After a slow starter in episode 1 we finally dive a little deeper in Tuesday nights airing. Here’s our Des Episode 2 review.
ITVNarcissism is a familiar trait amongst many serial killers, that desire to be indulgent in oneself, to be in control, to feel purpose and meaning and that arrogant sense of self is usually what drives people to do such unspeakable things.
In episode two we see Nilsen who was co-operating with the police so freely in the opening episode suddenly change tactics.
Holding back information, ignoring police questioning in a move to bait, tease and now switch the game back into his favour.
Nilsen (Tennant) starts to suddenly act as though he’s the victim and his ‘innocent until proven guilty’ manta holds firm throughout this episode in an extraordinary change of pace.
This is a man who had admitted to his crimes, he knew he was guilty, the police did, everyone did yet standing up in a court and pleading not guilty was a twisted powerplay.
Nilsen allowed himself to be arrested, he’s the puppet master and he’ll play to his own tune regardless of consequence.
A man who’s so self indulgent he seeks only noteriety and nothing more.
Whilst all of this is played out infront of our very eyes an exact reason for doing so is never explained. It’s left up to the audience to decide and as usual we’re playing psychaitrists and filling in the blanks ourselves, making our own assumptions.
Episode 1 gave us in an insight into how the police and law enforcements overlooked complaints about Nilsen, fobbed off as ‘homosexual encounters’ and the police stayed clear of any such dealings.
Episode 2 now focuses on the investigation and how Scotland Yard wanted to close the case with only 6 bodies identified out of a possible 12-15 at the time.
A Scotland Yard depicted as being driven by money and marketing rather than justice.
It is here that DCI Jay (Daniel Mays) comes into his own as the only officer searching for justice despite what his superiors advise.
An upstanding man of the community and a man who wants nothing more than to do his job to the best of the ability despite the countless road blocks he faces.
It’s here where the show is sensitive to the topic at hand as the narrative weights in DCI Jay’s favour as a man adament on painting Nilsen as a man unworthy of our attention or acclaim.
Avoiding the glorification of Nilsen’s crimes Des takes the moral high ground and with such compelling performances from this stellar cast it only eargerly makes me await the final episode.
Get comfy as I’m expecting fireworks in the episode finale of what has been three days of an ever improving evening programme on ITV.
Our Rating
Summary
Certainly a step up from the introductory episode as the tension and games begin. Stellar performances and gripping chemistry keeps me hooked and eagerly awaiting the season finale.
