The opening episode of Shardlake begins in England in 1536. King Henry VIII has broke with the Roman Catholic church, but the powerful monasteries are resisting reform. Robin Singleton (Michael Rivers) is attacked by someone with a sword. Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes) gets dressed while a man speeds toward the town on a horse. Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) receives a letter from the man on the horse. He yells that they’ve dared to silence Cromwell. It must not go unpunished and precision is required. Matthew Shardlake stops to watch a woman with a bird called Tabitha that can speak. He suspects it’s a trick, but another man isn’t so sure. The man, Master Jack Barak, tells Matthew that Cromwell will see him.

Jack almost runs off and leaves him. Matthew asks for directions so he can  at his own pace. Jack tells him that news of death awaits him. The victim was Robin Singleton who was a friend of Matthew. Matthew tells Cromwell he attended Anne Boleyn’s execution. Cromwell shows him the holy trinkets including the skull of Saint Barbara. She was a young virgin when she was murdered by her pagan father in Roman times. Cromwell shows him another skull of Saint Barbara from Boxgrove Nunnery in Lancashire. Matthew admits he’s curious to know who they both were. Cromwell says Matthew is always after an answer for everything. He has a task for Matthew that he cannot tell.

Jack mentions the Monastery of St. Donatus at the channel port Scarnsea. Cromwell says St. Donatus is a Benedictine house. Matthew is shown the letter which concerns the murder. Abbot Fabian (Babou Ceesay) wakes up Dr. Goodhap (Matthew Steer). As Goodhap goes outside with them, Abbot insists St Donatus is not the cause. Goodhap is shown Singleton who has been decapitated. He yells that he will not be next. Matthew tells Cromwell that Master Singleton was not the best lawyer but he was a forceful man. Cromwell thinks that’s why he was chosen. He says to confront the abbot and win a surrender. Cromwell says they’re finally going to reform a corrupt church. He has agreed with King Henry that 12 monasteries will close.

St Donatus will be the first if they can find enough evidence. Matthew believes that’s good news for the public purse. Cromwell explains the guilty man must be identified and evidence listed. An emissary of the king being murdered isn’t enough. Cromwell is not above the laws of England. Each case must be supported with evidence. Cromwell says the purpose of the reforms is to rid the land of men who grow fat on sin while ordinary folk suffer cold and hunger. Goodhap, who was there to assist Singleton, wrote the letter. Cromwell says the people have suffered for too long. The murderer must be found and the monastery will close. Its wealth will be surrendered to the crown. Jack is tasked with traveling with Matthew who would prefer to choose his own assistant.

Jack says he’s not his assistant. On his way back, Matthew is stopped by a man who tells him to go inside. He goes inside where he finds the Lord of Norfolk who wants to know about his meeting with Cromwell. Matthew tells him he’s supposed to go to Scarnsea. The Lord of Norfolk knows he’s supposed to obtain St Donatus’s surrender and wealth. He suspects the people will not see a penny of the money. He calls it theft in the name of God. The Lord of Norfolk wants Matthew to write to him the very minute the wicked deed is done. Alice (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis) walks inside where she is warned there is ice about. She thanks Master Bugge before continuing. Alice takes Goodhap his meal. Brother Edwig (David Pearse) tells Brother Mortimus (Brian Vernel) he worries that Goodhap will convey the thoughts of the previous commissioner on to the next without annotation.

Mortimus believes he will so they can only remain calm. Goodhap admits to Alice he’s afraid of eating and being poisoned. Matthew is told Jack has arrived. Once Jack comes in, Matthew admits he hasn’t packed yet. Joan brings Jack some food. Jack tells Matthew that he is going with him to protect him. Matthew admits he doesn’t like him. He suspects Jack is there to spy. In private, Matthew tells himself that he’s noted for his gait so he will use it as a disguise. He leaves with Jack a short time later. They arrive at Scarnsea. Brother Mortimus of Kelso greets them and explains he is the Abbot’s assistant in command. Jack and Matthew introduce themselves to Simon and the others. Mortimus claims Singleton was struck down by invaders.

Matthew wants to meet with their partner, Dr. Goodhap. Mortimus gets upset when Simon Whelplay (Joe Barber) drops a vase. Matthew tells him to be calm with the boy before asking him to fetch Goodhap. Once Matthew goes inside, he sees someone above him in a dark cloak. The cloaked figure leaves when Jack and Goodhap enter the room. Goodhap admits he’d prefer to stay in his room until he leaves this place permanently. He says a lawyer has been murdered and he only wishes to leave. Matthew wants every monk named and every thought Singleton had shared. Goodhap claims Singleton didn’t have any thoughts or theories. He explains that Singleton didn’t share any of his thoughts. Brother Gabriel (Miles Barrow) arrives and doesn’t leave. Jack asks if he intends to eavesdrop. Matthew tells him to do it later. It wasn’t Gabriel in the gallery earlier because the gallery and rooftop are closed for repair.

Once they’re alone, Goodhap tells Matthew that Master Singleton examined the monastery’s record of accounts. He says Abbot Fabian is a clever man who knows there can be no forced closure. Access for intruders would be difficult but not impossible. Goodhap warns Matthew that he’s dealing with ruthless, determined men bound by preservation and greed. In the dining room, Matthew speaks to Abbot Fabian. Brother Edwig explains that everything on the table is a product of St Donatus. As for the wine, they trade with France. Scarnsea isn’t the port it once was, but it is still a port. Brother Edwig is the bookkeeper. He was away on the night of Singleton’s murder. Matthew asks Gabriel about being a sacrist. Goodhap calls him a sodomite. Brother Jerome (Paul Kaye) says they’re all sodomites.

He goes on to call Lord Cromwell the Antichrist. Jerome damns Cromwell since he murdered his queen with lies. Jerome tries to attack Jack and Matthew. The others restrain him and take him away. Fabian says Jerome was forced on them because he’s a cousin to the new queen, Queen Jane. Jack says he mentioned an ax. Matthew wants to speak to Jerome. He speaks to Abbot Fabian about keeping his people well-schooled and making them follow strict rules. Later, Brother Guy tells Jack he is from Spain. It is revealed that Brother Guy found Master Singleton dead. He has laid there for four days now. Matthew and Jack inspect the decapitated body. Matthew believes the assailant was of at least medium height or taller. He goes on to say the cut couldn’t have been made with an ax.

Mortimus says there are no swords although there are former swordsmen in their ranks. He believes this is the work of the devil. Matthew says Singleton can now be buried as a Christian. Later, Matthew remembers telling Andrew he wants to be a priest. He is told he has to conform to the image of the Church and he doesn’t. Matthew asks Simon if he knew Master Singleton. Simon reveals Singleton asked him if he’d been affectionate. Simon insists he has not been affectionate with a brother. Matthew asks if the brother beats him often because he can help. Simon says he has nothing to tell. Matthew questions whether the cross is a gift from someone. Simon claims it’s something he made. Once Simon leaves, Matthew tries to speak to the cloaked figure above him.

Matthew chases them until the cloaked figure pushes him down and runs past him. Simon gets rid of the gift outside. Matthew takes off his clothes in private. Simon seems to be eating scraps from the floor before collapsing. Bugge picks him up and carries him out. Alice visits Matthew to tell him about Simon’s condition. Guy is worried that he has congestion of the lungs as well as a fever. Simon wants to speak to Matthew. He says Singleton was not the first to be killed and he warned her of the danger. Simon refuses to say who else was killed. Matthew becomes suspicious that Brother Guy is trying to silence Simon. He asks to speak to Alice in private. Alice insists Simon didn’t warn her about anything. Matthew worries she might be in danger. He tells her that he’s there for her.

Matthew returns to his room and calls himself a fool. He thinks the whole investigation will become secondary. Matthew thinks about protecting Alice and marrying her. He reminds himself to find the swordsman and unmask the deadly monk. A cloaked figure watches him.

 

Shardlake Review

The opening episode of Shardlake creates an interesting plot with strong characters. It’s much different than what viewers will expect from a Disney series, especially considering Disney’s recent offerings. Sean Bean is great as Thomas Cromwell although the character is taking a backseat to Matthew Shardlake and Jack Barak.

Both are acted well enough with most of the minor characters doing well too. Thomas Cromwell sends Matthew Shardlake and Jack Barak to St Donatus in Scarnsea to investigate the death of Robin Singleton. Matthew soon learns that Singleton may not be the first victim and his life is also in danger.

The costumes and settings fit the era very well although some of the casting choices obviously do not. The episode was a bit slow at times, but it did a good job of setting up the story and the fundamental characters. This is only four episodes so it should be an easy binge, but a lot can change in the next three episodes.

It’s best to watch another episode or two before saying whether this one could be recommended but it started well enough. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of Shardlake are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link.

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