Thursday 28 March 2024
 6.9°C   ENE Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Reviews / Hey BBC, more Shetland please…and soon

Three deaths, another rape, extortion and money laundering. That’s a lot for any detective to deal with. Anna Chancellor as senior procurator fiscal Phyllis Brennan, Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez and Julie Graham as Shetland procurator fiscal Rhona Kelly - Photo: Mark Mainz/ITV Studios

HAVING left audiences waiting two weeks for the grand finale of BBC TV series Shetland, it was a case of bringing it all back home for the big reveal, writes Jordan Ogg.

A slimy lawyer in service to a brutal Glasgow big man. A dodgy senior cop who might be covering for her rapist son. Three deaths, another rape, extortion and money laundering.

That’s a lot for any detective to deal with, let alone Jimmy Perez based all the way up in Shetland. Was our man going to find the missing link?

Well, of course he was; this was the final episode after all. But in the interests of avoiding spoilers, for now at least, let us reflect on what else we learned.

First off, the BBC are sods for making us wait an extra week to find out.

Now that’s by with, no review of Shetland can pass without mentioning that DI Perez has to be the luckiest Loganair passenger in Scotland.

By some mystery, which even he probably couldn’t begin to solve, every flight he took to and from Glasgow (and he flew a lot) somehow managed to arrive on time and without any terrifying midair malfunction.

Perez’s constant flying must surely now mean that he boasts one of the most enviable Avios accounts in the land. Perhaps he’ll donate the points to his new girlfriend Asha, a character whose presence in this series finally let us see the DI enjoy himself a bit.

He really needs to not blow it with her, especially now the other ladies in his life are jetting off. Daughter Cassie is headed for Brazil, while side-kick Tosh wants a transfer south. The latter is most concerning. If another series is made, she’ll have to be written back in.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

 

Bringing her rape into the storyline was a shock, yet one handled with tact and skill. A bright, strong and ambitious young woman was nearly destroyed, and the telling of her experience allowed for a standout performance from Alison O’Donnell in the role.

Nothing gratuitous was brought to the screen. It wasn’t necessary; the terrible reality of her situation was devastating enough.

Shetland itself appeared as a relatively minor character in this series, a necessary sacrifice in order to bring out the Glasgow-based parts of the storyline. That being said, future productions could learn from Trapped, the superb Icelandic crime drama currently showing on BBC 4.

The two share much in common. What Trapped does so well, however, is locate all of the action within one tiny location. This lets the lives of the locals be explored – their affairs, their dodgy habits, their secrets – something Shetland missed.

Speaking of things missing – and here I need to add a spoiler alert – there is a rather massive hole in the plot: how did Leanne, or Lena, know Michael Thomson’s name and that the dodgy lawyer would be interested to know his whereabouts?

Maybe that’s what Perez was pondering as he sipped his dram down by the Lerwick waterfront in the closing scene. Or perhaps he was just pleased to be chilling after what was a gripping, well executed and at times moving few weeks.

More please BBC, and soon.

 

Become a supporter of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.

Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.

Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has  over 600 supporters  who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.

Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -

  • Bring you the headlines as they happen;
  • Stay editorially independent;
  • Give a voice to the community;
  • Grow site traffic further;
  • Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.

 
Categories

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

We're committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to impartial, open and quality local journalism that benefits all residents.

By supporting Shetland News, you play a vital role in ensuring we remain a pivotal resource in supporting the community.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.