Silent Witness (TV Series) Family: Part 2 (2018) User Reviews

Solid sign of to series 21.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 7 February 2018]

The race is on to find the identity of the killer, and family secrets are unearthed, and after a torrid time, Nikki finally gets some happiness.

This was very much a tale of two halves, the opening episode had me captivated, it was explosive, gripping and definitely grabbed my attention. In contrast the concluding episode was a little dull, very dialogue heavy, it never seemed to get going. I lost parts of the story as I felt some of the characters weren't developed as fully as they could have been. I didn't like the theoretical reenactment with the team watching on, that felt dated.

Still intriguing, I was left guessing the killer's identity til the last, there was plenty of misdirection. It was very well acted as always, a fine cast, but young Grace Hogg-Robinson I thought stole the show, she was fantastic, what a talent. Excellent production values, although the Christmas theme felt a little forced on, it wasn't necessary.

This kind of felt like a show finale, each character signed off on a happy note, and for ardent fans of the show like me that's a worrying sign, I wait in hope for the confirmation of Series 22. I am annoyed by all the articles I keep reading about why the show should be cancelled, NO! It gets better and remains compulsive viewing, almost ten million viewers weekly can't be wrong.

Could Have Been Anyone

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 19 May 2019]

I won't spoil the ending of Season 21. Suffice it to say, we have gotten used to putting the blame on any one of about ten people. Generally, the culprit is a surprise, although one who watches the show could say, "I wonder if it's this person. He or she has not been remotely suspected." That, of course, would be game playing." The way everything plays out, the awful circumstances all these wealthy, spoiled people were living in, shows that money can't truly buy happiness. It's a good episode and now I need to be patient and wait for the release of the 22nd season.

A family is slaughtered on Christmas Day

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 9 February 2018]

These comments refer to the whole two part story not just episode two.

On the morning of Christmas Day police discover what looks like a massacre; one man is dead in a burnt out car, the nanny is dead on the drive and inside the house-owner's father and one of his daughters are found, dead with multiple bullet wounds. The team for the Lyell arrive and start processing the scene but are forced to take cover as further shots ring out wounding the police officer in charge of the scene. Nikki takes cover in the house before heading to the woods behind the house where she finds the younger daughter and her horse, both shot. There is no sign of the father, Andy McMorris, who the daughter blames for the events. As the police search for the man it becomes apparent that he was on friendly terms with the senior officer and this man appears to be acting in a way that is obstructing the investigation... is he protecting the wanted man or does he have another motive for hiding certain evidence? As the second episode starts the police are still looking for Andy McMorris but other possible suspects also emerge.

This was a solid conclusion to the current series with a gripping central case and little time wasted on personal issues. The story was initially very reminiscent of a real life case from a few years ago but perhaps that was a coincidence; either way the story goes its own way as we gradually learn more about the family and Andy McMorris's criminal activities. As well as the question of where Andy has disappeared to and whether he is actually the killer there is the question of whether DCI Cooke is corrupt or hiding evidence for other reasons. There are a few flaws of course; I wasn't too keen of the recreation of what might have happened it and even after we learnt that McMorris was smuggling weapons it seemed a little far-fetched that he'd leave a loaded Uzi in a draw and that the eventual killer would be able to use it so easily! The regular cast are on good form and the guest cast is also impressive; notably young Grace Hogg-Robinson who plays surviving daughter Mel and Neil Stuke who played DCI Cooke. Overall a good episode to finish the current series; no doubt we will be getting more next year.

What?

[Mothership8 · 4/10 · 17 September 2022]

That would have to be one of the most confusing and unbelievable storylines in the history of Silent Witness.

Are we expected to believe the daughter killed everyone? Did she shoot her own horse? Why? How did she blow up the 4x4? Why did Nikki run into the house and not just take cover and then continually search the house for bodies? Just silly. Was the head CI up to dodgy stuff or just another red herring? Don't even get me started on the armed officers supposedly securing the premises and perimeter. So many questions and unfortunately no answers.

I can usually tolerate sub-standard storylines because I love Silent Witness but not this one.

At least it's no Afghanistan/Mexico/South Africa

[retina_scan · 5/10 · 19 February 2022]

Well, at least we didn't have the standard finale where white middle-class privileged scientists travel abroad to save the day to those 'exotic', 'primitive' cultures, as they act also as police, judge, jury, executioner etc., oh and they die or almost die because, you know, it's foreign, it's dangerous.

Anyway, that was rather poor, unlike the brilliant previous story. A lot of inconsistencies and weak plotting. I could see it coming who the killer was as well. Also, rather surprising it's a Christmas episode as it seems to have been broadcast in February, was it meant to be a Christmas special but was delayed for some reason? Who knows.