UK Television: Luther, Series 2 Preview

BBC One has given fans of Luther a very exciting present today:  a preview clip of series two!

Ever since the last second of series one ended I've been eagerly awaiting the start of series two.  As of right now, there isn't a set date when the series will begin but that information should be coming soon.  The clip certainly doesn't give any major plot points away but that's a good thing, I think.  It's always much more fun to see the shocking developments as they happen than to see/read spoilers and nothing be unexpected.

You can watch the clip here off the BBC's official YouTube network or you can go to the official BBC web site for Luther and watch the clip there (for UK residents only).

Idris Elba Nominated For a Golden Globe!

The amazing Idris Elba has received a Golden Globe nomination for his work as John Luther in the BBC series Luther.  His nomination is in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television category. 

Ian McShane (Pillars of the Earth), Al Pacino (You don't Know Jack), Dennis Quaid (The Special Relationship) and Edgar Ramierez (Carlos) are also nominated in the same category.

Congratulations, Idris!    Hopefully, come January 16, 2011, Idris and all of his fans will be celebrating his win!

If you would like to see the entire list of nominees for this year, you can visit the Official Golden Globes web site.
http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

UK Television: BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" Filming a Second Series

Well, I'm just about as happy as happy can be here!

Ever since the first series of Luther ended a few months ago I have been wondering if the BBC One would renew the show for a second series.

Well, folks, wonder no longer.

According to information on the official Luther Facebook site, scripts for a second series are finished and the shooting for the second series has already begun.  There is even a photo of the scripts!  The Facebook posting was dated September 20th and the information given was "Scripts in.  Shoot starts two weeks today."

To read the postings on the Luther Facebook wall.  

To see the photo of the scripts.

BBC one also issued a press release announcing the recommissioning of Luther and the beyond excellent series Sherlock for second series'.  You can read the entire BBC one press release at their web site.

There's all kinds of great television news coming out of the UK right now, isn't there?  I can't wait to see Luther and the diabolical (but so likable) Alice back on the screen!

BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" Begins Airing in America

The psychological drama Luther will begin airing in the United States on BBC America at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2010.  The episode will be followed by Luther:  Inside Look - Episode 1.  This is "an exclusive behind the scenes look at tonights episode of Luther".

If you miss episode 1 this Sunday, don't worry!  It will be aired again:

Monday, October 18, 2010:
2:00 A.M., Episode 1
3:15 A.m., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

Thursday, October 21, 2010:
9:00 P.M., Episode 1
10:15 P.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

Friday, October 22, 2010:
12:00 A.M., Episode 1
1:15 A.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1
2:00 A.M., Episode 1
3:15 A.M., Luther, Inside Look - Episode 1

UK Television: Luther, North American DVD Release Information

Back on September 1st, I posted that the BBC One dramatic series Luther starring Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson would be coming to DVD in North America.  I didn't have many details then, but I've go them now!

BBC Warner will be releasing Luther as a 2-disc set on November 23, 2010.  The set will contain all six episodes of the series for a total of 360 minutes.  The retail price for the set is $34.98 but amazon.com currently has it up for pre-order for $25.99.  There's currently no info on a Blu-Ray release.  Just DVD.

As of right now, the box artwork hasn't been released and the only special feature listed is Luther:  The World of a True Maverick.  Closer to the date of release we will get to see what the artwork looks like and, hopefully, get more information about the special feature.  A few more special features wouldn't hurt either.  The more Luther the better, right?

Amazon.com Pre-Order Page:
Luther

UK Television: Luther, North American DVD Release Information

Back on September 1st, I posted that the BBC One dramatic series Luther starring Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson would be coming to DVD in North America.  I didn't have many details then, but I've go them now!

BBC Warner will be releasing Luther as a 2-disc set on November 23, 2010.  The set will contain all six episodes of the series for a total of 360 minutes.  The retail price for the set is $34.98 but amazon.com currently has it up for pre-order for $25.99.  There's currently no info on a Blu-Ray release.  Just DVD.

As of right now, the box artwork hasn't been released and the only special feature listed is Luther:  The World of a True Maverick.  Closer to the date of release we will get to see what the artwork looks like and, hopefully, get more information about the special feature.  A few more special features wouldn't hurt either.  The more Luther the better, right?

Amazon.com Pre-Order Page:
Luther

BBC One Dramatic Series: "Luther" Coming to DVD in North America

It has been announced that Luther, the psychologically thrilling crime drama aired by BBC One a few months ago is scheduled for a North American DVD release.  On November 23, 2010 Warner Home Video will be releasing all six episodes on a 2 DVD set for a list price of $34.98.

There currently is no word about any possible extras/features and the package artwork is yet to be revealed.  Once more information is available I'll most certainly be posting it here!

BBC One Dramatic Series: "Luther" Coming to DVD in North America

It has been announced that Luther, the psychologically thrilling crime drama aired by BBC One a few months ago is scheduled for a North American DVD release.  On November 23, 2010 Warner Home Video will be releasing all six episodes on a 2 DVD set for a list price of $34.98.

There currently is no word about any possible extras/features and the package artwork is yet to be revealed.  Once more information is available I'll most certainly be posting it here!

BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" To Air in America

Great news for American fans of UK television and great psychological dramas.  It was recently announced the the UK drama Luther starring Idris Elba in the lead role as DCI John Luther will be airing later this year on BBC America. 

Luther currently has one fully-aired UK season under it's belt consisting of six, sixty-minute episodes.  As of right now there has been no determination by BBC as to whether or not there will be a second season of the show produced.

For more information about this exciting news and more information on the show, please visit the BBC America Press page for Luther.

Hopefully, the fact the show will be airing in the United States means Luther will see a US DVD release.

BBC One Dramatic Series "Luther" To Air in America

Great news for American fans of UK television and great psychological dramas.  It was recently announced the the UK drama Luther starring Idris Elba in the lead role as DCI John Luther will be airing later this year on BBC America. 

Luther currently has one fully-aired UK season under it's belt consisting of six, sixty-minute episodes.  As of right now there has been no determination by BBC as to whether or not there will be a second season of the show produced.

For more information about this exciting news and more information on the show, please visit the BBC America Press page for Luther.

Hopefully, the fact the show will be airing in the United States means Luther will see a US DVD release.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.6

As I suspected last week, the season finale of Luther does end with a bang--both literally and figuratively.  This episode is packed full of tension, excitement and jaw-dropping moments as John Luther is being hunted by his law enforcement colleagues as the murderer of his beloved ex-wife, Zoe.  Unlikely alliances are formed and we see actions from characters that are shockingly out-of-character from what they've done in past episodes.  Emotions run high on both sides of the fence.  Luther is angry and wanting revenge for Zoe's murder.  Reed is struggling with inner demons and trying to balance his greed with the fact he killed Zoe.  The police are having to hunt one of their own for a brutal crime. 

I actually found myself talking to the characters in this episode.  Urging them on to do certain things they were doing or telling them not to do something.  I love it when a show makes me do that.  When I become so involved in the show that I actually think I can convince a character to do something.  That's excellent drama.  This show has characters that I care about and want to see how things turn out for them.  The only bad thing about this episode that I could see was that it is the last Luther of this first season.



I sincerely hope this show is renewed for a second season as the ending was left wide open for more tense moments and drama to pick up with season two.  While one bit of trouble ended, a whole new batch of trouble has taken its place.  If it does come back, you can rest assured that I'll be following it every week.  My summaries probably will not be as detailed but they'll be here!  Luther is a show that I will not be able to miss now that I'm hooked on it!

On to the summary...

The season finale begins with Teller in her car listening to the frantic message from Luther that he believes Ian is hurt.  Ian gets into the car and Teller tells him he was right.  "Poor Zoe."  The crime scene techs are at Zoe's house collecting evidence as Luther roams the streets of London in anguish over the loss of his beloved Zoe and Ian is troubled by what he's done.  Mark arrives home to see the flashing lights of the police cars and sees Zoe's body on the floor through the window.  He wants to get inside to her but the police will not allow him in. 

Ripley enters the station and is told about Zoe's murder.  He cannot believe Luther would have done it but everyone else, including Teller, seems to believe he did.  Ripley still can't believe Luther is guilty.

Reed is stashing the diamonds from last weeks show in the back of his locker as Teller comes to get him for a short briefing.  There is a strict order of keeping the investigation quite--no press, no briefings and no leaks.  Teller is placed in charge of the investigation with Martin Shenk assisting heavily.  Reed wants to 'stay on the ground' since he knows Luther and, when asked if he believes Luther shot his wife, Reed says he can't be sure just yet.  Reed, for obvious reasons, clearly wants a bigger hand in the investigation but he is strictly ordered to remain at the station. 

Luther calls Ian from a pay phone to tell him he knows what he did and that he tried to make it look like he had killed her.  Luther tells him he's coming for him.  "All I have to do is stay free long enough to see you dead.  And I'll do that, Ian.  I'll see you dead."  Reed knows he's backed into a corner.  He goes to Ripley and asks him what he thinks of the situation.  Ripley is at a loss.  Reed asks Ripley if Luther didn't do it, where is he to which Ripley suggests that Luther might know who did it and is going after them.  Reed tells him that, whatever happens, he needs to contact him instead of Teller, Shenk or anyone else.  Ripley agrees. 

Teller speaks with Mark in her office about Luther, wanting to know anything he can tell her.  Mark mentions the affair Zoe and Luther were having, of the choice he had wanted her to make and that Zoe had chosen Mark over Luther. 

Reed tells Teller that Luther just called him and plays Luther's message for her.  He tells her he can't understand why Luther would project the murder onto him.  Teller wants to try and pin the crime on mental illness for the sake of the unit.

Luther goes to the only place he knows he can:  to Alice.  He tells her Zoe is dead.  She asks if he did it and he asks if it matters.  Alice liked Zoe but she's sure if Luther killed her he had a reason.  When he tells her he didn't kill her, Alice simply replies, "fine, who did?"

Ripley and Shenk go to the crime scene.  Shenk analyzes the damage at the scene as characteristic of Luther's behavior but Ripley suggests it was staged for their benefit.  Ripley thinks the crime doesn't feel right; that a crime of passion of the nature of Zoe's murder would have been carried out by a gun.  Shenk questions his ability to see the case clearly.  Ripley admits he wants Luther to be innocent but if he isn't, he will do his job right. 

Alice asks Luther if he's going to kill Reed and he replies that he thought about it.  He's at her apartment because he needs a safe place to think.  She tells Luther that lying to himself isn't going to help him anymore.  She asks again why he is there.  He asks her to help him; to be his accomplice.  With a smile, she asks him "when do we start?"

Shenk or any of the other police do not know who he is talking to.  Luther tells Ripley he will not compromise him more than he has to but to not trust Ian Reed.  Luther tells him when there is time he will explain.  While they are talking, a uniformed officer comes in to say they may have found the gun. 

Outside in a drain they find a 9mm Beretta.  Ripley has left his phone on the entire time and Luther is listening to the info about the gun and Shenks orders that the gun is hard evidence and it cannot be tampered with or contaminated by an officer with misplaced loyalty.  Shenk and Ripley will be taking the gun to the lab themselves.

Luther feels that if Reed left the gun he left it for a reason.  He remembers there was a gun that could have been used that had his fingerprints all over it.  If it is the murder weapon, the prints will tie him directly to the murder.  Alice gets her gear together because they know they cannot let the gun reach the lab for analysis.  They make their plans and Luther asks her if she ever wonders why she's doing what she's doing and think she's gone mad.  She tells him 'no' and that they are who they are and that she'll never betray him.

Ripley gives their location over the radio and Luther hears.  Luther and Alice, in separate cars, overtake Shenk and Ripley.  Alice holds a knife to Shenk while Luther pulls Ripley from the car.  He pretends to rough him up and asks him where the gun is.  Ripley readily tells him it is in the glove box.  Ripley tells Luther to hit him to make it look right.  He does.  Luther takes the gun and Alice throws Shenks keys away then they get into the car she arrived in and drive away.

Ripley calls Reed and tells him they took the gun.  Reed tells him he needs to come in because they have to start facing facts because Luther isn't behaving like an innocent man.

While they are cleaning the gun, Luther asks Alice why she killed her parents.  She tells him because she wanted to.  Once it is properly cleaned, Luther throws the gun into the water. 

Reed calls Luther to talk.  Reed is scared and Luther tells him she should be.  He tells Luther that, while he can't, he wishes he could undo it.  Reed wants Luther to meet him so he can hear what he has to say and then after that whatever happens is in Luther's hands.  Luther agrees to meet at 9 o'clock at Faraday Memorial. 

Teller questions Ripley and Shenk about the gun.  Ripley cannot give her an idea about the female accomplice other than a vague description.  Shenk feels 95% positive the man was Luther despite the stocking mask he wore and that neither of the thieves spoke.  Reed comes to Tellers office and announces that Luther just called and wanted to set up a meeting. 

Teller refuses to let Reed attend the meeting without a bulletproof vest.  Reed refuses to use the vest and Teller instead suggests Tactical Weapons Support.  Reed agrees that she can bring in the shooters. 

While Mark is sitting outside the home he shared with Zoe, Alice gets into the car and puts a knife to his throat telling him not to speak, just drive.

Shenk tells Ripley they are comrades in arms because of what they went through.  As a comrade, Shenk asks Ripley what is troubling him.  Shenk doesn't feel that Luther's actions of stealing the gun fits the delusional framework. 

Alice takes Mark to see Luther and he immediately attacks Luther for killing Zoe.  He tells Mark he didn't kill her.  Apparently, he believes him and they start making plans for the meeting Luther will be having with Reed.  The police, meanwhile, are making their own plans.  As they are getting ready to leave for the meeting, Mark arrives at the station wanting to speak to Teller. 

Luther and Alice arrive for the meeting and she tells him he must control his temper or Reed will use it as a weapon.  He assures her he can control it.  There are sharpshooters all over the surrounding buildings as Reed stands awaiting the meeting with Luther. 

Reed tells Luther he doesn't understand how Luther believes he could have killed Zoe.  It's clear that Reed is playing it up for the police who are listening in to the conversation.  Reed keeps pushing buttons with Luther trying to get him to react.  Luther informs him he knows that Reed didn't come alone.  Reed continues to try and bait Luther but it isn't working.  Luther steps close to Reed and stars whispering so Teller cannot hear what he's saying.  He tells Reed that he agreed to the meeting to get him away from the locker room where the diamonds were.  The situation grows tense and Teller gives the sharpshooter the order that if he sees Luther draw a weapon he needs to shoot.  Luther reaches into his pocket and grabs hold of something.  Luther starts to pull a knife and Ripley throws himself on the sharpshooter and yells for Luther to run.  Luther turns and runs as Teller orders all units to give chase.  Teller turns to Ripley and orders him to give her his badge.  He hands it over and is arrested on Teller's order as Luther makes his escape.  He arrives back at Alice's car where he gets into the trunk.

Shenk has insisted on taking Mark's statement thus, preventing him from doing what he originally went to the station to do.  Mark clearly wants to hurry things along but Shenk is going slowly.  Mark asks to use the bathroom and leaves Shenk to walk coolly into the locker room.  He finds Reeds locker opens it and begins looking for the diamonds as Teller and Reed arrive back at the station with a handcuffed Ripley.  Reed enters the locker room as Mark leaves saying he's looking for the bathroom.  Mark leaves and Reed discovers the diamonds are gone.  Reed has a trace and track done on Mark who is on his way to see Luther.  Reed leaves for Mark and Shenk goes into his office and looks around.  He knows something isn't right.  He watches video of the meeting between Luther and Reed then questions Ripley. 

Mark arrives where he is to meet with Luther and Reed arrives shortly thereafter.  Shenk orders that DCI Reed be found immediately.  Mark leads Reed directly to Luther who grabs Reed from behind.  Luther gets Reeds gun from him and holds it on him.  Reed confesses to killing Zoe and tells Luther to go ahead and kill him.  Luther says he didn't come to kill him and pulls a tape recorder from his pocket.  He has the entire confession on tape.  Luther tells Reed he chooses not to kill him.  Reed, after a seconds thought, asks Luther if Zoe ever told him about an affair they had.  He wants Luther to kill him.  Luther drops the gun and starts to choke Reed but stops.  He won't give in to the anger and starts arresting Reed for Zoe's murder.  Reed draws a knife from his pocket and stabs Luther.  Alice has picked up Reeds gun and he stops him from repeatedly kicking the injured Luther.  Alice tells Reed that dying would be worse than going to prison and asks if she should pull the trigger.  Luther tells her no but she is in favor of killing Reed.  She asks Mark to be the tie breaker.  Reed again tries baiting Mark the same way he did Luther.  Mark tells Alice to shoot and she does.  Luther gets up and walks to Reed as the sound of sirens comes closer.  As the police come closer, Luther asks Mark and Alice "now what?".

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.6

As I suspected last week, the season finale of Luther does end with a bang--both literally and figuratively.  This episode is packed full of tension, excitement and jaw-dropping moments as John Luther is being hunted by his law enforcement colleagues as the murderer of his beloved ex-wife, Zoe.  Unlikely alliances are formed and we see actions from characters that are shockingly out-of-character from what they've done in past episodes.  Emotions run high on both sides of the fence.  Luther is angry and wanting revenge for Zoe's murder.  Reed is struggling with inner demons and trying to balance his greed with the fact he killed Zoe.  The police are having to hunt one of their own for a brutal crime. 

I actually found myself talking to the characters in this episode.  Urging them on to do certain things they were doing or telling them not to do something.  I love it when a show makes me do that.  When I become so involved in the show that I actually think I can convince a character to do something.  That's excellent drama.  This show has characters that I care about and want to see how things turn out for them.  The only bad thing about this episode that I could see was that it is the last Luther of this first season.



I sincerely hope this show is renewed for a second season as the ending was left wide open for more tense moments and drama to pick up with season two.  While one bit of trouble ended, a whole new batch of trouble has taken its place.  If it does come back, you can rest assured that I'll be following it every week.  My summaries probably will not be as detailed but they'll be here!  Luther is a show that I will not be able to miss now that I'm hooked on it!

On to the summary...

The season finale begins with Teller in her car listening to the frantic message from Luther that he believes Ian is hurt.  Ian gets into the car and Teller tells him he was right.  "Poor Zoe."  The crime scene techs are at Zoe's house collecting evidence as Luther roams the streets of London in anguish over the loss of his beloved Zoe and Ian is troubled by what he's done.  Mark arrives home to see the flashing lights of the police cars and sees Zoe's body on the floor through the window.  He wants to get inside to her but the police will not allow him in. 

Ripley enters the station and is told about Zoe's murder.  He cannot believe Luther would have done it but everyone else, including Teller, seems to believe he did.  Ripley still can't believe Luther is guilty.

Reed is stashing the diamonds from last weeks show in the back of his locker as Teller comes to get him for a short briefing.  There is a strict order of keeping the investigation quite--no press, no briefings and no leaks.  Teller is placed in charge of the investigation with Martin Shenk assisting heavily.  Reed wants to 'stay on the ground' since he knows Luther and, when asked if he believes Luther shot his wife, Reed says he can't be sure just yet.  Reed, for obvious reasons, clearly wants a bigger hand in the investigation but he is strictly ordered to remain at the station. 

Luther calls Ian from a pay phone to tell him he knows what he did and that he tried to make it look like he had killed her.  Luther tells him he's coming for him.  "All I have to do is stay free long enough to see you dead.  And I'll do that, Ian.  I'll see you dead."  Reed knows he's backed into a corner.  He goes to Ripley and asks him what he thinks of the situation.  Ripley is at a loss.  Reed asks Ripley if Luther didn't do it, where is he to which Ripley suggests that Luther might know who did it and is going after them.  Reed tells him that, whatever happens, he needs to contact him instead of Teller, Shenk or anyone else.  Ripley agrees. 

Teller speaks with Mark in her office about Luther, wanting to know anything he can tell her.  Mark mentions the affair Zoe and Luther were having, of the choice he had wanted her to make and that Zoe had chosen Mark over Luther. 

Reed tells Teller that Luther just called him and plays Luther's message for her.  He tells her he can't understand why Luther would project the murder onto him.  Teller wants to try and pin the crime on mental illness for the sake of the unit.

Luther goes to the only place he knows he can:  to Alice.  He tells her Zoe is dead.  She asks if he did it and he asks if it matters.  Alice liked Zoe but she's sure if Luther killed her he had a reason.  When he tells her he didn't kill her, Alice simply replies, "fine, who did?"

Ripley and Shenk go to the crime scene.  Shenk analyzes the damage at the scene as characteristic of Luther's behavior but Ripley suggests it was staged for their benefit.  Ripley thinks the crime doesn't feel right; that a crime of passion of the nature of Zoe's murder would have been carried out by a gun.  Shenk questions his ability to see the case clearly.  Ripley admits he wants Luther to be innocent but if he isn't, he will do his job right. 

Alice asks Luther if he's going to kill Reed and he replies that he thought about it.  He's at her apartment because he needs a safe place to think.  She tells Luther that lying to himself isn't going to help him anymore.  She asks again why he is there.  He asks her to help him; to be his accomplice.  With a smile, she asks him "when do we start?"

Shenk or any of the other police do not know who he is talking to.  Luther tells Ripley he will not compromise him more than he has to but to not trust Ian Reed.  Luther tells him when there is time he will explain.  While they are talking, a uniformed officer comes in to say they may have found the gun. 

Outside in a drain they find a 9mm Beretta.  Ripley has left his phone on the entire time and Luther is listening to the info about the gun and Shenks orders that the gun is hard evidence and it cannot be tampered with or contaminated by an officer with misplaced loyalty.  Shenk and Ripley will be taking the gun to the lab themselves.

Luther feels that if Reed left the gun he left it for a reason.  He remembers there was a gun that could have been used that had his fingerprints all over it.  If it is the murder weapon, the prints will tie him directly to the murder.  Alice gets her gear together because they know they cannot let the gun reach the lab for analysis.  They make their plans and Luther asks her if she ever wonders why she's doing what she's doing and think she's gone mad.  She tells him 'no' and that they are who they are and that she'll never betray him.

Ripley gives their location over the radio and Luther hears.  Luther and Alice, in separate cars, overtake Shenk and Ripley.  Alice holds a knife to Shenk while Luther pulls Ripley from the car.  He pretends to rough him up and asks him where the gun is.  Ripley readily tells him it is in the glove box.  Ripley tells Luther to hit him to make it look right.  He does.  Luther takes the gun and Alice throws Shenks keys away then they get into the car she arrived in and drive away.

Ripley calls Reed and tells him they took the gun.  Reed tells him he needs to come in because they have to start facing facts because Luther isn't behaving like an innocent man.

While they are cleaning the gun, Luther asks Alice why she killed her parents.  She tells him because she wanted to.  Once it is properly cleaned, Luther throws the gun into the water. 

Reed calls Luther to talk.  Reed is scared and Luther tells him she should be.  He tells Luther that, while he can't, he wishes he could undo it.  Reed wants Luther to meet him so he can hear what he has to say and then after that whatever happens is in Luther's hands.  Luther agrees to meet at 9 o'clock at Faraday Memorial. 

Teller questions Ripley and Shenk about the gun.  Ripley cannot give her an idea about the female accomplice other than a vague description.  Shenk feels 95% positive the man was Luther despite the stocking mask he wore and that neither of the thieves spoke.  Reed comes to Tellers office and announces that Luther just called and wanted to set up a meeting. 

Teller refuses to let Reed attend the meeting without a bulletproof vest.  Reed refuses to use the vest and Teller instead suggests Tactical Weapons Support.  Reed agrees that she can bring in the shooters. 

While Mark is sitting outside the home he shared with Zoe, Alice gets into the car and puts a knife to his throat telling him not to speak, just drive.

Shenk tells Ripley they are comrades in arms because of what they went through.  As a comrade, Shenk asks Ripley what is troubling him.  Shenk doesn't feel that Luther's actions of stealing the gun fits the delusional framework. 

Alice takes Mark to see Luther and he immediately attacks Luther for killing Zoe.  He tells Mark he didn't kill her.  Apparently, he believes him and they start making plans for the meeting Luther will be having with Reed.  The police, meanwhile, are making their own plans.  As they are getting ready to leave for the meeting, Mark arrives at the station wanting to speak to Teller. 

Luther and Alice arrive for the meeting and she tells him he must control his temper or Reed will use it as a weapon.  He assures her he can control it.  There are sharpshooters all over the surrounding buildings as Reed stands awaiting the meeting with Luther. 

Reed tells Luther he doesn't understand how Luther believes he could have killed Zoe.  It's clear that Reed is playing it up for the police who are listening in to the conversation.  Reed keeps pushing buttons with Luther trying to get him to react.  Luther informs him he knows that Reed didn't come alone.  Reed continues to try and bait Luther but it isn't working.  Luther steps close to Reed and stars whispering so Teller cannot hear what he's saying.  He tells Reed that he agreed to the meeting to get him away from the locker room where the diamonds were.  The situation grows tense and Teller gives the sharpshooter the order that if he sees Luther draw a weapon he needs to shoot.  Luther reaches into his pocket and grabs hold of something.  Luther starts to pull a knife and Ripley throws himself on the sharpshooter and yells for Luther to run.  Luther turns and runs as Teller orders all units to give chase.  Teller turns to Ripley and orders him to give her his badge.  He hands it over and is arrested on Teller's order as Luther makes his escape.  He arrives back at Alice's car where he gets into the trunk.

Shenk has insisted on taking Mark's statement thus, preventing him from doing what he originally went to the station to do.  Mark clearly wants to hurry things along but Shenk is going slowly.  Mark asks to use the bathroom and leaves Shenk to walk coolly into the locker room.  He finds Reeds locker opens it and begins looking for the diamonds as Teller and Reed arrive back at the station with a handcuffed Ripley.  Reed enters the locker room as Mark leaves saying he's looking for the bathroom.  Mark leaves and Reed discovers the diamonds are gone.  Reed has a trace and track done on Mark who is on his way to see Luther.  Reed leaves for Mark and Shenk goes into his office and looks around.  He knows something isn't right.  He watches video of the meeting between Luther and Reed then questions Ripley. 

Mark arrives where he is to meet with Luther and Reed arrives shortly thereafter.  Shenk orders that DCI Reed be found immediately.  Mark leads Reed directly to Luther who grabs Reed from behind.  Luther gets Reeds gun from him and holds it on him.  Reed confesses to killing Zoe and tells Luther to go ahead and kill him.  Luther says he didn't come to kill him and pulls a tape recorder from his pocket.  He has the entire confession on tape.  Luther tells Reed he chooses not to kill him.  Reed, after a seconds thought, asks Luther if Zoe ever told him about an affair they had.  He wants Luther to kill him.  Luther drops the gun and starts to choke Reed but stops.  He won't give in to the anger and starts arresting Reed for Zoe's murder.  Reed draws a knife from his pocket and stabs Luther.  Alice has picked up Reeds gun and he stops him from repeatedly kicking the injured Luther.  Alice tells Reed that dying would be worse than going to prison and asks if she should pull the trigger.  Luther tells her no but she is in favor of killing Reed.  She asks Mark to be the tie breaker.  Reed again tries baiting Mark the same way he did Luther.  Mark tells Alice to shoot and she does.  Luther gets up and walks to Reed as the sound of sirens comes closer.  As the police come closer, Luther asks Mark and Alice "now what?".

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.6 Trailer

BBC One has uploaded a trailer for the season finale of Luther.  It appears this season is going to end with a big bang!

I've greatly enjoyed this first season of Luther and I sincerely hope we will be getting a second season of this, excellent, smart and tension-filled drama.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.6 Trailer

BBC One has uploaded a trailer for the season finale of Luther.  It appears this season is going to end with a big bang!

I've greatly enjoyed this first season of Luther and I sincerely hope we will be getting a second season of this, excellent, smart and tension-filled drama.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.5

This episode was amazing!  The ending was full of action and a huge surprise.  I wouldn't have expected the events that unfolded at the end to have happened at all. 

Episode five offers up several interesting plot twists and surprises.  The first surprise for me was when Luther asked Ripley to send information about an American suspect they had to a "Detective Munch in New York who works Special Victims".  Having been a fan of Richard Belzer's Detective John Munch character from the days he first appeared on Homicide:  Life on the Streets to his current stint on Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit it was quite a treat to see him mentioned in Luther.  I was really hoping to see John Munch, even for a few seconds, but, alas, that didn't happen.

As with each episode in this series thus far, this show delivers excellent tension and intriguing twists.  We have a heartless American bad guy, a good guy gone bad and a heartbreaking event at the end of the show.  There was a lot packed into the episode and it set the scene for next weeks season finale beautifully.



As with every other post about Luther, I've got an extremely in-depth summary of the show for you.  Please note that if you haven't watched it yet reading this summary will give you spoilers you might not want.

Now to the summary...

We see a lorry with "Fine Art Removals" painted on the back doors pulling away from the curb as a man, James, looks on from a balcony.  He walks back into the flat which is empty except for several pieces of luggage.  He is there with his wife, Jessica and it appears they are getting ready to leave on holiday or are moving as he asks her if she has the passports.  A lorry identical to the first pulls up to the building but the man recognizes the two people from the lorry as being a different from those he just saw off.  He allows them to come up to the flat and they jump him and put a gun to the woman.  A third man with an elaborate tattoo on his face enters the flat and appears to want 18 cut diamonds of outstanding quality.  When the tattooed man is told by James that he doesn't have the diamonds, the man and woman with the tattooed man tear apart the luggage that is on the floor.  The diamonds are nowhere to be found.  The tattooed man tells James that he has two hours to get the diamonds and bring them back to him or they will start cutting up lovely Jessica.  James agrees and the tattooed man gives him proof that he is not bluffing about his thread to cut Jessica.

We next see James being led in to speak with Luther and Ripley.  James asks to speak with DCI Ian Reed.  Luther informs him that Reed is elsewhere but he can assist him.  James holds out a blood soaked handkerchief that contains Jessica's tongue. 

One of the kidnappers refers to the tattooed man as "Dan" and we see a bloodied Jessica, who is now bound with duct tape over her mouth being led into a room where she is chained.  Dan wipes the elaborate tattooing from his face.

James tells Luther he came to see the police because he doesn't have what the kidnappers want and no way of getting it.  The diamonds are inside Jessica because she swallowed them, he tells Luther.

DCI Reed returns to the office and identifies Bill Winingham, a money launderer who procured the diamonds for James and is the only one who knows about them, and is the prime suspect.  Reed offers to find Bill Winingham because Winingham and his family knows him.  Seeing as how the diamonds must be delivered in a little over an hour Luther wants to use diamonds from the police evidence safe to try and save Jessica.  Teller is opposed to the plan but, after being assured by Luther that the evidence will not be out of his sight for a second, she allows the plan to proceed and she gets the diamonds.

Zoe and Mark are arguing over Luther.  Mark is packing to leave as he is wanting to go away for a couple of days to give Zoe time to think.  He tells Zoe that if she decides to stay with him there will be no recrimination, no blame but Zoe will never be able to see Luther again.  No phone calls, no emails--nothing.  After he leaves, she calls John and asks if she can see him.  He cannot see her right away and tells her he will call her the moment he gets a chance.

Luther goes back into the room with James and drops the diamonds on the table in front of him.  James doesn't believe the diamonds will satisfy Dan but Luther tells him it's the best they can do.  Luther tells him that he will give the kidnappers the diamonds with a note attached that when Jessica is released they will get the rest.  James and Luther both agree they will not go for it but Luther insists it will at least keep Jessica alive a bit longer so they will have more time.

Reed bursts into the home of Bill Winingham who immediately starts insisting that what happened wasn't his fault.  Reed tells him they all know the rules.  Winingham doesn't know what happened.  The kidnappers were supposed to call with the all clear but he's heard nothing.  Winingham tells Reed he has no idea where they are now but Reed insists that isn't good enough.  He tells Bill that he must tell him the truth now and asks who Bill's nephew recruited for the job.  Bill tells Reed about some American his nephew met while in school in America.  Winingham insists he doesn't know where the kidnappers and Jessica are.

Back at the police station Luther and James await the call from the kidnappers.  When it comes through, James answers with Luther listening in.  James tells the kidnappers he has what they are looking for and is told to meet them at Westfield Shopping Center, Central Hall in 20 minutes.  James starts to tell them he can't make it in 20 minutes but the call is disconnected.  The police were unable to trace the call.

The police have all entrances and exits covered by CCTV and Luther, as well as other undercover policemen, including Ripley, are on the scene.  James enters the mall and the police see two people in hoodies handing James a note, instructions.  Luther orders Ripley to pick up the two people in hoodies.  Luther stays with James who puts the diamonds in a bag he got from a coffee bar.  Ripley follows the kids in hoodies and learns they were apparently given money to give James the note of instructions.  Luther, still with James, follows him to level two where James, after pausing for several seconds, drops the bag containing the diamonds into a rubbish bin then walks away.  All stairs and escalators to the second floor are covered and the police see a man and woman approach the bin and the woman takes out the bag containing the diamonds.  The woman looks into the bag but what she is looking for isn't there.  She goes back to the rubbish bin and begins rifling through it.  The diamonds aren't there.  The woman starts to make a phone call and is immediately pursued by Luther and Ripley.  Ripley tackles her on the first level but the man with her was lost.

As Ripley and Luther are putting the woman in the car, her phone rings.  Ripley tosses it to Luther who answers it.  Luther tells the caller he doesn't know who he is or where he is but that he is still in control and asks him to not put the phone down.  Dan stays on the line and gives Luther one minute to talk to him.  Luther informs him that James kept the ransom because he figured Jessica would die even if the kidnappers were given the money so why lose both things.  Luther tells Dan that all he wants is Jessica to which Dan replies that he also wants to send him to prison.  Yes, Luther does want that but he understands that isn't an outcome he can expect so he will go for Plan B which is to get Jessica back alive.  Luther gives Dan his first name and asks for three hours to get him what he wants. Dan tells Luther to give him a number and in one hour he will call him.  Dan will not provide proof of life as it is a game of trust now.  Luther gives Dan a number.

Bills nephew, Tom, the man with the woman at the shopping mall, calls him to tell him things have gone bad.  Reed is still with Bill and he talks with Tom and asks where Jessica is being held.  Tom refuses to say.  Reed states that Tom can still get out of the situation with the money but Tom doesn't understand how.  Reed tells Tom that Jessica has the diamonds but that he must get her away safely before he can have the money.  Tom insists he cannot do that but Reed tells him that if he doesn't, hand to God, he will kill Tom himself.

The police can find no prints or record of the woman they arrested at the mall.  Luther tells Ripley to send the info to a Detective Munch in New York who is part of Special Victims.  Teller is worried that they may not get the diamonds back that she took out of evidence control.  As she and Luther are talking, Zoe walks up to his office.  Teller gives Luther two minutes to speak with her.

Zoe wants a moment of Luther's time that he cannot give.  He doesn't want her to make a scene in front of everyone.  She tells him the last few days have just been a way of saying 'goodbye' properly and she thinks they both knew that.  He tells her he didn't know.  He orders her out of his office then angrily throws his phone through the office window. 

Luther asks Ripley if he spoke to Munch and Ripley gives him the name of the suspect.  Evangeline Nixon.  She has a long history of violence, extortion and suspected kidnapping.  She is married to Daniel Sugarman who has an even longer history of violence, extortion, kidnapping and murder than she does.  Reed returns to the office and tells Luther there was no sign of Bill Winingham. 

Dan calls and Luther tells him he has most of what he wants but Dan doesn't just want most and that the deal is off.  Dan tells him that he doesn't care about Jessica.  Right now, her value seems to be verging on worthless.  Luther mentions Evangeline but Dan thinks little of that.  He knows she's safe and strong and will never give him up.  Dan gives Luther one last chance.  If he receives 100% of what he wants in an hour Luther gets 100% of Jessica.  Luther brings 80% he gets 80% of Jessica.  If Luther takes longer than an hour he doesn't get to know how Jessica dies or where she is dumped.

Tom goes to Jessica and tells her he know the diamonds are inside of her and that he's there to help her. 

Luther goes in to question Evangeline.  He tells her they offered Dan a swap:  her for Jessica.  He plays an edited recording of the conversation he just had with Dan to make her believe that Dan finds her worthless; that he doesn't care if he gets her back or not.  Luther gives her 10 seconds to take him up on a one-time offer to tell him where Dan is.  As he is getting ready to leave she tells him she wants to serve her time in the States.  He can arrange that.

While Tom is trying to free Jessica, he receives code from Dan that he is on his way to where she is.  Luther and Ripley leave the police station to go to where she is as well.  Tom frees her but he is too late.  As he is backing his car out, Dan pulls in behind him. 

The police arrive to find only Tom's car and an ear on the hood of it.  They enter the building where Jessica was being held and find her and Tom both dead.  Reed is clearly shaken by the turn of events.  Teller orders Bill Winingham tracked down and charged as an accessory to multiple murder, kidnapping and extortion.  Reed offers to track down Winingham and Luther will go after Sugarman.  Luther doesn't think Reed looks fine despite claims by Reed that he is.

Reed goes back to Winingham and tells him about Tom.  Reed blames himself for the deaths because Tom tried to free her on Reed's orders.  Reed wants to know what Winingham told Sugarman about him.  He wants to know if there is any info Winingham can give him that will help him find Sugarman before Luther.  Winingham gives him the name of a man Sugarman will go to for help with passports.  As Winingham is getting a drink for him and Reed, Reed takes off his tie and strangles Winingham.

Luther and Alice meet at St. Giles Church where John Milton is buried.  He tells her she was right about all the things she said about Zoe and him; that there is no love in the world.  She tells him he hurt her badly but what she did to Henry Madsen she did for "wholly unselfish reasons".  She tells him that what she did to Madsen proved something to her that she hadn't believed up until that point, that there is love in the world.  As he is leaving, he takes his wedding ring off and drops it into the offering box at the church.

At the station, Luther asks for progress regarding locating James.  There is nothing.  Luther goes through Evangeline's things and discovers her passport is a fake.  He wants to know who made it. 

At the airport, Luther meets with the man who made the passport.  He literally drags him out the window of his car and, after being shown a photo of Dan, the man tells Luther Dan is staying at the Renaissance hotel.  Luther lets him go but, before leaving, asks the forger what he meant when he said "not again" when Luther showed him Dan's photo.

Reed takes Winingham's body to a quarry and, as he's looking at it in the trunk of his car Luther phones.  Reed calmly answers the phone.  Luther tells him he knows what he is about to do; that he can't hurt Sugarman because if he does, he will go down for it.  Luther won't mind giving Reed two minutes to break Sugarman's legs but he must be there to tell him when to stop.  Reed tells Luther to meet him alone at the fountain at three. 

Luther goes to the Renaissance and questions the desk clerk about Dan.  Meanwhile, Reed arrives at the same hotel and sees Luther's car.  He enters the hotel and questions the clerk as to the room where Luther is going.  Luther keys his way into the room and picks up the Bible.  Dan puts the diamonds in his pocket as Luther comes around the corner surprising him and hits him with the Bible.  They struggle and when Luther gets Dan under control tells him someone is coming for him very soon if he isn't here already. 

Ian Reed comes into the room with gun drawn.  Luther, holding onto Dan, tells him that he cannot kill Dan.  Reed questions Dan as to what Winingham said to him about him.  Dan starts to talk and Reed shoots him in the head.  Luther falls backwards in surprise and picks up his gun.  The two men hold their guns on one another as Luther tells Reed they can make the situation go away.  Reed confesses that he knew about the robbery and let it go ahead for a percentage of the take.  Luther asks if he knew about the kidnapping and Reed says he didn't.  Luther tells him they can still make the situation work.  Luther gives Reed his gun as a sign of trust.

The door starts to open and Reed thinks Luther has double-crossed him.  He fires at Luther as the main enters and Luther pulls her to the floor.  Reed fishes through Dan's pockets for the diamonds then flees the room.  Luther pursues him into the hall but loses him.

Later, Teller and Shenk are in the room with Dan's body.  Shenk informs them there were no diamonds found and that the concierge gave him a description of the gunman.  Shenk shows Luther a sketch which Luther doesn't identify. 

Reed sits down on a bench to drink while his phone constantly rings in his pocket.  Luther is calling and leaves a message that they must start talking before the situation brings them both down.  Reed takes his gun out and puts it to his temple but he cannot pull the trigger. 

James walks into the office of a jeweler where he wants to get the diamonds valued.  Ripley opens an office door and walks into the room and informs him the diamonds they used to try and get Jessica back alive were fakes that were evidence in a fraud trial.  He arrests James.

Zoe is listening to a call from Mark telling her he's coming home when there is a knock at the door.  Reed has come to see her.  He wants her to call John and ask him over but not to tell him that he is at her home.  She tells him she can't because Reed is scaring her.  When she refuses to call John and not let him know Reed is there Reed takes his gun out and tells her to do it.  She gets her phone and calls Luther.  She asks if he can hear her and when he says 'yes' she screams that Reed is there and he has a gun on her.  Luther runs to her house with her still on the phone as Reed holds the gun on her ordering her to shut up.  When Reed turns his head away, Zoe stands up with a knife in her hands.  Reed turns around and fires, the sound of which, causes Luther to stop dead in his tracks. 

Luther gets in his car and rushes to Zoe's house.  He calls Teller and asks her to send a medic.  He arrives at her home to find her dead and Reed gone.  Luther runs out the back door into the rain.

Enjoy this scene from episode five of Luther where Zoe is telling Luther that their relationship is over.  The clip was uploaded to You Tube by the BBC.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 1.5

This episode was amazing!  The ending was full of action and a huge surprise.  I wouldn't have expected the events that unfolded at the end to have happened at all. 

Episode five offers up several interesting plot twists and surprises.  The first surprise for me was when Luther asked Ripley to send information about an American suspect they had to a "Detective Munch in New York who works Special Victims".  Having been a fan of Richard Belzer's Detective John Munch character from the days he first appeared on Homicide:  Life on the Streets to his current stint on Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit it was quite a treat to see him mentioned in Luther.  I was really hoping to see John Munch, even for a few seconds, but, alas, that didn't happen.

As with each episode in this series thus far, this show delivers excellent tension and intriguing twists.  We have a heartless American bad guy, a good guy gone bad and a heartbreaking event at the end of the show.  There was a lot packed into the episode and it set the scene for next weeks season finale beautifully.



As with every other post about Luther, I've got an extremely in-depth summary of the show for you.  Please note that if you haven't watched it yet reading this summary will give you spoilers you might not want.

Now to the summary...

We see a lorry with "Fine Art Removals" painted on the back doors pulling away from the curb as a man, James, looks on from a balcony.  He walks back into the flat which is empty except for several pieces of luggage.  He is there with his wife, Jessica and it appears they are getting ready to leave on holiday or are moving as he asks her if she has the passports.  A lorry identical to the first pulls up to the building but the man recognizes the two people from the lorry as being a different from those he just saw off.  He allows them to come up to the flat and they jump him and put a gun to the woman.  A third man with an elaborate tattoo on his face enters the flat and appears to want 18 cut diamonds of outstanding quality.  When the tattooed man is told by James that he doesn't have the diamonds, the man and woman with the tattooed man tear apart the luggage that is on the floor.  The diamonds are nowhere to be found.  The tattooed man tells James that he has two hours to get the diamonds and bring them back to him or they will start cutting up lovely Jessica.  James agrees and the tattooed man gives him proof that he is not bluffing about his thread to cut Jessica.

We next see James being led in to speak with Luther and Ripley.  James asks to speak with DCI Ian Reed.  Luther informs him that Reed is elsewhere but he can assist him.  James holds out a blood soaked handkerchief that contains Jessica's tongue. 

One of the kidnappers refers to the tattooed man as "Dan" and we see a bloodied Jessica, who is now bound with duct tape over her mouth being led into a room where she is chained.  Dan wipes the elaborate tattooing from his face.

James tells Luther he came to see the police because he doesn't have what the kidnappers want and no way of getting it.  The diamonds are inside Jessica because she swallowed them, he tells Luther.

DCI Reed returns to the office and identifies Bill Winingham, a money launderer who procured the diamonds for James and is the only one who knows about them, and is the prime suspect.  Reed offers to find Bill Winingham because Winingham and his family knows him.  Seeing as how the diamonds must be delivered in a little over an hour Luther wants to use diamonds from the police evidence safe to try and save Jessica.  Teller is opposed to the plan but, after being assured by Luther that the evidence will not be out of his sight for a second, she allows the plan to proceed and she gets the diamonds.

Zoe and Mark are arguing over Luther.  Mark is packing to leave as he is wanting to go away for a couple of days to give Zoe time to think.  He tells Zoe that if she decides to stay with him there will be no recrimination, no blame but Zoe will never be able to see Luther again.  No phone calls, no emails--nothing.  After he leaves, she calls John and asks if she can see him.  He cannot see her right away and tells her he will call her the moment he gets a chance.

Luther goes back into the room with James and drops the diamonds on the table in front of him.  James doesn't believe the diamonds will satisfy Dan but Luther tells him it's the best they can do.  Luther tells him that he will give the kidnappers the diamonds with a note attached that when Jessica is released they will get the rest.  James and Luther both agree they will not go for it but Luther insists it will at least keep Jessica alive a bit longer so they will have more time.

Reed bursts into the home of Bill Winingham who immediately starts insisting that what happened wasn't his fault.  Reed tells him they all know the rules.  Winingham doesn't know what happened.  The kidnappers were supposed to call with the all clear but he's heard nothing.  Winingham tells Reed he has no idea where they are now but Reed insists that isn't good enough.  He tells Bill that he must tell him the truth now and asks who Bill's nephew recruited for the job.  Bill tells Reed about some American his nephew met while in school in America.  Winingham insists he doesn't know where the kidnappers and Jessica are.

Back at the police station Luther and James await the call from the kidnappers.  When it comes through, James answers with Luther listening in.  James tells the kidnappers he has what they are looking for and is told to meet them at Westfield Shopping Center, Central Hall in 20 minutes.  James starts to tell them he can't make it in 20 minutes but the call is disconnected.  The police were unable to trace the call.

The police have all entrances and exits covered by CCTV and Luther, as well as other undercover policemen, including Ripley, are on the scene.  James enters the mall and the police see two people in hoodies handing James a note, instructions.  Luther orders Ripley to pick up the two people in hoodies.  Luther stays with James who puts the diamonds in a bag he got from a coffee bar.  Ripley follows the kids in hoodies and learns they were apparently given money to give James the note of instructions.  Luther, still with James, follows him to level two where James, after pausing for several seconds, drops the bag containing the diamonds into a rubbish bin then walks away.  All stairs and escalators to the second floor are covered and the police see a man and woman approach the bin and the woman takes out the bag containing the diamonds.  The woman looks into the bag but what she is looking for isn't there.  She goes back to the rubbish bin and begins rifling through it.  The diamonds aren't there.  The woman starts to make a phone call and is immediately pursued by Luther and Ripley.  Ripley tackles her on the first level but the man with her was lost.

As Ripley and Luther are putting the woman in the car, her phone rings.  Ripley tosses it to Luther who answers it.  Luther tells the caller he doesn't know who he is or where he is but that he is still in control and asks him to not put the phone down.  Dan stays on the line and gives Luther one minute to talk to him.  Luther informs him that James kept the ransom because he figured Jessica would die even if the kidnappers were given the money so why lose both things.  Luther tells Dan that all he wants is Jessica to which Dan replies that he also wants to send him to prison.  Yes, Luther does want that but he understands that isn't an outcome he can expect so he will go for Plan B which is to get Jessica back alive.  Luther gives Dan his first name and asks for three hours to get him what he wants. Dan tells Luther to give him a number and in one hour he will call him.  Dan will not provide proof of life as it is a game of trust now.  Luther gives Dan a number.

Bills nephew, Tom, the man with the woman at the shopping mall, calls him to tell him things have gone bad.  Reed is still with Bill and he talks with Tom and asks where Jessica is being held.  Tom refuses to say.  Reed states that Tom can still get out of the situation with the money but Tom doesn't understand how.  Reed tells Tom that Jessica has the diamonds but that he must get her away safely before he can have the money.  Tom insists he cannot do that but Reed tells him that if he doesn't, hand to God, he will kill Tom himself.

The police can find no prints or record of the woman they arrested at the mall.  Luther tells Ripley to send the info to a Detective Munch in New York who is part of Special Victims.  Teller is worried that they may not get the diamonds back that she took out of evidence control.  As she and Luther are talking, Zoe walks up to his office.  Teller gives Luther two minutes to speak with her.

Zoe wants a moment of Luther's time that he cannot give.  He doesn't want her to make a scene in front of everyone.  She tells him the last few days have just been a way of saying 'goodbye' properly and she thinks they both knew that.  He tells her he didn't know.  He orders her out of his office then angrily throws his phone through the office window. 

Luther asks Ripley if he spoke to Munch and Ripley gives him the name of the suspect.  Evangeline Nixon.  She has a long history of violence, extortion and suspected kidnapping.  She is married to Daniel Sugarman who has an even longer history of violence, extortion, kidnapping and murder than she does.  Reed returns to the office and tells Luther there was no sign of Bill Winingham. 

Dan calls and Luther tells him he has most of what he wants but Dan doesn't just want most and that the deal is off.  Dan tells him that he doesn't care about Jessica.  Right now, her value seems to be verging on worthless.  Luther mentions Evangeline but Dan thinks little of that.  He knows she's safe and strong and will never give him up.  Dan gives Luther one last chance.  If he receives 100% of what he wants in an hour Luther gets 100% of Jessica.  Luther brings 80% he gets 80% of Jessica.  If Luther takes longer than an hour he doesn't get to know how Jessica dies or where she is dumped.

Tom goes to Jessica and tells her he know the diamonds are inside of her and that he's there to help her. 

Luther goes in to question Evangeline.  He tells her they offered Dan a swap:  her for Jessica.  He plays an edited recording of the conversation he just had with Dan to make her believe that Dan finds her worthless; that he doesn't care if he gets her back or not.  Luther gives her 10 seconds to take him up on a one-time offer to tell him where Dan is.  As he is getting ready to leave she tells him she wants to serve her time in the States.  He can arrange that.

While Tom is trying to free Jessica, he receives code from Dan that he is on his way to where she is.  Luther and Ripley leave the police station to go to where she is as well.  Tom frees her but he is too late.  As he is backing his car out, Dan pulls in behind him. 

The police arrive to find only Tom's car and an ear on the hood of it.  They enter the building where Jessica was being held and find her and Tom both dead.  Reed is clearly shaken by the turn of events.  Teller orders Bill Winingham tracked down and charged as an accessory to multiple murder, kidnapping and extortion.  Reed offers to track down Winingham and Luther will go after Sugarman.  Luther doesn't think Reed looks fine despite claims by Reed that he is.

Reed goes back to Winingham and tells him about Tom.  Reed blames himself for the deaths because Tom tried to free her on Reed's orders.  Reed wants to know what Winingham told Sugarman about him.  He wants to know if there is any info Winingham can give him that will help him find Sugarman before Luther.  Winingham gives him the name of a man Sugarman will go to for help with passports.  As Winingham is getting a drink for him and Reed, Reed takes off his tie and strangles Winingham.

Luther and Alice meet at St. Giles Church where John Milton is buried.  He tells her she was right about all the things she said about Zoe and him; that there is no love in the world.  She tells him he hurt her badly but what she did to Henry Madsen she did for "wholly unselfish reasons".  She tells him that what she did to Madsen proved something to her that she hadn't believed up until that point, that there is love in the world.  As he is leaving, he takes his wedding ring off and drops it into the offering box at the church.

At the station, Luther asks for progress regarding locating James.  There is nothing.  Luther goes through Evangeline's things and discovers her passport is a fake.  He wants to know who made it. 

At the airport, Luther meets with the man who made the passport.  He literally drags him out the window of his car and, after being shown a photo of Dan, the man tells Luther Dan is staying at the Renaissance hotel.  Luther lets him go but, before leaving, asks the forger what he meant when he said "not again" when Luther showed him Dan's photo.

Reed takes Winingham's body to a quarry and, as he's looking at it in the trunk of his car Luther phones.  Reed calmly answers the phone.  Luther tells him he knows what he is about to do; that he can't hurt Sugarman because if he does, he will go down for it.  Luther won't mind giving Reed two minutes to break Sugarman's legs but he must be there to tell him when to stop.  Reed tells Luther to meet him alone at the fountain at three. 

Luther goes to the Renaissance and questions the desk clerk about Dan.  Meanwhile, Reed arrives at the same hotel and sees Luther's car.  He enters the hotel and questions the clerk as to the room where Luther is going.  Luther keys his way into the room and picks up the Bible.  Dan puts the diamonds in his pocket as Luther comes around the corner surprising him and hits him with the Bible.  They struggle and when Luther gets Dan under control tells him someone is coming for him very soon if he isn't here already. 

Ian Reed comes into the room with gun drawn.  Luther, holding onto Dan, tells him that he cannot kill Dan.  Reed questions Dan as to what Winingham said to him about him.  Dan starts to talk and Reed shoots him in the head.  Luther falls backwards in surprise and picks up his gun.  The two men hold their guns on one another as Luther tells Reed they can make the situation go away.  Reed confesses that he knew about the robbery and let it go ahead for a percentage of the take.  Luther asks if he knew about the kidnapping and Reed says he didn't.  Luther tells him they can still make the situation work.  Luther gives Reed his gun as a sign of trust.

The door starts to open and Reed thinks Luther has double-crossed him.  He fires at Luther as the main enters and Luther pulls her to the floor.  Reed fishes through Dan's pockets for the diamonds then flees the room.  Luther pursues him into the hall but loses him.

Later, Teller and Shenk are in the room with Dan's body.  Shenk informs them there were no diamonds found and that the concierge gave him a description of the gunman.  Shenk shows Luther a sketch which Luther doesn't identify. 

Reed sits down on a bench to drink while his phone constantly rings in his pocket.  Luther is calling and leaves a message that they must start talking before the situation brings them both down.  Reed takes his gun out and puts it to his temple but he cannot pull the trigger. 

James walks into the office of a jeweler where he wants to get the diamonds valued.  Ripley opens an office door and walks into the room and informs him the diamonds they used to try and get Jessica back alive were fakes that were evidence in a fraud trial.  He arrests James.

Zoe is listening to a call from Mark telling her he's coming home when there is a knock at the door.  Reed has come to see her.  He wants her to call John and ask him over but not to tell him that he is at her home.  She tells him she can't because Reed is scaring her.  When she refuses to call John and not let him know Reed is there Reed takes his gun out and tells her to do it.  She gets her phone and calls Luther.  She asks if he can hear her and when he says 'yes' she screams that Reed is there and he has a gun on her.  Luther runs to her house with her still on the phone as Reed holds the gun on her ordering her to shut up.  When Reed turns his head away, Zoe stands up with a knife in her hands.  Reed turns around and fires, the sound of which, causes Luther to stop dead in his tracks. 

Luther gets in his car and rushes to Zoe's house.  He calls Teller and asks her to send a medic.  He arrives at her home to find her dead and Reed gone.  Luther runs out the back door into the rain.

Enjoy this scene from episode five of Luther where Zoe is telling Luther that their relationship is over.  The clip was uploaded to You Tube by the BBC.

BBC One Dramatic Series: "Luther", Behind the Scenes, Madsen's Fall

The BBC has put up a four and a half minute "behind the scenes" video of the Henry Madsen fall from the very first episode of Luther.  I found it rather interesting to see how this tense scene was filmed.

BBC One Dramatic Series: "Luther", Behind the Scenes, Madsen's Fall

The BBC has put up a four and a half minute "behind the scenes" video of the Henry Madsen fall from the very first episode of Luther.  I found it rather interesting to see how this tense scene was filmed.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 4

We are four episodes into the series now and there's been some time for viewers to start making comments about the show online.  I've read some these comments at various sites around the Internet and it seems that viewers either really love Luther or they really dislike it.  There is little middle ground.  Being someone who is used to the American style of television, I personally find this show quite refreshing.  I severely dislike reality programming preferring my entertainment to be of the scripted variety.  Sure, I love some flat-out nonsense fun entertainment but I also want some great drama in the mix as well.  I like a show that leaves me thinking long after it's over.  I like complex characters.

In my most humble opinion, this series just gets better and better.  I'm so very happy I started watching it as I've truly enjoyed all four episodes that have aired.  It's one of the best dramas I've had the pleasure of watching in a very long time.  The acting is superb and I greatly enjoy every single character.  Alice Morgan has got to be one of the best characters I've seen in a long time.  Even if you don't care for police dramas this show is worth watching for her alone.



That having been said, I want to keep my opinions to a minimum so as not to influence how anyone thinks of this show but I've got to say, this was my favorite episode of Luther yet.  It was an incredibly full show with a lot going on.  Luther is still plagued by the demons that have followed him since the beginning of the series.  Things seem to be getting a bit more complicated for him with each episode.  That's going to make for some excellent tension later on when things start coming to a head.  The ending to this episode came as a big surprise to me.  I certainly didn't expect it in the least.

There are only two more episodes to finish off the first series of Luther  You can catch the next one on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 9 p.m. on BBC One.

Now for the summary...(Be aware, there are spoilers here so if you want a surprise for the ending avoid the last paragraph!)



The show starts with a man bent over a woman's body.  He stands, then bends again and removes a crescent moon necklace from her.  He turns and walks away.  Luther is awakened by a telephone call.  The case is his.  There have been three victims in five weeks, spread across London.  The body is carefully posed with items from her handbag arranged around her head and her shoes placed soles-up at her feet.  The police know the killer will strike again soon so they are working against the clock to stop him before another woman dies.  Luther believes the killer is in the police database somewhere.  Our old friend DCI Shenk calls DCI Teller to the hospital where Henry Madsen is awake and, according to Shenk, it's looking very good that he will be able to be questioned.  Meanwhile, Luther visits Alice and they speak about Madsen's awakening from his coma.  He tells her he can't see or talk to her anymore while the whole Madsen issue is hanging over his head.  That does not please her. 

The man we see at the start of the show arrives home.  Luther and Ripley watch one of the victims on CCTV footage while discussing the case.  Luther's phone rings--it's Zoe.  They talk briefly before she has to hang up as Mark is awake.  Our mystery man, Graham, is listening to news of the discovery of the woman's body.  He turns the radio off then takes the moon necklace from his pocket.  His wife returns home and he gives her the moon necklace as a birthday present.  After seeing her wearing the necklace they must immediately go upstairs.  They go out that evening to celebrate her birthday. 

Luther has photographs arranged in a circle on the floor and he gets in the center of them to try and see things from a different perspective.  The police learn there was a necklace missing from the victim which helps them further profile the killer.  Graham makes an excuse that he has to work to leave the birthday celebration.  Luther and Ripley come to the conclusion that the victims must have trusted their killer and Luther suggests they're looking for a taxi driver.  We next see Graham taking a cab out into the London night scanning the streets.  Luther sits alone at the station going through CCTV while, at the hospital, Madsen screams out Luther's name which Luther later learns about from DCI Teller.  Thanks to CCTV, they get a plate and home information of a taxi driver and the police go out to make the arrest.  Graham stops and tells a young woman who is walking home a lie about a report of a nearby attack.  She gets into the cab thinking he will be taking her safely home.  The police pull over a cab and arrest the driver but it is the wrong man.  Graham's wife goes home with the man she is having an affair with.  They know that Graham knows of the affair.  We next see the body of the young woman Graham picked up positioned on the snowy ground.  After learning they arrested the wrong man and carefully observing CCTV more closely the police know they aren't looking for a real taxi driver. 

Alice goes to the hospital.  She tells the officer guarding Madsen that they need his assistance with crowd control.  When he leaves, she goes in and kills Madsen.  Shenk tells Luther of Madsen's death and asks him if he knows who would want Madsen dead.  Alice calls Luther and they argue over what she's just done.  She tells him she did it for him and he yells at her to stay away from him drawing the attention of everyone in the station.  Alice goes to Mark and tells him that Zoe has been lying to him.  They get a viable suspect in the case (Graham) and Ripley is ordered to bring his wife, Linda in.  Ripley asks Graham's wife to accompany him back to the station to speak.  She asks to go to the bathroom before they leave and calls Graham.  When she asks him what he's done be becomes enraged. 

Luther sits down and talks with Linda about Graham and is interrupted by Ripley with an urgent message.  While Luther is out of the room Linda goes through the case folder and sees a photo of one of the victims wearing the moon necklace Graham gave her.  Zoe and Martin talk about the situation between her and Luther.  She tells Mark that Luther isn't what she wants.  She wants to be with him.  Linda tells Luther that her husband knew she was having an affair. 

Graham goes to the house of Linda's lover, Dennis and attacks and kills him.  A hooker, Layla arrives at Dennis' home.  Luther finally gets a hold of Layla on the phone and tells her to get to a safe place and wait for the police.  She runs into the bathroom and locks herself in.  While Graham is beating on the door to get in, she sees the body of Dennis wrapped in plastic in the bathtub.  Graham begins tearing the door down.  The police arrive and Linda calls out to her husband.  He goes downstairs where he is confronted by Linda and the police.  Overcome with emotion, Graham drops the hammer he is carrying and the police take him.  Linda goes upstairs and sees Layla crying in the bathroom and sees Dennis' body.  She goes back downstairs and picks up the hammer, rushes outside and bashes Graham in the head, killing him as the police are leading him to the car.  Luther finally goes home and calls Zoe.  She doesn't pick up so he leaves a message for her.

BBC One Dramatic Series: Luther, Episode 4

We are four episodes into the series now and there's been some time for viewers to start making comments about the show online.  I've read some these comments at various sites around the Internet and it seems that viewers either really love Luther or they really dislike it.  There is little middle ground.  Being someone who is used to the American style of television, I personally find this show quite refreshing.  I severely dislike reality programming preferring my entertainment to be of the scripted variety.  Sure, I love some flat-out nonsense fun entertainment but I also want some great drama in the mix as well.  I like a show that leaves me thinking long after it's over.  I like complex characters.

In my most humble opinion, this series just gets better and better.  I'm so very happy I started watching it as I've truly enjoyed all four episodes that have aired.  It's one of the best dramas I've had the pleasure of watching in a very long time.  The acting is superb and I greatly enjoy every single character.  Alice Morgan has got to be one of the best characters I've seen in a long time.  Even if you don't care for police dramas this show is worth watching for her alone.



That having been said, I want to keep my opinions to a minimum so as not to influence how anyone thinks of this show but I've got to say, this was my favorite episode of Luther yet.  It was an incredibly full show with a lot going on.  Luther is still plagued by the demons that have followed him since the beginning of the series.  Things seem to be getting a bit more complicated for him with each episode.  That's going to make for some excellent tension later on when things start coming to a head.  The ending to this episode came as a big surprise to me.  I certainly didn't expect it in the least.

There are only two more episodes to finish off the first series of Luther  You can catch the next one on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 9 p.m. on BBC One.

Now for the summary...(Be aware, there are spoilers here so if you want a surprise for the ending avoid the last paragraph!)



The show starts with a man bent over a woman's body.  He stands, then bends again and removes a crescent moon necklace from her.  He turns and walks away.  Luther is awakened by a telephone call.  The case is his.  There have been three victims in five weeks, spread across London.  The body is carefully posed with items from her handbag arranged around her head and her shoes placed soles-up at her feet.  The police know the killer will strike again soon so they are working against the clock to stop him before another woman dies.  Luther believes the killer is in the police database somewhere.  Our old friend DCI Shenk calls DCI Teller to the hospital where Henry Madsen is awake and, according to Shenk, it's looking very good that he will be able to be questioned.  Meanwhile, Luther visits Alice and they speak about Madsen's awakening from his coma.  He tells her he can't see or talk to her anymore while the whole Madsen issue is hanging over his head.  That does not please her. 

The man we see at the start of the show arrives home.  Luther and Ripley watch one of the victims on CCTV footage while discussing the case.  Luther's phone rings--it's Zoe.  They talk briefly before she has to hang up as Mark is awake.  Our mystery man, Graham, is listening to news of the discovery of the woman's body.  He turns the radio off then takes the moon necklace from his pocket.  His wife returns home and he gives her the moon necklace as a birthday present.  After seeing her wearing the necklace they must immediately go upstairs.  They go out that evening to celebrate her birthday. 

Luther has photographs arranged in a circle on the floor and he gets in the center of them to try and see things from a different perspective.  The police learn there was a necklace missing from the victim which helps them further profile the killer.  Graham makes an excuse that he has to work to leave the birthday celebration.  Luther and Ripley come to the conclusion that the victims must have trusted their killer and Luther suggests they're looking for a taxi driver.  We next see Graham taking a cab out into the London night scanning the streets.  Luther sits alone at the station going through CCTV while, at the hospital, Madsen screams out Luther's name which Luther later learns about from DCI Teller.  Thanks to CCTV, they get a plate and home information of a taxi driver and the police go out to make the arrest.  Graham stops and tells a young woman who is walking home a lie about a report of a nearby attack.  She gets into the cab thinking he will be taking her safely home.  The police pull over a cab and arrest the driver but it is the wrong man.  Graham's wife goes home with the man she is having an affair with.  They know that Graham knows of the affair.  We next see the body of the young woman Graham picked up positioned on the snowy ground.  After learning they arrested the wrong man and carefully observing CCTV more closely the police know they aren't looking for a real taxi driver. 

Alice goes to the hospital.  She tells the officer guarding Madsen that they need his assistance with crowd control.  When he leaves, she goes in and kills Madsen.  Shenk tells Luther of Madsen's death and asks him if he knows who would want Madsen dead.  Alice calls Luther and they argue over what she's just done.  She tells him she did it for him and he yells at her to stay away from him drawing the attention of everyone in the station.  Alice goes to Mark and tells him that Zoe has been lying to him.  They get a viable suspect in the case (Graham) and Ripley is ordered to bring his wife, Linda in.  Ripley asks Graham's wife to accompany him back to the station to speak.  She asks to go to the bathroom before they leave and calls Graham.  When she asks him what he's done be becomes enraged. 

Luther sits down and talks with Linda about Graham and is interrupted by Ripley with an urgent message.  While Luther is out of the room Linda goes through the case folder and sees a photo of one of the victims wearing the moon necklace Graham gave her.  Zoe and Martin talk about the situation between her and Luther.  She tells Mark that Luther isn't what she wants.  She wants to be with him.  Linda tells Luther that her husband knew she was having an affair. 

Graham goes to the house of Linda's lover, Dennis and attacks and kills him.  A hooker, Layla arrives at Dennis' home.  Luther finally gets a hold of Layla on the phone and tells her to get to a safe place and wait for the police.  She runs into the bathroom and locks herself in.  While Graham is beating on the door to get in, she sees the body of Dennis wrapped in plastic in the bathtub.  Graham begins tearing the door down.  The police arrive and Linda calls out to her husband.  He goes downstairs where he is confronted by Linda and the police.  Overcome with emotion, Graham drops the hammer he is carrying and the police take him.  Linda goes upstairs and sees Layla crying in the bathroom and sees Dennis' body.  She goes back downstairs and picks up the hammer, rushes outside and bashes Graham in the head, killing him as the police are leading him to the car.  Luther finally goes home and calls Zoe.  She doesn't pick up so he leaves a message for her.