Silent Witness (1996– ) User Reviews

Annoying, unbelievable and ludicrous.

[jdhb-768-61234 · 3/10 · 27 June 2020]

There was a time, long, long ago, when Silent Witness was a good programme. Strong characters and decent stories, logical and believable. Then someone decided to make Emilia Fox the 'star' of the show and it was downhill all the way.

Suddenly, a team of Home Office pathologists became mostly a story about the 'star' character, Nikki Alexander. Home Office pathologists began doubling as forensic scientists, scenes of crime officers, criminal investigators, suspect interrogators and even social workers. No job seemed to be either out of their realm of experience or ability to deal with. The stories became increasingly ridiculous and even had our heroic pathologists chasing around the streets of foreign parts, being shot at and more.

Ludicrous nonsense made even worse by the horrendous and never ending moralising and the 'deeply meaningful' direction, cinematography and musical accompaniment.

Thinking that I had, perhaps, misjudged the series, I gave it another go, but less than halfway into episode 2 of series 10, I had to admit defeat. It is every bit as bad as I'd originally concluded. 8 out of 10 up to the first 2 episodes of series 8; 2 out of 10 for the smug self-satisfaction and unbelievably annoying stupidity of the rest. Adds up to an overall 3.

I used to love this show. Sadly, no more.

[buffgirl73-265-696226 · 3/10 · 23 January 2023]

The current season (2023) of Silent Witness has lost me.

Ridiculous plots, awful new characters, bad acting from previously good cast members and plot lines which beggar belief.

I have given it 4 episodes, hoping that the first two doubles were an exception. They weren't. As soon as I saw the new assistant waking up in a field after a festival I felt a sense of foreboding and disappointment.

My patience had worn out.

I don't know if the writers have been brought in as interns or the supporting actors are fresh out of college but the quality is anything but good and whereas the BBC has generally been known for great dramas, they should perhaps think about retiring this series.

Way past it's sell by date and not something that you can reinvent.

A shame. RIP Silent Witneas.

It's all about Nikki

[StoryLover10 · 3/10 · 20 December 2022]

I agree entirely with jdhb.

The earlier episodes with Amanda Burton acting and storytelling reflected trends of the time, which are dated today, but were acceptable as reflections of the time. When the series became ensemble-focused, it was enjoyable. Billing rotated, so no one actor out ranked another, at least not officially. When Tom Ward left, Emily Fox's on-screen presence elevated until she finally became top billed for the duration--the proverbial beginning of the end, as it were. The show has become increasingly less enjoyable or tolerable as it is now dominated by a sanctimonious Nikki (Emilia Fox).

Some storylines over the years were a bit silly, particularly ones with globetrotting. Why did the Lyell Center need to go to Africa? Oh, and why doesn't Nikki have a South African accent if that's where she was raised? William Gaminara's final episodes when the Lyell Center team "goes to Afghanistan." It's as if they are Hope, Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour galivanting across the globe for no substantive reason whatsoever, other than to be entitled "civilized," first world people slumming with, and condescending to the natives. (That said, his, Gaminara's, departure is a loss.) In this particular adventure, Nikki was all kinds of self righteous and judgmental of local values, reality, and ways of life. Likewise, David Caves' character's first means to resolve any conflict is with toxic masculinity and physical violence. Seriously?

Finally, forensic and pathology personnel are not cops. They don't travel (even to Scotland) to engage in cases. Yes, CSI did this too--allowing the science geeks to carry guns and conduct suspect interviews. It is a lazy means to create pseudo and unrealistic drama.

To the producers, please return to this show's roots, as a team of actors playing scientists who use their profession and brainpower toward crime-solving.

Needs putting out to rest

[parfster2010 · 3/10 · 4 January 2023]

The writers have run out of things to do and are just recycling old stories but with slightly different characters. The character of a crime scene pathologist doesn't have 25 series worth of stories to it, so they have now started making them appear like front line detectives or even special agents just to keep this going. What next Nikki Alexander leads a top level Navy Seals unit into deepest Colombia to fight an international drugs cartel off the back of her finding a different type of cocaine in the system of a drug addict that was unfortunately found dead - who knows but I wouldn't put it past the writers for a 26th series.

What is up with the dialogue?

[nkcici · 1/10 · 11 January 2023]

Have just watched the Penitent (ie the first two eps of season 26). Holymacaroni! This was terrible! The dialogue was so stunted and the scenes were short so every exchange seemed to be person a says something nd person B quips back and then cut to the next people doing the same. And should there not be at least some modicum of continuity in the character of Nikki? One series she was under suspicion for making a mistake and the whole episode was a narrative of how i m p o s s i b l e that was. The next series she makes an error and the whole story is about that...?! Now, in the Penitent it is as if she is an inexperienced beginner and needs telling where bodies can be found. At the same time she walks right into a house with the mob while she in the next scene is so "terrified" that she is prepared to kill someone???! She must have a split personality by now. And the running back and forth in scenes with shrill voice - the over acting and terrible terrible dramatic voice and gestures. Please, do not let these writers write anymore. The re-location to Mexico might have been a fun once and never again but if these writers always want to make them detectives and then add on implausible storylines and horrible dialogue, well, then, count me out. If nothing else, think about the ending and the villain admitting to the crimes despite having cleverly spent a lifetime hiding them. Won't gp into detail since I don't want add a spoiler but yikes.. talk about unrealistic.

Oh dear!

[adrepos · 2/10 · 4 January 2023]

Series 26 sees Nikki fully embrace her role as Supercop, Lara Croft impersonator and oh, I nearly forgot, part-time forensic pathologist. As she becomes embroiled in a convoluted, murderous mafia plot all reason and ethical integrity are abandoned with hysterical outbursts and stealing medicines to murder a key witness with whom she subsequently escapes from an exploded van. "You need to get to hospital' Nikki advises him without qualification. In spite of her concern there is no major trauma to either of them and the pair move on to explore a crypt (I think) where they have each magically been provided with torches. They subsequently enter a hospital, clean and without a mark on their clothing. Meanwhile in a timeworn trope Jack goes alone to stake out Mafia thugs holding the witness's daughter. The ending which flips between hospital and stakeout scenes is almost incomprehensible. However, at least one baddy is caught so all is well. It all concludes with the news that the Mafiosi who have spent the last two episodes trying to kill everyone have lost interest now and "moved on". So that's alright then. In spite of its increasing implausibility I have willingly suspended my disbelief simply to enjoy the silliness if nothing else. However, the very stretchy band on which my disbelief was suspended has sadly just snapped.

Gutted to see what this has become.

[clair_uk · 2/10 · 25 January 2023]

This was always a fantastic show about crime and forensics but has been going downhill over the last couple of years. Last season was ok but this latest season....absolute tosh. The script is poorly written and some key actors seem to have forgotten how to act. It appears that to be a convincing big wig copper you have to scowl and stomp your way through the day, barking your disapproval at anyone who'll listen. I'm 10 minutes into episode two and Nikki has had yet another histrionic as she gets (again) dragged into criminal activities. I'm switching off forever.

Such a shame as I used to love this programme but I'm done.

Enjoyable but frankly frequently just plain silly.

[toytrains-492-957106 · 3/10 · 7 April 2019]

I am a retired Detective Sergeant having spent most of my service in CID and Fraud. Silent Witness is lightweight enjoyable drama, but is frequently flawed. The forensic team of non-police officers are often shown watching, or indeed taking part in suspect and witness interviews. They're also often too close to the armed officers at scenes and searches, groan. Plus of course they do numerous tasks that would be undertaken by actual police detectives or trained family liaison officers. Enjoy it for what it is, but it ain't reality!

CSi the way it should be

[tryptych · 8/10 · 16 October 2008]

This series continues to grow in interest, quality and plot lines.

Whenever people rave about CSi, (which I consider it, and it's even lamer derivatives to be THE worst drama on TV), I always point them to Silent Witness. It follows accurate pathology, police routine and technology, and doesn't talk down, or dumb down. If you want to see pathologists at work, then you are going to see cadavers opened up. (That's what they do.) If you don't like that sort of thing, stop complaining that it's sick and go back to washed-out, inaccurate American cop shows that wouldn't know a dead body if it jumped up and bit them. (Or just lay there looking pretty with a cloth laid over their naughty bits.)

So sad!

[greatglasst · 3/10 · 11 January 2023]

I have always loved 'Silent Witness, but what has gone wrong with season twenty-six? Only Nicky and Jack remain from the previous series, and none of the new additions actually add anything.

I thought the first story 'The Penitent' was pretty bad, but the plotline for the second story 'Familiar Faces' was ridiculously convoluted. Coupled with some dodgy casting, hammy acting, and the dreadful, overwhelming and portentous music they made the last two episodes very nearly unwatchable. For the first time, I am considering abandoning the series altogether. Can we have our old 'Silent Witness' back, please?

Daft but watchable

[lorraineesimpson · 7/10 · 25 January 2016]

Silent Witness is a good British crime drama. The acting is decent, the scripts are okay(but sometimes verge on dodgy), and it keeps you interested in the story. As in all good crime dramas it's often quite difficult to accurately guess 'whodunnit'.

However I'm stunned to read some of the other reviewers who describe it as realistic. Realistic?!? I don't think so ...

I'm sure Forensics and pathology is a hugely interesting and rewarding career, exciting in it's own way. I'm also equally sure that they don't assume control of police investigations, interrogate suspects and get so embroiled in the culprits or victims private lives that they often find themselves staring down the barrel of a gun or two.

In this respect it's hugely unrealistic - almost as unrealistic as the thought that anyone as whiny, interfering and annoying as Dr Nikki Alexander (played by Emilia Fox) wouldn't have been locked in a laboratory cupboard and forgotten about just to give everyone some respite.

Originally outstanding

[pvmerridew · 29 September 2021]

The last two series have let it down, unfortunately! Writing has gone awry and some of the actors cannot act. Lucky there are still two stalwarts left acting!

Psycho Sam

[Johnny_West · 1/10 · 7 January 2024]

Sam Ryan, played by Amanda Burton, ruled the coroner's office for the first eight seasons of this show. Every episode started with Dr. Ryan blaming the police for some kind of covered up crime as soon as she looked at the dead body at the scene of the crime. What an unprofessional nutjob. How did she get a job as coroner?

A really unpleasant person, everyone in her own family disliked Dr. Ryan. She could not get along with anyone. She had one lover who wanted to marry her and she went nuts on him when he tried to get her a job in the USA so she could live with him. A full on psychotic rage over his wanting to marry her. How dare he! She immediately broke off the relationship and told him to never contact her again!!

She regularly ignores and disrespects people that are talking to her. Police Officers ask her questions and she just pretends that they are not there and do not exist. Her level of arrogance has no limits. Just someone I would never want to know or work with.

The supporting characters were usually concerned about office politics and career advancement. I watched episodes from a couple of seasons and then just skipped or fast-forwarded everything until the end of the eighth season, when I wanted to see why Dr. Ryan gets kicked out / moves on.

Her replacement Nikki Alexander was not a great improvement, but at least she treats people like human beings. Overall, this show is usually not positive or uplifting. It really tries hard to show that the coroner's work of medical scientific investigation is a dreary and depressing slog through a lot of unpleasant situations and people.

Oh dear

[pnpete9 · 3/10 · 1 October 2021]

Series 24 has been truly awful. Poor writing poor direction and lousy storey lines. If this was the last series what a dreadful way to sign off on what has been a brilliant 23 series. Both sad and tragic.

Down hill

[mivvi-80460 · 3/10 · 29 September 2021]

This was one of the best shows on tv the last season has really gone down hill they have started to use second rate actors it a real shame sign of the times.

I just binge watched 26 seasons of Silent Witness and damn my eyes are tired.

[cwalker-04551 · 10/10 · 14 September 2023]

But, this show is gripping and engaging. The science fascinates me. I admit the first few seasons focusing on Sam Ryan were ok for the most part but I was glad of the switch to character driven storytelling when Dr. Ryan decided that her story ended when she found what happened to her family. When the storyline started to evolve into more interesting and diverse characters, then is where my interest started to catch fire. There is a mountain of backstory in each and every script, and if you want to catch it all you must pay very close attention. I love Britbox, it's pretty cool. Here's hoping for season 27. Wow. That's a lot of seasons.

BBC ruining a great series

[paul-rose7-246-61823 · 3/10 · 27 September 2021]

I've watched Silent Witness since the start and until this series its been generally very good with good scripts, strong characters and excellent plots. However, the current series has seen a dramatic shift by the Beeb to ruin the series with woke pandering and unbelievable storylines. A real shame if a once great series loses its audience. 2023 sees an even faster decline with silly story lines, anti British attitudes and Dr Nicky Alexander's character gets wetter with every episode.

BRING BACK SAM RYAN☹

[jz-rcsw · 4/10 · 2 November 2019]

I watched the first eight seasons of Silent Witness and loved the character of Sam Ryan. I dont know if she left by choice or whether her character was simply written out of the series but unless I find out that the new recruit has moved on or gotten sick or been murdered, I can't bear to watch it any longer. Where in the world did they dig up this bubble brain who starts out as a forensic anthropologist and somehow gets hired as a pathologist.

Her overabundance of perk and non-stop bouncing aound the department make me seriously question whether she has bi-polar disorder and needs to be medicated. For Heaven's sake, she's supposed to be a pathologist, not a prom queen. And this opinion comes after just watching a couple of episodes!

You've seen one story, you've seen them all.

[khunkrumark · 1/10 · 17 January 2019]

This was bloody good telly when it first came out. But it's the same jigsaw puzzle every week so after a couple of years I just got bored and moved on.

Just for the hell of it I watched a recent one and made it about half way through the first episode. The BBC have kidnapped this series to showcase their warped view of how the world should be. It's just horrible now. Avoid!

Unbelievable

[barspeed · 2/10 · 5 October 2021]

I have been watching Silent Witness for the last 10 years. More and more the plots have become utterly unbelievable like the Silent Witness universe is just that, a separate dimension set in a parallel place. The latest series comprises of fantastical stories, unconvincing characters and poor dialogue and acting. I am sad to see a steady decline in the quality of this programme and I feel sorry for the lead actors who remain. I hope this will be the final series as I feel it is time to bury this long running series once and for all.

Silent Witness is a must-see crime drama!

[Lindsay-5 · 28 May 2000]

Amanda Burton's Professor Sam Ryan is a clever, highly-intelligent and sometimes intimidating coroner and professor at London University. Her professional qualifications set her apart from other coroners in the area, and so she is regularly called upon to assist the police at homocide crime scenes and in subsequent autopsies. In the style of a murder-cop show starring someone besides a cop, Professor Ryan manages to solve all of the cases herself, only occasionally calling on the aid of one of the actual police officers. This series is very often intense and graphic during some of the autopsy scenes, but it is consistently well-written and well-acted. Very little of Sam Ryan's private life leaks into the series, and the series' primary focus on the murder in question is somewhat unusual to this genre. When a glimpse of Professor Ryan's personal life is revealed to the audience, it leaves them curious for more. Silent Witness is a very well-written show and I highly recommend it when it next appears in reruns!

A brilliant series that keeps getting better and better.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 23 October 2015]

I have literally grown up with Silent Witness, it's got some incredible staying power. Hard to believe it started back in 1996 and is still going strong twenty years later. Many thought that Series 8 would mark the end of the show with Amanda Burton's departure. I remember at the time being totally gutted she'd decided to leave, but cleverly Emilia Fox was brought in and the show was reborn.

At times it's a tough watch, some of the stories are quite dark and harrowing, Redhill is a good example. Sometimes they are a little too graphic, though in recent times they seem to have toned down some of the nasties, A Guilty Mind is very graphic. The series has never shied away from being controversial.

It's great that viewing figures are stronger now then ever before, showing audiences still love it and want more. We've been treated to some incredible stories over the years, some highlights include Shadows, Falling Angels and The Prodigal. My favourite story being Bloodlines, which is an incredible piece of television, it has it all, excitement, suspense, drama, an emotional connection perhaps not previously achieved in the series.

I understand it faces criticism for being inaccurate, I don't think it strives to be, and I doubt Pathologists solve as many crimes, neither of these points matter one bit, it's a show designed purely for entertainment....

Long may Silent Witness continue. 10/10

A fine example of British drama

[bumbebee · 10/10 · 15 August 2006]

I always enjoy this show for the following reasons: It gives a wonderful insight, if simplified, into the world of forensic pathology, an area in which I would love to work.

Each new case is original, well constructed and thoughtfully presented. They remain topical, without the feeling of an after-school special relating to current affairs.

Unlike shoddy American drama, the focus is on the storyline and character development. The reason that dialogue is not snappy and constant is because it would turn the characters into one of the "Friends" brigade - where cheap laughs are more important than the integrity of the character.

The show is challenging - plots and subplots intertwine cleverly, meaning it's not a "background" show, but one which is completely consuming for the viewer.

The honest make-up/autopsy scenes. These just fit, without being sensationalist, and add to the realistic feeling of the show.

Truly awful storyline with wooden acting.

[chaffers-58737 · 1/10 · 23 January 2023]

Silent Witness has become worse than a cheap soap opera. What a great shame. This once fine series is now really scraping the barrel. Ludicrous plots, awful scripts and truly terrible, wooden acting. Where do they find some of these people? AmDram college? Compare this to show to the latest series of Happy Valley? There is absolutely no comparison. It's so sad.

BBC you are capable of producing fine TV dramas but you are really letting the side down here. It's time to retire this program and put us all out of our misery. Bring in some fresh (capable) talent. New scriptwriters, producers, directors and most of all, actors.

Entertainingly ridiculous

[di-hard · 8/10 · 25 January 2014]

This show is a favourite of mine. I'm rarely bored watching it, but anyone thinking it's realistic must be high as a kite.

It has good pace and throws enough red herrings in the mix to keep me (usually) unsure as to who did what and how it will all pan out.

However, you do have to swallow the idea of a forensic team that could easily be confused with a posse of rogue policemen. These people don't just do forensic science and make occasional court appearances. They barge past detectives to interrogate witnesses (the detectives never seem to mind this) and chase and tackle suspects. They have guns held to their heads every so often. They get out there and meet all the players, sometimes even date them. Some of them do it all tottering around in high heels. It's utterly ridiculous but the success of the show testifies to its dependable entertainment value. Enjoy with a large grain of salt.