Episode #2.4

The series plods along with Sidney Chambers (James Norton) hoping to save young Gary Bell, the young lad accused of killing Abigail from the first episode from the hangman's noose. To save him he is prepared to risk his friendship with Geordie as both are on the opposing side of the capital punishment debate.

Both Sidney and Amanda are still pining for each other. Amanda stuck in a loveless marriage and Sidney not sure how much he wants Margaret.

The mystery of the week had some interest as Sidney is called to perform an exorcism. A wealthy widower is being haunted by the ghost of his dead wife who was Jewish. Her money help build his horse racing business. However his wife suffered from depression and hung herself in the stables. Pretty soon the husband does the same thing.

The mystery did have one suspect who might as well be wearing a sign 'it was me.' The doomed love affair between Sidney and Amanda is a bore. However I liked the spikiness between Sidney and Geordie about the rights and wrongs of hanging young Gary Bell. Geordie's views are of his era.

Sidney is called in by Reggie Lawson, who believes his stable is haunted.

I enjoyed this one, I liked that the series has an arc running through, Gary's case finally gets a decision, and I enjoyed Reggie's case, although it did play second fiddle to Gary's trial.

It's interesting to see Geordie and Sidney clash, you can't really say they need one another, I often feel it's Geordie who tends to rely more so on the crime busting Vicar.

Leonard's developing story is very interesting. Al Weaver is terrific.

The acting as always was excellent, Paul Nicholls was very good here, an interesting character.

I'm not sure we've seen the back of Gary. 7/10.