Discuss Shetland
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**SPOILERS**: Series 4
posted by wonder2wonderSTAFFMOD on March 24, 2018 at 3:47 PM
Thomas Malone was framed by the police for Lizzy's murder, put in prison for twenty-three years, and when he was released, they again persecuted him for a new murder (Sally's).
Only DI Perez believed in his possible innocence, at least for Sally's murder. When he finally caught the real guilty, Malone was told of this in the interrogation room. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to enjoy his freedom. He died of a heart attack, right there on the spot, after so much strain and suffering, tortured by the continuous questioning, threats and harassment of the police and the family of the victims.
How lucky for the police. This ended well for them. They will be doing their own internal investigation and the only one (Malone) who would sue them is dead.
How many more innocents have gone to prison because of one or more corrupt police officers?
Another cover-up?
And the real murderers?
Their defence will be that they have suffered enough, they didn't intend to kill, it's the victims' fault.
Lizzy was a "nasty, spiteful girl, jealous and mean-spirited", who was going to tell on the murderer's affair , so she had to die.
Sally found out the truth and would have told everything. If she had only promised to keep her mouth shut, she would still be alive.
So they had been pushed to the point where they had no other choice than murder.
The conclusion will be that the murderers were "not in their right mind, they lost it and they don't know what happened after that".
They won't spend twenty years in prison, just a slap on the hand, some counseling and treatment for anger issues, and when they get out, the close-knit island community of Shetland will welcome them back.
Duncan, in fact, is the true guilty one. If from the beginning, he had told the truth of what happened twenty-three years ago, all these deaths, except perhaps for Lizzy's, could have been prevented.
He, already in a relationship with Fran, had an affair with Donna, and got her pregnant. He flirted with Lizzy and made Donna jealous. It was his scarf and he suspected who was the real murderer, but kept silent, afraid that Fran would find out about his affair and the illegitimate child. Because of his lies (not coming forward with the truth), Malone went to prison and Sally was later murdered.
If Perez had not solved the case, there might have been another death in the future.
That of Cassie or Allan.
Duncan is forgiven for all this, the affair and the lying, by his friend Perez and his daughter Cassie. He escapes any kind of punishment, except for his own conscience, and continues leading a happy life with his family, including a new member, and friends.
There is no justice here.
Reply by genplant29
on July 6, 2019 at 4:12 AM
I watched Series 1, Episode 1 earlier tonight (the series has begun airing, one episode each Friday night, on one of my PBS stations) and so far am not hooked, but plan to in the coming weeks also watch at least another episode or two, then will decide whether or not to stick with it. I liked what I've so far seen, though that first episode lacked any real "spark". The cinematography was gorgeous.
I'm guessing that this is a series that picks up steam as it goes, as I've noticed it's quite highly rated, plus has been up and running since 2013.
Reply by wonder2wonder
on July 6, 2019 at 11:59 AM
I enjoy watching most of these British detective/murder mysteries series and if the main characters are likeable I'll stick to it.
And like a sprinkle of salt, the inclusion of a touch of humour would be nice to give it just that extra zest.
While the plot is simple, the writers of Series 4 have made it quite convoluted, delving into the (psychological) background of some of the characters and linking it to the personal life of the main cast.
I guess, that if it was an American show, it would've been wrapped up in one episode with a big shoot out.
I haven't watched series 5 yet.
Some other British series of the same genre that I like, are:
• "A Touch of Frost (1992-2010)".
• "Inspector Morse (1987-2000)".
• "Father Brown (2013-)".
• "Vera (2011-)"'
• "Midsomer Murders (1997-)".
• "Silent Witness (1986-)".
I didn't like "Prime Suspect (1991-2006)" and " Prime Suspect 1973 (2017)": it seemed as if the whole (male) police force - and the writers - was against Jane Tennison and wanted her to fail, even if it meant that the guilty would escape justice.
The two main characters of " Grantchester (2014-)" were not likeable. Vicar Sidney Chambers was a disgrace with all his affairs and sometimes sanctimonious attitude. It's a miracle that (all of) his mistress(es) have not commited suicide, when he left them. He seemed to be stringing them along, by saying (e.g. Amanda) that he couldn't stay with them, because of his vocation. But when Violet came along, his devotion to God didn't matter that much - it was suddenly 'true' love - and he abandoned everything and everyone to go to her in America.
" Line of Duty (2012-)" was the number one series this year (2019), but it's also quite complex. You should start from the beginning, as there are clues in all - series 1-5 - linking each other. The great mystery - who is the head of all the crime bosses? - is still not solved. Is it one of the three main (police) characters? It could be, as everyone in the police seem to be corrupt(able).
Most of the British series, especially the older ones, are slow - like cricket (the sport) - but quite entertaining.
Have a cup of tea with a scrumptious strawberry scone or a delicious piece of Battenberg cake.
Reply by genplant29
on July 6, 2019 at 3:35 PM
A thing that definitely slowed down the Shetland series debut episode for me, last night, was the Scottish accents. I normally don't have any problem understanding accents, and following what people are saying. But between the pervasive Scottish accents on this show, and that so often characters are either speaking softly or/and mumbling and the such, it's a bit of an ongoing challenge to the ears, trying to keep up with the dialogue.
I never at all have a problem with thoughtfully paced shows/movies, or low-key characters, and like stories that take their time developing, and often enjoy "quiet" type dramas, though for there to be some extent of oomph included somewhere in the mix is always welcome.
Lewis (which the title for that series, in the States, is Inspector Lewis) is I think my all-time fave UK detective/crime series.