The story begins with Douglas Hylton (Dipo Ola) receiving a phone call from Susan Edwards (Olivia Colman) at the prison. Hylton may be representing Susan who is facing criminal charges related to the death of her parents Patricia Wycherley (Felicity Montagu) and William Wycherley (Karl Johnson). He advises her the call is not private and he is not officially her attorney. Susan is upbeat throughout the phone call.

Susan visits a specialty shop in France. The shopkeeper, Francois (Ali Azhar) recognizes and greets her. He shows her a poster of Gary Grant. He claims it is from the second Belgian release collection. She asks if he knew Gary Cooper was a good father. The shop owner drops the price to 150 euros before Susan agrees to purchase it. She selects a new credit card from a stack and hands it to the shop owner.

Christopher Edwards (David Thewlis) retrieves his mail. Susan greets him as he enters their apartment. She offers him tuna and sweet corn sandwiches and soup from the night before. He tells her about a job interview, in which he left a “good impression.” He has another job interview scheduled for later today. She excitedly shows him the Gary Cooper poster. She explains the poster is similar to one from her childhood. He demands to know the price. She says, “20 euros, it’s not an original.” He isn’t happy with her purchase. He opens a letter and finds 100 euros from a friend, Gerard. She believes the money is a sign that things are getting better. He doesn’t agree. They are behind on their rent, and he is struggling to get a job.

She takes the poster to a room filled with images of western actors. He has a flashback of she images her husband firing a handgun. Chris enters the room and encourages her to hang the photo up instead of hiding it away. She suggests they meet at the café after his interview.

Chris is called in for an interview held in French. He struggles with the interview. Susan hangs the poster over a mantle. Chris is upset about the interview. He throws his bag on the ground. Susan puts the final touches on the poster, a bit of encouragement and a kiss for Chris. Chris is distraught when he visits the park. He reads the letter from his stepmother, Doctor Tabitha Edwards (Kathryn Hunter).

Susan orders two slices of cake and a coffee at the café and takes a seat to wait on Chris to arrive. Chris visits a phone booth. Susan imagines happy Chris arriving at the café. At the public phone booth, he calls Tabitha. He makes her promise to not call the police. He arrives at the café to meet Susan. They discuss the interview, which he says went well. He suggests borrowing money to cover the back rent until he gets a job. Susan believes borrowing money from Tabita would disclose their location and why they are in France. She continues to deny his request and describes their situation as a “sticky patch.”

Tabitha notifies the Nottinghamshire Police, regarding Chris’ secret. She leaves a recorded message that explains Susan’s parents, William and Patricia Wycherley, were buried in a garden in Nottingham 15 years prior. She asks the police to validate if Susan’s parents went missing at the time.

Police officer Emma Lancing (Kate O’Flynn) relays the information to DCI Tony Collier who is having lunch. He curses at her and demands she go away. He exhales loudly as she tells him about Christopher’s story. He angrily spits out hot coffee as it burnt his mouth. She tells him Chris claims Susan’s parents died of an accident. Lancing says Tabitha notified Christopher via email about her contact with the police.

At home, Christopher is infuriated about Tabitha contacting the police. He is disgusted with Tabitha. He defends his decision to tell her about Susan’s parents. She refused to send him money if he didn’t tell her his secret. Susan is okay with living on the streets as long as she and Chris are together. She says, “It’s okay, just have to move again.” She goes into her bedroom to pack their belongings. Chris sits down to read some documents as Susan continues to pack. He turns around when she breaks a glass photo frame on the bedroom floor. He scolds him for not protecting her. He asks her if she would like to watch a film.

Paul Wilkie (Samuel Anderson) and Lancing arrive at the former home of Susan’s parents. Lancing warns Paul to not make a scene. When he asks why, she responds, “You’re a twat.” The occupant, Daniel “Danny” Nichol (Jason Williamson) answers the door. The officers feel him in on the Wycherley couple. He leads them through the apartment to the garden. Lancing repeats Paul is a “twat.” Danny has been a resident of the property for about eight years. He is familiar with the name Wycherley. Nigel Burman (Aaron Neil) interrupts from the neighboring garden.

Police visit Nigel and his wife, Briony (Tina Harris). They tell the officers about Patricia staying several feet back from William when they were in public. Nigel says the Wycherley’s left Chris and Susan to look after their apartment when they went to Blackpool 15 years prior. Briony whispers to Nigel before he talks about Chris digging a hole in the garden in the middle of the night.

At home, Susan is watching a western while Chris reads an email from the police. Police investigate the Wycherley Garden, where the bodies are supposed to be buried. There is a scene, showing Susan at the crime scene when she is shown in her bedroom watching movies. While watching the movie, Susan imagines the characters are her and Chris. Police dig up the Wycherley Garden. Chris writes an email to the police, explaining their situation. At a press conference, Chris stands amid a group of press reporters.

Police discovered the Wycherley’s in the garden. Lancing, Paul, and Collier discuss the case. She recommends getting French police involved. Collier asks, “What we arresting them for, Emma, writing a weird email.” She responds, “Prevention of a lawful and decent burial.” They continue to argue when Collier throws something against a building. He asks about the location, time, and when the murders took place. Paul interrupts, “That’s what we need for a European arrest warrant.” Collier says they can continue carrying as long as they please before stomping off to get a sandwich.

Lancing and Paul discuss the case. She asks about Susan’s “fragile disposition.” Paul says they do not have anything to go on and Susan may not even be fragile. Paul repeats his mom’s quote, “You is the gardener and the other one’s the garden.” She asks what it means. He doesn’t know but hates gardening.

Chris is watching the police conference on TV as Susan presses his clothes. She is optimistic about a second interview. She is shocked when he angrily calls the interview “terrible”. She asks about the email he previously sent to police. He believes if they run, people will begin to see them as being guilty.

In the investigation room, police discuss the murder investigation. Forensics confirmed the gender of the bodies and .38-caliber bullets in the wrappings utilized to cover the bodies. Police believe the victims were intentionally shot in the chest.

Chris puts his clothes on after getting out of the shower. Susan tidies up their bedroom. They enjoy a candlelight supper. Susan becomes upset and walks away from the table. She blames herself for her parent’s death. He denies the allegations, saying, “You are my life”. He continues to provide comfort and encouragement.

Chris and Susan are packing up their belongings. She opens a box filled with photos of her parents and other items. They burn the pictures in a metal trash can.

Collier reads an email from Chris who agrees to return to England. He orders DC MacBride (Maanuv Thiara) to immediately contact British Transport Police. Chris appears in the background as Collier calls Lancing to demand her location. Chris and Susan have agreed to turn themselves in at St. Pancras Station. Chris requests one-way tickets to be provided by police because their funds are low.

Police prepare for a trip to the St. Pancras Station. Lancing alerts him that tickets have been booked for Chris and Susan. She is sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle when Collier nastily demands she go to the back. When she questions his demand, he curses and repeats it loudly.

Chris and Susan arrive at the train station. As they walk down the corridor, Susan needs encouragement to continue to the train. Susan is thankful for Tabitha contacting the police. They agree to stick with the plan. They put their money together before Susan heads off for beverages.

Collier discusses long Scotch eggs sold in service stations on the trip to St. Pancras Station. Susan returns with their beverage.

Police gather around the St. Pancras Station entrance. Susan is having a dream of a young girl running down a dirt path. Susan has a flashback of her parents. Chris sobs but admits to being stronger than he looks. Susan doesn’t think she can say goodbye to Chris. He encourages her by saying there are no goodbyes between them. They hold hands and prepare to meet the police.

Lancing and Paul get into position in the train station. Chris and Susan walk toward the southwest exit of the St. Pancras Hotel parking lot. They unknowingly walk past Paul as he talks on his police radio. Lancing alerts Collier she sees the couple as they continue to the exit. Chris tells Susan she is in charge. If she doesn’t like her solicitor, ask for another one. He encourages her to stick with their story to avoid confusion. They stand in front of police as the episode comes to an end.

Landscapers Review

The storyline, a couple on the run from police for 15 years, is intriguing enough. However, to create the perfect crime drama for the Edwards, the writers would have to omit the cheesy comical dialogue. Olivia Colman and David Thewlis were ideal for their role. Their connection brings the Edwards’ story to life.

A dark comedy should not be an option when the plot is a real murder. This would have more appropriate for a jewelry heist or bank robbery, not a true murder crime. If you are going to do it, at least make the show funny. None of the scenes made me laugh.

There is nothing likable about the obnoxious, foul-mouthed character, Collier. The comedy made the show feel like it was based on fabrications instead of facts. In fact, I found myself wondering how much of the content is factual. I will wait until after the finally out the truth. The show deserves a 7.

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