If you love crime and mysteries, this is one series you must give a look. Produced by Granada Television of UK in collaboration with WGBH/Boston, there have been five in the Prime Suspect series as far as I know. It was serendipity that I came across the series in my local library and have enjoyed watching this gem.

The main character is Superintendent of Detectives Jane Tennison played by Helen Mirren (recently of Gosford Park fame). She received many accolades for her performance in the series including the Emmy for a couple of episodes.

The series is now available on VHS either as a boxed set or individually by episode. The episode I am reviewing here is the last of three in the Prime Suspect 4 titled The Scent of Darkness.

In one of her earlier cases, Jane had sent a serial killer of six young prostitutes to prison. George Marlow, (Tim Woodward) the convicted man to this day denies having committed the crimes. Now a few years later, a couple of women turn up dead with the same modus operandi as in the earlier crimes. Jane has no doubt that George was guilty of the previous crimes and is totally supported by her supervisor. However, others around her are not so sure and she is removed from the case and later suspended for wrongful conduct. A third woman is now missing and the police have three days in which to find her before the killer ends up killing her too. She feels that those working on the case are wasting their time in reinvestigating the older crimes. Is George innocent? Is this a copy-cat killer or has the original killer resumed his crime spree? Will they be able to save the missing women?

Jane perseveres and helps in cracking the case ultimately.

Intertwined with the main story is the personal life of Jane. She had met Dr. Patrick Schofield (Stuart Wilson) during the course of one of her investigations. She now wants to make a success of her relationship. However, she finds that Patrick was less than honest about some things to her in the past and this makes her distrust him.

The episode is well produced and directed. Acting by all actors involved is excellent. Helen Mirren received a well-deserved Emmy for her performance in this episode. Her Jane in this one is determined but stung by criticism of some, and will employ any means to get to the bottom of the truth. She is also a victim of her male colleagues who are not so happy with working for a woman.

This one is less a suspense story and more a thriller but will keep your mind working throughout.

I would recommend the entire series to any adult interested in good crime/police dramas.

This is a series and you should try to see all the episodes. However, each episode is complete in itself and you should not have trouble understanding them when viewed individually.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older