As The Singapore Grip begins, we watch a news clip about the island of Singapore which lies on the southern tip of British Malaya. The jewel of the empire produces 97% of the world’s rubber and covenant Japanese eyes have turned on these riches. The British are confident it will be able to defend Singapore. Then, we jump to the Crown Colony of Singapore and it is February 15, 1942. Matthew Webb (Luke Treadaway) wakes up and checks his blood hand before a soldier approaches and offers water. When asked about his hands, he claims he hurt himself during a firefight. He can’t remember and thinks it might’ve been an explosion before saying he is looking for a girl.

He is told to come with them to the airbase so he can get checked by a medic. Major Singh (Phaldut Sharma) warns him that the Japanese could bomb them again at any time. Bruce (Cameron Brown) drives them to the base as quickly as possible. They make it to the base and hunker down while an airplane is shot down. They cheer before the medic tends to Matthew’s hands a short time later. Matthew is told that they got a boat because the British army will need to surrender sometime today. They’re going to try to make it to Sumatra by 9 tonight. Matthew is offered a place but he wants to find the girl first. Then, we jump back in time six months.

Joan Blackett (Georgia Blizzard) tries to get something back from Sylvia (Jane Horrocks). Seconds later, Walter (David Morrissey) returns home and is promptly greeted by his daughter Kate (Lilo Baier). He finds out that Sylvia is being nosy and trying to figure out who Joan has been writing. Joan is sent away before Walter tells Sylvia that she shouldn’t get herself upset because it gets her nowhere. Walter tells her that the boy’s name is Barry. Walter talks to Joan and tells her that he objects to her upsetting her mother. Walter asks his daughter to hide her love letters more efficiently in the future. That night, Sylvia and Walter talk about Joan. Walter encourages his wife not to worry about Joan but says she should worry about Monty (Luke Newberry) because he is getting drunk every night.

Walter doesn’t know how Monty can run an enormous company. Then, Sylvia asks if Mr. Webb has said anything about bringing his son Matthew out here. Walter doesn’t think they’ve seen each other since Mrs. Webb passed away. Sylvia says he used to say that Matthew would be an ideal husband for Joan. The next day, we jump over to the Blackett & Webb company. Mr. Webb (Charles Dance) signs paperwork in his office. Walter asks him about Matthew and if had any plans to bring him out there. Mr. Webb says that this son wouldn’t agree with some of the techniques Walter uses to get around America’s rubber restrictions.

He explains that his son is somewhat of an idealist. Then, their conversation turns to a letter from the Chinese Protectorate. That night, Walter reminds Joan about Ms. Vera Chiang who is working as a consultant. Joan remembers the Chinese from the holiday she took with her mother in Shanghai. We jump back to Japanese occupied China in 1937. Joan and her mother watch as soldiers attack a young girl. Later on the boat, Joan ran into Vera (Elizabeth Tan) once again and spoke to her. Vera introduces herself to Joan before asking her for a favor. She pleads with Joan to never tell anyone that that dreadful business with the Japanese officer.

Vera claims it was a misunderstanding and she doesn’t want to jeopardize her chances of getting a landing permit in Singapore. Joan gives Vera her father’s business card and tells her to get in touch if she needs help finding work in Singapore. Joan tells Walter that she hasn’t seen Vera since then. We see that Walter received a visit at work asking him if he would vouch for Vera. He is told that they would be happy to deport her back to China though. He learns that Vera was a friend of a Communist who was deported last year. They have no evidence that she is a Communist but they’re suspicious that she might be. Mr. Webb doesn’t like the fact that the man, Mr. Smith (Tom Edden), is working for the Chinese Protectorate but doesn’t seem to be protecting Vera.

He decides to vouch for the woman and he says Vera can come and stay with him. A few seconds later, Joan watches as Vera walks along the street below her. Major Brendan Archer (Colm Meaney) stops her and introduces himself. Brendan lives in Mr. Webb’s house and he intends to show Vera to her living quarters. Vera spots Mr. Webb outside wrapped in a towel and decides to thank him before going inside. Later that day, Vera finds Mr. Webb working his art. She finds a picture of Matthew and learns that his father sent him to a very progressive school in Suffolk. After that, Walter prepares for Mr. Webb’s upcoming birthday and Joan visits Vera with a handful of dresses. She gives her the dresses before saying her father likely had a good reason for not inviting her.

Vera helps Mr. Webb get dressed before Brendan tells him it might be time. Mr. Webb doesn’t seem eager to go even though the whole party is being thrown in his honor. Monty dives into the pool and gets some of the men nearby wet so his father asks him to show a modicum of restraint. During the party, Sylvia notices Joan talking to Jim Ehrendorf (Bart Edwards). She frantically rushes over to her husband to tell him about it. Walter isn’t worried about it but Sylvia intends to keep an eye on them. Brendan speaks to Walter and tells him that Mr. Webb has been feeling sickly. Brendan spots Soloman Langfeld (Julian Wadham) and says he thought Walter despised him.

Walter says he does but he thought it was the right thing to do and he never thought Soloman would accept the invite. Nigel Langfeld (Nicholas Agnew) says hello to Jim and Joan can’t believe they’re friends. She tells him that Soloman’s company cheated them about ten years ago and her father hasn’t spoken to him since that. Jim says that isn’t Jim’s fault. Sylvia is told that the Japanese are trying to pull the ruler over their eyes with the organization they call the “Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”. Joan gets angry at Jim and throws her drink on him. Sylvia rushes over and Jim talks to her about the band. Meanwhile, Vera practices gymnastics.

Walter and the others find out that Mr. Webb has passed out in his seat. He falls onto the ground as it begins pouring. They rush over and Walter yells for someone to call an ambulance. Webb is taken inside where Walter tells Brendan it might be best to give Vera money and ask her to leave. Walter is worried that people will hear about this and spread gossip about it. Then, he complains that 80 people are coming to the dinner and he’ll need to call them to cancel. Brendan sends Vera away and tries to give her money but she won’t take it. He promises to keep her updated about Webb’s health. Walter passes by Walter’s birthday cake. He pulls off one of the ears and enjoys a bite. He learns that about 15 guests are going to stay for dinner.

Walter goes into the dining room to find out what type of entertainment Monty has arranged for them. He isn’t happy about it but Monty thinks the yogi chap is an absolute scream. Walter talks to Soloman about Webb and his stroke. Seconds later, the entertainers bring out the snake. Monty loves it when the man bites the head off of the snake and eats it but Walter wants them gone. Walter heads to his room and tells his wife about everything that has happened. Moments later, he heads out and finds that Jim is still sitting around. Walter sits down with him and they begin talking about Matthew Webb. Jim says he got to know Matthew at Oxford and saw him a few years ago in Geneva. At the time, Matthew was working for the “International League Protection Of Native Peoples”.

Jim says he is the most wonderful human being. Walter wonders if he should send Matthew a telegram to tell him about his father’s health. When Walter leaves, he visits Brendan and learns that Webb is still unconscious but he can see him if he’d like. Walter says he might call tomorrow and let Webb rest. Brendan is sure that Matthew would want to be with his father even though they’re in the middle of a war. Matthew will inherit everything from his father and will likely begin working with Walter at some point so Walter wants to get him out there as soon as possible.

After that, we join Matthew in Geneva as he travels to see his father. Walter and Brendan sit with Mr. Webb and tell him that Matthew is on his way. Walter says the poor fellow is stuck in Gibraltar. He says it is the end of an era before asking Brendan if he knows where they can find Miss Chiang. Brendan is sent on a mission to find Vera and bring her back. Later, Jim tells Walter that the US government is planning to acquire an extra 100,000 tons to put in the Rubber Reserve company. That surprises Walter but he promises not to tell anyone since it could cost Jim his job. Walter asks Jim about his hand since it is wrapped in bandages. Jim says it is only a burn before Joan enters.

Before they leave, Walter requests to speak with his daughter in private. She tells her dad that Jim put his hand in the fire for her but she plans on getting rid of him this evening anyway. Walter tells his daughter what Jim said about the US government trying to obtain more rubber and he believes they will take drastic action soon. He wants to use Jim to know what that action will be ahead of time so they can make a killing. Joan agrees to help. She goes out with Jim and dances with him through the night. Vera visits Mr. Webb who begins saying Rising Sun. Vera thinks he is talking about Japan but Walter says he is talking about pruning his roses. Walter recognizes Vera’s dress since it once belonged to his daughter.

The next day, Walter runs into the new General Officer Commanding General Percival and Jim. He uses that meeting to try to learn more about the US government’s intention to get more rubber. Walter learns that nobody will be able to sell rubber to the United States without having a license. The US will honor all contracts made-up to the day the change is made. Jim believes they’ll be implementing that change sometime next week. As Walter leaves, he tells his assistance that he needs to go to Kallang and he wants him to go to the Mayfair and tell Archer that he has been delayed. Walter returns to his office and begins making calls to purchase as much rubber as possible. After that ends, he returns to Mr. Webb and learns that he is going to get through it.

Walter lets Webb know that Matthew has reached Ceylon. Later, Walter goes out with his daughter and asks her about Ehrendorf. He says he has been meaning to bring Monty there but he knew Monty would never understand what this place means to him. He brought Joan to thank her for helping him. He explains that the whole place will be stuffed with rubber in a few weeks and he hopes to make a killing on it. Walter takes his daughter to the upstairs office and tells her that it is time to think about the future. He says the business will be at a crossroad when Mr. Webb is gone. Matthew will inherit everything and he is an unknown quantity. Walter believes Joan can help by making Matthew attracted to her.

She says she’ll marry him to help. Later that night, Webb goes on and on about Rising Sun again. He points at a drawing on the wall before passing away. Matthew continues his flight. Next, we are transported to the Malaya Command HQ and a soldier asks if he should give orders to launch Operation Matador. Ambassador Cosby keeps sending telegrams beginning them not to violate Siamese neutrality. They discuss strategy for when the Japanese land. London has left the decision up to them. They’re given the order to stand by for the time being. Monty and Joan go to the airport to meet Matthew. Matthew joins them but Jim Ehrendorf arrives before they can leave.

Matthew is glad to see him and Jim is glad to see everyone else. He decides to ride with Joan and the others. Along the way, Matthew tells everyone that he is interested in the relation between native workers and European employers and the colonial experience. Matthew mentions that the RAF pilot told him to watch out for the Singapore Grip and he wants to know what that means. Monty finds that funny. As for Joan, she makes her move and tries to get close to Matthew. Once they arrive, Jim leaves and Walter introduces himself to Matthew. Walter invites him to dinner with a few friends and Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke Pop. Matthew agrees to join them before Brendan joins them and Vera watches from a distance.

 

The Singapore Grip Review

I really, really wanted to like The Singapore Grip. I am normally a big fan of Luke Treadaway and these types of period dramas. I loved Indian Summers and thought The Last Post was entertaining. Sadly, I just couldn’t get into The Singapore Grip. Although the episode wasn’t too long, it felt like it lasted forever and I had a tough time keeping up with the characters and the storyline. So, there is a good chance something above isn’t accurate. Whatever.

I am not sure anyone will complain since the episode likely lost their interest too. The Singapore Grip might get better and it needs to improve. At this level, it won’t be able to maintain my interest for a few more episodes. I couldn’t build a relationship with any of the characters and felt most of them were obnoxious. The acting was hit and miss but I think it was meant to be a bit silly or awkward.

I don’t know. The Singapore Grip just wasn’t anything special. The opening episode scores a 6.5 out of 10.