"Broadchurch" Recap: "Series 2 - Episode 2"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

It's an interesting contrast when it comes to Series 2 of Broadchurch. I remember the good vibes the show had when Series 1 ended. It felt like Danny's death had united people and made them better in some incredible way. Turns out that was a filthy, filthy lie. Danny Latimer's death was simply a catalyst for the town's darkest hour and the consequences for everyone's actions in Series 1 went on full display in last night's "Episode 2". 

The first "sin" to come back and haunt the folks in Broadchurch applied to DI Hardy and DS Miller with the unpleasantness that went down in the police station shortly after Miller learned of her husband's confession, specifically when she kicked the crap out of him, snapping his ribs and leaving him bruised, and the fact that Hardy basically let all this happen on his watch.  It was an issue that left Jocelyn worried that it could endanger the confession when the trial came and well, her worries were right. 

Because the trial that no one wanted finally came to pass and well, it was a complete and utter disaster. The Latimers were next to face their past as the one time that Mark hit Danny, and the fact he was having an affair with Becca Fisher the night that Danny was murdered, were revealed to all in the courtroom. But the ugliness didn't end there. As I mentioned before, Jocelyn's fears came to fruition as the abuse that Joe suffered at the hands of his wife left the judge concerned that perhaps the confession Joe put to paper was forced out of him and it was excluded from the evidence. 

It was a huge turning point for the trial, and one that could not be dwelled upon by Miller or Hardy because the Sandbrook case still had to be dealt with in between all of this mess. It turns out Hardy decided it was time for Claire and Lee to meet again, and hopefully Claire could pull a confession out of her ex husband or lead Hardy to a clue at last. So they made use of Miller's old home to set up cameras and audio gear with that purpose in mind and control the conversation. But at the last minute, Beth Latimer showed up to berate Miller and well...Lee and Claire disappeared from the house, and Beth went into labor. 

I must say, I'm quite impressed with this whole theme that I am now seeing take front and center for this season of the show of the past coming back to haunt well...everyone. It's rare we get to see the consequences of any character's actions in this type of story and man, those consequences are costing everyone dearly. In fact I'm still in shock that Joe's confession was thrown out and I'm not sure how this can get much worse, but judging from next week's preview, it sure looks like it can. Until next time...

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