Episode Guide
Episode 1 – The review score for episode 2 was 2.5/5 and for episode 3 it was 3.5/5. Episode 4 – The review score for episode 4 was 3.5/5
The reveal of the killer’s identity was a masterstroke, and it set the tone for the rest of the season. The reveal of who killed the tutor and teenager was so well done that it made us forget all about what had been going on in between. It was a great way to end things on a high note.
This review wouldn’t have been as positive if there had been a meeting at the beginning to discuss what the show was going to be like. Inside Man’s characters and themes are clear and easy to follow, making it a rewarding watch.
Janice is locked up in the cellar of the local Vicar, Harry, after she discovers child pornography on a flash drive given to her by Ben, Harry’s son. She is determined to get out and clear her name, but quickly realizes that she is in for a long and difficult journey.
Beth, a journalist, had earlier met with Janice on the tube, where the latter helped the former wade off a pervert. She gets what seems like an SOS message from Janice. It coincides with her meeting in a US prison with a death row inmate, Professor Jefferson Grieff.
He takes up cases for people, looking for redemption for killing and mutilating his wife. Beth requests him to take her friend’s case and he obliges. The cat and mouse game is also one of the conflicting philosophies and moral turpitude, as much as it is a titillating search for Janice.
The first episode of Inside Man is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that takes its cues from the real world. The plot is intricate and well-conceived, and the showrunners have clearly put a lot of thought into making sure that it feels like an authentic experience.
Steven Moffat is a clever writer who uses settings like prisons and the Vicar’s house to keep exposition in balance. This allows his stories to be successful, especially with shows like Sherlock and Doctor Who. ..
The investigation into the disappearance of Janice is both inward and outward in its focus. We see the story from a mostly neutral point of view, as there are no major revelations that impact the plot. A number of different perspectives could have been chosen, such as Janice’s attempt to survive or Jefferson’s self-examination in jail. However, the one we see is well paced and provides enough information to understand what is happening. ..
Episode 1 and 2 collectively did not inspire too much confidence as our perception of Janice was one of a damsel in distress. It was when Jefferson mentions that she is a smart and manipulative person, we actually began to see her so. ..
In episode 3, Dolly Wells expertly changed emotions to create a sense of tension. Her plan to turn the husband and wife against each other, and later Ben against his parents, started to unfurl. The last two episodes indeed brought back the interest in the storyline. As a viewer, the only way you can emotionally invest yourself in a movie or a show is through the characters. ..
The Inside Man ensemble delivered on its promise, even when the big names weren’t on. Characters like Mary (Lyndsey Marshal ), Beth (Lydia West), and Edgar (Mark Quartley) presented a challenging watch. The performances were quite engaging all around. One miss was the fact that you couldn’t properly sympathize with Janice by no fault of Wells’. She was just written not to be liked, despite being the most practical and heroic among them all.
Jefferson’s insights into the morality of justice were a major part of the show. Despite being billed as a mystery-thriller, Inside Man’s biggest highlight was this question of “moral worth” and moral character of actions that can be so easily perceived as a crime in the eyes of others. Jefferson’s insights into the morality of justice were a major part of the show and helped to bring an intellectual side to it.
The final exchange gave those final touches to the show overall. It really opens your eyes to what we missed in plain sight in the four episodes. “Inside men” lends a universal appeal and concept-stage feel to the show in hindsight that we wouldn’t have caught when it first started.
