Four episodes in, and The Hunt is starting to feel like it's running on autopilot.
Ep 4 isn't bad television, it's competently made, well-acted, and moves the investigation forward... but it's also the first time the series feels genuinely predictable.
The procedural elements that worked so well in earlier episodes now feel routine. We get the expected briefing scenes, the methodical evidence gathering, and the political pressure from Delhi.
Kukunoor's direction remains steady, but there's a sense that he's playing it safe rather than pushing the narrative forward with the urgency this story deserves.
Amit Sial is still solid as Kaarthikeyan, but even his performance feels more restrained here. The supporting cast goes through the motions without the spark that made Episode 3 so engaging. The dialogue issues I've mentioned before become more glaring when the overall momentum slows down.
What bothers me most is how the episode handles the investigation's complexity. Instead of building tension through genuine procedural challenges, it relies on familiar beats: frustrated leads, bureaucratic obstacles, and convenient breakthroughs. It's textbook police procedural telexvision, which isn't necessarily bad, but it's not the elevated storytelling we've come to expect.
The production values remain high, and the historical authenticity is still there. But authenticity without dramatic momentum makes for workmanlike television rather than compelling viewing.
The verdict: Ep 4 feels like a holding pattern. The Hunt is still above average television, but it's coasting on its earlier goodwill rather than earning it fresh.
Bottom line: Not a disaster, but a wake-up call. The series needs to rediscover its edge before it becomes just another procedural.
