Episode #1.1

A team of detectives is attempting to bring down a criminal gang, a gang that conducts its business away from prying eyes. When their lip-reading expert is unavailable, they turn to deaf canteen worker Alison Woods to help. Alison begins digging into the case on her own.

I was captivated from start to finish; sure, you need to suspend your disbelief and ignore a couple of plot holes, but as a piece of entertainment, this was excellent. The format isn't quite as original as you may think. The BBC pipped them with Reunion, in which Rose Ayling-Ellis appeared. If you've not seen it, I implore you to watch it; it's fabulous.

I wonder if the police would allow a member of the public to help with an investigation with no training or background checks, but don't let that put you off; it's a minor gripe.

Rose Ayling-Ellis has had a busy few months: Reunion, Doctor Who, and now this. She's a major talent, excellent here.

9/10.

Just a month after appearing in Réunion on BBC 1, Rose Ayling-Ellis returns as another death character this time helping police to complete their enquiries.

Just a couple of months after channel 4 had an autistic woman helping police with enquiries in the cathedral city of York, ITV go one better and set this in the cathedral city of Canterbury.

Short of lip readers for their work, the police take Alison from the canteen to help translate video footage of a crime gang the detectives are watching.

Alison goes in deeper than they would like and, getting excited at her new role, she goes in further still.

A engaging and intriguing start. It's just a shame it's not as original as it would have been if it had been screened a few months ago.

Code of Silence S1E1 introduces Alison Woods (Rose Ayling-Ellis), a deaf canteen worker in Canterbury's police station, recruited by DS Ashleigh Francis (Charlotte Ritchie) to lip-read a criminal gang planning a jewelry heist.

The 45-minute episode sets a thrilling tone, blending crime drama with deaf representation. Alison's lip-reading skills uncover gang plans involving Liam Barlow (Kieron Moore).

I found it gripping, with Ayling-Ellis shining, though pacing dips slightly. Pacing is taut early, with a flash-forward of Alison bloodied, but slows mid-episode with setup. Themes of self-worth and vulnerability resonate, though less complex than The Bridge's moral arcs. The heist plot is familiar but freshened by Alison's perspective.

Ayling-Ellis's Alison is nuanced, balancing resilience and naivety, outshining Ritchie's functional Francis. Chemistry is solid.

Diarmuid Goggins's direction uses muffled audio and on-screen text to mimic Alison's experience, evoking Trapped's immersion. The visuals are striking, though the score is unmemorable compared to The Closer's snap. Editing maintains tension.

The heist hooks, with Alison's bravery engaging. Her lip-reading sparks curiosity, unlike Midsomer Murders' cozy mysteries.

Code of Silence breaks ground for deaf representation. Ideal for crime fans (14+), but tension could be unsettling occassionally. The episode's twisty narrative and fresh perspective outweigh minor pacing dips, making it a standout British thriller, comparable to Vera but more inclusive, with a compelling blend of suspense and social insight.