Episode #4.1

There are two things at work in this episode. First of all, Luther gets the news that Alice is dead, killed in Antwerp. He has great love for this utterly psychotic but precious character. At the beginning of the episode he has gone into self imposed exile. But he leaves that to try to find out what happened to Alice. Meanwhile, the bad guys keep getting worse. This time it's a character who is killing and eating people. Luther only gets involved when a good friend, who apparently does the same type of work as Luther, is killed when a booby trap goes off while he is investigating the cannibal. Luther also alienates a mafia type when he kidnaps him and takes him to his apartment. He has information on Alice, or so Luther thinks. This, of course, is not good news. Overall, a great episode setting up the second very well.

I was disappointed to find out Luther's fourth season had only two episodes, but a little bit of Luther is better than no Luther at all. The show itself hasn't missed a beat. The directing, the writing, the acting - it's all genuine and it's all excellent. You can immediately tell from the opening scenes, first with Luther reminiscing about old times with Ripley, and the subsequent sequence of the cannibal serial killer stalking his prey. It feels like classic Luther. It gives off that slasher movie vibe in the way the suspense builds; certain shots lingering uncomfortably long in one spot to give you a tingly sense of unease. It's expertly crafted, and part of what has always made the show so fantastic.

The focus of this episode, though, is on the apparent death of Alice Morgan. Luther, currently on leave in a reclusive hut, is visited by DCI Theo Bloom and DS Emma Lane, the new investigators in Schenk's unit. When Luther is told the news of Alice, he goes out on a crusade to find who was responsible for her death. Meanwhile, Bloom and Lane follow leads in the cannibal case. They're both likable enough characters, though they aren't given much development. This is another reason why season 4 would have benefited from more episodes, so we can develop more of a connection with these characters. Nevertheless, Luther is forced back into work due to egregious circumstances with the case, and that is when the episode really shines. The over-the-shoulder shot of Luther walking back into a crime scene with his trademark coat is one of the best moments of the series. Here he is, back again: the brilliant detective we know and love.

My biggest issue with the episode is Megan, a mysterious woman who for some reason is following Luther around. She's only in a couple scenes and nothing is established with her other than she's somehow connected to Luther and Alice. It's just another layer of feigned intrigue when there are far more interesting story lines that can be fleshed out. Also, the mysteries themselves aren't as captivating as in previous seasons. But as a whole, #4.1 is a great premiere. The lack of Ripley and Alice is noticeable, but Idris Elba continues to carry the show on his shoulders. The killer is one of the most depraved bastards to have been on the show, and that's saying something. His scenes make for some truly suspenseful and disturbing moments.

In short, Luther is back.