Eammon Jacobs reviews the second episode of Luther series 5…
“This is going to hurt”. It’s a phrase that was plastered across all the previews and trailers for the fifth series of Luther, and they weren’t lying. While the first episode introduced us to a grisly new killer who acts out of sexual impulse, the second instalment slows down the action and chooses to focus on testing Luther’s limits. Things have become a little more complicated thanks to Alice Morgan’s return, and John struggles with animosity from all angles as his investigation points him towards the real threat.
It might be a masterclass in crafting a violent thriller, but Luther is at its most entertaining when two characters confront each other. And after Alice’s unceremonious return since she faked her death, it’s fair to say that Luther’s got some questions. It’s here that the show decides to drop a huge emotional bomb on the audience, and although it’s effective it does feel like a retcon to fix something they left out in series 4. Luckily the electric chemistry between Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson ensures this doesn’t flop, and it continues to push their dysfunctional relationship to even weirder heights. Let’s be clear though, the real stand-out star in this episode was always going to be Ruth Wilson. Her performance as Alice Morgan is undeniably charming. Seeing her waltz around Luther, teasing him with her ego and knowledge makes for great television. But it’s his grit and determination to do the right thing that keeps him on the (relatively) straight and narrow that ultimately makes John a hero to root for.
Luther really is a dark and gloomy show, but it wouldn’t be the nail-bitingly intense thriller it is if he was making jokes every few seconds. Which is why DSI Catherine Halliday’s banter with the morgue attendant feel incredibly out of place. The juxtaposition of having a lighthearted member of the moody team is a breath of fresh air, but the wisecracking banter while stood over a corpse feels like Halliday is trying too hard. Hopefully that’s all part of her character arc and not just an excuse for a one-liner.
Speaking of dysfunctional relationships, Luther and Halliday’s investigation introduces them to Doctor Lake’s husband Jeremy, also a Doctor – except he’s a surgeon instead of a psychiatrist. Fitting really, that a deranged serial killer works in a role that puts him in control of other people’s lives. He’s evidently unhinged, as he intimidates a patient with a sharklike grin and a thinly veiled threat. One scene in episode two in particular shows just how obsessed with death he really is, and it’s only the steely stare of his wife that brings him back from the brink of carnage.
It’s fascinating watching their dynamic unfold onscreen, at one moment it borders on dangerously sadomasochistic, but soon after it’s tender and thoughtful. Although it’s still unclear as to who the real instigator of these vicious murders really is out of the two of them. Is Vivien Lake using her psychiatric knowledge to push her husband into new thrills, or is she simply curating his murders and mopping up his messes? Either way, Jeremy has no intention of stopping. If episode one put you off using public transport thanks to his antics, then episode two will keep you from using those buy and sell groups on Facebook ever again. What’s next, an airbnb killer? Actually, don’t answer that.
Luther may have some messes of his own to clean up in the next episode thanks to Alice dragging him back into George Cornelius’ firing line. The show is excellent at mastering a (literal) killer ending. It’s only going to raise the stakes for John in a way that might not be easily fixed.
Eammon Jacobs
