The Responder series two review – another total TV triumph
In the past, Tony Schumacher, a former police officer and a first-time screenwriter, gave us an unforgettable and intense five-hour television series. The Responder followed the journey of Chris Carson, excellently portrayed by Martin Freeman, who slowly fell into despair due to his job as a frontline officer who responded to emergency calls during night shifts. Moreover, he struggled to prevent crime, often caused by people who were desperate, destitute, or mentally ill. Carson famously compared his job to playing whack-a-mole, except that the moles wore trackies. He faced blood on his boots and spit on his face every night, but the stream of crime never ceased.
The blog post discussed a captivating story with a well-crafted plot that featured a lost package of illegal substances and Chris's shady involvement with a nearby drug supplier who met a tragic end while attempting to retrieve the disappeared goods. However, the heart of the matter, its brilliance, lay in how believably Chris's character deteriorated and the overall portrayal of a community on the verge of collapse.
Chris has returned for another season, which is a significant achievement as it is both of high quality and not contrived. The previous season concluded in a satisfying and believable manner without concluding any characters' personal narratives. The new five-part series feels organic and, considering the untapped potential, vital.
The story picks up half a year later. Chris is still apart from his spouse, Kate (portrayed by MyAnna Buring). He works grueling overnight shifts and is determined to secure a daytime job to prevent Kate and their daughter from relocating to London for a better life. Chris attends group therapy once a week, but these meetings often leave him feeling distressed as they highlight the lack of support available for those with mental health issues and the ineffectiveness of people's well-meaning efforts.
After discovering that he can't actually work the day job he said he had to Kate, Chris is pulled into an uncomfortable situation with his former colleague Deb Barnes (played by Amaka Okafor). She offers him a day job at her office in exchange for his assistance with a drug investigation. It becomes increasingly morally ambiguous and troublesome for Chris. To make matters worse, he has to reconnect with his emotionally abusive father (Bernard Hill gives a captivating performance), and every interaction chips away at Chris's mental state.
In season two, we see the return of the amazing supporting cast. Casey and Marco are still causing chaos but this time they want to become drug dealers, however, they lack the knowledge and ruthlessness to succeed, even with the help of Jodie the fearsome widow. Rachel, Chris's on-off partner, is also back and becomes more involved in his criminal activities. She also tries to cope with the effects of domestic abuse that we saw her endure in season one.
The blog post accurately portrays the aftermath of traumatic experiences on the victims. It illustrates that there are numerous ways in which trauma can manifest, ranging from disconnection to compulsive thoughts to injuring oneself. Additionally, the character Rachel has experienced failure in obtaining a promotion and desires to work during the day. Although her storyline may not be the main focus, it is still given the same level of analytical depth as the character Chris. This analysis is both refreshing and well-done.
Schumacher is in complete control everywhere, and the first season of The Responder plays out like a traditional tragedy, with an unwavering sense of inevitability. There are countless ways for people to become trapped, and the feeling of being confined intensifies with each scene. While there are many humorous and witty lines (such as Jodie's dislike of the children in her ice cream shop, which she started in an attempt to turn her life around), the show ultimately serves as a cautionary tale of the harm we cause to ourselves, our children, and society as a whole by slowly depriving it of the essential elements needed to prosper. In summary, it is an unmatched work of art and a triumph for everyone involved.
