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Helen West
S1.E2
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Shadow Play

  • Episode aired May 13, 2002
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
33
YOUR RATING
Helen West (2002)
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Mr. Lycett is obsessed with the daughter he 'lost' many years before when his wife and child left him without warning. As a result he tends to follow young girls who resemble her leading to ... Read allMr. Lycett is obsessed with the daughter he 'lost' many years before when his wife and child left him without warning. As a result he tends to follow young girls who resemble her leading to numerous arrests for lewd behavior. He's always represented himself in court and he's alwa... Read allMr. Lycett is obsessed with the daughter he 'lost' many years before when his wife and child left him without warning. As a result he tends to follow young girls who resemble her leading to numerous arrests for lewd behavior. He's always represented himself in court and he's always managed to get the case thrown out. Helen West prosecuted him in the most recent charge... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
33
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Coky Giedroyc
  • Writers
    • Frances Fyfield(books)
    • Shelagh Stephenson(adapted for television by)
  • Stars
    • Amanda Burton
    • Conor Mullen
    • Robert Pugh
Top credits
  • Director
    • Coky Giedroyc
  • Writers
    • Frances Fyfield(books)
    • Shelagh Stephenson(adapted for television by)
  • Stars
    • Amanda Burton
    • Conor Mullen
    • Robert Pugh
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

    Edit
    Amanda Burton
    Amanda Burton
    • Helen Westas Helen West
    Conor Mullen
    Conor Mullen
    • Chief Supt. Baileyas Chief Supt. Bailey
    Robert Pugh
    Robert Pugh
    • Lycettas Lycett
    Jessica Oyelowo
    Jessica Oyelowo
    • Rose Darveyas Rose Darvey
    Anthony Howell
    Anthony Howell
    • Dinsdale Cottonas Dinsdale Cotton
    Nicholas Woodeson
    Nicholas Woodeson
    • Brian Redwoodas Brian Redwood
    Rita Tushingham
    Rita Tushingham
    • Margaret Mellorsas Margaret Mellors
    Scot Williams
    Scot Williams
    • PC Williamsas PC Williams
    Georgina Bull
    • Witnessas Witness
    Angela Morant
    Angela Morant
    • Magistrate 1as Magistrate 1
    Peter McNicholl
    • Boy Oneas Boy One
    Leanne Everitt
    • Girl Oneas Girl One
    Lucy Briers
    • Clerk 1as Clerk 1
    Simon Lowe
    Simon Lowe
    • Rileyas Riley
    Gary Powell
    • Sgt Morganas Sgt Morgan
    Freddie Annobil-Dodoo
    Freddie Annobil-Dodoo
    • PC Michael Michaelsas PC Michael Michaels
    Raffaello Degruttola
    Raffaello Degruttola
    • PC Douglasas PC Douglas
    • (as Raffaello De Gruttola)
    Richard Syms
    Richard Syms
    • Magistrate 2as Magistrate 2
    • Director
      • Coky Giedroyc
    • Writers
      • Frances Fyfield(books)
      • Shelagh Stephenson(adapted for television by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    You're a British mystery series - act like one!
    No wonder this only lasted one season. And the sad thing is, the stories are quite good.

    This episode had several plots going on: Rose the secretary's erratic behavior and her love life; one Mr. Lycett, who since his wife and daughter fled has been dragged to court several times for following young girls but has always been able to have his cases dismissed; and someone stealing files from the office. And on a side note, we have Helen's situation with her boyfriend.

    The problem is that none of these plots came to any kind of a boil until 1 hour and 15 minutes into the episode. Until then we had Helen cooking, her boyfriend somewhat flirting with another woman, Mr. Lycett walking around town, Rose and her new policeman boyfriend - until finally everything came together. And when it did, it was good.

    But was it worth the wait? This show was murderously paced, with nice but unexciting performances (basically because the actors didn't have much to work with).

    A British mystery-suspense series is something special to us in America anyway - Poirot, MI5, Rumpole, Inspector Morse, Endeavor - foisting something like this on us is a disappointment.
    helpful•4
    0
    • blanche-2
    • Jun 25, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 13, 2002 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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