An inspired opening few minutes of the first episode of Broadchurch introduces most of the main characters who feature in the central murder mystery of season one.
Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman in her pre-Oscar days) returns from holiday bearing gifts for colleagues only to discover she has been passed over for the expected promotion. That particular position has been given to outsider Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant). On leaving home for work, self-employed plumber Mark Latimer (Andrew Buchan) stops off at the Broadchurch high street, bumping into numerous residents. A small seaside town reliant mostly on tourism, few are aware that Latimer’s 12 year-old son Danny is the body found earlier that morning at the base of the coastal cliffs.
What unfolds over the next engrossing eight episodes of season one is an investigation that reveals secrets and lies, secrets in some instances deeply hidden as the truth is slowly and occasionally publicly teased out. It’s a town where everyone knows everyone else: the revelations of the case send ripples through the community. Refusing to be drawn into local sensitivities, the arrogant Hardy constantly clashes with Miller on a case that involves family friends and, for Miller, her own son, Tom, best friends with Danny. Local issues run side by side with the central investigation as national media become involved and with it accusations levelled against Hardy of incompetence: a murder case from his previous position remains unsolved.
The reveal at the end is wholly and utterly unexpected and sends Hardy and Miller into shock as members of the community – and Danny’s mom, Beth Latimer (Jodie Whittaker) in particular – turn against them. Season two continues the narrative as the accused faces trial – and without warning, pleads not guilty, much to the dismay of all concerned who are looking for justice and closure. As the female barristers, old adversaries, lock horns in the courts, that unsolved case comes back to haunt Hardy. He turns to Miller for help and support.
Season one is riveting – a deliberate, slowly unfolding mystery procedural murder case embellished by small town politics and characters (the trendy local vicar, a bit of poaching, extra-marital affairs) that all link into the investigation. Season two fails to scale the same heights and pushes the boundaries in the courtroom, drama against realism. But investment in both storylines and the characters populating Broadchurch results in a retention of attention. It’s certainly a superior television drama with compelling leads in Colman and Tennant.
Rating: 74% (80% for season 1, 68% for season 2)
An Opinion or Two 