As the first episode of Desperate Measures begins, Rowan Taylor (Amanda Abbington) talks to Detective Simmons (Jonathan Nyati) at the police station about the bank robbery at her workplace. There was smoke everywhere and people were running in all directions. These guys appeared out of nowhere. They got into a fight before a shot went off. Rowan says it happened quickly. Although they were in the vault for just a minute, they cleared it out. Simmons finds it odd that these guys were able to break in without any help from someone on the inside.

Rowan hopes he doesn’t think she is involved. Three days earlier, Rowan gets ready for work while prepping for her discussion about restructuring with the boss. Her son, Finn (Jesse Cescatti-McFarlane), gives her advice. She urges him to do well on his upcoming exam before leaving. In the parking garage, Rowan jokes with Jerry about being late as he drives away in his brown van. She says hello to Trevor (Lejaun Sheppard) and shows him her pass to get inside. Varisha (Sunetra Sarker) is already sitting at her booth when Rowan gets there.

Before long, Rowan serves Mrs. Gregory who has coils while Varisha Singh flirts with her customer. Rowan gets a call from Mr. Powel who wants to see her. Varisha complains he didn’t tell her that he didn’t want to do the deposits then. Finn runs into his friend Conor (Harry Rose) who is driving a fancy vehicle. Even though Finn has to get to the school, he agrees to drive Conor’s car. Conor thinks he should come work for him. He directs Finn to a shady area to make a drug deal. Conor asks Finn if he has ever heard of Kristof (Gabor Nagypal). He is Conor’s boss and you don’t mess around with him.

Conor has his heroin and his money is inside. Finn anxiously waits in the car while Conor goes in to make the exchange. He sees a man get roughed up nearby and others begin checking out the car. Eventually, Conor comes back and tells him to move over so he can drive. Rowan watches a commercial for Hanlows Bank before entering Powel’s office. She tries to tell him about her restructuring ideas only to learn she is going to be laid off. Conor shows Finn the 25 grand he got for the heroin. He gives Finn 50 quid for five minutes of work, but Finn doesn’t want his money.

When the police arrive, Conor throws Finn the bag of money before Finn runs away. Conor stays and lets the police search him while Finn is chased by an officer. Finn throws the bag into a dumpster outside a restaurant before jumping over the fence. The officer asks a worker there if he saw the boy, but he denies seeing anyone. After the officer leaves, the worker grabs the bag from the trash and finds the money. Rowan tells Varisha that they’re downsizing and she just got a month’s notice. Before long, Varisha learns she is being made redundant as well.

They discuss the move in the parking lot. As Finn walks home, Rowan tries to find a new job at home. Conor tries to call Finn who doesn’t answer. He wants to get the money back soon. After leaving a message, Kristof calls upset because he is drawing too much attention. He wants to know where his money is. When Conor says the money is safe and someone has it, Kristof asks who. Rowan notices something is up with Finn when he comes home. Finn says he screwed up before he begins crying. He tells her what happened and how he went back for the money only to find it missing.

Rowan decides to go down to the police station to tell them what happened. Before they can leave, Kristof visits so he can speak to them about the money. Rowan tells him what happened and how Finn lost the money. He tells them how he grew up with nothing and made his mom’s life hell. He moved there because he wanted to give her a taste of a better life. Kristof needs the 25 grand or Finn might not get the chance to make up for the trouble he has caused her.

Although Rowan claims it was Conor’s fault, Kristof refutes that and insists it is Finn’s debt to pay. He agrees to give them three days. Kristof warns them that things will get more complicated if they try to run or go to the police. Later, Finn texts Conor to try to get him to tell Kristof it wasn’t his fault. Conor thinks it was his fault since he threw the money away. In the morning, Rowan tries to get a payday loan but can’t. Finn asks what they’re going to do. He tells him to stay there and not to answer the door.

As Rowan leaves, she is watched by Mal (Francis Magee). Powell tells her that she could get a month’s pay per year of service as part of her redundant package. She asks if she could get an advance on that. Powell admits that won’t be possible, but he will set her up with a free consultation. Finn hears a knock at the door. Mal yells that he wants to talk to him. Inn doesn’t answer. At work, Rowan notices a strange man watching her. She tells Varisha is going to have to take the rest of the day off because something has come up.

Rowan rushes home and tells Finn that she didn’t get the money. She grabs his grandmother’s engagement ring because she is going to sell it. Rowan wants the laptop because she is going to sell it too. She is offered 1,500 for the ring. While she is waiting for Paul to check the laptop, robbers enter and begin taking everything. They take her mom’s engagement ring. When one of the men turns around, Rowan notices a distinguishable tattoo on the back of his neck. Detective Simmons talks to her after the robbery. Rowan denies noticing anything that could identify the suspects.

Later, Rowan visits Frank to ask about Patrick. Then, she tracks down Patrick (Warren Brown) to see if she can get her mother’s engagement ring back. She also demands 25 grand or she’ll go back to the police. He advises her to think carefully about what she is doing because his colleagues do not mess around and they’ll be back any minute. Patrick isn’t sure why he should help when she has been gone for so long. He also admits the ring is out of his hands so he couldn’t help her if he wanted to. When his accomplices return, Rowan is forced to leave using the backdoor.

Rowan goes to the police station with the intention of telling someone what has happened. She asks if they offer protection. Others belittle the cops when they’re released. Rowan realizes it is best to return home. She tells Finn to pack a bag because they’re going to flee when it looks like they’re asleep. They flee and stop at a petrol station. When Rowan goes inside for sandwiches, Kristof calls and reminds Rowan he told her not to run. She runs outside just in time to see Kristof drive away with Finn.

 

Desperate Measures Review

The opening episode of Desperate Measures created an interesting premise that should get even better in future episodes. Amanda Abbington’s Rowan Taylor is desperate to get money now that her son, Finn, owes a drug dealer money after an encounter with a drug dealing acquaintance.

It doesn’t help that Rowan can’t sell her car, her mother’s ring was stolen, and she is being laid off from her job. At the end of the first episode, Kristof kidnapped her son so Rowan will have no choice but to cooperate. The story is potentially very interesting and even unique although the first episode wasn’t without flaws.

Certain performances could’ve been better, but the main cast is good enough to add legitimacy to the story. There are unbelievable moments so viewers shouldn’t take the series too seriously. At just four episodes, Desperate Measures could be an easy to digest, mostly enjoyable binge.

The quality of future episodes will help determine whether it can be more. The first episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Desperate Measures are available on Reel Mockery here. Visitors can support Reel Mockery at this link. Find out more about our advertising options here.