Shetland review – who needs Jimmy Perez when you have this new female power duo?
Is it possible for Shetland to maintain its identity without DI Jimmy Perez? Douglas Henshall portrayed the flawed and troubled detective for seven seasons on BBC One, slowly propelling him to the top of the British crime genre. Perez's distinctiveness lay in his persistent emotional fatigue, rather than any special gimmick or quirk. In the previous season, Perez finally succumbed to the pressure, pushed out of the police service due to systemic unfairness. He desired to avoid being left heartbroken personally by his job. Henshall has left the show after creating a police officer character with uncommon depth.
Even though Henshall is no longer in Shetland, there are still plenty of things to see and do in the area. The landscape is beautiful, with no trees and dark green and grey colors that are suddenly brightened by the blue sea. It has a Nordic noir feeling that would be perfect for a mystery movie. Plus, there are other characters like Alison "Tosh" McIntosh who have become just as important as Perez. Tosh, played by Alison O'Donnell, is loved by fans for her open heart and intelligence. In the third season, she was the victim of rape, but the show handled it sensitively, making fans feel even more connected to her and the show beyond just a typical crime drama.
Tosh requires a new opponent, and Shetland requires a fresh boost of energy. The newest installment incorporates several familiar crime drama elements, including a unique one that does not relate to the typical Shetland setting. In the beginning, for eight minutes, we witness an entirely different program that takes place in glamorous London locales and has none of the established characters. This segment focuses on organised crime. Ellen, a young thief, accidentally robs a luxurious apartment, resulting in her fleeing with a sack full of funds belonging to her employer's hitmen. She returns to Shetland, chased by her assassins.
Ellen is being pursued by a detective from the Met police named DI Ruth Calder, played by Ashley Jensen. Ruth, who also comes from Shetland, is unhappy about having to return to her hometown. This is a cliché of a big-city cop going back to their small community, where the locals know everything about them and the local police officers don't like their rude behavior. But when the assassins come to Shetland, they bring with them a unique form of black comedy reminiscent of Fargo. One of them is an experienced, tired man, and the other is a hothead who is also a passionate bird watcher. Despite the fact that they are going to kill Ellen and steal the money, he still wants to go birdwatching.
Additional developments indicate that Shetland is making up for its significant staff overhaul. Ellen, who is destined to fail, comes from a strong local clan that looks after its members. Phyllis Logan's presence as the tough mother figure is one of many instances that demonstrate the show's casting prowess, a result of its status as the BBC's top drama in Scotland. In addition, Jamie Sives appears to complete a miniature reunion of the Guilt cast. As the irresponsible yet charming ex-lover that DI Calder can't resist reconnecting with, their return to Shetland reopens previous wounds.
In the TV show Shetland, Ashley Jensen is a great candidate to replace the actor Henshall. Jensen has a talent for portraying innocent, straightforward, vulnerable, and sometimes childish women, which is perfect for Ruth's character. Ruth is forced to confront her painful childhood memories that she has been trying to forget for years. In Shetland, the overused storyline of criminal investigations causing old wounds to resurface is treated with a lot of care and thoughtfulness. This will create an interesting dynamic between the new crime-solving duo, Tosh and Ruth. Both characters have been through traumatic experiences in their past in Shetland, but only one has moved on. This tension will make their partnership more fruitful and exciting to watch.
Paul Logue, the writer of the episode, adds depth to a potential clichéd conflict between two very different women. Ruth becomes angry when Tosh humbly introduces herself as "temporary DI McIntosh," which is typical of Tosh's personality. However, Tosh takes charge when Ruth becomes too pushy with a witness, potentially hindering their investigation.
The latest installment of the series is yet to reach its full potential as there hasn't been any mystery to solve, despite the presence of two armed men causing mayhem. However, Shetland has a unique ability to stand out from the rest without relying on its previous main character. In fact, it doesn't require one at all.
