Silent Witness (TV Series) River's Edge: Part 2 (2016) User Reviews

Rounding off the series in style.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 28 February 2016]

It's been a very strong series, this was incredibly tense and gripping, it was totally captivating to watch from the very off. Jack fighting with the Gunman arguably the best bit, his fighting skills have been missing somewhat in recent times. What started out as a seemingly simple crime has spiralled into something complex and much more intriguing.

I was a little unsure of DCI Sally Butcher in the first episode if I'm honest, but she was very good, she grew on me. Again Jack and Clarissa make an amazing duo, the humour between the pair is awesome, they're great.

This conclusion wraps up what for me has been an exceptional series of Silent Witness, it comes as no surprise to me that millions have been tuning in to watch this show. I'm already counting down to Silent Witness's twentieth anniversary season.

9/10

Bodies by the riverside

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 2 February 2016]

These comments relate to the entire two part story not just the second episode.

When the bodies of a man and a woman are found shot dead in a car near a riverside picnic spot suspicion immediately falls on the woman's estranged husband. The only possible witness is their son but he is fighting for his life in hospital. The circumstantial evidence is certainly compelling; the dead man had photographs implicating the suspect in a drug deal and it is clear that he wasn't keen on getting a divorce. DCI Sally Butcher certainly thinks she has her man but DS Malcolm Guillam thinks the murder could be linked to the death of a woman who was found nearby ten years previously. The case is turned on its head at the midway point when it becomes apparent that there was another person in the car and physical evidence suggests she may have been the killer's real target! As the team close in on the truth they find themselves in danger from people who will go to almost any lengths to protect their dark secrets.

This season got off to a slightly weak start but thankfully it ended on top form. The case was somewhat macabre and there was some nice misdirection early on although the scenes showing a doctor, who was a friend of the girl found ten years ago, being forced to operate on an injured man suggested that there was something more to the case than first appeared. The opening episode ends with a shocking discovery and another death. This leads to a tense opening to the second part where Nikki and Jack are in real danger. All the suspects are suitably unpleasant without becoming caricatures. As the story approaches its conclusion it looks possible that some of those involved in the deaths might get away with it as the team struggle to find conclusive proof in a sterilised crime scene. The cast do a fine job; it was particularly fun seeing Clare Holman, the pathologist in 'Lewis' appearing as a far less pleasant character. Overall a really good conclusion to the season.

Tangled Web

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 10 May 2019]

This follows the path where there are enough bad guys with a single mission to throw things into a mess. The discovery of two young women in a freezer leads to the twists and turns that conclude this case. Parties at a farm are at the center of the murders committed. Rich, older men are culpable and the women used can't do anything. But one young woman becomes conflicted, though she is being blackmailed. The effort is to get to her and enlist her cooperation. Nikki knows her from a previous case and begs her to be forthright. This is a strong episode because it goes back to really honing in on the forensics. Well done from beginning to end.