Episode #5.4

I mentioned previously, that I hoped for the perfect series, that's four episodes rated 10, and that is actually the case, absolutely one of the most satisfying things I've seen on TV for years. I've always loved the show, but for me this has been the best series to date, and this episode sums of what's been so good about it, the intensity, the guessing games, the story, characters, and of course Ruth Wilson.

The scenes between Luther and Alice were absolutely mesmerising, I know it's early days in the year, but these two are seriously worthy contenders for awards following their incredible performances, as always it's Wilson that keeps me glued. I thought Dermot Crowley was terrific here too.

One little irritation, was the occurrence that I predicted happening in my review of episode one, a particular death, which didn't need to happen, I won't spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it, but it's a character I'd have loved to return.

Mind blowing, pulse racing, shocking, engaging, literally any superlatives you can think of, would not be out of place. 10/10

Luther should had taken Alice's advice. Let her kill George Cornelius.

Luther instead wanted to do the right thing and know finds himself sinking in a metaphorical quicksand.

Meanwhile Jeremy Lake plans a killing spree and it is left to Halliday to try to break his wife as Luther has to free Mark and Alice from the hitman.

I long ago gave up any sense in Luther, you just sit back and enjoy the ride.

You can sense Alice's disappointment when Luther lies to her. There were one or two killings that were senseless in my opinion and wasted good characters.

By the end Luther has nowhere to go and is even stripped of his long coat.

Mention must be made of Dermot Crowley as Schenk. The look of seething anger in his face when he learned of Benny's death was something else.

The fifth season of "Luther" is, perhaps, the most satisfying yet.

Despite the seemingly impossible task of locating the psychopathic doctor whose actions are now out of control, Luther is determined to crack this case and save his friends from almost certain death.

With only an hour of screen time, this episode manages to conclude the series in a satisfying way whilst also leaving the viewer in something resembling a state of shock. There are a lot of things to process as the end credits roll.

This is British drama at its best.

10 out of 10.

Season 5 maintained the level of story integrity needed to keep my interest. There was an aspect of the story arc that seemed added to please the longtime fans but it was dealt with in a way that gratified me.

Of the five 'seasons,' this was my third favorite. While some in my family felt other choices should have been made by Luther, I thought he was consistant with his drive to help those in his life while trying to minimize the damage to his 'duty' caused from actions he knows are darker than grey: He wants to protect and do the right thing for individuals and is willing to compromise his professional duty for that goal. A bit like 'The Bureau' in that regard.

I felt one of the villians could have been stronger but the direction it went kept them human without being cliche. The writers seemed boxed into an inevitable ending if they wanted to keep the story's integrity plausable. I was okay with that and I still was left asking, "what's next?" ;)

Technically, from an editor's aspect, this was not the worse Luther season. The story building craft impressed me more than some of the earlier seasons and it came together better for me.

These comments refer to the whole fifth season, not just the final episode.

This series has two intertwined plots. In one somebody is committing brutal murders; the police quickly have a suspect when a psychiatrist comes forward saying that she fears that one of her patients is the killer. In the second story somebody has kidnapped the son of gangster George Cornelius... who is convinced that Luther is involved.

This four part story marked a welcome return; not just for Idris Elba's DCI Luther but also for Alice who everybody thought was dead. This return could have been a problem but it was dealt with in a matter of fact fashion and worked well. It must be stated that this pretty grim at times with several brutal murders and scenes of torture that will certainly bother some viewers. It does get rather melodramatic towards the end, with even more violence, but it didn't feel out of place and featured one genuinely shocking moment. The cast are impressive; Elba is great as Luther, I can understand why people talk of him as a possible Bond; Ruth Wilson is equally great as Alice, one of my favourite characters in the series. Also particularly notable are Hermione Norris, as the psychiatrist; Wunmi Mosaku as DS Catherine Halliday and Patrick Malahide as George Cornelius. Overall I'd say that this was a really impressive story that fans of Luther are pretty sure to enjoy.