Gracepoint - Episode 3 - Review

My review of last week's episode

Why are the British so much better at TV than us? Why didn't this show cast Olivia Colman? Why is this priest so creepy? Why are we supposed to hate Emmett Carver even though he's right? Why am I even doing this to myself anymore?

There are many unanswered questions in this episode.

It turns out that Mark Solano was not, in fact, with his plumber friend Vince, but having an affair with Gemma Fisher. And now Beth knows, which predicts further turmoil.

Anna Gunn hates Carver. Emmett Carver hates everybody, especially people who smile and shave and have good manners, but we also know now that his mysterious ailment is very serious - which excuses his rudeness just a bit.

But he can't give up work because he's a man on a mission, and he's given his word, and this is all penance. 'Tis but a flesh wound!

Speaking of which, an interesting theme in the show is the focus on guilt. Everyone, except perhaps the optimistic Ellie, is buried under the shame of failure and sin. It remains to be seen whether the church will provide an alternative to this, as it did in Broadchurch.

Now that Mark Solano has been cleared (presumably for good, because, y'know, red herrings don't come back), suspicion is turning to our friendly neighborhood psychic, Raymond. Everybody loves him. Just kidding! Right now he's feeling pretty low, because folks don't believe his tales of the unseen world.

Nick Nolte tells the media where to get off, which comes off as much more rude in this adaptation, since Renee is nicer. All in all, the Evil Tabloids angle is definitely lessened. I hope that won't be the case forever, because Evil Tabloids are real.

The problem with this show is it's just so hard to care. Ellie is immature and frankly stupid - are we supposed to believe she's a seasoned police officer? Carver is merely rude, though he's the only one getting anything done. Paul Coates may be a vampire - it's a distinct possibility. Mark Solano is a real jerk whose number one concern about the death of his son is that he, Mark, is being punished. Yeah. He's feeling sorry for himself. Gemma is no better.

Renee is being a pushy-yet-virtuous reporter with apparently no reason to be there. Ellie's husband is boring (Broadchurch's Joe Miller had his faults, but he had real chemistry with Olivia Colman).

Beth Solano is the only one who has arouses a shred of sympathy. Let's hope we see more of her in future episodes.

My review of next week's episode

Want something good to watch? Check out my full list of good detective shows.

Hannah Long