User Reviews

I'm always more forgiving of pilot episodes than some are. So I will give a second episode a go and see if some of the sharp edges have been smoothed. First of all, in this episode, Banks seems to act in a petulant, childish way. He really seem emotional and out of control at times. He also fills up with guilt over the deaths of these young women. He has no reason to feel guilty. Yes, it has taken some time solve these crimes, but what mistakes has he made? Why does he feel responsible for the actions of a bonafide psychopath? He treats people badly. His partner to be in the CID is hard to swallow as well. I want to see more believability in the peripheral characters.

I am re-watching the first episodes of DCI Banks, and still do not understand why the police investigator gave the female police officer such a hard time about hitting the rapist/murderer. I know that police brutality is taken seriously, as well it should be. But this officer's partner was horrifically killed by a man who, it is discovered, has abducted, raped and murdered several young women. The only surprise to me is that the officer didn't kill him in turn.

Enters another female officer (Annie) to investigate the "brutality" charges of a rapist/murderer; the investigator seems not to have the slightest bit of sympathy or understanding for the situation in which the subject of the investigation finds herself - her partner is murdered in front of her, and she , filled with anxiety and adrenalin, hits the perpetrator over the head while he is handcuffed.

There are so many reasons why anyone may have reacted in exactly the same manner. None of those reasons seem to have been considered. Instead, in an effort to her further her ambitions and make a good impression, the investigator really goes after the officer. The investigator eventually relents on the threats to put the officer in prison, but her job is still threatened. That was her thanks for single-handedly subduing a very dangerous felon.

This is a solid start to the six season run of DCI Banks.. DCI Banks is realistic and raw that's for sure. It deals with the foibles of the police and their commitment to solve murders at any cost.

Here we see the foundation of the Banks's team, with Annie being introduced from Internal Affairs, and ending up almost kissing Banks at his place listening to Miles Davis's jazz.

Some reviewers weren't happy with the very downbeat nature of Aftermath. I guess the politically incorrect nature of the episode isn't for everyone, but it's real and raw. Really, an episode of Inside No. 9 deals with far more gruesome themes.

Talking of which, great to see Monica Dolan, who several years later guest starred in one of the most memorable Inside No. 9 episodes, Once Removed. She also starred in the revival of Talking Heads, and you can imagine her DCI Banks character regaling her tale in Talking Heads.

The thrust of the second episode is whether Lucy Payne was an accomplice for her husband's abduction and rapes.

Banks has a theory that a female was used to lure the victims to the car. Banks also finds out about Lucy's own childhood abuse.

As for Cabbot, for an internal affairs cop who wants to go to CID. She seems to be interviewing cops anywhere and everywhere. The cop who injured Marcus Payne at one point is questioned in her home in her dressing gown without being cautioned or notes being taken or have an opportunity to have a police rep present. I have a feeling this might not all stand up.

Then again Banks at one point interrogates Lucy Payne again without giving her a caution when she is out in some remote site helping the police with their enquiries. Her lawyer just stands there doing nothing.

A police procedural this ain't. Aftermath started out as dark and lurid but seems to have lost the plot.