Vera (TV Series) Shadows in the Sky (2015) User Reviews

What an ending!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 8 August 2019]

It's not often Vera begins with such a dramatic, big opening, this is one of the best starts to any episode. You are gripped by the opening events, for about fifteen minutes, then it becomes a little slower paced for the most part, a story of family betrayals and lies. I mentioned the start was excellent, the ending is even better, it's wonderfully dramatic, and will grab your attention.

It's a pretty complicated story, so you do need to concentrate, or you'll lose chunks of the plot.

Blethyn and Doughty as always prove to be an irresistible duo, she's in slightly higher spirits in this one, less tetchy.

Overall I'd say it starts very well, ends wonderfully, and meanders in the middle. The whole thing is elevated by a terrific performance from Raquel Cassidy, who never disappoints.

Murder, accident, or suicide?

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 25 January 2016]

Vera and Aidan walk into a troubled family in "Shadows in the Sky," the last episode of season 5.

A man, Owen, is found, face up, at the bottom of a car park. Did he commit suicide? Fall by accident? Or was he pushed? From the way he fell, it looks to Vera like he was pushed. In the investigation that follows, the man had problems at his job. A man died on his watch, after he claimed he had done the required safety checks. The man's father is seeking damages, but the case has been closed in favor of the company.

Owen's family consists of a wife, a son, and a young girl about to be adopted by them after they had fostered her for some time. A murder investigation puts the adoption in danger, but Vera can't leave anyone out of her investigation. His son is convinced that his father was having an affair, and a young woman he was spending time with, Hannah Ferris, is questioned.

But it's all more complicated than that.

Really interesting story and not easily figured out.

The landscape in this episode is beautiful, but so spare and desolate. Somehow it matches the show's atmosphere, though I find Vera has lightened up considerably over the years.

Major plot flaw

[sustrange · 8/10 · 3 August 2018]

This episode contains a major flaw - the character Gloria is meant to be covering for Owen in the office at the same time as being admitted to a&e! Otherwise a good episode with plenty of possible suspects!

Vera ruins more lives than she saves

[Fargomoviecritic · 7/10 · 2 February 2022]

Wow! Vera does anything to solve a murder, it doesn't matter how many lives she ruins for one. Not caring for Lila's well-being and chasing down the murderer of Owen caused more people's live to be changed for the worse. Sloppy police work and the inability to figure out the basics, was an annoying feeling through this episode. The biggest problem I had was Vera's reluctance to help Lila's adoption stay on course and instead she asked to report the problem with Owens family. Disappointed with this episode. Lots of mistakes in this episode. Sloppy police work.