Episode 4 opens quite literally with a bang… Sarah, not knowing what was coming, was literally shocked. “You can’t go in there. Half the ceiling has come down” said Strike. A further crash. “There goes the rest of it” says the stalwart, but shaken Pat.
The Jago Ross subplot is progressed this time by Robin rather than Midge rushing to his daughter rescue and judo throwing the ghastly Ross to get away.
Adaptations necessarily leave out much of our best loved dialogue. When my favourite line from the book was used, I had to fight the urge to rewind and play it again. Robin and Cormoran are having their final interview with Vernon Dursley… sorry.. Grant Ledwell. “Might need a bit of good cop / bad cop.” said Strike. “How bad do you want me to be?” Robin replied.
From a book reader’s point of view, this season delivered in spades with the pacing and character introductions improving as the series progressed. This must have been the most challenging of the series so far, and could easily have descended into a confusing mess. The story climax was tense and exciting, but the clue progression did not make Sarah feel cheated that the villain was only briefly seen in episode 1. We both agree that the acting, particularly from Tom and Holliday was first rate, with the closing scenes moving both of us very much.
The HBO series is due to air January 23rd, in the mean time merry Christmas one and all!
