3.5 Heavy Boots The first half of this series and the majority of the second spent a lot of time tearing the great Edmund Reid down, either through his own design or Jedidiah Shine’s. After last week’s chance at redemption with his daughter and his near-martyrdom in stopping Capshaw, a curious mythology has sprung up around him in Whitechapel. The opening scenes with the ballad of Ed Reid in the pub establishes an odd melancholic celebration of the inspector’s impending death, one which continues when Jackson and Drake are introduced. As it was when Reid fled earlier in the series, the pair are forced into a reluctant partnership and away from their presumptive grief. The interactions are more subdued than before, but not without the odd comedic moment, drunkenly attending Rose’s music hall together. It helps to alleviate the depressive mood of the episode and the chemistry between the main cast has always been a particular highlight of Ripper Street. Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg carry this episode together in the keenly felt absence of Reid, aided by the increased role of Josh O’Connor as Constable Grace. Of course, his sudden skill with policing telegraphs his fate early. The story of the Black Eagle Brewers demonstrates the show’s new maturity in its ability to demonstrate an underclass fearing a loss of its livelihood. Whereas previous episodes would have seen a lengthy speech explaining the implications of a London business and the threat from the industrialisation elsewhere in the country, here, the context was explained swiftly in the course of the investigation. As a result, the narrative is leaner and the writing feels more precise, leaning on the emotional relationships involved within the case, rather than the politics that fuels it. The tale of the younger brother vying for control also provides an interesting parallel to the position that Drake and Jackson find themselves in whilst Reid lies in a coma. They too must prove once again that they are able to carry the same amount of presence and power in the streets of Whitechapel. However, the emotional toll on them both is seen throughout the episode, first in their advanced acceptance of Reid’s death, for Drake in his secretive relationship with Rose and for Jackson, his breakdown in the wake of Teddy’s death. Read Becky’s review of the previous episode, Your Father My Friend, here. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
