Jackie – The show begins with Danny Frater (James Nesbitt) looking at a police report. He visits exam room 2 at the St. Josephine’s Hospital Mortuary, where he meets Jackie Sowden (Joely Richardson). She asks the reason for his visit. He informs her that he is filling in for Kenny Glass on a missing person case. He tells her that he is dropping off dental records for Saskia who was reported missing six months ago. After telling him that teeth aren’t her field, she returns to work. He convinces her to give him details about the unidentified female. She says the girl who is in her mid- to late 20s was discovered hanging in her bedroom. He asks her about foul play. She assures him if that were the case, Home Office would be involved.

He suggests the girl committed suicide. She asks what else could it be. He says, “Sex game gone wrong.” She points out the girl’s radial artery was almost severed. He picks up a plastic bag with five blue tablets. She tells him that they were on the girl’s person when they brought her in. He asks when the toxicology report will be back. She says approximately a week. They discuss why the girl hesitated to commit suicide.  He removes the girl’s horseshoe necklace from a plastic container. Slowly removing the cover over the girl’s face, he frantically jumps back. He stares at the girl in horror before breaking down crying.

When Jackie looks at him, he identifies the girl as his daughter, Christina Frater (Imogen King). He shoves her away when she reaches out to touch his arm. Richard (Ben Miller) calls to inform him that he is on his way.

Danny asks what happened to Christina. She asks him to leave. After locking the door, he demands to know more. She tells him that his daughter “killed herself.” He asks where her body was discovered. She says off Riverside in a flat. He questions why his daughter would be there. She denies knowing. He reminds her that she read the police report. She admits concern for the abnormal volume of blood from a partially severed radial artery. She says it is possible Christina’s toxicology report will show an anticoagulant agent. He asks how long Christiana had been there. She tells him a neighbor reportedly heard noises in the flat between 1 and 2 am.

Danny questions if the police discovered a note from Christina. She assures him the evidence points to nothing but a suicide. He describes his daughter’s body being found in a strange flat as “suspicious.” She reminds him that her job is pathologist, not a police officer. He asks if she was wearing all her clothes. She acknowledges Christina was fully dressed, with none of her fingernails broken. He suggests someone may have drugged her and she bled out before dying with so much blood. When she explains petechiae and livor mortis were present, he accuses her of getting off on utilizing fancy terms. She assures him that they are nothing more than “technical terms.” He asks if his daughter being dead is technical enough for her.

Jackie demands he unlock the door. He picks up a scalpel. He tells her that his daughter never committed suicide. Holding the scalpel to his wrist, he questions what the angle would be if her death was being made to look like a suicide. She explains how the ligature mark is consistent with her weight. He asks about internal damage. She claims there is nothing out of the ordinary. He forces her to replay her autopsy dictation. The recording validates her claims. He asks if the marks on his daughter’s face make her a “victim of violence.” She describes an autopsy as a “scientific equation,” not suspicion.

She asks him if he wants the autopsy report to him from being responsible for Christina’s death. He tells her to shut up. When Richard arrives, Jackie informs him that Danny locked the door. After Jackie leaves, Danny says his daughter has been murdered. He assures him there is no evidence to support murder. After he promises to get Mike to do it, he suggests calling Susannah. Danny convinces him to spend two minutes alone with Christina to say goodbye. With Richard out of the room, he folds the sheet back to expose Christina’s face. A beeping noise draws his attention to a watch. A written alert that reads “door opened 13 Riverside is on the display. He sticks the watch and bag of tablets in his pocket.

He tries the door, but it is locked. He imagines seeing a reflection of his door in the window. She asks where he has been. He frantically tries to open the door, but it is locked. When she touches the glass, he places his hand over hers. She suggests they find another. He leaves the room as the episode comes to an end.

 

Suspect Review

Danny spends the entire episode grilling Jackie about his daughter’s death. James Nesbitt as Danny Frater, a detective who discovers his daughter’s death while investigating a missing person case.

The show lacks action, which could lead to its quick demise. Nesbitt’s performance was stellar as usual but having no action makes for boring entertainment.

Jackie’s reproach toward Danny makes it seem as if they have a history. There must be some animosity between the two of them.

The episode was a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting so much more, with a big-name actor like Nesbitt heading the cast. With seven more episodes to go, there is plenty of time for improvement. I don’t know what they were thinking having little to no action. Hopefully, something changes and changes quickly before viewers decide to tap out.

The episode deserves a 6. Get More Suspect recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link.