Prime Suspect 4 marks a departure for the series. Gone is series writer and creator Lynda La Plante. The other major change is the format; this series consists of three unrelated episodes, with some unifying characteristics.
Spoilers: When we last saw DCI Tennison, she had failed to gather enough evidence to convict Edward Parker-Jones of the death of Colin "Conny" Jenkins and for running a pedophile ring; but, she gained a measure of justice by subtly providing a journalist the opportunity to reveal the story. She was able to extort a promise of promotion from her superiors, if she solved the case and gained a conviction. She earns her promotion to Detective Superintendent, even though she doesn't obtain a conviction. She also finds that she is pregnant with the child of a former lover, a married man. After the horrors she has witnessed and learned, she decides to terminate the pregnancy. This episode opens with Tennison having her abortion. She wants to quickly return to work so she doesn't have to confront her emotions. Unfortunately, her first case involves the apparent abduction of an infant. Tennison becomes increasingly desperate to recover the child; and when it is found dead, to bring the killer to justice. Although the previous series involved the dangers of pedophiles preying on kids on the street and in state institutions, this series confronts the harsher reality of a pedophile in a domestic situation. Tennison's prime suspect is a pedophile who was released after serving his sentence and undergoing treatment. Like most offenders, he was the product of abuse himself. At points he seems like he is truly trying to live a normal and healthy life; and at others, his actions are suspicious. To add to the mix, one of Tennison's detectives seems obsessed with this case. He nearly causes the suspect's death and sets into motion events which lead to his escape and taking of hostages. Tennison discovers that her officer was also the survivor of abuse, although his life took a more positive path. While Tennison attempts to resolve the hostage situation, without loss of life, she uncovers the truth of what happened to the infant victim. The siege ends safely, but Tennison has faced her own loss and had a glimpse of what life could have been like had she chosen to carry out her pregnancy. In the end, she doesn't know if she is better or worse off. The performances are good, as always, and the writing, although not La Plante's, holds up well. As always, issues are presented without providing easy solutions, much like life.
A special note for Star Wars fans; check out Anthony Daniels, sans C3PO costume, as a pathologist. He demonstrates far greater skill than he was allowed to show in the other films.
Spoilers: When we last saw DCI Tennison, she had failed to gather enough evidence to convict Edward Parker-Jones of the death of Colin "Conny" Jenkins and for running a pedophile ring; but, she gained a measure of justice by subtly providing a journalist the opportunity to reveal the story. She was able to extort a promise of promotion from her superiors, if she solved the case and gained a conviction. She earns her promotion to Detective Superintendent, even though she doesn't obtain a conviction. She also finds that she is pregnant with the child of a former lover, a married man. After the horrors she has witnessed and learned, she decides to terminate the pregnancy. This episode opens with Tennison having her abortion. She wants to quickly return to work so she doesn't have to confront her emotions. Unfortunately, her first case involves the apparent abduction of an infant. Tennison becomes increasingly desperate to recover the child; and when it is found dead, to bring the killer to justice. Although the previous series involved the dangers of pedophiles preying on kids on the street and in state institutions, this series confronts the harsher reality of a pedophile in a domestic situation. Tennison's prime suspect is a pedophile who was released after serving his sentence and undergoing treatment. Like most offenders, he was the product of abuse himself. At points he seems like he is truly trying to live a normal and healthy life; and at others, his actions are suspicious. To add to the mix, one of Tennison's detectives seems obsessed with this case. He nearly causes the suspect's death and sets into motion events which lead to his escape and taking of hostages. Tennison discovers that her officer was also the survivor of abuse, although his life took a more positive path. While Tennison attempts to resolve the hostage situation, without loss of life, she uncovers the truth of what happened to the infant victim. The siege ends safely, but Tennison has faced her own loss and had a glimpse of what life could have been like had she chosen to carry out her pregnancy. In the end, she doesn't know if she is better or worse off. The performances are good, as always, and the writing, although not La Plante's, holds up well. As always, issues are presented without providing easy solutions, much like life.
A special note for Star Wars fans; check out Anthony Daniels, sans C3PO costume, as a pathologist. He demonstrates far greater skill than he was allowed to show in the other films.