The Cost of It All

If Ep 3 was a bit of a meander, Ep 5 is the show getting its skates on and then some. This was a cracking, fast-paced installment that truly felt like the penultimate push towards a proper explosive finale.

The narrative momentum was relentless, pulling Helen (Keira Knightley) and Sam (Ben Whishaw) deeper into the mire with every turn. The plot threads, which have been carefully laid out, are now beginning to weave together with a satisfying, albeit dangerous, precision. There's a real sense that the stakes are higher than ever, and the noose is tightening around our protagonists.

Knightley and Whishaw continue to deliver, their performances brimming with the weary determination and simmering tension that this kind of high-stakes drama demands. The script keeps them on their toes, and the quickfire exchanges really highlight their evolving, complicated dynamic.

My only slight reservation is that, with so much happening at speed, a couple of the more intricate motivations felt a little rushed in their reveal. However, ignore this minor quibble for in an episode that successfully ramps up the tension and leaves you utterly desperate for the conclusion. It's set the stage for a grandstand finish, and I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

Kai-Ming and Eleanor are taken hostage by The Clarkes, who issue an ultimatum and a timeline. Reed puts the pressure on both Helen and Sam, demanding that the pair act in the best interest of The Black Doves.

Outrageous and over the top, but I'm hooked, it's one of the best things from Netflix for a while.

So, so good, it's really turning into one of those shows, one that I don't want to end. There is so much going on here, it could easily have been a mess, but it's not, despite so much going on, it's cohesive.

Jewellery shop scene, more of that please, I am loving seeing Keira Knightley in such a role.

I'm really keen to learn more about Jason, and half expect the final episode to be about him, we do at least get to learn about and what Dani is.

I think Williams is turning into my favourite character, she's hilarious, she's so sarcastic and cutting, I loved her wit.

It gets a bonus point for featuring funny woman Tracy Ullman, that was a big surprise seeing her appear as Alex Clarke, how many of us were expecting a bloke?

8/10.