Passenger is beautiful and brilliantly acted – but overstuffed with ideas: ITV review
"Get Real-Time News Alerts: Sign Up For Breaking News Emails!"
Get Free Breaking News Updates Via Email
In the latest ITV show "Passenger," a detective claims that there are no crazy people in their area and that they all reside in Leeds. However, if they have watched any British murder mystery shows, they would know that danger can be found anywhere and not just in big cities. Even in quaint and picturesque locations, such as peaceful villages with only a pub and post office, there are still things to be frightened of. Television writers have shown this numerous times in popular shows like "Midsomer," "Grantchester," the Calder Valley, and even in Shetland. Therefore, no place is considered safe from these thrilling storylines.
Riya is a former Metropolitan police officer who moved to Chadder Vale, a small town up north, to be with her husband. However, her husband left her, leaving her alone in the town. She has a few colleagues and a flirty boxing partner, but she feels disconnected from the town's activity. She wonders why she can't be involved when there's a significant case. So, she decides to create her story by looking into various local issues, such as a missing Swedish tourist, a strange road accident, and the re-appearance of a man she had previously put behind bars. Also, she has to deal with problems at the local bread factory and a protest at a fracking site.
The mystery of the television program is revealed at a slow pace, leaving viewers puzzled about what it could be. There are supernatural elements woven into the tone of the show while the Wells family, specifically Joanne and Katie, seem to be central to the plot. However, the show creators have done an excellent job of keeping the audience on edge by cutting away from key moments, mysterious hints too complex to decipher, and shadowing the Yorkshire scenery with darkness.
Actor Andrew Buchan, known for his role as Matt Hancock in This England, makes his screenwriting debut with Passenger. The show is different from traditional British police dramas and instead follows a trend of embracing Americana aesthetics seen in shows like Boat Story and Sex Education. Even the local pub in the fictional town of Chadder Vale, Dog & Duck, looks like it belongs on the side of a mid-Western highway. It seems that Passenger will take audiences on a unique and visually intriguing journey.
In the film 'Passenger', the lead character is played by Wunmi Mosaku.
It can be hard to tell when a piece of media is referencing something or simply copying it. In this particular show, a character notes that it's not like the popular show Twin Peaks, while another points out that it's not like Broadchurch, a show that one of the actors was in. Although the show is distinct from others that have tackled similar subjects, such as Tin Star, Black Mirror, and Happy Valley, there are recognizable elements, such as a detective adapting to rural life and a businessman who is out of their depth. The creator, Buchan, seems to be drawing from a wide range of influences to create something that feels like a synthesis of all crime TV shows in each 50-minute episode.
Although Passenger is a bit overzealous, it still manages to pack in a lot of great elements. The picturesque snowy setting adds a playful touch (“Billy Baltic strikes again,” notes a radio host) and the main character, Riya, is a compelling lead. Portrayed by Mosaku, Riya exudes a resilient quality that's almost saintly in her quest for justice and caring for her sick ex-mother-in-law. The supporting cast, which includes David Threlfall as a floundering caretaker for the nearby fracking project and Hubert Hanowicz as a mechanic stuck in the middle of cops and crooks, is equally impressive. If Passenger was stripped down, it could easily have two or three strong episodes within it.
Passenger falls short in comparison to excellent crime dramas due to its lack of minimalism and straightforwardness. Fargo's exploration of complicated lives and Broadchurch's portrayal of a community plagued by tragedy and distrust both emphasize both the end and the journey. On the other hand, Passenger seems overwhelming with too many themes and storylines, leaving the impression of an unfinished and mediocre series.
