Scott & Bailey’s Dramatic Conclusion
ITV1’s Scott & Bailey concluded its second series last night. By the end of last year, the programme was touted as the best new drama of 2011 and had the ratings to back it up. This year, the show returned for ‘the difficult second series’. So has it lived up to the critical acclaim of the first series?
Giving the second series a longer eight-episode run certainly benefited the show. We were introduced to more of Rachel Scott and Janet Bailey’s respective families, and more of DCI Gill Murray’s life was revealed. As much as the drama of the crime-fighting duo’s personal lives made for a gripping soap opera (a brother who’s a male escort! An estranged mother! Affairs! Stalkers! Mystery flowers!), I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a brief lull in the middle of the series. Some viewers may have deserted the programme at this point but, if they did, they would have missed out on a thrilling conclusion to the series. In short, the final episode made the dull episodes worth tolerating.
Last night, we found out Nick Savage was murdered. It was unfortunate that actor Rupert Graves didn’t return to reprise his role as the cheating lawyer who made Rachel’s life hell in the first series. Nevertheless, the drama and action were still all there. After an epic and messy night out, Rachel wonders if she killed him in her drunken state. We are kept in suspense whilst we also find out Janet is in trouble with the boss due to a misunderstanding – or was it? – between her and old flame Andy. In the end, Andy is quite rightly moved out to another unit. Silly weirdo stalker man; he didn’t have a patch on Janet anyway. But justice is bittersweet for Janet, as Andy promptly informs her husband of their extra-marital affair.
Back to Rachel’s drama, and the episode ends with the DCI chasing her own brother through the streets of Manchester, after she finds out it was him that murdered Nick in her honour. In a heart-breaking conclusion, Rachel decides to let her beloved brother go on the run. The things we do for love. On a happier and more promising note, we say goodbye to Rachel safe in the knowledge that she has reconnected with her estranged mother and has accepted Sean’s marriage proposal. There’s just enough there to keep the drama going for another series. So, I’m waiting, ITV…
Scott & Bailey is still available to watch online on the ITV Player.
Just watched the final episode in Perth, Australia. What pub was used for the final scene, it looks familiar from when I lived in Lancashire?