TV Review // Salamander Series 1: Episodes 9 + 10 (BBC 4)
Salamander is edging, in
no overly relaxed way, towards its conclusion. What did we learn in this gripping
double bill?
SPOILERS AHEAD!
So far we’ve had car
chases, explosions, conspiracy, government intrigue, assassinations, vague
alliances and everything in between. For those of you who remember Millennium,
(Chris Carter’s excellent late 90’s drama starring Lance Henriksen) there are
some parallels here that are very much appreciated by this writer. Whoever
would have guessed Belgium would be so enveloped in the web of conspiracy it is
in Salamander’s fictional world?
There’s no denying though that,
although the plot twists are sometimes verging on the far too convenient to be
true and it’s certainly nothing that hasn’t been done before, Salamander is a
guaranteed roller coaster ride of traditional spy and conspiracy thrills.
We’re edging towards the
conclusion here, and it’s still not entirely clear how it will resolve. Filip Peeters is as ever quietly brilliant as Paul Geradi, showing us why the older
male lead is often a good bet in dramatic terms. His grief is entirely
believable and it seems many viewers are taking to him in other ways too. A
definite thumbs up right?!
In terms of plot, this
week’s episodes see the termination of one major character and the political
aims of the Salamander group come closer to realisation. The great thing about
Salamander is that there isn’t really much room for too much analysis, what has
to be done is done, and usually quickly. A previously occupied office can be
emptied in a matter of hours and an unwanted presence disposed of with the
flick of a black gloved hand.
The key to enjoying
Salamander is not to look for logic particularly, more to enjoy the ride like
on any cop show. Arguably, if this were one of the excellent wave of
Scandinavian dramas it might not be as well received as it has been but the
fact it takes place comparatively close by in a culture we know comfortably
enough about makes it all the more enticing.
The excellent camera work
on the series, not overly flashy but always showing us what we need to see
while keeping things suitably dark and mysterious ensures that you never
believe Salamander doesn’t control the country. No allegiance is certain or
defined too much and every character has something to hide. Paul Geradi is the
only man to trust, and until the Public Prosecutor is strangled and posed by Salamander’s
Jonkhere instructed henchmen we’re still not too sure of which side he’s on.
The gang who robbed the 66
safes are still out there as well, undiscovered by Jonkhere and co. Next week
this must come to a head. Surely? With Geradi invited to dinner with the
daughter of potentially one of said group (nothing is clear as of yet, as ever
on Salamander) and now gifted with the connection he needed in some mantle
piece family photographs next week is sure to be a conclusion to remember…
Reviewed by Sebastian Gahan.
Image © BBC
