As the episode begins, Sidney Chambers (James Norton) drinks at the pub. He stumbles out onto the street. He asks a woman for a light. It appears that she has been crying. In the morning, Mrs. Chapman (Tessa Peake-Jones) wakes him up with the vacuum cleaner. Leonard (Al Weaver) and Chapman prepare to have a tough discussion with Sidney. Sidney becomes worried when he notices that his coat is missing. Chapman threatens to have a chat with the archdeacon. Leonard offers to listen to Sidney’s problems. Sean Donovan (Felix Scott) introduces himself to Geordie Keating (Robson Green). They’re going to be sharing an office. Seconds later, Geordie learns about an assault victim near the Kite. Donovan tells Geordie that the case is all his. Geordie doesn’t like that.

Geordie speaks with the woman and asks her if there is anything he can get for her. She says Sidney’s name. He meets with Sidney moments later. The woman dies. Sidney gets to look at her body. He doesn’t remember much about her. Sidney promises that he didn’t sleep with her. Puncture wounds are found on the woman’s neck. They visit the location where she was dumped. They notice a couple looking from their window overhead. The locals do not want to cooperate. Eventually, a woman emerges and asks if she is dead. They learn that the woman’s name was Sadie Parker (Katie Clarkson-Hill). Sidney looks at pictures on the wall. He remembers Sadie telling him that she doesn’t believe she deserves to be happy.

The girls explain that Mr. Simpson is their boss. He owns the building. Sidney finds his coat in Sadie’s room. He isn’t sure how it got there. Sidney recalls Sadie lighting his cigarette. The book of matches catches his attention. Sidney gives Geordie the book. It says Patsy’s on the front. They visit Patsy’s Club right away. Sidney remembers that the woman was a prostitute. Geordie already knows it. Soon, Geordie finds out that Rupert Simpson owns half the Kite and the club. Geordie scolds Larry Peters (Bradley Hall) for not knocking on the door before entering. Next, they visit the golf club to track down Simpson. They meet Simpson (Nicholas Rowe) a short time later. Sidney is not too happy with Simpson’s response to finding out that his tenant has died. Sidney asks Simpson if he killed her.

Geordie asks Sidney what is wrong with him. Later, Sidney says that he feels like he is out of his own skin. He isn’t sure what is wrong. Geordie tells him that he is in a bad cycle. Sidney leaves after suggesting he is no use to him. Geordie watches the prostitutes get into a van. Sidney spots on a girl on the street He chases her believing she is Violet. It is. She is waiting for the death certificate. Then, she will be leaving. They take a boat ride together. Sidney asks about Violet’s family. Geordie returns to Patsy’s. He finds Larry having a drink. Geordie tells them to behave themselves. Geordie learns that the coppers drink for free. Sidney takes Violet on a trip. Sidney believes he might be on the wrong path. Geordie confirms that Sadie worked there. They work every night.

Geordie speaks with the man in charge Rory Dale (Diarmaid Murtagh). He doesn’t want to say who Sadie was with last night. Geordie orders Larry to search the club. He searches the club’s safe. He finds a book that interests him. Sidney tells Violet about his past problems. He admits he hates what he has become. She tells him that he is wallowing. She tells him to be better. She tells him to make amends by helping other girls. Geordie asks Simpson about his black book. Simpson admits he hired prostitutes from time to time. He bought one last night. He explains that she lost her temper out of nowhere. Geordie wants to know who he works for. Geordie speaks with Donovan about his theory that someone else is running the show. Sidney and Violet (Simona Brown) find furniture burning.

Rory is harassing the women. Sidney fights with him and Violet helps. They try to help the girls afterwards. Leonard, Chapman and Cathy (Kacey Ainsworth) try to find something to buy Sidney. Sidney learns that Sadie spoke out. She said that the women were worth more than they treated them. During the cleanup, Sidney finds a necklace. He tells Geordie that someone was trying to get rid of Sadie’s necklace. They discuss their potential suspects. They chat with Simpson once again. Simpson tells them about the night of Sadie’s murder. Sidney remembers that Sadie said someone gave her the necklace. In pictures on the wall, Simpson’s golfing pal is with girls who are wearing the same necklace. Simpson defends Archer Davis (Patrick Baladi). Archer is questioned moments later. Archer explains that the council is buying the slums.

Davis denies killing her. Larry interrupts. Someone has arrived to confess. It is Rory. He claims that he runs the show. Geordie doesn’t believe him. Sidney hears the girls talking about a funeral for Sadie. Sidney thanks Violet for showing him the right path. He asks her to stay with him. She says no. Sidney tells one of the girls that she cannot see a way out and feels trapped. She tells Sidney that she knew about Sadie meeting him. Sidney gave Sadie a little bit of hope. The girl, Ava Holmes (Holly Aston), tries to get romantic with Sidney. He stops her. When she lets go of his hand, he notices marks similar to those on Sadie’s neck. Later, Sidney checks her hand and it is the ring that made the marks. She explains that she really liked Sadie. Ava is arrested. During the interrogation, Ava admits that Sadie was different. Sadie went off on Archer in public and humiliated him.

Sadie tried to get her to help. Instead, Ava strangled her to death. She speaks about fear and how there is no way out. Later, Sidney says a prayer for Sadie. Sidney tries to encourage the girls to stand up to them. One of them shows Sidney the cigarette burns on her arm. She is taken to the station. She tells Geordie that Archie runs everything and that he hurts them. The other girls join her. Archie is arrested. Violet joins Sidney at the church. She will be leaving tomorrow. Sidney tells her that he’ll go with her. They express their love for one another. Chapman and Leonard try to get Geordie to talk some sense into Sidney. He does his best to do that moments later. Sidney tells him that he needs to do this. He wants Geordie’s blessing. Afterwards, Sidney delivers a sermon.

Sidney and Geordie share a drink and play backgammon later. Geordie suggests he could visit. Sidney gives him a present. They agree to enjoy one last game.

 

Grantchester Review

This episode of Grantchester was great, but very disappointing. The investigation into the murder of Sadie was very interesting. It felt authentic. Now, it appears that Sidney is on his way out. This is where the problems begin. His departure feels a bit rushed. It is also sad that the writers took the liberty to travel down the old politically correct path. It really puts a damper on Sidney’s exit. We’ll just have to ignore that part of the episode and hope the show can remain good without James Norton.

Sidney’s exit could have been far more memorable and satisfying. Other than that, the episode was good. A 7.5 out of 10 is deserved. Catch up with previous recaps of Grantchester now!