Episode #2.5

The penultimate episode of the second season was of desperation.

Harry Chase is suffering as the seige in Northern Africa goes on. No water and the men who are already in half rations, have to be halved again.

For Harry the death of Stan is the final straw. He seeks solace in booze and killing a German prisoner of war.

Kasia thinks she has found irina out but it turns out to be more complex. There was a reason why Irina passed on secrets, her son was being held by the Nazis. For Kasia, a persona disaster strikes.

Harrys story was clunky. Having being brought up in a refined household, a grubby war crime would not be his thing. I did think he should had let the German soldier keep on digging and tire himself out.

Kasia's story had an emotional core. Particularly when James tells of his own experiences during the Great war.

All the episodes would have been rated higher, if it were not for... Kasia. I was completely over her character/acting(?) when she was in Poland. When she arrived in England, I hoped the change of scenery would improve her character. Or acting. Unfortunately, it did neither. Her face is still frozen. Her voice remains a monotone. Not even her body language helps. It's as rigid as her delivery. I don't know what the future holds for the series, but I hope it doesn't include Kasia.

Fortunately, Lesley Manville and Mark Bonnar more than hold up their side of the English Channel, while Jonah Hauer-King, Julia Brown, and Ahad Raza Mir are equally effective and poignant in Africa.

Kasia continues her first mission, she has to interview Irene, and convince her to become a double agent. Harry's unit faces a blitz attack in Tobruk, Henriette continues to tend to David, the pair grow closer.

I wasn't sure if this second series was going to live up the the quality of the first, but I have been pleasantly surprised, it truly has built up, and developed into something quite special.

What has been very satisfying for me, is that they are stories that aren't often told in wartime films or dramas, in particular here, I really did enjoy Irene's story, I was curious as to why she would betray the allies, the solution made sense.

Once again, they're not afraid to write out a main character, such is the bloody nature of war I guess, naturally I won't say who, but what a shocking and unexpected moment.

Some great scenes, the moment where Harry discusses Britain's role in the war with The German Officer was a terrific scene, a chilling sequence.

The only single thing I can criticise, once again the scenes in the desert, they just look so artificial, I can liken the CGI to 1970's Doctor Who.

The acting was once again marvellous, this time I really thought Mark Bonnar shone through.

9/10.