As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours binge-watching legal dramas and crime series, I must say that Showtrial season 2 stands out as one of the most compelling and thought-provoking shows I’ve encountered.
*Warning: Contains major Showtrial season 2 spoilers.*
In the second season premiere of BBC’s courtroom drama, Showtrial, a notable environmental activist was found murdered.
On a quiet country road, Barney Fishwick, or Marcus Calderwood as he’s also known, was intentionally hit by a vehicle while riding his bike. After the incident, the assailant moved his body into a thick tangle of vegetation, hoping that he would pass away unnoticed.
However, a farmer found his body, barely able to muster a breath, to tell a paramedic that a police officer was sitting at the wheel.
A short time later, the enigmatic ‘Officer X’ was unmasked as Justin Marks (Michael Socha).
But did he do it?
Over the course of the series, we learned that Justin and Marcus had a history.
A police officer accused an eco-activist of being responsible for the tragic loss of a pregnant woman and her unborn child, which occurred during his shift.
Medics were unable to reach the injured party, who had been in a traffic accident, due to gridlocked roads caused by a protest from his campaign group, Stop Climate Genocide (SCG).
Regardless of his multiple attempts to call for help, Justin found himself unable to do anything more than assure the woman that both she and her baby would be safe. Sadly, this wasn’t the case, and Justin also faced a dire situation.
Consequently, Justin developed an intense, fiery animosity towards Marcus. This antagonism initially surfaced as a series of harassments, eventually culminating in a tragic climax: taking Marcus’ life.
However, merely suggesting that Justin appears to be responsible for Marcus’ death wouldn’t stand up in a court of justice. Despite having a motive, the prosecution’s case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, a point the defense frequently emphasized to the jury.
In the absence of the definitive piece of evidence – which in this context is likened to a pedal – it became more challenging to dismiss alternative possibilities, potentially implicating other potential culprits.
Could it be that either Patrick Norris, who is Marcus’s neighbor portrayed by Aidan McArdle, or his wife Elena, played by Monica Lopera, was behind the wheel of the car? Or, perhaps they had enlisted someone to carry out a hit on Marcus, taking advantage of their shady contacts and substantial resources?
It seems that SCG has undergone a split recently, leading to the emergence of a more aggressive faction. Was there a internal dispute that escalated tragically?
However, it was only at the conclusion of episode 4 that Justin admitted the truth directly, confessing to his attorney Sam (played by Adeel Akhtar) following a challenging court hearing.
Indeed, Norris did take part, urging Justin to commit the act against Marcus (due to a disagreement over a tree preservation order), but it was Justin who held the steering wheel during that incident.
Indeed, it’s always been evident to me, isn’t it? It’s as clear as daylight now, but even from the start, every hint seemed to be guiding us towards none other than Justin. And as we all gathered here, nodding in agreement, it was just a confirmation of what we had suspected all along.
However, unlike many other crime dramas where the climactic unveiling of the truth is eagerly anticipated by viewers, here it was a matter of expectation rather than revelation.
The trial opted for a more minimalistic style, which might have seemed disappointing, yet it proved incredibly effective.
Although other theories had been previously mentioned, writer Ben Richards showed no fascination with unraveling the enigma itself. Instead, his unique approach, if you could call it that, served as a chance to bypass the traditional Big Reveal™ and take a less predictable path, ultimately crafting a much more intriguing story.
Primarily, this latest series of Showtrial delved into the themes of sadness and anger, focusing on their destructive impact when allowed to grow unchecked.
Justin consistently avoided dealing with the emotional aftermath after the passing of the pregnant woman. Not only did he disregard the mental health assistance presented to him, but he outright rejected any suggestion that there was anything he needed to address in this regard.
He wasn’t inclined to reveal his struggles with PTSD, which could be compared to holding the “mental health card,” as he felt it didn’t match the image he wished to project.
Beyond just fearing the unknown, I was terrified of discovering truths about my own self by delving into my emotions. And when Sandra Vodanovic (Anna Próchniak) experienced a miscarriage, it felt like old, unhealed wounds were brutally reopened anew.
To his peers, Justin appeared as if he were full of bluster and masculine displays, but beneath the surface, he was a turbulent sea of agony. He was struggling to keep afloat, and tragically, not long after, Marcus lost his life.
In the culmination of Showtrial’s second season, I found myself accomplishing what seemed improbable – transforming an intensely disliked character named Justin into a more relatable, empathetic individual.
Despite his actions being inexcusable – the ex-police officer not only intentionally took Marcus’ life, but also showed cruelty and abuse towards Sandra, and was an active member of a highly offensive Whatsapp group with his colleagues – his heartache over failing to save the expectant mother, as well as his regret for mistreating his partner, such as withholding Norris’s name for protection, provided a glimpse into the man he could potentially be without his arrogance.
However, redemption isn’t the focus here. Richards doesn’t aim to make Justin appear sympathetic, though some viewers might find themselves feeling more compassionate towards him. Instead, Showtrial delves into the complexities of simultaneous truths, thereby challenging our feelings about people.
If the pregnant woman hadn’t passed away, Justin might not have assumed the role of the Friendly Neighborhood Officer, but ‘wicked’ might be too vague or restrictive to define him. He’s a complex individual with numerous flaws, yet if he had managed to subdue the turmoil within himself, could there have been a chance for his transformation? Possibly. Perhaps not.
Justin was elusive, a blend of various traits rather than just one distinct quality. His character encompassed a wide range of human emotions.
Although it might not grab attention like major events do, it certainly provides a much deeper and captivating viewing experience that lingers in your memory.
Showtrial seasons 1-2 are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
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2024-10-16 12:35