The Escape Artist (2013) User Reviews

I loved it

[Shymaa0000 · 9/10 · 14 July 2019]

This is very important. if you enjoyed this series, stop here. seriously stop. reviews here have combed the plot to within an inch of its life.

if you have no knowledge of UK courtrooms, like me (i have no idea if the complaints in other reviews about court procedures hold water) and decided to excuse stupid actions to human failings then you can enjoy this immensely. i don't know if i'm trying to excuse plot holes here or if the writers meant for his characters to make seemingly stupid decisions deliberately. ppl do insane things everyday. look around you, reality is illogical.

at least everyone can agree David Tennant killed it here and the last episode made it worthwhile. the last 10 min were nerve wreaking. my heart was beating so hard, i couldn't breathe or move i could only stare mouthing "wow"

preposterous but entertaining nonetheless

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 23 December 2014]

David Tennant is a talented barrister whose big win comes back to haunt him in "The Escape Artist," from 2013. Lots of negative comments here on IMDb.

Will has to defend Liam Foyle in a horrific murder case. It seems fairly clear that he's guilty, but Will manages to get him acquitted. The next thing he knows, Foyle has filed a complaint against Will. And here's where the problems with the script begin. Motivations throughout are simply not clear, and I guess we're supposed to assume that because this guy is a sociopath, he does things for the hell of it.

And for the hell of it, he's out to get his defense barrister. His next move is more heinous, and this time, Will sees him when he looks out the window. This time, though, another barrister takes his case, and Will feels what it's like on the other side.

There were criticisms on this board about the way British court procedure was portrayed. Naturally we here in America don't know much about that. What we do know is how odd the U.S. courts can be, so nothing surprises us. I watch a lot of true crime and have seen innocent people sitting on death row for 16 years, an abusive husband given joint custody of his children with his wife (he winds up nearly killing her) - etc.

British courts aside, this is an unbelievable story that is nevertheless engrossing and has a neat, if preposterous, twist at the end. I enjoyed the acting overall as well. The script could have used a little more work in finding stronger motivations. I would guess that the writer had an incredible idea for a denouement and filled in the rest, but not very carefully.

Not bad, but not among the BBC´s finest

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 22 November 2018]

BBC Crime has always been a certain sign of quality - I have never discontinued any of their series because of disturbing implausibility or something. On the other hand, as so many similar works are created monthly, it is evident that not all can be up to par or they just do not bespeak you as much.

The Escape Artist is such a series where the share of court events and dramatics sometimes tend to overshadow the thrill and the urge to find out what was really the case. David Tennant as Will Burton, Sophie Okonedo as Maggie Gardner, Toby Kebbell as Liam Foyle are more than good, but often the aridity of scenes with-around them does not bring the suspense along as it could be. Still, the logic of events remains and some steps odd at first obtain the satisfactory solution and motivation later on. Bearing in mind Burton´s profession, the final outcome is logical as well.

Thus, the performances excel the script decidedly, but 3 episodes only let you dig yourself not in too big redundancy or have blah! feelings. Watch it, ponder a bit and then find other works where the stars of this series perform :)

Brilliant David Tennant

[tamaramarkovich · 10/10 · 3 July 2020]

You might love or hate this piece, however one thing is absolutely sure: David Tennant has given us some brilliant acting in this show, and even if it is for that only it deserves 10/10.

A charming defense barrister has the perfect record of never having lost a case.

[lfodor-09199 · 10/10 · 30 June 2015]

Will Burton a junior barrister defends a man who charged with a brutal murder. This series becomes a white knuckle, tension filled drama. It is not a typical, predictable series. Extremely well written. Not only is David Tennant superb, each actor in this 6 part series delivers a great performance. The lighting, photography and sets are simply top notch. The special features (interviews) are well worth watching. They are short and informative. If you only watch American productions you will notice British productions are vastly different. In my humble opinion, British productions are superior. I'd watch this series again, which I rarely ever do! Keep an open mind if this is your first time viewing a British production. I'm sure you will become a convert after watching this riveting drama.

Flawed but compelling

[craig-w · 6/10 · 3 July 2014]

As others have pointed out, there are irritating problems with logic throughout the story. But I found the show clearly worth viewing - because the dialog was great, the premise was a good one, the acting and directing were outstanding, I cared about the characters, and the ending was satisfying.

The writing of a screenplay has a number of important components, and not every good writer is a master of all. David Wolstencroft was the author, and his dialog is very good, his character development excellent, the basic scenario good, his plot creativity good, his resolution of the story rather brilliant. His one fault, as I see it - and it's a big one for me - is believability. In order to advance his story, he resorts to plot twists that defy logic, and characters who act stupidly and have emotions that don't fit - and he does it over and over. A serious failing. I've often thought that every screenplay that wants to be considered as serious art should go through a logic evaluation process before screening.

Still, it was a riveting series, and I couldn't wait to see how it would turn out. I worried about some of the characters, the villain was memorable, and I loved the ending; it was so clever that a little implausibility there didn't ruin it for me.

Compelling and Not Flawed

[randyruss72 · 10/10 · 11 October 2016]

This is one of the finest televised dramas I have ever seen. I was watching it on the TV channel that brings us wonderful British shows, Part 1, knowing that Part 2 would be aired the next week. About and hour into the telecast, the TV went dark and I looked about and there were no lights anywhere. We were undergoing a power outage. Determined to see the entire production, I ordered the DVD which I then did as gifts for film aficionados. I had no prior introduction to the work of David Tennant but was so impressed. Learning of his amazing career is a pleasure. He admires Derek Jacobi, an actor long admired in the States beginning with "I, Claudius." I was privileged to have drinks with Sir Derek in Stratford in the autumn of 1982 following his stellar performance in "The Tempest." He continues turning out marvelous performances.

Where is the love?!

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 10 July 2014]

Often, before or after watching a film I will go to IMDb to read through the reviews to see what others think about a particular film. In the case of "The Escape Artist", I was rather surprised at the intensity of many of the reviews. To say that they hated the film is probably an understatement! One called it the 'by far worst show' ever to be aired on "Masterpiece Theater" here in the United States. Another said it had a 'dreadful story line'. Many complained that the show wasn't very believable, though some admitted that the acting and mood were good.

I cannot say how credible the story is here. The complaints mostly had to do with court procedures and last time I checked, I wasn't a British barrister (for us non-Brits, it's a lawyer who tries cases in court). I think the other reviewers were probably correct--but I simply don't know for sure. Heck, I am not even sure about court procedures in the US let alone the UK! So, while the story does seem far-fetched at times, I just cannot say whether such a case could or could not occur.

David Tennant stars as Will Burton--a very successful defense barrister. The film begins with him defending Liam Foyle in a grisly murder case. It seems pretty obvious that Foyle is a sociopath who did brutally murder someone...but Burton is able to work the system and get him acquitted. Shortly after this, inexplicably, the now free Foyle files a protest against Burton for misconduct! This makes no sense and soon it's obvious that Foyle is out to get Burton. Yes, I know--why would he attack the man who just got him out of prison?! Well, Foyle's next move is to attack Burton's wife and he butchers her--just like the earlier victim. In this case, Burton himself sees Foyle out the window-- gloating over his handywork. Now Burton gets to feel what it's like to be on the other side of the law and see another clever lawyer work hard to keep Foyle from serving time for his infamous crimes.

What follows are a lot of court proceedings and more instances where seemingly good evidence is tossed out because Foyle's new barrister is clever...just like Burton had been. Again, I have no idea if it was reasonable or not...I just don't know. However, I have seen many cases here in the US where justice truly was blind...and stupid. I used to work in the mental health system and was called to court frequently and saw insane behavior by judges (such as one where a judge made a long speech blaming society for a rapist who had molested a four year-old). So, unless you are a barrister or judge, it's really not possible to determine if any of this is plausible--and I'd LOVE to hear from one if you have seen the show and could explain to all of us if the plot was believable. What I do assume was quite ridiculous is the scene where Foyle is screaming and behaving like a wildman at his second barrister's office. He's walking about on their conference table and is unhinged. I don't think it's far-fetched to assume if this really happened that the lawyers would have him arrested and would petition to be removed from the case. Harsh verbal abuse and threats wouldn't be tolerated. A few other scenes also seemed tough to believe--such as the ridiculous and poorly written confrontation scene between Foyle and Burton in the third and final installment.

So what I am left with is to discuss the other merits of "The Escape Artist" apart from the bizarre plot twists and court procedures. The acting was superb and it was nice to see Tennant could do something other than play Dr. Who. He was excellent in his role as Burton. As for the rest, they, too were quite good. Additionally, the combination of direction, music and cinematography worked very, very well to create a creepy and brooding mood. It certainly is never dull nor unprofessional looking--which makes me wonder about all the really, really, really negative reviews. They just seemed a bit harsh, though I could understand their concerns about the difficulty in believing the plot. As for me, I see it as a film you can enjoy provided you just turn off that part of your brain that wants to question the plot. Just suspend your sense of disbelief and enjoy.

Finally, although this was originally shown on "Masterpiece Theater" here in the States, it is out on DVD and is available widely (as well as through Netflix). Not especially brilliant but never dull and worth your time if you love thrillers.

Great watching

[samthejudgeamos · 8/10 · 20 May 2022]

Suspenseful, dark and frankly more than a bit creepy in paces. David Tennant is excellent in this. The (brilliantly cast) adversary is uncomfortable to watch,. If you took the facial features of Tim Curry, Stephen Mangan and Steve-o and removed the menacing parts from each and smooshed them all together, you would get an oddly attractive bad guy. This is him.

Law makers and law breakers

[Lejink · 6/10 · 19 November 2013]

This BBC mini-series was short on credibility but pretty long on tension and suspense, helped by convincing acting and pacey direction. David Tennent, who appears to be everywhere on TV at the moment, is a hot-shot young city barrister who gets a sadistic murderer off on a technicality, but who by snubbing him after the trial wreaks a terrible fate for his family. Although an eye-witness to the horrific crime perpetrated on his wife in their holiday cottage, Tennent finds himself the biter-bit as the perpetrator turns to his chief rival in the "Young Lawyer of The Year" stakes, Sophie Okinedo, who also appears to be everywhere on TV at the moment, as his defence solicitor, her character's detachment and ambition now ironically reflecting Tennent's own character earlier.

Like I said, the plot was unbelievable but once you cottoned onto this and surrendered to it as a sort of UK-based John Grisham entertainment, it was an engaging enough production. The acting helped to paper over the plot holes, Tennent as the high-flier brought to earth with a crash, Toby Kebbell as the clinical but devious psychopath Liam Foyle and Okinedo as Tennent's young legal rival, her ambition clouding her judgement in taking on the case of such a brutal killer.

Spread over three nights you could see the padding and as I indicated earlier the sensationalist story-line probably belonged more in a Stateside rather than London-based setting, over the top final confrontation and all.

I personally prefer my thriller dramas when they're a bit more grounded in reality but as escapist nonsense I suppose it just about justified three hours of my time.

A Gilded Lawyer With Outrageous Bad Luck.

[davvvyc · 9/10 · 24 March 2016]

Just saw first episode initially. Great suspense of a killer thriller typified by how often his lower nature is only out done by his slippery escapes in front of the screen. Enjoyed the 'slapstick of unfortunate events.' But the irony of injustices to the main character, a charming lawyer, is a numerous litany of misfortune because he's observed to be a good man but slips and slides in an outfield to be sucker punched by the killer 'for not performing a common courtesy.' I hope to see the other two episodes on TV during the showing weekly but believably real is this story because the entertainment value is more than enough to be engrossed and watch it with my girlfriends. If you need to see both sides of human nature both kind and nefarious weaved well watch this series as the Lawyer has an intimate close knit family but the killer is subtly diabolical in how deviously he murders victims. Exciting to watch but unreal in detail taken to the extreme it is though it's ironies are pleasing.

The Escape Artist

[stevenremmington · 7/10 · 14 December 2020]

Definitely an implausible storyline and utterly far fetched, but then many compelling dramas have peculiar twists, and often events would never happen in reality. So I wouldn't consider this to be a valid criticism. The principal cast are talented and accomplished, and the acting is the strongest element. The final episode seems to cram into the plot too many crucial aspects of the story that weren't suggested or introduced in any way during the preceding episodes. This gave the impression that the story was somewhat rushed towards the end. Setting out the storyline in greater depth earlier in the series would have allowed the whole thing to make more sense. However that would probably have required an additional episode, which presumably the producers wished to avoid.

Amazingly sloppy writing

[SuzyCayenne · 2/10 · 21 May 2015]

I watched this show last night, and woke up feeling so annoyed about the utter contempt for the intelligence of viewers that I'm moved to write this review. As other reviews have noted, the acting and tension elements are good, which makes it all the more noticeable that the writing is so woefully deficient.

Some genres don't depend on credible authenticity, but the legal thriller is not one of them. The Escape Artist asks the viewer to believe constantly in the implausible and impossible; it lacks even the semblance of internal consistency. I'm not talking about simply technical errors, but about constant gaffes on critical plot elements:

1. That a murder charge in a case rife with "serial killer" implications would be completely set aside by procedural error, rather than result in a mistrial and new proceedings.

2. That a high profile case would be assigned for prosecution to the same chambers where the victim's husband works?? Yes, barristers pride themselves on impartiality, but seriously, why would anyone take the chance of obvious conflict of interest (and the potential blowback on careers; there may be a press embargo during the case but I can't imagine this would be ignored by them forever). I'm a former defense attorney in the U.S., and granted we have a different system, but surely the Crown Prosecution Service pays more attention to such things than this would indicate?

Even if we accept this highly unlikely allocation of the prosecution, we are then asked to believe that the firm is assigning their most incompetent junior to the case because "the others are too busy." Oh, right. Rather than reassign one of their other cases, they're going to go with this guy on the absolutely most serious and sensational crime they're ever likely to handle.

3. That the young son, known to be present during the murder, would not be handled by someone experienced in child psychology, therapy etc, rather than just have his father barking at him, "Sure you didn't see anything?" Again, any legal system has errors and sloppiness, but we're asked to believe time and time again that it's happening in the most high profile kind of case?

There are also less plot-driven errors: why is Tara out to get Will? If it's professional jealousy, the background has not been established. (Go watch Silk for a primer in how to do this the right way.) Is she worried about the firm's reputation? Why not tell them to be more careful?

And Maggie knows she's had a home invasion, apparently on two occasions, but sees no need to involve the police? She's representing a guy with SOCIOPATH SERIAL KILLER written all over him in mile high letters, she knows he may well have killed the wife of his last attorney, and now it looks like he's broken into her house and she's basically so okay with this, she only makes a brief phone call to a colleague? Really?

Even insignificant things were botched. What happens to the family dog? he's present at the cottage when Kate is killed, but unhurt (killer apparently unhampered by presence of dog, neighbors not alerted by any barking, etc.) and then he completely disappears. Let's see, the father thought it was a good idea to get rid of the last remaining continuity and comfort for the kid? Feeble, just feeble.

I expect far better than this from Masterpiece. Don't waste such a good cast on such a train wreck of a script next time.

Really entertaining

[pdjemil · 10/10 · 7 January 2024]

I'm not a lover of watching violence on tv/ films and I hadn't heard of this series or read any reviews.

However this was great acting by the wonderful cast. A stellar performance with a tense storyline. The actors stayed in character throughout.

Although a little unbelievable in places and slightly uncomfortable, it was a really good watch.

The final episode was the icing on the cake for me, with some twists and turns. Very slick and clever too.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys court room dramas and how the truth can be manipulated.

Great mini series, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Has great emotional center to this legal thriller

[Hallelujah289 · 8/10 · 3 July 2023]

The Escape Artist is a three part PBS mini series that truly does have three distinct arcs, which takes the characters in much different directions than you saw any of them initially.

The feel of the story is like American genre of court drama, like the screenwriter David Wolstencroft says in the bonus feature interview, except it takes place in the British court system, and later, the Scottish one. The screenwriter said he wanted to expand the regular court drama though, and even the main actor David Tennant says the story took him pack his own expectations of the genre of the piece. At first court drama, and later thriller, The Escape Artist combines the inventiveness of pulp fiction and an air of reality.

If you watch David Wolstonecroft's interview, it makes sense the way he did as he says he first wrote the script from a place of emotion and honesty, then consulted with legal experts to try to achieve those same emotional honesty goals in a way that can be possible. If there are legal errors as reviews might suggest, as a layperson viewer I find them forgivable because the emotionality of the film achieves what the writer wanted it to. There is a portrait of a family in this film, and it's believable and the trauma that happens with it is cutting as a result. David Tennant in particular who I know has a son in real life has a strong bond with the actor who plays his eight year old son in this film. And giving Tennant, a Scottish actor, a Scottish wife, was also a nice touch.

All in all a great watching experience.

Passable Brit murder/legal defence thing

[canuckteach · 7/10 · 5 March 2022]

Well, we love David Tennant (late of his Phileas Fogg presentation on PBS & Dr. Who, in the past). So, when this 2013 entry popped up on PBS-Prime, we jumped at the chance. Tennant plays an emerging Brit Solicitor (defence attorney) who is undefeated. Hence, he is given a case involving a nasty young man who (allegedly) ritualistically murdered a young female.

Tennant is happily married, with an adolescent son of his own in this 3-part story. He has misgivings about the case, but finds a way to get a result. Sadly, soon, things begin to go wrong. No spoilers here, but in part 3, Tennant is forced to take drastic action to protect himself & son. The outcome was nothing like one might expect, and, really incongruent to the story we started with.

I often find Brit mystery shows will deliberately omit details or fabricate plot holes to make the story work. Most of these are forgivable, but, in this story, it almost seems the writers had an axe to grind with the courts allowing dodgy defence tactics to win acquittals. I enjoyed the first 2 episodes, but the closing was WAY out of left field. No problem with the performances, mind you-but I would like to have a long chat with the writer.

7/10.

Chilling Tale of Sociopathy & the Law

[tobiwalker · 8/10 · 13 January 2024]

British trials aren't live-streamed as are American trials so I have no idea of what goes on in a British courtroom, English or Scottish, and I can't know whether the representations in this series are accurate or cartoonish; but I do watch a lot of American trials and I can see how lack of evidence leads to failure to reach justice for heinous crimes. This show is not inaccurate in that regard. How I wish we Americans had the option of the Scottish "Not Proven" verdict!

Nor is it inaccurate as to the behavior of a sociopath, though I doubt anybody thought to be so dangerous as Liam Foyle would be allowed to throw a threatening temper tantrum in an American lawyer's office without the cops being called, charges filed, and the publicly-appointed lawyers asking to be removed from the case.

The show's message is that little details matter even as they leave out much that would make it more realistic. That the messenger is David Tennant is the cherry on top, watching him makes me wish the series had been given the additional episodes they would have needed to properly flesh out the story.

Very disappointing

[esauboeck-1 · 6/10 · 22 June 2014]

SPOILER ALERT: this may give away some elements of the plot.

Tremendously good acting wasted on a preposterous plot and limited character development. There is only vague explanation for any of the actions taken by the villain, and legally it seems highly unlikely that any of the outcomes would have been possible. I guess no one can do decent character development anymore. David Tennant was good, as was Sophie Okonedo, but the only thing that was believable was the pain felt by the victims of the gruesome crimes committed. I really expect better from these British series. I can understand that the writers felt they had a good premise--a top-notch barrister gets his obviously guilty and extremely creepy client off on a technicality, because that's his job, only to find himself then victimized by the same person. Alas, their development of that idea was vague and unconvincing.

Not bad at all

[HumbleMensa · 7/10 · 5 April 2024]

This one is interesting. I wasn't sure if this would be for me but turns out this one has a plot that's full of twists and turns. Davis Tennant is good, his well refined speech, and stares. This thriller gets pretty quickly into a really shocking scene that suddenly makes you pay attention. Toby Kebbell is scary as F and I'm not sure I can ever watch another movie with him ever again because all I will see is his character, but that means it was well done. Sophie Okonedo is brilliant, simply wonderful as she usually is. This film simply delighted me. It isn't a ten, but it's a strong seven for sure.

Stylish, well acted nonsense

[beeblebrocs · 5/10 · 20 August 2014]

I would not say this mini-series is awful. However, this is one of those "missed opportunities" that makes us sad because it could have been more.

There is no excuse for the lazy writing displayed in The Escape Artist. Others in this review thread have covered a lot of the problems with this screenplay but here are the ones that bugged me the most:

+++++SERIOUS SPOILERS BELOW +++++

First we have the script outline (the "high concept"):

1.) Legal Beagle gets an obvious murderer off on a technicality.

2.) Murderer kills wife of legal beagle.

3.) Murderer is tried and gets away scott-free, again through a technicality.

4.) Murderer is himself murdered.

5.) Legal beagle is arrested and tried for that murder.

6.) Legal beagle also gets off on a technicality.

7.) A character finally lays out how the legal beagle MAY have committed his "perfect crime".

This "high concept" has it's own problems but a skilled writer should be able to make these 7 points work right?

Wrong.

The set-up: The protagonist "legal beagle" (played by Tennant) gets an obvious murderer off on a technicality. I don't know enough about the English legal system to understand why this doesn't just result in a mistrial but I'm generous so I'll buy it.

Now the problems with the screenplay come fast and furious. The motive for the next murder is laughable. Yet for the story to unfold, a motive is certainly needed. Unfortunately the writer (David Wolstencroft) doesn't have an idea about how to make it believable so he takes the lazy way out.

Issue 1. Why does the psychopathic murderer kill the legal beagle's wife? This point is not part of the high concept so rather than come up with a plausible motive (and I can think of several that he could have used), Wolstencroft employs the ham-fisted "not shaking hands with the man who got him off" as the motive and leaves it at that. ("Hey, he's a psychopath so who knows what would motivate him?").

So the viewer is left to assume that he would commit this second murder for no real reason whatsoever. The psychopath also has to assume that his only way of getting away with this second murder is to HOPE that another grievous error will be made by the system.

Sure enough, Wolstencroft provides us with this grievous error (a storage unit is searched for a key bit of evidence without a warrant) and this error gets the murderer off on a technicality once again.

Point 2. Moving to the end, Wolstencroft's climactic expository scene where the competing defense attorney (Sophie Okonedo) confronts the legal beagle with her speculation of how he committed his perfect murder of the psychopath is completely implausible. Not what she lays out, but that she knows any of it in the first place.

Let's be honest here; Okonedo's character would have ZERO way of knowing anything about the murder of the psychopath except - wait for it - for a chance encounter she had earlier in the story where she shows up at the tail end of a meeting between the legal beagle and a local underworld "operator". This underworld operator evidently can provide background medical information on the psychopath - information that the legal beagle ostensibly uses to kill him later in the story.

Here's the problem... The legal beagle meets with this underworld operator at night on a deserted street nowhere close to where Okenedo's character would ever go at that time of night. Yet incredibly, just as this meeting finishes she just happens to walk up to the duo as they are finishing up their mysterious conversation.

THE SAME FREAKIN' MOMENT!!

For the viewer's benefit, she makes a point of mentioning that she recognizes this underworld dude so we have to assume that this bit of dialog is there for an important reason (otherwise, why shoe-horn this implausible situation into the story?)

Wolstencroft needs to have someone (in this case, Okonedo's competing attorney character) speak key expository dialog later but realizes that this dialog can't be spoken without a catalyzing scene earlier in the story.

Someone had to have asked Wolstencroft after they read the script, "wait a second, how does the competing attorney come to suspect the legal beagle in the first place in order for her to layout the exact method he used to kill his wife's murderer?"

Wolstencroft's answer: "You're right, that makes no sense… wait, I've got it! What if she just happens to walk in on a key meeting between the legal beagle and his conspirator planning the murder? That would explain it right?"

So of course, the climax of the story hinges on this chance meeting that would never have happened had the writer had any wits about him. This kind of maddening writing permeates this script. A script that could have been smart but ended up being the opposite.

Final thought. The screenplay is about how the guilty can get away with murder through technicalities. So why not make the psychopath's motive for his murders that he knows enough about the legal system to escape prosecution by gaming it? But this is never explored. So the psychopath is just lucky that the system was incompetent twice in a row rather than pursuing the angle that a serial murderer could pervert the system if he was smart enough to do so. Wolstencroft completely misses this story element - to the viewer's frustration.

I still recommend The Escape Artist for David Tennant fans as he is great as always.

What routinely passes for mystery/drama nowadays

[Astrolpdc1 · 5/10 · 30 August 2014]

Unfortunately not all efforts can be crackerjacks and this painfully true aphorism certainly applies to The Escape Artist. In all literature, plays, teleplays, and large screen movie releases etc., there is credible suspension of belief and there is also incredible suspension of belief. The latter describes what is necessary to take this particular 'escape' ride. It appears many of the writers nowadays reflect much of the fantasy universe they grew up playing in, with their games and hand-held devices. One can write well and not feel compelled to banish all commonsensical behavior on the part of essential characters. Whether this behavior stems from major characters being shocked and taken aback when confronted by an unexpected and repugnant evil. Or worse, whether it stems from a jaded apathy and more than implied complicity with evil. But nowadays common sense and right thinking are largely absent from teleplays and Movies of this kind. I guess it is the only way for many of them to make things work anymore, such is the state of creative writing.

The ending, and I mean the actual last 30 seconds of the teleplay, to my mind, are the only truly clever and revealing moments in this work, leaving the observant viewer to question his eyeballs and hit the replay button on the DVR. Something of great importance is on-screen for a very few seconds. There is a purposeful director's close-up which brings an insight and some measure of finality to the story ... and at the same time, has the obvious potential for raising more intriguing questions about complicity and who just may be involved in this intrigue. The actor's attention to something and subsequent inexplicable physical movement in these few seconds conveys a good deal. Perhaps an Easter Egg? I'm surprised no review before me has drawn attention to this. But considering the low ratings maybe I shouldn't be as it really doesn't make up for the lost 3 hours preceding it. Oh well.

Disappointing, disturbing, Excellent cast & production let down by implausible plot

[fourwinds4 · 5/10 · 13 August 2017]

I have to agree with many of the reviewers on IMDb here : the writing lets this production down. The storyline is just not credible and after watching the first episode and the synopsis for the second and third episodes, I am not watching further.

If you look down the list of reviews, almost every single one has a "spoiler alert" - that should tell you something; namely that the plot line is so ridiculous everyone feels the need to mention it in their review. I don't usually reveal plot either, but there's no choice here.

I see someone said that the full version was much better. Well it would have to be. But even a more full version cannot excuse the ridiculous plot line which as many have said here, is totally unbelievable.

I was raised in the Uk but have lived in the US for 26 years. I find it completely implausible that Burton would have been able to get Foyle off such a high profile "heinous" crime with a technicality as ridiculous as credit card charges for pornography. Totally not believable.

Then, the wife would have known about the case. Any Mother would have mentioned to her husband that there was a man waving at their son from the street below. And then, any woman who was in a cottage in the country who looks out the window whilst in her bath to see a strange man looking in at her would describe him (he was clearly visible) to her husband and the police and they would all deduce it was Foyle. Add to that the fact that Foyle has now complained to the Legal authorities about Burton's "Misconduct' after he actually got him off the charge.... um.. I don't think that a top Legal Barrister is stupid. So then the wife goes back at night to the cottage in the country ALONE with the son instead of waiting for her husband? And he lets her? Just a few days/weeks later? Nonsense!!!!!

Then apparently, in episode 2 which I will not be watching, even though Burton sees Foyle standing outside after he finds his blood covered wife and says so, the other Barrister gets Foyle bail? Someone who has now been accused TWICE of brutal murder and torture? When the person testifying he saw him standing outside is a top legal Barrister? I'm sorry but what country is this? Simply would not happen.

I watched this because I really appreciate David Tennant and from the synopsis I thought I was going to be watching a really good legal drama. How wrong I was. David's acting is as always excellent and wow! Toby Kebbell is one outstanding young actor. Without ever touching his victims on screen or any kind of weapon in his hands, he just portrayed the ultimate psycho creep to a T.

So for me, it was disappointing and rather disturbing to have something portrayed in this way. I gave it 5 stars for the acting and overall production but the storyline, dreadful.

To the reviewer who had not seen Tennant in anything else but Dr. Who and thus realized "oh he can really act". watch him in "Broadchurch" which unlike this, is a brilliant murder series set in the UK (Dorset) starring Tennant and - like this - a fabulous supporting cast.

No Plausible Writing: Good Production

[Znoodles · 5/10 · 6 August 2016]

As noted by previous reviewers, the thread of court logic is threadbare. However, the set design, direction, casting & soundtrack are spot on. Given that the "artist" is a murderer who gets away with murder, it would have been nice to see more of his macabre character explored. Of course, Mr. F is no Alice Morgan, but he is multifaceted in ways that are only alluded to by the writers.The jealous up & coming barister also has many character opportunities that we, as the audience are left wondering. For 180 mins, prepare for slightly suspenseful courtshow antics. Be entertained & don't wait for the the frown furrow to leave your brow.

I expected better from Masterpiece

[Franklie · 3/10 · 18 June 2014]

POSSIBLE SPOILERS: Although the subject matter is perfect for a thriller, Masterpiece usually does a much better job. There are SO many holes in this show. Among them... Why weren't the son and wife shown photographs of possible Peeping Toms? Why in the world would the wife and son go back to the cottage? Doesn't make sense. And nothing is flowing well. Oh, and there really was no need to have such horrific torture of the first victim. We would have been horrified with much less. We're VERY glad they didn't do a torture scene. Being in the US, we've only seen the first episode, so the rest might get better. We hope so. The holes in the plot have made the whole thing a bit laughable, which helps to break the tension, which they have done a fantastic job of creating. And they've done a great job using intelligent vocabulary rather than foul language which seems to be hip these days unfortunately. Here's hoping they keep it up.

Dreadful Storyline

[peterriches-197-504828 · 2/10 · 5 November 2013]

This series is well acted and directed in the sense that the scenes work.

However, the story is completely implausible and relies on ludicrous contrivances to try to force out the main theme - the conflict between justice and moral right.

The British legal system has many faults and judges and lawyers can be manipulative,self seeking and make errors, but not to this degree.

It seems that the Director and writer think the use of some excellent actors and plenty of gratuitous violence can cover up these flaws.

Doubtless it will be successful as audiences can be easily taken in, eg by David Tennant's equally well acted but ridiculously plotted Broadchurch.