When Liz Carr and Richard Lintern left, I was disappointed. A fine acting talent, Ms. Carr offered a rare glimpse into challenges, and more importantly, contributions of disabled populations. During her tenure on the show, several storylines and characters offered additional insight. However, her replacements this season and last, have shown potential as characters worthy of further exploration. Unfortunately, Genesis Lynea did not return. This season Alastair Michael will hopefully survive. Similarly, the addition of Aki Omoshaybi serves to as a potential worthy successor to Richard Lintern. For this, we can likely thank the writers, who laid the foundations for these new characters with substantial growth possibilities.
Sadly, this first two-part episode, "The Penitent" offered the audience more of Nikki's over the top melodrama (and abominable acting by Emilia Fox) as the character's moral (even colonial) superiority and lack of professional boundaries has ruined this show for me. The script (sorry might need to blame the writers on this one, but I suspect outside pressures/forces were at work here as well) was a vehicle for several of Nikki's self righteous colloquies that occur in situations grossly beyond the scope of any pathologist. Tracking down perpetrators in the name of their family members, solving the case in the field, rather than in the morgue and lab (as if no law enforcement force is ever capable) has become laughably ridiculous-chase scenes, explosions (and survivals), niche mafiosos, multi level corruption that, without Nikki Alexander would have been left to the economic ruin of all the United Kingdom. And, BTW - identifying the "inside man" was fairly obvious after the shot with the photo of kids.
Finally, the romance element indicates that the life of these characters are past their due by dates (Fonzi and sharks comes to mind). To be fair, I'm not sure if the David Caves' character could have been better developed, but in the shadow of the force called Emilia Fox, this may prove to be a missed opportunity. I gave this program one last chance, but I cannot support it any longer. It is utter rubbish at this point.
Sadly, this first two-part episode, "The Penitent" offered the audience more of Nikki's over the top melodrama (and abominable acting by Emilia Fox) as the character's moral (even colonial) superiority and lack of professional boundaries has ruined this show for me. The script (sorry might need to blame the writers on this one, but I suspect outside pressures/forces were at work here as well) was a vehicle for several of Nikki's self righteous colloquies that occur in situations grossly beyond the scope of any pathologist. Tracking down perpetrators in the name of their family members, solving the case in the field, rather than in the morgue and lab (as if no law enforcement force is ever capable) has become laughably ridiculous-chase scenes, explosions (and survivals), niche mafiosos, multi level corruption that, without Nikki Alexander would have been left to the economic ruin of all the United Kingdom. And, BTW - identifying the "inside man" was fairly obvious after the shot with the photo of kids.
Finally, the romance element indicates that the life of these characters are past their due by dates (Fonzi and sharks comes to mind). To be fair, I'm not sure if the David Caves' character could have been better developed, but in the shadow of the force called Emilia Fox, this may prove to be a missed opportunity. I gave this program one last chance, but I cannot support it any longer. It is utter rubbish at this point.