‘Dalgliesh’ Recap: ‘A Certain Justice, Parts 1 & 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 and 204 of ‘Dalgliesh’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.
​
One particular truth about life that we learn at a very young age, is that revenge is a terrible thing. And we learn that lesson through a variety of fascinating methods. Our parents for instance, will inform us of this fact and why exactly we need to avoid it, and we’ll even be reminded of it through pop-culture, since there are plenty of books and shows and movies, that explain the dangers of revenge and the heartbreak it causes for everyone involved. In fact, we spend so much time educating others about needing to avoid this horrible act, that one could argue that perhaps… there is nothing left to learn or to teach about revenge because every lesson and outcome possible is out there. But believe it or not, there is more to learn about this act so we can hopefully prevent it from being part of society one day. 
​
In fact, the next episode of Dalgliesh takes the time to ponder upon a unique aspect of revenge that we don’t talk about all that often, which indeed makes ‘A Certain Justice’ quite the powerful and thoughtful tale. For this is a story that informs us that vengeance is something we should not take part in, because it can in fact… inspire others to take part in it. Simply because revenge is something that is akin to a disease, and this episode proved that point by introducing us to a woman that no one liked. For Venetia Aldridge was a rising star in the legal world, thanks to her no-holds barred approach to defending her clients and in doing so… she helped a lot of people that others thought should serve time… walk free no problem, and when we meet her, here, she has made life tough for Adam and others. 

For she was able to gain an acquittal for what appeared to be a slam dunk case for the prosecution, and instead of celebrating her win, she was out for blood in her office, since she expected her performance to put her at the top. To which she had merit to make that request, since she was at the top of her game. But one fine morning, she turned up dead, and that forced Adam and his team to look at this case from a uniquely objective perspective, because so many hated this woman and that made so many a suspect. But going that route paid off. Simply because Adam and his team were able to realize that so many wanted revenge upon her in some capacity, and they had to sift through every suspect’s motive to finally narrow down that the person responsible for all of this was a co-worker.
 
But what mattered more here, is that revenge was everywhere to be found. Because that co-worker, the cleaner and even the man she set free, all wanted her to pay in some capacity. And in many ways, their actions were feverish in nature, as though something ethereal had taken hold. Which allowed for us to learn how one man’s revenge, or at the very least, desire for it… bubbled through the office and motivated others to take part in trying to hurt her. Because that is what revenge does, it inspires the worst in people, and it takes hold like a virus, and the end result was a free for all hurt session. One that taught us to just let stuff go and let karma and fate handle the rest… so we don’t create the same madness that played out here. 

All of which made for another powerful episode of this magnificent series, one that truly went to some dark places. For we really saw humanity at its lowest here and saw our intrepid heroes pushed to their limits as they tried to contain the damage of revenge, and to a lesser extent, do everything within their power to NOT succumb to it as well since that opportunity was present and well, in the end, this episode deserves a hard round of applause. For offering up a compelling and complex mystery that took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, and of course… offered up a fine new lesson regarding revenge. One that informed us to think twice before we let it fester, since we might inadvertently ignite the spark within others and bring forth the chaos and suffering that accompanies the ugliness that is revenge. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch