PRIME SUSPECT “Underwater” Review

PRIME SUSPECT “Underwater” – Watching Prime Suspect tonight was bittersweet. Tonight’s episode was so great but with the recent news that NBC will stop production of the show after the final two episodes are filmed, it seems all but certain that Prime Suspect has in effect been cancelled. In a perfect world, Prime Suspect would get a second life somewhere else on television. I think it would be a perfect show for USA, which is also part of the Universal television family. I will keep my fingers crossed but I’ve seen enough good shows end way too soon to get too optimistic.

Although she tries to present a tough exterior, there is no denying that Jane has a way with “the little people,” as she likes to call them. The scenes with Jane and Amanda were some of the best moments of this entire series. Of course the storyline of a child showing the mushy side of a prickly character is nothing new to television, it was still a welcome cliche to this episode.

The guys were put on the backburner in exchange for some up close and personal time with Jane and Duffy
that kicked off with a field trip. With less screen time with the rest of the cast, the episode was a bit darker without the normal bad jokes and childish shenanigans of the guys. The episode put the antagonistic and at times toxic dynamic between Jane and Duffy front and center. The case was the perfect vehicle to force the two of them to find a way to work together after weeks of subtle and not-so-subtle ball busting.

“Underwater” had all of the elements of Prime Suspect that I’ve come to enjoy as a viewer. Storylines with children are usually a guarantee of compelling television. The writers paired that up perfectly with a great action scene. The shootout in the hotel room was intense and made the slower episodes of past weeks make a bit more sense in the larger context of the series. I was genuinely shocked that Amanda was shot. I’m a lover of crime shows but I’ve still not developed an immunity for kids being hurt. (That’s probably a good thing.)

Overall “Underwater” was a great episode. I was on edge during the entire conclusion in the hospital as Roy was revealed to be the killer. The final moment between Amanda and Jane was great and very fitting of Jane’s character. She’s not someone who makes rose-colored promises but she is a realist who believes resilience and surviving.

Random Observations:

Duffy insisting on smoking a big, stinky cigar during their car trip was just cruel. The smell of a cigar is jarring to the senses of a normal person but I can only imagine the kind of torture it wreaked upon Jane, who is trying to quit her smoking habit.

Jane and Duffy, no matter how much they hate each other, make a damn good pair. This episode should at least leave them with mutual respect for each other’s dedication to the job. I hope that we get to see that in what appears will be the final episodes of a great series.

What did you think of “Underwater”? Did you like seeing the softer side of Jane?
Are you ready to get the online petitions going to save the show or perhaps see it get a home on USA?