speaking as one who hasn’t seen the first series, I didn’t feel left behind with this new storyline. The vehicle of the awards ceremony did a nice job of bringing the newcomers up to speed on the history of the divisional CID that are centric, and the first of many dichotomies that come fast and furious: the favored DCI Cazenove (Peter Serafinowicz) vs. the not favored DI Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones). This is quickly followed by “the capital is safer than it has ever been” juxtaposed with a man getting his face cut off. Through the course of the episode we were also served up with 1960s versus the present, the brave DS Ray Miles (Phil Davis) who now gets ill at crime scenes, the clean cops versus the dirty ones, and the hero DCI who turns out to be a vicious bully – and wow, what a great OMG moment that was.

The use of the vibrating scenes when splicing in the 60s moments was an artful indicator, though not completely clear from the start. Still, the production values were sharp. Hopefully you were able to watch part 1 with headphones or a great sound system, because the stereo effects during some of those spliced scenes are quite cool.

So, who is the informer? My money’s on Commander Anderson (Alex Jennings), the man who told Chandler to expect a big case to be right around the corner. And who is/are the villain(s)? Surely, as the prognostications of investigative journalist Edward Buchan (Steve Pemberton) have proven to be true, it can’t be Dukes… And who are the dirty cops – well, besides Cazenove? I’m really looking forward to finding out.

First published on Simply Television on 10/11/10 http://simplytelevision.blogspot.com/2010/10/whitechapel-ii-episode-1-review.html

Whitechapel II Episode 2 Review

Another great, albeit very different-feeling, episode of this three part series.  Learning very early on in the episode that it was in fact twin sons of one of the Krays who were behind the latest murders and bludgeonings gave the episode time to switch focus and really build on the terror of the Kray dynasty, their Federation of Crime.  Last week’s episode was about dichotomies; this week’s was solely about the growing power and violence of the Krays.

The Krays were ahead of Chandler et al. every step of the way and were brazen about it, starting right off with “Jimmy Kray shot him, he only lives around the corner” and “Jimmy’s expectin’ ya” when DI Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones) arrived at Jimmy’s and Johnny’s home.  The Krays already knew they’d get off since it’s impossible to tell them apart.  The twins, by the way, were both played by Craig Parkinson, and the twin effect was pulled off fairly successfully.

It was appropriate that “investigative journalist”  Edward Buchan (Steve Pemberton) became terrified of working on the case once he received tangible warning in the form of now-dead Slasher’s lighter.  He had certainly done enough research on the prior Kray killings to know what was ahead for him if he helped the investigation.  It was nicely played, then, that his way back in was through investigating the death of DS Miles’s father by the senior Krays.

The threat level was well ramped up by the abduction of DI Chandler himself, and even moreso when each of the members of the investigative team were also threatened.  The Krays apparently believed that it would be better for them to turn or at least neutralize members of the force, rather than eliminate them.   What is not clear is why Kent said that he had not been threatened, when he was clearly given a talking-to by turned members of the force.  Most likely part of the lecture included a requirement that he not speak of it without consequence to himself or perhaps a family or team member.  Suspended pending investigation; will that result in a death sentence by the Krays?

CPS lawyer’s tires slashed, Chandler’s car stolen, the peer’s days are numbered.  The Krays’ reach has become seemingly unstoppable.  The fact that Chandler and Miles were set up to be mowed down shows just how far the Krays are willing to go to secure their power.

Chandler and Buchan did devise a strategy, but that attempted slaughter seems to have nipped that idea.   Will Jimmy’s apparent insanity finally prove to be the breaking point for both of the Krays?  Or will something come of the confession of Freddy the Dip’s murderer?   I’m looking forward to finding out, whilst hoping that the body count doesn’t first rise to include any favorite cast members.  Next week, the conclusion.  Favorite line from this episode?  “You’re gonna need a bigger white board.”

First published on Simply Television on 10/18/10  http://simplytelevision.blogspot.com/2010/10/whitechapel-ii-episode-2-review.html

Whitechapel II Episode 3 Review

Favorite line of the episode: “Nice shoes.”

This episode lacked the edginess and extreme creepiness of the first episode, and lacked the terror of the second.  In fact in the end it was more police procedural than anything else, but there were enough twists to keep me engaged and to give a recommendation to this episode and to the entire 3-part series.  Creepiness this time was localised to specific characters: Cassanove, the Krays, the commander, and the horrifying mum.  Still, there were a lot of ups and downs to this concluding episode.

What worked: Chandler spotting Cassanove’s shoes.  That tied in so beautifully with the first episode.  What didn’t work (though it was effectively shocking): Cassanove’s suicide.  He gave absolutely no indication that his time was at an end. 

What worked: the fact that the Kray “boy” wasn’t.  What didn’t: How Chandler was able to make the leap from that bit of info to the theory that the Krays weren’t Krays.

What worked: Tying Dukes to the Krays through being mercenaries and then in the boxing ring.  What didn’t work: Boxing between Chandler and a Kray.  Seriously?  Yes,  a lovely way to get DNA, but again, seriously?

What worked: The idea of a kingmaker, whether it was Dukes or the Commander, or even Chandler.  What didn’t work: The repeated use of the word “kingmaker.” 

What worked: the twins-iness of the twins – that yowling in the jail cell was really chilling.  What didn’t work: how they were killed.  Chandler knew the assassin, and must shortly figure out who he was working for; why so public?  Unless they plan on developing that point in the next (if there is one) series…

Clearly the ending was a setup for continuing the series.  Will Chandler figure out that his mentor is evil?  Will he still get interesting cases?  I'd like to see what direction the series takes in the future, and I hope we're given the opportunity to find out.

First published on Simply Television on 10/25/10  http://simplytelevision.blogspot.com/2010/10/whitechapel-ii-episode-3-review.html