As the second episode of Steeltown Murders begins, DCI Paul Bethell (Philip Glenister) and Phil Rees (Steffan Rhodri) discuss how they’ll get DNA from possible suspects. They visit Dai Williams first. In the past, DCI Paul Bethell receives an early Christmas gift from Phil. The boss reminds them that the parents said the girls would’ve never gotten into a stranger’s vehicle. Paul argues that they should be looking at Sandra Newton alongside these girls and her stepfather, Dai Williams, is worth another look. The boss reminds him that he told him to stay focused on Geraldine and Pauline. In the present, Paul tells the family that they’re reopening the investigation into Sandra’s murder.

He explains to Pat that there is some new DNA evidence that confirms she was killed by the same man who killed Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd. Dai suggests it is John Dilwyn Morgan. Pat believes the police thought she’d think less of Sandra and care less when they told her about Sandra and John Morgan. Paul tells them about the targeted swabbing operation. As Sandra’s stepdad, they’ll need to take Dai’s DNA so they can clear him. The DNA also says there was semen from two different men on Sandra’s clothes. Pat says they were told over and over that she wasn’t raped. Paul tells them how DNA lets them see things they couldn’t previously. Dai knows he was on CID’s crap list from day one and that Paul put him there.

At the station, Phil says Dai looked like a worried man. They wonder whether he could run. They tell DC Geraint Bale (Gareth John Bale) about Dai who was a taxi driver and didn’t have an alibi for the three murders. It was common for drivers to share cars back then so he could’ve had access to an 1100. In a flashback, Phil and the others check vehicles. They encounter Joseph Kappen (Aneurin Barnard) and intend to take a statement from him. While Phil and Paul collect evidence from Joseph’s car, Phil complains about Paul bringing up Sandra’s case again. They return to keys to Mrs. Kappen before leaving. DS Vic Jenkins (Dyfan Dwyfor) says Joseph was a bit of an oddball.

Paul questions whether they should talk to the neighbors and check the bricks story. Vic says he’ll put it in his report for uniform to follow up. Then, he tells Paul to smarten himself. In the present, Paul tells Karina Bethell (Elinor Crawley) that he is worried about the upcoming press conference. Karina tries to comfort him. After going for a run, Sita Anwar (Priyanga Burford) goes home. She talks to her husband about their daughter taking the bus. DSI Jackie Roberts (Karen Paullada) tells Paul that she wasn’t expecting him to say anything during the press conference. Jackie tells the media that they’re trying to find a serial killer. Operation Magnum will involve an intelligence-led swabbing campaign. A member of the press asks why they’re wasting their time on old cases when the crime rate is through the roof.

After the press conference, Paul returns to the station with the others. They talk about storing the swabs and submitting them to Colin Dark at the lab. They go through the system they’ll use to determine which suspects should be swabbed. Later that night, Sita sees the case on the news. She talks to her family about Geraldine and Pauline. Sita tells them how it was tough when they moved there and her dad said they needed to be good immigrants. Geraldine and Pauline were the first people she met at the playground. She listens to her daughter talk to someone on the phone later. The conversation makes her think about Geraldine and Pauline. Karina talks to Paul about swabbing the men and what he’ll do if any of them refuse.

She thinks he should go into this knowing that he might not find the killer. Paul says it is sometimes the thing you don’t do that come back to haunt you. For instance, he knew that John Morgan was innocent. After Ray Allen tore a strip from him, he did nothing to help John. Paul visits Mrs. Morgan to see if John is around. She hopes he is joking because she chucked him out years ago. With her help, Paul tracks down John (Rhodri Miles) and tells him that he wants his DNA. Paul explains they can clear him with his DNA. John says he was tried in the court of public opinion, found guilty, and lost everything as a result. John doubts a DNA test is going to change that, but he agrees to give a sample.

Phil tries to get DNA from others. Sita talks to Maria about offloading some classes. Sita can’t stop thinking about Geraldine and Pauline. While the others continue working, Paul visits Dai to take his DNA personally. An upset Dai eventually opens his mouth and gives a sample. Dai watches Paul leave. Paul remembers Dai chasing his car in the past. When he speaks to Vic about not taping Dai’s car, he is reminded that Dai Williams is not a suspect. In the present, Paul takes Dai’s DNA sample to Colin and asks him to rush it. Colin says they’re still not prepped for the first 500. Once he learns it is for Dai Williams, he tells Paul that he’ll be in touch. In the past, Karina complains when Paul returns home late.

They argue briefly until Karina asks where he has been. Paul explains he has been keeping an eye on Sandra’s stepdad when he can. He admits it might not be a good idea, but it is keeping him sane. Paul complains that he has to watch the news to find out what is going on. In the present, Paul admits he doesn’t know what he’ll do if Dai isn’t a match because he has always had a strong feeling about him. He reveals that Dai came forward as a witness. He walked straight into the station saying he wanted to help. Karina doesn’t think that so is weird. Paul thinks there is a reason when you have a feeling about someone. He remembers Dai coming in and saying someone was still in the lay-by when he came back. The man was hunkered down behind the wheel like he didn’t want to be seen.

DI Tony Warren (Steve Nicolson) doesn’t want to believe him. Dai complains about someone being parked outside his house every night, but DI Warren says they don’t and suggests it is someone with the press. Warren begins questioning him as a suspect. He refuses to believe anything Dai says. Mr. Allen eventually interrupts and shuts down the interview. Chris is ordered to take all of his clothes for examination. In the present, Sita goes to the police station where Phil tells her to walk upstairs. Paul puts Geraint in charge of questioning her because he has to update Jackie. Geraint finds out where Sita works and receives her contacts before asking if she has something to tell him. She questions what that could be.

Sita says she was supposed to go to the Top Rank with them, but her dad put a stop to it. She is glad the case is getting fresh eyes because some of the earlier lot were a winning mix of useless, arrogant, and drunk. Then, she decides to leave. Colin calls Paul to tell him that Dai’s DNA doesn’t match the DNA of the killer. Pat watches through the window as Paul breaks the news to Dai. Paul meets Phil to tell him all of the 50 samples have come back negative. He wants to buy some time. Next, Paul and Jackie are told that there are no grounds to increase their budget or extend the lifespan of Operation Magnum. Paul hopes they don’t forget why they reopened the case in the first place. He argues that they owe it to the girls to find the killer.

Geraint and Phil continue trying to get DNA samples. They attempt to get Mr. Willoughby to come to the door, but he curses them and tells them to leave. At the station, they tell Paul about him and the fact that he owned a white 1100. There were complaints that he had approached kids. Once Paul learns more about Willoughby, he is adamant that they need to swab him before doing anything else. Seb tells Sita that he ran into Maria who mentioned she dropped teaching. She doesn’t like it when Seb says he got the impression Maria was worried about her. He tries to find out what is going on, but Sita will only blame work. Paul learns that Willoughby will meet him although there are conditions. They follow his instructions and meet him.

Paul tells him about the investigation into the murders. Willoughby refuses to give a swab and wipes off his fingerprints before leaving. In the past, Ray Allen (Oliver Ryan) requests to speak to Paul in his office. Ray talks to him about Mr. Hughes being allowed into the woods and Paul driving him home. He wants Paul to update Mr. Hughes and his wife. Once he does, Mrs. Hughes asks if they’re any closer to catching him. Paul can’t tell them much. Mrs. Hughes says he can tell Mr. Allen not to worry because they’re not going to vent their frustrations to the papers. In the present, Paul tries to figure out a way to get Willoughby’s DNA. He attempts to talk Colin into testing his DNA without a warrant and regardless of how it was obtained.

Paul tells him to find a way that won’t sully DNA’s good name or his. Paul receives a call from Geraint who says the higher-ups need a progress report. When he meets them, Paul says they have no positive results although they have a strong suspect. He reveals that they’ve swabbed 265 men to date. They want to start thinking of a cut-off point and say mid-January is sensible. Sita takes care of her father. She reminds him that they need to talk about the house. They need to find out what they’re going to keep and throw away. Sita questions why her dad always thought he knew best. She accuses him of trying to control her like he controlled her mom. Sita yells when asking why he came that night and why he made her leave them.

Colin visits Paul to say 50% of the killer’s DNA would’ve been passed onto any children he had. If he has a distinctive genetic marker, it would’ve been passed to offspring as well. They could be making history because familial DNA has never been used to identify a suspect. If Willoughby’s male relatives are on the database, they may get him. Colin says he can put the double allele into the database with geographic parameters, it could help. Paul says they’re only guesses. Colin argues that the shortlist could have about 50 names.

 

Steeltown Murders Review

The second episode of Steeltown Murders was equally good as the first although it is feeling a little formulaic with the red herrings. With the emphasis on DNA, the series reminds me a lot of Code of a Killer with John Simm, Anna Madeley, and David Threlfall. It has been a while, but I remember that series going into DNA evidence a little more thoroughly.

It is good that Steeltown Murders shines a little light on the wrongfully accused and how it impacted their lives although more of that would be better. They’re really only skimming the surface and the same can be said about the loved ones of the victims. This could change in the next two episodes though.

The scenes with Sita are really irking me though because I feel like the fictional character’s involvement is going to shatter the reality of everything. Then again, the series hasn’t mentioned Dr. Jonathan Whitaker at all and he was pivotal in tracking down the real culprit so that is a bit disappointing.

Regardless, it is going to be irritating if Sita comes up with some crucial information that leads to a breakthrough. Truthfully, Steeltown Murders is good but it could’ve been spectacular if the story stuck to the facts because the victims and everyone involved deserved that.

The second episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of Steeltown Murders can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our work at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.