As the first episode of The Sixth Commandment begins, Ben Field (Eanna Hardwicke) wants everyone to think about the moral codes and Christian principles they practice as devout believers in God’s holy word. He mentioned the Commandment that says they shall not kill. Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall) gets ready at home. Then, he goes to his farewell ceremony. After a speech, Peter tells the headmaster that he just saw his brother. His brother thinks their mom and dad would be so proud. Later that night, Peter looks through pictures of fit men on his computer. Later, he meets Andrew and admits he wastes hours on his pathetic habit. Peter goes on to say it isn’t pornography and never is.

Peter says even his deviance is pathetic. Andrew thinks Peter does himself great harm by punishing himself with such severity. Peter reveals he is writing another novel and the University of Buckingham has asked him to be a guest lecturer. He thinks he should be punished for looking, wanting, desiring, and craving it. Andrew asks if he really thinks God would reject him if he was in a loving relationship with a man. Peter says the church would. Andrew asks if Christ would. Peter believes that is a moot point because he doesn’t think it is possible for him to be loved. On the train, Peter writes that there is a black hole where emotional connection should be. He wishes the Lord would help him.

Peter goes to the university for a lecture. Ben arrives late and apologizes. Peter says they were just discussing what characterizes the romantic ideal. Ben says there is no law but the artist’s feelings. After the lesson, Peter writes about his experience and admits the group is not very responsive except for Ben Field. Peter picks up Liz and checks on Christine. Liz complains that Christine is living in a prison. She claims they want to control the elderly, lock them up, and rinse them for revenue. While looking at the church, Ben runs into Peter. Both like looking at churches. They sit down together before Ben says he read Peter’s novel, Boy and Man. Ben writes poems and he wants to know if Peter would look at them.

Peter learns that Ben helps his girlfriend look after her son who has learning difficulties. Ben is currently looking for a church to call home. He asks Peter if he has a man to share his life with. When Peter says he used to take in lodgers, Ben says he might be able to help him with that. Martyn Smith (Conor MacNeill) moves in with him later. Martyn gives him a gift as Ben helps him move his stuff in. When they’re alone, Martyn complains to Ben about the house not being updated. Ben thinks they need to get him a girlfriend. Peter and Ben go to church together later. Peter meets his brother and tells him about Ben. Ian reminds him that the food is going cold. Ben and Peter go to the church together with a camera.

They sit on the bench outside and talk. Ben tells Peter that he changed everything for him and split from his girlfriend because he developed feelings for someone else. Ben gives him a poem he wrote for him and asks him to read it at home. After reading the poem, Peter writes a message to Ben telling him it is glorious. Ben takes Peter to his favorite place because he wants to tell him something. He tells Peter that he has fallen in love with him. Peter asks if they can be betrothed. Peter says yes. Peter goes to church and thanks God. Then, they get betrothed. At home, Peter tells Ben that he never had a double bed in his life and has barely been kissed. He says he is frightened.

When Ben asks what he wants, Peter says he wants to hold and to be held. They lie down together and hold one another. Ben serves Peter breakfast in bed in the morning. Peter tells Ben about his neighbor, Ann Moore-Martin, and her dog Rosie. Ben asks if Martyn is going to be living there in the future because he could use his bedroom as his study. Ben says it is something to mull on. Before long, Ben gets a job at a retirement home. Peter tells Ian that he is betrothed to Ben. Peter also changed his will to name Ben as his main beneficiary. Ian wonders if he has gone mad. Ian joins him outside and asks what people are going to say. Peter tells him that they’re celibate because they have to be. He suggests Ian just wants to pretend that men like him don’t exist.

Peter asks him to imagine his despair while he has Sue and is married with children. Ian just wants Peter to be happy. Ben begins developing a relationship with Ann (Anne Reid). Peter tells Ben that he has finished writing. He drinks what Ben brought him. At the university, Peter begins getting ill. Martyn checks on him and asks if he wants to sit down. At home, Peter tells Martyn that the doctor said it wasn’t an infection which means it’s something else. He is being referred to a neurologist. Martyn tells him that the book is really good. Peter asks if he should send it to publishers. Martyn offers to help him organize it and publish it himself. Ben comes in with more coffee or tea for Peter. In the middle of the night, Peter feels sick and begins calling for Ben. He gets up and starts walking around.

Peter calls for help but ends up falling down the stairs. Peter goes to the hospital for a scan. At home, he says there is nothing on his brain or spine. The problem is that it keeps happening. Sue (Amanda Root) tells him they’re sorry he is going through this. Before they leave, Ben asks Sue and Ian if Peter has always been a heavy drinker. They say no. Ben asks them not to say anything because he doesn’t want Peter to feel like he has gone behind his back. Martyn watches Ann-Marie Blake (Annabel Scholey) come over to comfort Ann after an incident with Rosie. Martyn surprises Peter with a copy of his book. Before the guests arrive, Ben gives Peter something to eat since he won’t have time to eat later. During the event, Peter struggles to sign autographs and seems disoriented.

When he begins hallucinating, Ian checks on him. Peter wakes up at home and sees that Ben has a wound on his face. Ben claims he attacked him. They had to clean up everything after he made a mess. Peter wants to apologize to Martyn only to learn he got a room at Liz’s house. Ben tells him that he has to go away for work. He can’t leave Peter alone so he is going to make some calls. Peter’s condition worsens. Ben tells Peter he’ll text him every day. Peter thought they’d have longer before he got old and ill. Peter hears the alarm going off in the middle of the night. A few days later, Peter calls Ian and Sue to say the symptoms are gone and he is going to leave Lavender Tree. Peter goes home and works in the garden.

Ann receives a card from Peter saying he is deeply sorry about Rosie. The maid arrives and calls Peter’s name. She finds him dead on the couch. Ben says he isn’t going to tell you what to think. He is bound by scripture and his conscience is captive to the word of God. Then, he calls Ann.

 

The Sixth Commandment Review

The opening episode of The Sixth Commandment was a decent start to the story although a little thin and unconvincing at times. Unfortunately, the series didn’t really do the story or the victim justice in this episode because so little was covered. This is one of those shows where you’re going to learn so much more by reading news articles than what you’ll get from the show.

Ben’s actions and Peter’s naiveté could’ve been better explained. The things that Peter actually went through during that time were only glanced over and his behavior in the show was unconvincing. Despite Timothy Spall’s spectacular performance, certain things just didn’t ring true. In some ways, the series feels like it is trying to cover everything with a glossy finish without dipping its toes into the taboo.

While it is understandable not to victim bash, many of these conversations and scenes seem fictitious. The handheld camera scenes didn’t make any sense until I actually read more about the case so that may be an issue for some viewers, but the specific scenes filmed this way were unnecessary. Timothy Spall is spectacular here and most of the other cast members are great too.

However, this should be more about the victims and it truly lacks in that area. Since Ben is moving on to Ann, Peter’s story is likely finished and viewers aren’t going to understand the depravity he went through based on this show alone. That may change in the next few episodes, but the story is only superficial now.

The opening episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of The Sixth Commandment can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here.