Variation on a theme of murder
Shetland
BBC1, 9pm
WHEN the latest series of Shetland began last month, writer David Kane promised us that we weren’t in for just another whodunit. Instead, the drama, which began with Thomas Malone (Stephen Walters) having his murder conviction overturned and returning to the community after spending 23 years behind bars, would explore some bigger themes – and leave DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) facing some very uncomfortable dilemmas.
Kane said: “How would Jimmy Perez deal with a situation where everyone on the islands thought someone was guilty, but he wasn’t sure? And when a similar crime is committed to the one this man was convicted for, how much benefit of the doubt can Perez give him?”
The writer added: “I always feel when you write a detective story, it should be more than just a murder mystery – it should be about something. This story looks at how society treats people who have been wrongly imprisoned and goes to the heart of what we mean when we talk about community.
“The reopening of the original case draws everyone into this tangle of thorns, including [Perez’s stepdaughter] Cassie and [her biological father] Duncan, and Perez finds himself with his loyalties divided.”
And as the series reaches its conclusion, it’s clear Kane was right about the impact the case would have on Perez, as in this final episode, the copper’s personal and professional lives collide.
The historical DNA results force Perez to confront the possibility that Duncan may have been involved in Lizzie Kilmuir’s murder and potentially Sally Mccoll’s as well.
Duncan is hurt that Perez could think he was capable of such a thing, but when he’s questioned, the cop realises the suspect is lying – if not about the killings, then about something else. Eventually, Duncan admits he had an affair with Donna, and it’s revealed he’s Alan Killick’s biological father. Cassie reacts badly to the news that she’s inadvertently been getting closer to her half-brother and seeks reassurance her father isn’t a double murderer into the bargain, but that’s a guarantee Perez is unable to give.
Just when the situation looks bleakest, an old photo on Sally Mccoll’s memory stick sheds new light on the case – but can Perez get to the truth before Malone takes matters into his own hands? And will all the loose ends be tied up, or will some be left dangling for a potential fifth series?
Let’s hope there is another run, as the show’s makers have clearly hit on a winning formula, and Henshall thinks he’s worked out what it is.
He says: “First and foremost it’s the characters. Secondly, the place that it’s set in.
“But I really have to give credit to the writers and producers because they are the prime reason. And the books [by Vera creator Ann Cleeves], are incredibly popular. All those ingredients together work very well for us!”