Well, after such a high octane opening half The Tunnel was bound to slow down and take it easy at some point in the season. Episode five was the first time this season didn't feel like it as shooting for greatness, more as if it was coasting along pleasantly, keeping the narrative moving but without any big revelations or shocks. That's perfectly fine, of course, and this still made for a solid hour of television, but it's difficult to feel one hundred percent satisfied with this episode when it's coming directly after last week's stellar offering.
But nonetheless I welcome this change in pace with open arms, as it gave the show the opportunity to really focus on its characters. We learnt a lot about Elise this week, especially in the moment that she freezes and finds herself unable to take action when she is reminded of the death of her twin sister. We see how this shakes her, and Clemence Poesy's performance here is exquisite. Elise feels more fractured after that moment, more vulnerable. She ultimately reaches out to Eryka, in what is shaping up to be an unlikely highlight of the series. Elsewhere, Laura learns something that has the potential to destroy her marriage and her family, but the episode keeps the answer to this in the shadows for now. Karl swears it isn't true, but Laura doesn't believe him. This episode made me love the way their marriage has been handled this season: they've been damaged, sure, but they're working through it and generally doing well. This has the potential to destroy everything they've worked for, and for the sake of these amazingly likable characters I can only hope it isn't true.
I was also surprised that Rosa died in this episode, as she had the hallmarks of a character that would stick around until the very end. Her death was a powerful scene as she sits with her estranged father, but can't quite work up the ability to connect with him. It's a refreshing alteration on the whole "revealing your secrets as you die" trope, and I liked it a lot. All wasn't good in this episode, though, as a few odd moments here and there stuck out as unnatural and a bit forced. Karl attempting to barge into the hospital room as Rosa died felt out of character, and the moment that the un-named woman who glimpsed Robert Fournier followed him into the boat rather than calling the Police felt like a cheat to move the story along. That it ended up helping to develop Elise's character slightly improves the situation, but it still doesn't ring entirely true.
Episode five is still a pretty solid hour of TV, though, packed with thoughtful character work and intricate table setting for the second half of the season. It wasn't quite as explosive as the first four episodes were, but it intricately and effectively kept things interesting without dropping the overall quality of the season. Well done, show.
Grade: B
But nonetheless I welcome this change in pace with open arms, as it gave the show the opportunity to really focus on its characters. We learnt a lot about Elise this week, especially in the moment that she freezes and finds herself unable to take action when she is reminded of the death of her twin sister. We see how this shakes her, and Clemence Poesy's performance here is exquisite. Elise feels more fractured after that moment, more vulnerable. She ultimately reaches out to Eryka, in what is shaping up to be an unlikely highlight of the series. Elsewhere, Laura learns something that has the potential to destroy her marriage and her family, but the episode keeps the answer to this in the shadows for now. Karl swears it isn't true, but Laura doesn't believe him. This episode made me love the way their marriage has been handled this season: they've been damaged, sure, but they're working through it and generally doing well. This has the potential to destroy everything they've worked for, and for the sake of these amazingly likable characters I can only hope it isn't true.
I was also surprised that Rosa died in this episode, as she had the hallmarks of a character that would stick around until the very end. Her death was a powerful scene as she sits with her estranged father, but can't quite work up the ability to connect with him. It's a refreshing alteration on the whole "revealing your secrets as you die" trope, and I liked it a lot. All wasn't good in this episode, though, as a few odd moments here and there stuck out as unnatural and a bit forced. Karl attempting to barge into the hospital room as Rosa died felt out of character, and the moment that the un-named woman who glimpsed Robert Fournier followed him into the boat rather than calling the Police felt like a cheat to move the story along. That it ended up helping to develop Elise's character slightly improves the situation, but it still doesn't ring entirely true.
Episode five is still a pretty solid hour of TV, though, packed with thoughtful character work and intricate table setting for the second half of the season. It wasn't quite as explosive as the first four episodes were, but it intricately and effectively kept things interesting without dropping the overall quality of the season. Well done, show.
Grade: B
