Based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s books of the same name, but set in Scotland, filmed in Edinburgh so it looks good and gritty as we expect of Scottish police dramas. Brilliant cast, each bringing colour to the story and filling any gaps there might have been by lesser actors. From the good and bad guys to the supporting roles that add light to each scene. Brilliantly written with nuances, humour, and tragedies hidden in each character and the story.
What really sets it apart,t though, is the undercurrent of dry Scottish humour that cuts through the darkness just enough to make it human. Grim but never dreary. The twists and turns in the plot kept us viewing it throughout its nine episodes. Once started, we had to get to the end of the plot.
The Storyline
Dept Q as just another police drama featuring a physically and emotionally scarred cop, but that would be to miss the point. Like Slow Horses it is a deliciously subversive drama with a darkly comic fast-talking script and grimy, colour-saturated visuals with lashings of bloodshed.Â
The eponymous department is also reminiscent of Slow Horses, being a collection of misfits investigating cold cases as a way of keeping them out of mischief. Rather than an obscure building far from the madding crowd.
Morck himself, gaunt and gaunted, is fresh back from being shot in the head, in which attack his best friend and colleague was paralysed and is in hospital, yin to his yang. Morck has obligatory therapy sessions with Rachel Irving. Their tennis match conversations are worth the price of admission on their own.
The Best Part
Just brilliant TV: Script, pace, backstories, excellent foundation for more seasons, and Matthew Goode should get the Emmy now. No wasted scenes, wasted narratives or too many players. Just a really really well-done and executed series from beginning to end. Dept.Q ended perfectly, unlike other shows where you’re left saying what will happen next. Leaving the door open, hopefully for a second season so we can see these characters grow.
The Characters
Through the first case, Carl (Matthew Goode), who normally looks suave and cool, DC Rose Dickson, and Akram Salim, newly arrived to UK, Syrian “police officer (Alexej Manvelov from Top Dog). Also, helping from his hospital bed, again no spoilers, is his best mate, DI James Jardy (Jamie Sives), who played their roles well.
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The strength of “Dept Q” lies in its well-developed characters, each bringing depth and nuance to the narrative. The acting is top-notch, with each cast member delivering performances that resonate with authenticity and emotion. The chemistry between the leads enhances the storyline, making their investigative journeys both compelling and relatable. If you’re tired of the usual fare, give “Dept.Q” a try; it may just restore your faith in great storytelling on screen.
IMDb Rating – 8.3/10
Written by Nilesh Shiv