They were all at fault. They railroaded a guy because he was their pick from the start. The Banks character is guilty of ignoring one of the prime directives of police work. Follow the evidence. Once he had Pierce in his sights, it didn't matter anymore. The guy was abused in jail and when he was released on a technicality, the world made his life a living hell. I'm hoping they can take this and put it into Banks' character going forward because he is a loose cannon much of the time (and he doesn't seem to learn very much). That said, this was well done and more realistic because these guys aren't perfect.
3 Reviews
DCI Banks - compelling
safenoe4 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This review relates to parts 1 and 2 of Innocent Graves. I haven't read the DCI Banks books, but I'm a big fan of the TV series, and each episode is must-see TV (to borrow the NBC phrase when its Thursday night lineup ruled the network airwaves).
Each instalment is compelling, and Innocent Graves is no exception. James Callis (Owen Pierce in an outstanding performance that should have won him a swag of awards) should have lawyered up big time for wrongful prosecution, and sure he didn't have clean hands (who does?), the scripting was such that were unsure if he was the murderer until the shocking twist.
One tense scene was in the court room, where Owen was on trial. His barrister (played by Diana Hardcastle) with forensic precision demonstrated procedural irregularities about DC Ken Blackstone's (Jack Deam) search of clothing items in Owen's house. You could see Blackstone's unease at the thought of committing perjury on the court stand.
For a while I thought Daniel Clayton (the victim's father) could have been the murder, and also Tyler Judd (Chris Overton in an electrifying performance). As to who the murderer really was, now that was a twist and I never saw that coming in a million years.
One motif of some DCI Banks episodes is the grand house in Yorkshire, owned by the victim's family. It's a contrast to the gritty streets of Leeds, and I especially like the grey clouds, and rolling greens of the Dales. Just proves that not all houses in the UK are doll-sized.
This is the final instalment of season 2, and DS Helen Morton (Caroline "Doc Martin" Catz) is settling in well, despite her obsessive compulsiveness.
Each instalment is compelling, and Innocent Graves is no exception. James Callis (Owen Pierce in an outstanding performance that should have won him a swag of awards) should have lawyered up big time for wrongful prosecution, and sure he didn't have clean hands (who does?), the scripting was such that were unsure if he was the murderer until the shocking twist.
One tense scene was in the court room, where Owen was on trial. His barrister (played by Diana Hardcastle) with forensic precision demonstrated procedural irregularities about DC Ken Blackstone's (Jack Deam) search of clothing items in Owen's house. You could see Blackstone's unease at the thought of committing perjury on the court stand.
For a while I thought Daniel Clayton (the victim's father) could have been the murder, and also Tyler Judd (Chris Overton in an electrifying performance). As to who the murderer really was, now that was a twist and I never saw that coming in a million years.
One motif of some DCI Banks episodes is the grand house in Yorkshire, owned by the victim's family. It's a contrast to the gritty streets of Leeds, and I especially like the grey clouds, and rolling greens of the Dales. Just proves that not all houses in the UK are doll-sized.
This is the final instalment of season 2, and DS Helen Morton (Caroline "Doc Martin" Catz) is settling in well, despite her obsessive compulsiveness.
Innocent Graves: Part 2
Prismark1016 June 2021
With Owen Pierce's trial collapsing on technicality. DCI Banks is under pressure and he feels responsible for the failings of his team.
It is Morton who looks afresh at the evidence. She spots that it was not Owen who killed the schoolgirl Ellie.
Later her friend Becca is found dead at the same spot.
Owen is again a suspect but this time DC Ken Blackstone can provide an alibi for him.
There was always room in this story for a third possible suspect. So it was never a case of if the killer was Owen Pierce or Tyler Judd.
I did find the coda regarding Owen Pierce slightly absurd.
It is Morton who looks afresh at the evidence. She spots that it was not Owen who killed the schoolgirl Ellie.
Later her friend Becca is found dead at the same spot.
Owen is again a suspect but this time DC Ken Blackstone can provide an alibi for him.
There was always room in this story for a third possible suspect. So it was never a case of if the killer was Owen Pierce or Tyler Judd.
I did find the coda regarding Owen Pierce slightly absurd.
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