Golden Years – As this episode of The Chelsea Detective begins, Sam Lenton (Karl Theobald) practices with a group of rowers. Celia Swanson (Sara Kestelman) is served at Greyfriars West. Celia complains to Hannah Loftus (Felixe Forde) that the cook is overcooked so the chef should start again. When Hannah tells the chef, he says he has already started again. Celia tells Hannah she is perfectly capable of walking on her own before leaving the restaurant. Sam complains about the rowers, but Freddie reminds him that these people pay their wages.

Celia speaks to Maria Swanson (Raquel Cassidy) on video chat and questions her decision to invest in the rowing club. She insists she isn’t going to the ceremony before suggesting Maria is using the Zoom calls to avoid visiting. Zoe Stephens (Jessie Hills) sits down with Freddie Mercer (Leo Staar) to talk about the rowing club Chelsea Oars. Zoe claims she is just taking advantage of the free trial. Maria tells Freddie she is going home. Zoe suggests Freddie can convince her to become a full member. Josh Downing (Harry Hepple) and Hannah run into Maurice Swift (Simon Williams) who asks for directions to the cinema room.

Once Maurice goes on his way, Josh suggests he should be in a home. Celia Swanson is awoken in the middle of the night. Freddie makes it home before Celia is shown dead. After looking through his old stuff, DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) calls Astrid (Anamaria Marinca) and says he didn’t want to make any decisions without speaking to her. He accuses Astrid of cluttering up his boat with CDs before getting a call from DS Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emma) who tells him about the recent murder. Layla greets him at Greyfriars West. She reveals that an 80-year-old female was found dead in her bed. Gillian Compton (Pippa Haywood) introduces herself to them.

Ashley Wilton (Sophie Stone) checks Celia’s body and goes over her wounds. She tells Max and Layla that Celia had a progressive neurological disorder. She points out the bruising and bleeding under the skin on her upper arm. Ashley suggests those bruises were caused by an intramuscular injection, but she hadn’t had one for days. She believes Celia had been held down. Hannah and Josh walk DC Jess Lombard (Lucy Phelps) through Celia’s movements yesterday. Hannah tells DC Connor Pollock (Peter Bankole) that the rest of her shift was pretty quiet. They left together at about 9:30. Hannah says they all joked about Celia while Josh calls her a poisonous old cow.

Gillian tells Max and Layla about Stephanie Lang (Naoko Mori) and how she likes to keep Greyfriars informal. She doesn’t think Celia had any visitors after going back to her room. Mr. Swift found her body this morning. Layla suggests the attack was carried out by someone with access to the building. Gillian says she is normally on her way out by six. When Stephanie Lang joins them, she questions if they have evidence and whether all the police are necessary. Then, Layla and Max look through Celia’s room. They find a letter that says, “Dearest M, I’ve come to a firm decision at last.” Max thinks dyslexia helped him see it more clearly.

In private, Josh tells Hannah he told the police they lived together because he was protecting her. Maurice Swift tells Max and Layla that he played cards with Celia on Tuesday morning, but she was late so he went to her apartment. He went into her unlocked apartment and found her dead. Maurice wasn’t with her yesterday evening because he was at film club. Gillian and Stephanie talk about potential new residents for the facility. In the car, Max questions why someone would kill Celia now when she didn’t have long to live. When they speak to Maria Swanson, she can’t think of anyone who would want to harm Celia.

Maria confirms the letter is in her mom’s handwriting. She believes the letter they found is about Celia’s diamonds. Freddie comes in, checks on Maria, and introduces himself to the detectives. He’ll get Maria’s meds since she has anxiety. Maria tells Max that she is a translator. Before they leave, Max asks Freddie about his movement last night. Max says he was at the club entertaining clients. Later, Ashley tells Max and Layla why Celia’s bruises have changed colors. Then, she reveals that Celia was injected with Diamorphine. Ashley checked with Greyfriars and they don’t keep any Diamorphine on site.

The victim died no earlier than 9 PM and no later than 11. At the station, Layla tells everyone about Celia who was the widow of Cory. He was a well-known South African businessman. Celia had a flat that she sold in 2019 when Greyfriars opened. The late 80s was the era of the anti-apartheid demonstrations. When Zoe makes it to Chelsea Oars, Freddie ticks her off by not offering to jump in to save her if something happens. Maria overhears that before going in to speak to someone on the phone about Celia’s death. Freddie offers to take Maria for a walk since she needs time away from work. Max finds Astrid closing the shop so he can give her back the CDs.

Astrid wants to talk to him about her mother who is struggling. She is thinking about going back to Germany to look after her. At the station the following day, DC Connor Pollock says there are no cameras in the residential parts of Greyfriars. They only have footage from the common areas. They see John and Hannah leave the kitchen area at 21:14. They’re spotted talking to Maurice. Connor reveals that some of the cameras aren’t working so that doesn’t help. He is working on getting external footage of people coming and going from the building. They found an invitation to Celia for a memorial to the 82 South Africans who lost their lives in the Nelspruit Mining Disaster.

It came from Whitewash which is run by Bandile Nkosi (Ladi Emeruwa). It is a group run by the relatives of the victims of the apartheid. Layla suggests it was targeting people like Celia Swanson. Back at Greyfriars, Max and Layla learn about Alistair Walker while Stephanie shows Patrick Blythe (Rupert Vansittart) around the facility. In private, Gillian tells them they’ve been having trouble with the CCTV system. It keeps recording over itself, but Stephanie is worried about other priorities. Gillian didn’t see much of Maria so she thinks her relationship with Celia was strained. Freddie Mercer used to bring Celia flowers though. It seems no one visited Celia in her apartment besides whoever murdered her.

Connor and Jess meet Bandile who calls himself Banny. He is getting ready for the ceremony because his grandfather died in the disaster. They’re allowed to use the memorial even though it is dedicated to the other side. Banny tells them that Cory Swanson owned Nelspruit. They invite Celia to the ceremony every year even though they never expected her to come. He claims he was at choir practice at church two nights ago. Banny insists they had nothing to do with Celia’s death. Later, Max apologizes to Olivia Arnold (Frances Barber) for not being able to do dinner tonight. She says it is okay since she is busy with her painting anyway.

After asking him about Celia’s case, Olivia asks if he remembers the Bekkers who were South African friends of his dad. He remembers them being part of the anti-apartheid marches. Max tells her about Astrid going back to Germany to look after her mother. Olivia tells him not to worry about that since they’re separated. At the station, Max is shown the latest financial records for Chelsea Oars. They’re losing lots of money. That would give Freddie a motive. Maria said she was in Cremorne Gardens at the time of the murder and they found footage of her there. Greyfriars West creates a new resident’s agreement for Lord Reginald Aldiss. Stephanie offers to finish looking through the contract so Gillian can go home.

Before Gillian leaves, Stephanie suggests adding a bit to the price. Connor and Jess find out that residents don’t own their apartments at Greyfriars. When they sell it, Greyfriars takes a 20% commission on the sale. Furthermore, Greyfriars has the right to set the price and choose the buyer. Stephanie calls Lord Aldiss to tell him there is good news as long as he is willing to move quickly. At Chelsea Oars, Layla and Max see someone with a flashlight. She tells Max to check the boathouse while she follows the individual. Once the person gets away, Layla hears Max screaming because he thinks he has blood on his hand. She catches up with him and finds out that it is only paint.

They find a message on the door saying, “You had it coming!” In the morning, Layla tells Freddie she came by last night to talk to him about the club’s finances. He’d rather focus on the club being trashed. Freddie suggests one of the younger members might’ve misread the signals. He alleges they thought it was a good idea to publicly humiliate him. Freddie blames Zoe Stephens. He admits it’ll be better for everyone if they can get to the bottom of Celia’s death sooner. When Layla catches up with Max, she says Freddie has given them an alibi which seems to add up. Connor calls because he found external footage from the back of Greyfriars.

It proves that Hannah and Josh haven’t been truthful with them. Max and Layla go to Greyfriars where they hear Stephanie talking about the facility. In private, they speak to Stephanie about moving Lord Aldiss into Celia’s apartment. She doesn’t deny that Greyfriars sets the price and receives a commission on sales. Stephanie insists it is entirely legal and above board. Maurice approaches Max and Layla so he can tell them he didn’t play cards with Celia this morning. They have to remind him that Celia died a few days ago. Once he walks away, Layla questions whether Maurice could’ve killed Celia out of mercy. Hannah and Josh are brought in for an interview.

Hannah is asked if she can explain why Josh was leaving the building on his own.

Hannah claims to have gone back for something. Layla accuses her of being present when the murder occurred because no security footage showed her departure. Elsewhere, Pollock shows Josh a CCTV photo of him with a box. He points out that he and Hannah left the kitchen but only he departed the building. CCTV footage shows Josh returning to Greyfriars with a hidden item before leaving empty-handed an hour later. Josh denies his visit is connected to Celia Swanson.

After claiming Jose referred to Celia as a “poisonous old cow,” Layla questions if Hannah harmed her. Hannah denies harming Celia. Max reminds her of the lie she told about residing in Allibone Gardens. Hannah confesses to living in a staff flat at Greyfriars which is why Josh lied. She assures them that Stephanie would terminate her if she found out. Max suggests Josh was visiting her at Greyfriars.

Josh explains the scheme in which he steals expensive meat from his employer, sells it to a friend, and replaces it with cheaper meat. He claims to utilize the money to help Hannah get a flat. Pollock asks what was hidden under his coat when he returned to Greyfriars. Josh says it was a bottle of champagne.

Layla tells Max that Maurice and several residents were at the film club when Celia was murdered. Jess says an entertainer, Zoe Stephens was only briefly with Freddie at Chelsea Oars.

Gillian claims the death rate increased when Stephanie hired Dr. Jakovski last year. She says Celia died while Jakovski was away on holiday. She tells Max and Layla that a locum noted something off. Max suggests checking the death certificates from last year to the present to see which doctor signed them.

Astrid informs Max that she is leaving to care for her mum. She asks if he could oversee the gallery until she returns. He admits to booking them seats at Shepherd’s Bush Empire for “The Ting Tings.” She reminds him that they are separated. He suggests dating like old friends.

Ranleigh Gardens’ CCTV reveals an anxious Sam. Layla points out that Ranleigh Gardens is not far from Chelsea Oars.

Chelsea Oars – Sam denies knowing who covered the boathouse with graffiti. Max asks if Freddie ever said anything about Maria inheriting Celia’s fortune. Sam admits to believing Freddie would kill Celia to get Maria’s money.

Olivia drops off a box of a journalist, Eric Bekkers’ newspaper articles to Max. One of the articles is about Corey Swanson.

Someone watches Jess enter a pub where she meets Freddie. At the police station, Pollack discovers a 2016 complaint against Freddie filed by Anna Del Maestro. Freddie and Anna dated for about two years. She claims he disappeared after she became suspicious about a ski company that he urged her to invest 80,000 euros in. Back at the pub, Jess asks Freddie about Chelsea Oars’ future investments when an incoming call from Pollock pops up on her phone. Freddie asks if she is dating Pollock. Jess assures him if that were the case, she wouldn’t be there. Freddie goes to the loo only to slip out of the pub. Jess waits for a while before leaving.

Jess admits to setting up a date with Freddie. Max warns that procedures will follow. She assures him that Freddie has no idea she is the police. Layla believes it is a good idea. Max says only if she believes it is okay to prejudice the entire investigation. Pollock tells them about Anna’s complaint against Freddie. Max orders Freddie to be brought in for questioning but Jess can have no part in it. Later, Ashley tells Max that there is nothing suspicious about the Greyfriars’ deaths.

Jess informs Max that Celia’s appointment book shows an “A and B” entry for the Monday after her death. She suggests A and B is the Abbott and Bythe law firm, Celia’s attorney. He orders her to follow up on it. Later, Patrick Blythe confirms the Monday appointment but adds nothing more about Celia’s estate. Jess asks if he is familiar with “Whitewash.” He boasts of intervening when Whitewash was harassing Celia. Upon leaving, Jess spots Maria Swanson in the reception area.

Maria tells Layla and Max that it is unusual for Freddie to not come home. She claims to have invested in Freddie’s rowing club after they met a year ago. Layla informs Maria of Anna’s complaint against Freddie who disappeared with the funds. She warns that Freddie is a suspect in Celia’s murder. Maria claims Celia always told her that she was too naïve. Maria denies visiting Abbott and Bythe’s law firm. Max sees a pharmacology encyclopedia on Maria’s desk.

Jess discovers Freddie’s “Love Match Me” profile has been deleted.

Ashley sends Max a report on Diamorphine. Pollock calls him to suggest labeling Freddie the prime suspect in Celia’s murder. Max admits to believing Freddie is innocent before the call ends. He removes a wedding invitation and newspaper clipping from Bekker’s box. Later, he meets with Maurice to discuss his relationship with Celia. Maurice identifies a woman in a photo as Celia’s daughter. Later, Max explains to his team how Maria was born in 1967, making her 55. He says the photo of Celia holding an infant, is dated 1965, making the girl 58. He informs them of Maria’s sister, Marieke Peterson (Christine Mackie). He says Marieke lived in the Ida Cordon Children’s Home in Pretoria. Jess calls Patrick to validate Marieke’s appointment.

The Police receives a disturbance report at Tilson Court, Godwin Road, Marieke’s address. Upon arrival, Maria and Marieke are in a dispute. Layla intervenes to end it. Maria accuses Marieke of murdering Celia. Max says she is the killer, not Marieke. Maria blames their parents for everything.

Maria claims Celia named Marieke the heir of her will six months ago. Max points out that Celia never signed the will. She says Marieke had the “Dearest M.” letter which would validate Celia’s wish for Marieke to inherit her business. Layla accuses her of murdering Celia to prevent Marikeke from inheriting the family estate. Max assures them that Maria knew how to kill Celia before displaying a photo of “The Encyclopedia of Clinical Pharmacology.” He says Maria was training as a nurse in South Africa where she obtained the diamorphine. He accuses Gillian, Eric Bekkers’ daughter, of letting her into Greyfriars. Maria informs them of her plan to donate her inheritance to “Whitewash.”

Astrid drops off the gallery keys to Max. She embraces him before leaving for Leipzig, Germany. He tosses a CD in the wastebasket when the show ends.

 

The Chelsea Detective Review

The 1-1/2-hour episode cuts more corners than a wall. Murder investigations have leads that need to be investigated and suspects to be ruled out. While the series mimics real-world police investigations, it lacks the elements of a powerful police drama. The majority of British detective shows have the same layout. A trip to the crime scene to gather evidence from the forensic pathologist and back to the station to ponder the evidence. A bright idea warrants a trip to a potential suspect’s house or business. A smidgen of personal drama. Rinse and repeat….

The concept of a 1-1/2-hour episode is incomprehensible. It is like watching a movie, not a TV series. One word to sum it up, grueling.

The episode deserves a 5. Get more The Chelsea Detective recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.