Hidden Depths

A teenager, Luke Armstrong, has been murdered in his home. Soon after this a young teacher, Lily Marsh, is murdered. On both cases is Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope and Detective Sergeant Joe Ashworth. DCI Stanhope believes the cases are linked.

A good start to the series. Quite intriguing and the perpetrator is far from obvious, making for a good mystery. Decent engagement too as we meet Vera and her team plus all the people the murders affect.

Far from perfect though. The plot is a bit clumsy at times and certain things seem to be there for style over substance. Once the murderer is known, some aspects of the plot don't make that much sense, though were intriguing when they appeared.

DCI Vera Stanhope and her Sergeant, Joe Ashworth are called in to investigate a suspicious death, plenty of suspects, and plenty of people who are hiding something.

I think the series gets off to a flyer with this episode, it's gritty, intriguing and beautifully acted, anything Blethyn touches seems to turn to gold, it is little wonder that the show is set for an eighth series. A sensible move to have a strong, well known actress from the North East in the opener, and Gina McKee is brilliant, her scenes with Blethyn in particular are excellent.

A lot is done to mask the identity of the killer, so the viewer is given a clever mystery to solve. It also explores life and death, one life is welcomed in as Joe and Seline's newborn baby is welcomed in, while another, Vera's father is put to rest.

A quality start 8/10

How is it her subordinate, Joe Ashworth - and later DS Aden Healey, are able to cheek her? Everyone else in the office has to kowtow to her or fear her wrath!! But both of these young men are able to practically tell her off. I'm sure in a real room full of cops, if this kind of thing went on there would be complaints of discrimination!!!

Coming off of "Midsomer Murders" then more recently "Lewis" this was certainly a jarring contrast. No beautiful homes, architecture or rubbing elbows with the upper crust. No bevy of beautiful glamorous starlet actresses.

I was only going to watch this episode and bolt up until The 3/4 mark of the episode. The wall to wall gloominess then kicked in to a fairly decent final 1/4. It will be interesting if future episodes are less depressing. The ending topped off a very creepy plot theme.

Brenda Blethyn and David Leon are quite good together. But, in general the episode lacked personality and went very heavy on police work and gloom. I'll give at least one more episode a try and go from there if I continue with the series. I usually like my detectives to have more of a zest for life.

By chance, ITV3 in the UK began Vera from the start on 04JAN2021, showing the first episode of Vera just after the first-ever episode of "Wycliffe" so that we could compare 2010 coppering to 1994 coppering.

First episode; Vera is a bit cranky until we work out that her father has died (she will take over his ancient LandRover tomorrow night in S01Ep02!) and the distinctive Vera-mobile will emerge.

This show clearly had potential from the start - which has been expanded and exploited over the intervening near-decade. Watch the scenery, enjoy her witty one-liners and marvel at the characterisations. A good ensemble cast is assembled (which has changed and evolved over the years).

Well worth two hours of your time on a cold winter's evening.