Annika Season 1 Episode 1 Recap

The episode begins with Clyde Coastguard alerting police of a body trapped in a net. DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker) greets DS Michael McAndrews (Jamie Sives) at the crime scene. After a brief discussion, she heads to the morgue.

Annika tells Morgan Strandhed (Silvie Furneaux) that riding a boat to school made her popular. Morgan reminds her that she’s friendless. Annika assures her it has nothing to do with the boat. Morgan voices her concern about people thinking she’s been arrested.

Scotland Police Marine Homicide Unit –  DCI Diane Oban (Kate Dickie) asks Annika if she’d like tea. After voicing her concern for potential backlash over a private office, Annika sees Diane’s desk name plaque. Diane acknowledges it’s her office.

As DC Blair Ferguson (Katie Leung) identifies Arthur Hendry as the victim, DC Tyrone Clarke (Ukweli Roach) arrives. Annika asks if he received the notes. He offers his input into the investigation. Blair explains that Arthur, owner of Aquatic Watch, was reported missing his wife, Isla Hendry (Caroline Guthrie). Arthur adds the pathology report determined Arthur died before entering the water between 8pm and 10pm. Annika suggests he dress more appropriately before they meet the victim’s family. McAndrews suggests the murder weapon was a harpoon. Annika tells her team that she brought licorice from Norway before leaving.

Finlay Morris (Gavin Jon Wright) is awakened by someone ordering him to go home. His smashed phone lays on the floor. He utilizes a borrowed phone to call Denise (Shona McHugh) who refuses to answer.

Annika asks Isla when was the last time she saw Arthur. Isla claims to have last seen him in their home about the same time yesterday. Tyrone asks if they were scheduled to have dinner at the Green Garden. Isla says it was his birthday dinner. Trish Hendry (Kristy Strain) tells them that Aquatic Watch didn’t have any tours booked for that day. Danny Hendry (Christy O’Donnell) informs them that Finlay is the last one left. Trish adds that Finlay is their cousin who works in the boatyard. When he asks if Arthur was in trouble, Danny breaks down crying. Annika reminds them that the body needs to be identified. Isla tells her that she’ll handle it.

Annika tells the audience that the murder weapon, a harpoon is the killer’s way of trying to get a point across. Isla identifies the body as her husband’s. Annika promises law enforcement will ensure the body is returned to her. Isla says she and Arthur had quite a life together.

Tyrone tells Annika that he suspects Finlay unlocked the padlock with a key. Annika says Isla, Danny, or Trish might have opened it. After validating the Hendry family had a booking for four at the Green Garden, he says only Arthur didn’t arrive. She warns him that Finlay’s fingerprints aren’t enough to implicate him in the crime because he worked there. He suggests an altercation took place after Arthur arrived while Finlay was performing maintenance. When he says family company conflicts are nearly always about money or power. She admits that neither seems a problem in the Aquatic Watch company. He informs her that all the evidence except blood inside the boat cabin was ruined in the storm. She tells him that she accepts it.

While Tyrone and Annika discuss his transfer, Finlay shows up and immediately flees the scene. After a fall from a scaffold, he is arrested.

Tyrone and Annika interrogate Finlay. Tyrone reminds him of how he fled upon entering the Aquatic Watch yard. Finlay tells them that he assumed they were Sheriff deputies. Tyrone reminds him that they identified themselves as police officers. He sarcastically says, “Eventually.” Tyrone asks if he was surprised that forensics were at his yard. Finlay denies the yard belonging to him. Tyrone suggests he was upset by Arthur treating him like an “odd-job man” instead of family. Finlay professed to love Arthur. Tyrone asks if he viewed Arthur as a “father figure.” Annika points out that some people hate their fathers. Tyrone asks where he was on Friday night. Finlay says he was at a local pub. Finlay’s attorney informs them that the interrogation is over.

Annika arrives home to find Morgan sitting in the dark. They briefly discuss Morgan’s discontentment with her new school. She receives a call from Michael informing her that Finlay was injured during a hit-and-run.

At the hospital, Michael tells Annika that Finlay was hit by a vehicle behind a hotel. She asks if any witnesses came forward. He says no before reminding her that their only suspect in Arthur’s death is now dead. As he walks away, Dusanka (Apollo Konstatine) asks a nurse about Finlay. When the nurse refuses to help, Annika informs her of his death.

Annika repeats Dusanka’s story that Finlay was hit by a vehicle while looking for tranquilizers. He tells Blair that Many claimed Finlay was fretting over something he witnessed.

Annika asks Danny if Finlay complained about being afraid. Danny tells her that he rarely talked to him.

Annika tells her team that someone overheard Finlay tell someone in a vehicle that he wasn’t staying quiet any longer. She says the suspect’s vehicle was a “green 4×4.” Tyrone suggests Finlay may have witnessed Arthur’s murder and wanted money to not talk. Blair says Finlay’s green 4×4 was seen on CCTV several miles away from the scene after he was transported to the hospital. Michael suggests Finlay was killed by his own vehicle or it was stolen. After informing them that DNA was collected from the crime scene, Tyrone says Finlay utilized the pub manager’s phone to call Mandy Howson (Anna Russell-Martin).

Annika and Andrew do a press release. As they walk away, Michael warns her job belongs to him.

Tyrone approaches Mandy to discuss Arthur and Finlay’s murders. She denies any connection. When asks her to go with him to the police station, she draws her archery bow. He orders the room to be vacated.

During a play, Morgan alters her lines to say, “I get taken in a crappy boat to a crappy school to be in a totally crappy play” before exiting the stage. Annika actives the fire alarm.

In the police boat, Morgan and Annika discuss her play when an incoming call alerts her of Tyrone’s hostage situation.

Annika identifies herself to Mandy who immediately denies any connection to the murders. Mandy complains that Tyrone was trying to arrest her. Tyrone assures her that he was only trying to ask questions. Mandy agrees to let Annika replace Tyrone. In a voicemail, Finlay says, “Mandy, I need to see you. Something bad happened and I don’t know what to do. Pick up, Mandy. I swear to God, it’s got out of hand. I’m not safe anymore.” When Annika asks what he was referring to, Mandy asks if she’s ever been accused of murder. Annika promises she will find out what happened. She puts her archery bow down.

Annika fills Tyrone in on Mandy’s story. He assures her it was nothing for her to hold him hostage. She asks if he’d like to talk to someone about it, but he refuses. She traces Morgan’s cellphone to Benview Veterinary Clinic while telling the audience about Morgan’s absent father.

Annika rushes into the veterinary clinic to meet Morgan. They discuss why Annika’s love life.

Tyrone asks Mandy how Finlay paid for his 4×4. She tells them that Arthur and Finlay ran illegal hunting traps, which is why she avoided them. Michael asks if she was working for Arthur when the drowning took place. She admits to working there three years ago when it was called Ocean Life. She says Blanche Sutherland and her parents were onboard a boat being erratically operated by Danny. She tells them after Blanche went overboard, she stops her father from jumping in after her. She claims to have taken the blame to protect the company but never faced charges.

Tyrone suggests Mandy hates the Hendry family but isn’t a suspect. Michael tells her that Arthur rebranded Ocean Life Aquatic Watch after paying a fine. Blair says customers complained about no whale sightings, an outdated boat, and crabby guides. Annika suggests they speak with Blanche’s parents.

Annika asks Denise (Shona McHugh) if she has seen Danny. She says the family is out Before telling her that Danny was upset with Trish for missing Arthur’s birthday party.

Annika accuses Trish of not attending her father’s father. Trish tells her that she never told anyone that she went. Annika asks why Isla would falsify her story. Trish claims to have been in a meeting with a man interested in buying their company. Annika asks how many boats they own. She says one tour boat and Danny’s sailboat that hasn’t been seen in several days. Annika tells her that Arthur’s belongings are ready to be picked up.

Tyrone finds Mrs. Sutherland on the floor and Robert Sutherland missing. He tells her that a drunk and irate Robert left after they returned home from seeing Arthur. Annika files a missing person’s report for Robert.

Michael informs Annika that Robert’s DNA was at the crime scene. Tyrone suggests they have enough evidence to make Robert a suspect. Annika says Trish was missing from Arthur’s birthday party, not Arthur. Michael asks what’s she saying. She says Arthur is on the boat before showing him an autopsy report for Robert. He asks who murdered Robert. She says it’s probably Danny. Blair informs them that the Hendry family is gone.

The police catch up with the Aquatic Watch. Annika accuses Danny of killing Robert. He says after Robert arrived at the yard ranting about Blanche, an altercation occurred. He claims the harpoon gun accidentally misfired during the altercation. She assures him that he will have an opportunity to tell his story.  While ranting about the whales, he wraps the anchor over his heck before jumping overboard. Michael jumps in to save him.

Michael informs Annika that the Coast Guard saw the boat near Norway. Annika accuses Isla of dressing a deceased Robert in Arthur’s clothes before dumping him in the water. She says Isla moved Finlay down in his 4×4. Isla is escorted to a police cruiser.

Annika tells the audience about a time when her desire to be a detective was so strong that she refused to leave return to Norway with her parents. She adds to Mr. Ahab’s story. The story comes to an end.

 

Annika Review

The show is a product of weak writing and cartoonish crime scene photos. It is compromised with flaw after flaw.

Annika “breaks the fourth wall” when she speaks directly to the audience. While rare, it’s utilized to allow the character to build a bond with viewers. In this case, it allows Annika to better explain her professional opinion or current situation. She also utilizes it to self-reflect. I’m not a fan as it feels generic for a crime drama. Don’t get me wrong, it can be an effective way to engage the audience. However, it works better in comedies where nothing is taken seriously.

The manner in which Tyrone approaches Mandy during the archery class was inappropriate. Why such an aggressive approach if she wasn’t a suspect or witness?  Tyrone being vocal about the two murders resulted in a hostage situation. Law enforcement should always utilize the highest level of discretion when interacting with members of the public. The scene gives little credence to the genuineness of the show.

Were the actors directed to make minimal eye contact with each? I’m a fan of Nicola Walker, but watching her struggle to avoid eye contact was painful. While not a good move, some viewers may not pick up on it.

What’s up with the indoor bird’s-eye view, in particular, a veterinary office? We see the top of the actors’ heads while they interact before the camera angle transitions to a side view. Ugh!

The investigation, itself was very weak. If the goal was to replicate a real crime drama, they failed miserably. Annika didn’t comb the crime scene. Her only crime-solving tactics were questioning witnesses and interrogating a suspect pegged as guilty, but innocent.

With less than 47 minutes of actual airtime, why waste it on whiny Morgan? Her scenes were trivial and would’ve been served for solving the murder.

Wouldn’t it be dangerous to mention your own child in a police investigation? Annika’s approach was to ramble on about Morgan before diving into the investigation. I hardly doubt Morgan’s petty issues were even remotely as significant as the investigation.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Annika recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.