Ripper Street (2012)

Top comments

1. 

   Siskoid

   Season 1: Ripper Street is a new BBC series starring Spooks' Matthew MacFadyen as the police inspector who took over the Whitechapel beat after the Ripper murders, and its first series (8 episodes) proves to be a dark mix of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes movies and CSI: Victorian London. The Ripper murders loom large in this world, a world where modern serial killing has just been invented, and the characters are clearly haunted by those unsolved crimes as well as their own secrets. Inspector Reid lost a daughter under unusual circumstances and it could tear his marriage apart. The sad and sympathetic Sgt. Drake must harness his innate violence and the regret that comes with it. And Captain Jackson, the brilliant yank doctor living in a whorehouse, why is he running from American lawmen? Those each episode features its own case, the overall story of each character is advanced, and neither introductions nor deaths are rendered meaningless by the next installment. This is a living, breathing, and very filthy world, and I'm happy to note a second series has been ordered.
   
   Season 2: It puts the Ripper murders that loomed large in Season 1 in the deep background, and concentrates on new villains, including a corrupt police inspectors working out of nearby Limehouse, and a greedy land baron who has our favorite brothel under his fist. These subplots are advanced throughout and eventually come to a head, while also giving us a different case each episode, and a new police rookie played by Being Human's Damien Molony in the regular cast. If I keep returning to Ripper Street, it's for more than the Holmesian mysteries, but for the heightened antiquated language, which gives the show its own unique poetry. We're also at a point where we care about the recurring characters' lives, which may then be explored for their own sake.
   
   Season 3: I've liked Ripper Street since the beginning, but Season 3 is probably the strongest for me. It's still the usual Victorian CSI show with heightened, poetic language, but the greater story arc is quite engaging, and there's a real sense that not all cast members will survive it. Inspector Ried is especially put through the wringer, as the mystery of what happened to his daughter comes knocking thanks to events triggered by a heist gone wrong. The writers have tied every character's story together very neatly without it seeming forced or contrived. Had you told me this was the last season, I would have been quite content, but at least two more have been made, so I'll keep quiet and hope Season 4 keeps the quality up.
   
   Ripper Street's last two seasons have the same arc villain, so I might as well review them together. In a third act change to the status quo, Reid and Drake switch places as the former returns to Whitechapel after some time away, causing some friction at the police station. Reid's newfound daughter becomes an essentially part of the cast, but as we edge closer to the end, it becomes clear some characters will not outlive the series. While season 4 starts with some Gothic elements like vampires, werewolves and golems (as there's a strong Jewish immigrant story working itself out), it never veers into the actual supernatural, don't worry. By season 5, the show is really one continuing story, no longer concerned with individual cases. Don't expect much in the way of happy endings, folks. This is Whitechapel to the very end. 6 years 8 months ago

See all comments

Friends

Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!