Historial delictivo

I admired and appreciated this memorable series more than I enjoyed it. The power and control of the lead male detective Dan Hegarty and his veteran cohorts - all (not coincidentally) older white males - to bend the law, exert their biases, intimidate colleagues and shape events and outcomes to their liking was chilling.

Veteran DCI Hegarty (a frightening Peter Capaldi) and younger colleague June Lenker (the phenomenal Cush Jumbo) clash over her questioning of an old murder conviction Hegarty and cohorts obtained against Errol Mathis, a black man.

The main plot plays against a myriad of personal and family problems afflicting all characters. Some scenes are stressful to watch, and Capaldi's character by the third episode made my stomach tighten with every appearance.

The script is unflinching, the acting is first-rate and the bigger-picture story of unequal justice is memorably driven home. But if it's escapist entertainment you seek, look elsewhere.

The acting from the two leads doesn't get much better. Jumbo and Capaldi give an absolute masterclass in acting. Cush Jumbo gives an incredibly nuanced performance expressing emotion and feeling with every word and look. Capaldi suitably scary as the big bad cop. The story has twists and turns and keeps you guessing. There really is very little to dislike about this show. If you like quality drama it's definitely worth giving it a go. Some reviewers have decided the show is about white folk always being cast as villains but I'd suggest they're bringing some already existing hang ups and looking for ways to reinforce the view. I didn't find any evidence of any prejudices in the way the story was told or cast.

An excellent series with exceptional performances and writing. Being addicted to British crime dramas and having seen whatever I can get my hands on, I could tell right off the bat that it was going to really hold my attention and be a truly satisfying watch. Racism being at its core and intricately weaving its flashbacks from 12 years prior with present day, what arresting police officers considered to be an open and shut murder case and for which the accused was found guilty has suddenly been brought into question. A fearful young woman's call to a crisis center regarding a current and similar murder inquiry draws DS June Lenker (Cush Jumbo), a young mixed race mother, to eventually cross paths with the steely and enigmatic DCI Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi), the officer in charge of the original investigation and nearing the end of his career. Who was the woman at the other end of the line and what abruptly dragged her away from the phone? And just what kind of police officer is Daniel Hegarty? Can she prove her suspicions and vindicate a potentially innocent man?

It is disappointing to see the focus of some of the negative reviews posted. As this is a drama set in contemporary times, it deals with the issues perfectly illustrated by the differing perspectives cited here. What sadly is being overlooked or even ignored is that this story is also about the powerful bond between parents and their children, and the lengths some will go to in order to do what they believe to be in a child's best interest. I do hope that this moving series will receive the support it needs to warrant a sequel.

Criminal Record is a British crime drama that offers a tense and thought-provoking watch, powered by excellent performances from Peter Capaldi as the unsettling DCI Dan Hegarty and Cush Jumbo as the determined DS June Lenker. The story centres on the reopening of a murder case from ten years ago, where a Black man may have been wrongly convicted. It tackles issues of race, power, and bias within the police.

The show jumps back and forth in time, which can sometimes be confusing, but it helps reveal the characters' personal struggles and the broken systems they work in. Hegarty represents the old-school way of policing, using pressure and loopholes to protect himself. Lenker, on the other hand, risks everything to uncover the truth, even if it means going behind her colleagues' backs. Their tense relationship is at the core of the series, though it sometimes feels drawn out.

Rather than focusing on solving a mystery, the show looks at bigger issues like racism, sexism, and corruption in the justice system. It has a dark and serious tone, supported by strong visuals and eerie sound design, making it more disturbing than entertaining at times.

The ending may disappoint, as it lacks a big twist or clear resolution. Still, Criminal Record is a gripping series for those who enjoy crime dramas that deal with real-world issues and aren't afraid to ask tough questions.

As a US resident I've become used to a particular approach to the subject of racism in policing, perhaps more closely hewing to stories originating in the states versus in the UK where this show is set.

The characters and their situations are more nuanced then many I see in crime dramas. After 4 episodes I am still not completely certain of the motivations of one(of the two) major characters. I suspect there is more beneath the surface then is readily apparent, but I'm not certain, and I'm enjoying the (potential) shades of gray as they surface.

The acting is impressive and the script well written.

In summation, if your looking for a formulaic approach each episode you will probably be disappointed. Stereotypical characters, ditto.

I could still be let down by where the show leads, in which case I will come back and modify my score and this associated review, but for now I'm enjoying the ride.