The Lovers: Part 1 (7 Nov. 2005)

A newly-wed couple are broken up when the husband goes missing. Has he done a runner or is there more to it?

Director:

Tristram Powell

Writer:

Lynda La Plante

Stars:

David Hayman, Victoria Smurfit, Michael Feast

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Hayman	...	Chief Supt Michael Walker
Victoria Smurfit	...	DCI Roisin Connor
Michael Feast	...	Tom Franke
Miriam Heard	...	Susan Harrington
David Calder	...	William Thorpe
Penny Downie	...	Mrs. Thorpe
Dorian Lough	...	DS David Satchell
Gemma Jones	...	Dr. Jean Mullins
Sarah Ozeke	...	DC Lisa West
Marcia Warren	...	Enid Franke
Patrick Godfrey	...	Mr. Gordon
Gerard Murphy	...	DS Gregg
Milo Twomey	...	Mark Harrington
Penny Smith	...	TV Interviewer
Paul Ready	...	Harry Cranley

Storyline

The police investigate the disappearance of Mark Harrington who simply vanished on his honeymoon while shopping in Covent Garden. The Commissioner has asked Det. Chief Supt. Murphy to look intro the case as the man's father-in-law, William Thorpe, is a close friend. Murphy presses DCI Roisin O'Connor to take on the case. They arrest two street hustlers when one of them uses Mark's credit card but they don't believe they're up to murder. When the missing man's frantic wife puts up a reward for information, against police advice, she is bombarded with false leads. From CCTV footage however, they do focus on a man wearing a plaster cast on his left arm and who, according to one of the local vendors, wears a wig.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 2005 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

La Plante Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min 180 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Trial & Retribution: Mirror Image: Part 1 (2007)

User Reviews

From strength to strength

Without a doubt "Trial and Retribution IX" is the best of the series to date. Superb contributions by all concerned. This episode is unmissable. Miss La Plante goes from strength to strength. Her characters are so utterly believable and her killer here exudes so much evil (with a smile), that I couldn't help shuddering, and I'm a hardened thriller and "whodunnit" freak. She also manages with complete ease (which must be irritating for lesser writers), to put into context the plights of both police and victims alike, and highlights what a difficult job our guardians of law and order have.

The lady is such a genius of the genre, (and if she'll forgive the slightly sexist remark) the best master-craftsman of the day. If there is a down side to the production, it's only a personal one. I do so hate the use of split-screen camera work. Happily in this case it wasn't too irritating. I'm given to understand that "Trial and Retribution X (The Sins of the Father)" is currently in production, so I look forward to its screening with relish.